I have eaten here twice. This place certainty reminds me of suburban Tokyo restaurants that had cozy, family recipe-based food. The decor is charming, with the origami and Japanese-style chairs and tables. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes and quick with service. The items I have tried from Sunshine Cafe are the following: Nanban Yaki Ramen (was a special) Katsu Zaru Soba Croquettes I've found all dishes to be reminiscent of the simple, clean Japanese food I've had growing up. They were not culturally washed out whatsoever. I recommend the Nanban Yaki for a hearty, well-seasoned beef dish. The ramen was flavorful as well, although I'm not sure if it was limited only to the period of time where it was a special. The katsu was full of panko goodness, which gave it a great crunch. I was also pleasantly surprised by the croquettes, as they are a simple dish, but they executed this very well with its sauce pairing. The biggest highlight was the soba. It has been difficult for me to find a restaurant that serves cold soba accurately and Sunshine Cafe nailed it! If you try one dish here, give the cold soba a try. Truly Japanese!
(5)
Ham B.
A cozy little Japanese diner showcasing home cooking and comfort food. Many dishes come paired with a Miso soup and hot green tea. Most meals are priced at or just below $10 with pretty filling portions- i'm a big guy and always leave stuffed. I've had several soba and udon noodle dishes and most recently a fried pork meal with a cucumber salad and a side of fried eggplant with a ginger dipping sauce. Delicious and filling. The seating is limited and its a cozy space right in the heart of Andersonville- seating can be difficult to come buy during peak meal hours- you've been warned! The only criticism i can come up with is that the waitstaff seemed small- only 2 girls who were working at top speed but were challenged to get drink refills to all tables enough- they just need another server! Anyway, TLDR; a great inexpensive Japanese Diner, thats also BYOB! I'll be back soon
(4)
Sharon C.
I've been here before, ordered the udon and LOVED it. On this visit, though, I ordered the sukiyaki - and while the first few bites were amazing, packed with flavor and so delicious, the next few revealed that most the flavor was mostly salt. The entire dish was incredibly salty - I tasted my friend's to make sure it wasn't just mine, and his was incredibly salty, as well. As delicious as it was, I couldn't even come close to finishing it, and even eating most of the bowl of rice it came with wasn't enough. Overall, just really disappointing from a place that I used to love.
(3)
Sheila K.
This is one of the places on Clark that I have always wanted to try. I pass by it all the time when I go produce shopping at Edgewater. It was a perfect evening to get some grub because it was quite chilly outside. We came in pretty early around 5ish and had no problem getting a table for two. Upon being seated, we were given the menu and hot tea and water were served without requesting them. That was pretty great! I liked that touch. The have an array of things on the menu, from small appetizers to udon to don and many more. I decided to try the Katsu Don and my other half got the Tempura Udon. In addition, I tried their Misuri Ume. We enjoyed our meals and both very filling. The Katsu Don was very flavorful and the udon hit the right spot for the chilly evening. This is a cute family run business. It has a lot of charm. While we were dining, there were also a lot of people calling in and picking up orders. I think they also just did some remodeling. Overall, we would not hesitate to return in the future.
(4)
Yuki Z.
Family style Japanese restaurant. Relatively cheap and authentic Japanese place, tho the location is not prime. Got the una-don. Very decently priced and much cheaper than many restaurants in Evanston. The unagi was fresh, tho the presentation of food looks very different from what I would expect. Also not much veggies. The gyoza are tiny, but still taste good! Should get the potato thing! That is great! Will go back if I have the chance!
(4)
J K.
Please don't close!!! This place is the last of the local Japanese American haunts and its closing would signal the end of an era. Please please don't close!
(5)
Brian K.
I hope Dan buys it or is given it to run. He is Sunshine Cafe!!! BYK. Food is great, service is superb keep this place running. Japs and all races love it. Work something out because this joint the bomb. BYK
(5)
Brian S.
Ever go to a place and see the other patrons enjoying there food so much tou couldnt wait to dig in? 5his is the place. Not only is it a locals spot, its a family spot for all to enjoy. Solid Japanese fare with a cult like almost following. Mmm TASTY noodles. Who Don? I love udon.
(4)
Roger M.
Have seen this place for years (1980's) but never went in. I wasted 25 years of my life having denied myself of the best Japanese home cooking in Chicago! So far, everything I had was excellent: Katsudon, Tempura, Salmon Teriyaki, Gyiza and Tonkatsu. Fresh as can be. That's it. Don't want to bore you with the repetitiveness of what's already been said.
(5)
Josh M.
Great authentic Japanese food. Don't come here if you're looking for sushi...but authentic Udon, sukiyaki and other Japanese soups. I've Been to Japan before and this is as close as I've seen in the states to matching the cuisine. Get the beef sukiyaki or the Udon with vegetables or tempura. Definitely check out the potato croquettes. Dipping sauce that comes with the croquettes is killer.
(5)
Alex W.
DELICIOUS soup. The service can be slow but it's a fun, homey sort of place.
(4)
Frank B.
I ended up watching a lot of funny Japanese commercials on Youtube and really got a craving for noodles! Ramen, udon, soba etc so I googled "Best Udon in Chicago". Sunshine Cafe came up on the top so decided to go there. Once we arrived the staff was very friendly which is an A+. Reviewing the menu was a bit shocking, I mean $9.00 and up for a bowl of Udon? Ordered the Tempura Udon ($10.50) and all I can say is it was "Ok" For the price it should be the best Udon evaaaaaa but it is not. We did get free green tea ice cream which was the equivalent of $2 so I guess it offset the cost but $23 for 2 bowls of Udon?! C'mon! Bottom Line: Good service, decent food, but very overpriced. This should be a $$ not a $ restaurant
(3)
Mandy B.
I really like this place! The potato croquettes are so interesting and good. Great flavors. All the food is very authentic and tasty. Tempura vegetables are great! Hot soba also very good. Well worth a visit!!
(4)
Andrew G.
Excellent place. Very simple and casual atmosphere with amazing food. It can difficult to find good Japanese restaurants that are not just sushi. Sunshine Cafe has all of the best Japanese dishes executed perfectly. The staff could not be more friendly.
(5)
Claude P.
Super friendly people working here and the food is really comforting. If you think "Japanese" and then think "Sushi" I hope this place changes your mind a little. Not to think sushi sucks, it's great, but to think about other Japanese dishes. Nothing beats a hot bowl of noodles sometimes. Check it out. It's worth it. LISTEN TO ME I'M ON THE INTERNET!
(5)
Heather R.
Really amazing soba, and lovely, friendly service when we came into this tiny storefront to pick up our order. Food was BOILING HOT - too hot to eat right away when we got home - luckily we got some gyoza as well which were terrific. Can't wait for my next noodle craving - planning on trying everything on the menu. Super wonderful foodie find and very near our neighborhood, too. BONUS.
(4)
Jo H.
Fantastically delicious food and an awesome, friendly staff! It's a not-quite-a-secret neighborhood gem.
(5)
Ivy T.
What do you think of when hear Japanese food? I'll bet it's not comfort food. But don't worry. It's not greasy or heavy. It still upholds the simple flavors and lightness that is characteristic of Japanese cuisine. Just to be absolutely clear, you will not get rolls drizzled with cheese or any mayo-based sauces. Their udon was wonderfully soothing and light. The broth was clear and tasty. I had the vegetable udon, which came with a healthy serving of vegetables. We also ordered their cold soba noodles with tempura, and a rice dish with stir-fry tofu and vegetables in some kind of spicy sauce. The soba noodles were delicious and perfect for a summer meal. I loved dipping the noodles in the sauce :) The rice was good but I would probably rank it third out of the three dishes. I still can't believe I gave up Vietnamese food to walk a mile to eat here. But I am glad I did! It was definitely worth the walk from Little Saigon!
(5)
Stella W.
One of my favourite places in Chicago...it's an old school, home style japanese place where they don't usually serve sushi, but just the japanese kitchen food, such as udon, sukiyaki, etc... As much as i love eating anything raw, I love this place, esp, the fact that the chef is this retired japanese woman who just wants to cook up something yummy in the back! Every time I eat here, I felt like I am eating at a grandma's house, comfortable and yummy home cooked food :) BYOB is always a plus ;)
(5)
Mel A.
First time visit with a friend who is a frequent diner. He loves the Mackerel (broiled-includes miso soup, green tea & rice $11.00) and now I love it too. We also had Hot Soba (buckwheat noodles) $9.25 which I highly recommend, potato croquette $4.75 and a small tofu salad $4.50. Of all of this... my only complaint was they use really SOFT tofu for their tofu salad and I forgot to ask if they make their own. The restaurant is very unassuming on the outside but very clean and spacious on the inside with friendly attentive staff. Definitely give this place a try ;)
(4)
Bartholomew S.
Sunshine Cafe has been warming my heart for over fifteen years. Why? The service is friendly and down to earth. The cuisine is traditional Japanese from a grandma's kitchen. So every dish is comforting and plentiful. I swear that Sunshine has the best gyoza and tempura in all of Chicago.
(5)
Yen L.
We usually go for sushi whenever a Japanese craving hits, but sometimes we like to mix it up with hot dishes from the kitchen. I usually find some comfort in a good udon, my boyfriend prefers something over rice. I wasn't feeling sushi, but I was feeling udon. So he found Sunshine Cafe and reported it had good ratings and a single $ sign, so off we went. 'Twas exactly what I needed. The portion of tempura udon was perfect and comforting. We tried the potato croquettes and weren't impressed, at least not for the price we paid and the portion we got. Bf got their special of a whole rainbow trout with a miso dressing and that was cooked well and was delicious. The service was friendly and prompt. We felt comfortable from the moment we walked in to the moment we left. Since I live in Bridgeport, it's not likely we'd be able to go too often, but it's great to know that this little place with comfort food is not too far out of reach.
(4)
Rekha V.
My friend and I were walking down Clark St looking for a place to eat. As we passed Sunshine Cafe I remembered that someone had recommended it to me and the menu looked pretty good, so we headed in. The first thing my friend said was "look, there are Japanese people here. It's probably pretty good." And it was! We were seated right away and given some refreshing green tea while we perused the menu. A few minutes later we got some miso soup, which was pretty delicious. My friend then ordered the sukiyaki and I got a pork dish. We also shared the potato croquettes to start. The croquettes were great, I highly recommend them. And the rest of the food was great as well. It was a wonderful choice for dinner!
(5)
Steven M.
So good, tears of joy burst forth every time I am eating here. The "full" feeling I get after a bowl of udon from Sunshine Cafe is a satisfaction unmatched by most other eating experiences. Excellent gyoza and potato croquettes as well. Danny is a very friendly and attentive host.
(5)
Space Emperor Z.
It's been five years since I gave this place 5 stars, and my rating still stands. I just want to rant about something. The saba shioyaki is, in my opinion, the best thing I've ever eaten. It's $11. It's just two pieces of broiled mackerel, lightly salted, with a side of cucumber pickles, grated daikon, a lemon (which I never use), and a side of perfectly cooked rice. (I spread the daikon over the fish, lay the fish over the bowl of rice, and then break it up so the scant juice flows into the rice.) I don't know why I like it so much, since I didn't grow up on Japanese comfort food and I usually like highly seasoned food. The fish often has bones in it, which makes eating it somewhat challenging. It's not a meal that immediately blows your mind with complex or intense flavors. It's just ... somehow perfect, elemental in its simplicity and balance. I feel enlightened when I eat it.
(5)
Eric L.
japanese homestlye food. I miss this from my childhood days in Japan so this has a soft spot in my heart. they do good, but its what you would get in an average japanese household, so no bonus points. favorite dish: shio saba, broiled mackerel with salt. simple, elegant, delicious, highlights the raw ingredients.
(3)
Amanda M.
This place was super delicious! I docked a star for lackluster decor (update that front window guys, come on!), and the lack of sushi. The skinny: Super authentic. Really fresh, tasty, classic Japanese food. For appetizers I tried the gyoza, which as incredibly satisfying and the sauce (ponzu I think?) was perfect. I was less impressed with the Shumai, but it was still good. I had Sukiyaki with beef that had some of the best most flavorful broth I've had in a while. Rice was perfect of course. My meal came with some very satisfying miso and complimentary green tea. If you aren't a pro at chopsticks, you can get a fork upon request, but it's just so much tastier with chopsticks... Also? SUPER CHEAP. I'll be back :)
(4)
WmTomas S.
My partner and I wanted to try something different while walking around Andersonville thinking about having dinner. We were not disappointed. The menu is simple, the food was fresh and delicious, the staff was attentive without being overbearing, and the price was in line with the neighborhood. You can't go wrong. The decor is "unassuming" but the food is the star here.
(4)
Lisa S.
Sunshine Cafe is definitely a hidden Chicago gem. Having a Japanese mother, it's been difficult to find an authentic Japanese restaurant that cooks like my Obachan in Japan. This place has incredible meals and each time has been a fantastic experience. My favorites thus far on the menu are the mackerel and the Donburi. This is a great spot and it goes way beyond my expectations when craving Japanese home style food!
Located between a 7/11 and a church, Sunshine Cafe is easy to miss. Upon entering, don't expect to be impressed with modern decor or mood lighting. Instead, expect to be greeted by the friendliest staff of all time and a cozy, intimate interior. Sunshine Cafe serves some of the best Japanese food I've had in Chicago. I can barely explain how much I love their Oyako Don. It is the perfect dish for a chilly Fall/Winter day. The combination of rice, chicken, and creamy sauce will cure any cold weather-induced depression. This is always the first place that I recommend to friends who are looking for a bite to eat in Andersonville. Also, don't forget that it is BYOB!
(5)
Ryan L.
As cheesy as it sounds, a meal here makes your day better. Japanese comfort food at its best. There's no sushi here, but it's not necessary. The food here is outstanding. Their udon is one of the best I've had in the city. You can't go wrong with their chicken, beef, or just plain udon. The noodles are awesome with a great texture. The potato croquettes (kinda like deep fried mashed potatoes) are a must appetizer. The sauce they bring out for it is top notch, one of my favorites. We usually order the katsudon, a bowl of sticky rice topped with cut-up breaded pork and a fried egg. Also a must is the sukiyaki. Sometimes they have a beef steak on special, and if they have it I would recommend ordering it. It's flavorful and delicious. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, which combined with the no-frills decor of the dining room gives the impression that we're eating at grandma's house or a church basement. As a huge fan of rice bowls, this is a great place for me. As for feeding my rice addiction, I'll get over it.
(4)
Vince V.
Great food. Nice service. Inside is nothing impressive but then again, not the reason you come here. Everything was fresh, not over seasoned and tasty. Great value too.
(4)
Denise K.
I don't know how I missed writing a review for Sunshine Cafe, the ladies who own this place have known me since I was born. They were long time friends of my dad's when he first came to the U.S. from Japan. Their cooking is almost the only "true" japanese cooking I know, apart from my dancing teacher's and the ladies who used to help her. It's not fancy, the inside/outside might deter some. I don't think you can find much friendlier wait staff. Dan is the best! I can't skip the koroke - potato nut that I am. My comfort foods are her sukiyaki, tempura or curry. Can't beat her tempura - always crisp and the perfect batter. Dad always had the saba shioyaki. Mom likes the yaki soba. Have taken many friends here over the years. I don't get here as often as I would like to. LOVE this place, but I basically grew up on their food!
(5)
Fe T.
I got the potato croquettes and the pork udon. My friend got the curry rice. The pork udon was steamy-hot and totally perfect for a cold day. It tasted fresh and home-y. However, as another yelper mentions, the pork udon has like 3 tiny pieces of pork ... Common'! They charged me $10 for the whole bowl and pork is not expensive. Potato croquettes tasted great, but $5 for 2 pieces is definitely on the pricier side. It's a bit crowded if you go on the weekend - especially if you go in group. I suggest you call beforehand if that's your plan. They offer green tea and free refill. Overall, very homey. If I ever hang out close by, I might com back.
(3)
Joey M.
I've been eating at Sunshine Cafe for many , many years and still love the place . I love their appetizers and always make a point of eating too many of them so that only eat a little of my entree and so be sure to have leftovers . That's how I roll . The service is friendly and efficient and I always enjoy seeing the same familiar faces there year after year . Oh , and the potato croquettes . Effing , unfairly , delicious ! Plus Sunshine Cafe is BYOB and close to several liquor stores and the food is a great bargain quality-wise and portion-wise . I highly recommend Sunshine Cafe to anyone interested in authentic Japanese food and charming service .
(4)
Diana G.
I really wanted to love this place, but it just didn't do it for me. I came her once before a few years ago and thought it was ok. Went with my 2 girlfriends last week. We ended up getting the potato croquettes, chilled tofu for appetizers. I love potatoes, but I just don't see the hype on this. I'm not a big tofu fan, so it was ok. We ordered the sukiyaki, tonkatsu and shrimp tempura dinner. Sukiyaki - I had it the first time I came and thought it was really good, but this time it seemed to be a bit too sweet. Was a bit disappointed! Tonkatsu - Always wanted to try this and finally did. I gotta say nothing special and the sauce they use is the same as the potato croquette. Definitely taste mustard in that sauce. Shrimp tempura dinner - Nothing special. Think it came with like 4 shrimps, green beans (yum), eggplant and sweet potato. No ambiance, I'm sure it was a chinese restaurant before this. Laid back feel and BYOB! I wouldn't come out of my way to go here, but I wouldn't not come back. I would like to give the other items a try.
(3)
Nicole C.
I've been meaning to try this place for months now & I finally did! It was well-worth the wait. The service was great, atmosphere felt like I was in someone's home, tea warmed me right up, and the food hit the spot. We ordered the potato croquettes as an app...the sauce was perfect for them! Then I had the Katsu Don. I asked the server what their most popular dish was and he pointed this one out. I can definitely see why it's so popular. It was delicious, and I ate every bite. However, the miso soup was not their strong point. It wasn't horrible, but it also was not the best miso I've had either. We stayed until 9:15pm and no one kicked us out or even mentioned that they would be closing at 9pm (It was like chilling in someone's home). I loved my experience there & I cannot wait to go back!
(4)
C N.
You can easily walk past this place without noticing it's one of the best places for Japanese comfort food. Don't be tricked by the decor--the people are really friendly and the food is good. And it's BYOB. What else do you need?
(4)
Green T.
Traditional Japanese food? Sign me up! Wait, this is traditional Japanese food more like your grandma making traditional American food like hot dogs and Kraft mac n' cheese. They were temporarily shut down for health code violations for a little bit after we went which didn't really help my opinion either. If you're looking for something that is like American-style comfort food except Japanese, this will work for you. Unfortunately, that's not my thing.
(2)
Beth S.
Best Mom & Pop Japanese food in town (Chicago). Tempura is light. Gyoza is to die for. Tofu is fresh. A great place for couples or families. Danny is tops. BYOB. This is the standard by which we judge all other Japanese restaurants.
(4)
Maria G.
Great, little spot in Andersonville. Decor leaves something to be desired but you feel welcomed as soon as you walk in. I like the Goyza as an appetizer and usually go with a Tempura dish. Everything taste fresh and delicious and the prices can't be beat!
(4)
Monica G.
Went last night for a birthday dinner. Loved that the place was flexible and able to accommodate a group of 7 of us. Service was extremely friendly, and BYOB is great. They reminded me they had my wine we hadn't drank before we left - thanks guys! Order a variety of small plates: potato croquettes (just as good as they claim), gyoza, shumai, edamame (served cold - ick!). Each person got an individual dish too. I ordered the Sukiyaki, a beef ad tofu noodle dish. It came with Miso soup, which was nice. The Sukiyaki was extremely salty, my tablemate had the same thing and she agreed. We wanted to add water to our broth. Everyone else at the table enjoyed their plates. I'm on the fence between a 3 - 4 for this review. The apps were better than the entrees. However, between the great service/patience (we stayed kinda late), and the cheap, byob, final bill (20 bucks a person!!!), I'll go with 4 stars. Looking forward to coming back and trying a new entree.
(4)
Jeremy M.
Happy New Year! Sunshine Cafe opened tonight, and though prices went up a little, it's still the best everyday Japanese food in Chicago. I'll be back to my regular weekly visits. I should send Charlie P. a copy of Kitchen Confidential. He'll never eat out again!
(5)
Reiahnna J.
I had to come here because I didn't want to go to a typical Japanese restaurant that mostly serves sushi. It was kind of a long walk for me from the red line train, but I found it. I decided to try a Yelp favorite, Katsu Don. I took it home and am eating it right now. Maybe it taste better if you eat right then because it looks like the rice took most of the juice and now the rice is sticky. I was in a rush so I did take-out. I did try the green tea ice cream right away. It was so good and I think the ice cream was so medicinal that I wasn't stiff at the end of the day. Plus, free miso soup with your order.
(5)
Matt M.
I am all for forgoing getting rid of the 1975 wood paneling in the name of competitive pricing for extremely high quality food. I have been really struggling to find any form of asian food around Edgewater that I can say is original, delicious, and affordable. I have to suggest you get the rice ball and have the staff tell you to just pick it up like a donut because "no one cares, go for it" (with a smile). The flavors on their dishes are incredible, the share of rice is appreciable, and the ingredients fresh. Sunshine cafe will be seeing much more of me in the near future.
(5)
Theanne G.
Great Andersonville neighborhood gem. Inexpensive home cooked food. Nicely demonstrates that Japanese cuisine is more than sushi.
(4)
Liv G.
Delicious! We loved everything we ordered. Thought the udon noodles lacked flavor, but the pork and rice dish we ordered was incredible! I would highly recommend this for a cheap night out!
(4)
Michelle N.
One of my absolute favorite places to get comfort food!! Whenever a dish comes out, it feels like it was made by my grandma and makes me super happy! Its a great place to bring your family or friends to relax and have good food with good company. Moreover, you know it's authentic when you see a bunch of old time Japanese Americans and their kids/grandkids come in for a quick bite on Sunday afternoons. I have been eating here as a kid and have literally eaten everything on their menu and love every dish and appetizer. However if I had to choose, the things you absolutely have to try are the potatoes croquettes, ika geso, katsudon and sukiyaki. On cold days the udon or soba really hit the spot! On top of the food being delicious, the service there is also awesome! Everyone is friendly and attentive. They never try to sell you anything and make an effort to get to know you the more you go there! Danny, the manager, is one of THE nicest people ever and he genuinely cares about making sure everyone who comes into the restaurant has the best dining experience they can! It can get busy so it can be a wait but it's worth it! I have recently moved to San Francisco and miss this place constantly. Can't wait to go back there as soon as I come home for Christmas :)
(5)
Annie D.
Sunshine Cafe was our compromise when the fella wanted pho and I was feeling like something new. So we went to this Japanese noodle shop to have something new. If you're looking for friendly service, big portions and udon/soba noodles, this is a good bet. However, I wasn't totally overwhelmed by my tonkatsu (panko fried pork, kinda like Japanese milanesa) or our potstickers (came out a little lukewarm). The seaweed salad was pretty tasty. The tonkatsu sauce was a little sweet for me, and the pork alone just didn't have very much flavor. The pork comes alongside a standard salad, some pickles and white rice. Anyway, not bad but I don't think I'd order this dish again. My dude's food was a little bit better (he got the katsudon). Still, one less than perfect meal does not a bad restaurant make, especially when the service was good and a brothy noodle soup will be just what the doctor ordered come wintertime. I'd definitely come here again and try something else.
(4)
Ivan L.
I'm a little hesitant to give this five stars as I've only been there once but this place definitely deserves five if all of my future visits are just as enjoyable as the first. For appetizers, we ordered the gyoza and potato croquettes, both of which were delicious (albeit a little pricey). My wife had the katsudon (which she says was excellent) while i ordered the saba shioyaki (grilled mackerel) which was amazing. The fish was tender and juicy, a perfect combination of simplicity and flavor. The staff was very friendly and attentive, even going so far as to give us fresh cups of green tea because they worried that our initial tea might've gone cold. We will definitely be going back and trying more items on the menu!
(4)
Andy S.
I've been here a few times over the past 2 years, it fills a craving for Japanese food that isn't sushi. The food is excellent, especially the Tonkatsu, Katsu Don, and Ten Zaru Soba. Sometimes the dishes are a bit on the sweet side. If you prefer the tangy sweet of teriyaki you'll like it any which way but I prefer less sweet. To correct some of the reviews stating the green tea and red bean ice cream is homemade, it ain't. We asked the friendly and often smiling server and he said emphatically "NO!!!!!!! It's Edy's, the white people prefer it than the stronger green tea ice cream". So if you care for green tea ice cream specify which you prefer: gaijin green tea ice cream or heritage green tea ice cream. Both aren't homemade. Nonetheless good food for a great price. You won't be going there all the time, mainly when the craving hits.
(4)
Alex M.
This place is great ! When you sit down they serve you a hot cup of delicious green tea and the service is really good/friendly. The potato croquettes are delicious and the Soba noodles (hot) with tempura is SO good. They are also nice enough to make the tempura all vegetable for me. Also - the portions are great! I would highly recommend going here on a cold night -- the hot soup will definitely cheer you up.
(5)
KELLIE K.
I just got a loving hug from the Japanese grandmother I didn't know I had and it came in the form of sukiyaki. And oh, what a great big hug it was. Finally, after living in the neighborhood all these years, I managed a visit to Sunshine. This. This is just what I needed. Our group shared orders of the potato croquettes and tempura. Both were mighty fine, with the potato croquettes being a smash hit. The sukiyaki completed my quest for good Japanese comfort food In Chicago. The broth was perfectly slightly sweet with just the right tang. All of the ingredients were served together in a hot pan in a beautiful medley of soupy broth. If there is one dish you need to try, this is it. Drink up the green tea, and BYOB, if inclined. Sit back, and enjoy extremely casual dining. This is family joint, even so much that is feels like my [imaginary] Japanese grandmother set up a restaurant in her garage. That's OK, because after you're done eating, you'll feel warm, hugged, and very full. It's going to hard to keep me from going back every week.
(4)
Christine K.
Coming from Southern California, I miss the authentic home-made Japanese delicacies and dishes, especially hand-made noodles. Sunshine Cafe satiates those cravings with their udon and soba. However, the broth is too salty for my taste. Oh, the potato croquettes, though, are something worthy of trying! Light and crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Mind you, each one probably adds 500 calories to your intake. While the sukiyaki was enjoyable, the broth--again--piped in saltiness.
(4)
Sara V.
I came here for dinner a few months ago with a good friend. I'd walked past the place numerous times and it always looked a little odd from the outside, but having been told it gave truth to the idiom "don't judge a book..." I looked forward to some delicious food. Not disappointed. Excellent bowl of noodles (can't remember exactly what I ordered but it had noodles, vegetables and broth if that helps). Remarkably tasty without being overly salted. I was full barely halfway through, which only goes to show just how big a serving it was. BYOB is always convenient and good service even more so. I haven't been back since but I fully intend to rectify that shortly. Possibly when my mother is in town. She does love a good noodle.
(4)
Luciana B.
Delicious! I decided to try this place out (though it's a little far from where I live) since it has such great reviews on yelp. I have to say I was NOT disappointed and will be coming back for more! Although this place doesn't have sushi, their warm dishes are absolutely cooked to perfection. I had the Sukiyaki and my boyfriend had the Chicken Teriyaki, plus some gyoza and potato croquettes for the appetizer. We had EVERYthing! It was so good! The waiter was also very friendly. If you're a fan of japanese food, you must visit this place!
(4)
Erin R.
my friend and I ordered from this place based on all the good reviews. All I have to say is if these people think this place is 4+stars, I need to take you to some places that will blow your mind. You will be asking yelp for 20 stars! First off, what sort of asian restaurant doesn't deliver. Strike 1. We both ordered the udon noodles because it seemed like their specialty. They used weird items we honestly have never seen before in them that looked more like a lisa frank eraser than a vegetable. The rest of the veggies were cheap like lettuce. Strike 2. The broth in and of itself which makes up a big part of udon noodles was flavorless. Strike 3. I will not be back to try anything else after this experience.
(1)
Katy B.
Just go already! Don't even take the time to finish reading my review. Just go. The food here is so wonderful and everyone who works there is super friendly. It's BYOB which is great. But seriously, the food is amazing. Yes the decor with the overhead fluorescent lights leave a little something to be desired, but you'll be too busy scarfing down your dinner to notice.
(5)
Diablo L.
Very good pork dumplings,tempura very good and very tasty sukiyaki, was there on a weeknight around 8pm , very crowded but food came out really quick...
(4)
Bryan S.
Prices have increased to now paying over $8.00 for a bowl of udon noodles. The portion sizes have also decreased. I know it is expensive to run a restaurant in Chicago but...
(3)
Kayu T.
Need I say more? Everything is awesome here- especially their daily specials! The ONLY negative part about this place is its old, kinda gross decors and long wait for dinners. The staffs are very nice, but I think hiring experienced wait staffs would be a good idea.
(4)
Shelami C.
I love going here with my cousins. Their food tastes very authentic Japanese homemade food (not sushi) and the cooked fish they serve to your liking are fresh! This place just brought me back to Sapporo when I visited my friend some time back. I should probably give this place a four-star because they kept running out of homemade green tea and red bean ice cream or maybe it's that good that it disappears by the time I get here. The server is so funny! I like wit-fencing with him. He's always smiling when you enter and makes you feel right at home. He's also very attentive of everyone. I think he has several regular customers or maybe we all end up coming back to become regular customers.
(5)
Katherine M.
I have not been to Japan yet, but the dishes I tried reminded me of what my Japanese friends cook at home. For 3 people, 3 main courses and 4 sides/starters (inclusive of lots of green tea with refills for free) was ~50 so best value for money for Japanese in Chicago by far. It was comfy home environment, wait staff very nice. The food was excellent. I would have sukiyaki every day if I could get up here easier. potato crocquettes great comfort food; salmon nice. This is not a sushi place. a peaceful & green neighborhood you have to find parking on the street.
(5)
Charlie P.
Closed by the Health Department. Nasty, Nasty, Nasty! Do you know how disgusting a kitchen has to be before the Chicago Health Department finally shuts 'em down? The list of unforgivable offenses was about a mile long. These tools clearly don't care about their (former) customers. I'll never, ever, ever walk through their grease coated doors again. Nasty!
(1)
Samson P.
We were craving authentic Japanese food and we heard about this place from our Japanese friend. Once inside you notice it is more of a family-owned home style Japanese restaurant. We ordered: Potato Korokke (Japanese style croquette) - crunchy, savory, I could eat 100 of these Gyoza (Pan fried dumplings that are staple in east asian countries) - good although I have had better Grilled Mackerel - My friend loves mackerel and thought it was tasty. Tempura Udon - perfectly executed, Can't go wrong with this Tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) - This is one of my favorites and was exceptional Later I took my girlfriend here and we ordered the Potato Korokke always crunchy and savory, Seafood Soba -my girlfriend thought it was okay, and Curry Tonkatsu -This is comfort food I normally try making this at home but since its harder to deep fry the cutlet in my kitchen Verdict If you are looking for authentic home-cooked Japanese food, I recommended this place. The family who owns it is really nice and friendly. They make sure you feel at home and the food is reasonably priced and very good.
(4)
James L.
One of my favorite places to go. It have that home style cooking vibe. The rice dishes are always amazing. Really fresh. The Udons are good too. I've been here on and off for about 2 years now and can't believe I forgot to rate this delicious place.
(5)
Nick J.
My rating is based more on cost as compared to your typical or overpriced Japanese place that says its authentic but only serves sushi. I spent my summer on an internship in Japan for 2 1/2 months and I had been craving some decent Japanese food. I'm also a college student, so I'm looking to be cheap. Now, to address the whole health department thing. First of all, I didn't care. If you've traveled abroad before you know the places that don't sparkle actually have some of the best food. Plus, I've thought Americans have an absurdly high expectation for cleanliness. I mean, the Chicago health department stopped my college from having a scoop your own ice cream. Anyways. I tried to get a peak back there and it looked like they had some well polished new equipment. I didn't see much, but from what I could see it looked fine now. I had the ramen with tempura. I also shared some gyoza with friends. The gyoza was good. Wish it could have been a bit more crispy, but its how they make it. The ramen was great and so was the tempura. It was nice that the cost of the green tea was free with a meal. It's far from the best Japanese food I've had (which was in Japan, so that's ok), but it was fantastic for the price. Just as well, the service was quick and super friendly. The owner seated us quickly and it wasn't long till our orders were out. I left Sunshine Cafe stuffed with delicious Japanese food for about $12-13. One thing I loved about the place is that it wasn't trying to be fancy, hip or anything. It was simple and plain. No frills. Just good food for some good prices. Cool thing too, the menu is on foursquare if you wana check it out before going. I'll be back.
(4)
ChiLLWaVEOoOoOo S.
had the udon and gyoza both were just OK. i'm from los angeles and this place would be a total afterthought there, but for chicago i suppose this is near the best you can get
(3)
Eileen Z.
First off this is more of a 4.5 star place for me. Rounded up solely for the fact that this is a great place to be a regular at. Small, cozy, BYOB, inexpensive and hands-down tasty authentic homestyle Japanese food. Can't even count how many times I've been here. It had been suggested by the mom of a friend of a friend years back after being asked of good spots to hit up for authentic Japanese and she highly recommended this place. Here, you will find no sushi rolls or dishes put together to be aesthetically pleasing. It is what it is, homestyle food. Most dishes come in generous portions. Plus, I haven't found a dish I did not like, but there are some that stand out more than others. Example, the gyoza is just okay and nothing I would come looking for, but their potato croquettes are phenomenal. The udon or katsudon are my safe bets if there's nothing else I'm jonesing for. They also have this miso glazed eggplant that's really good, but is included as a special from time to time, not a regular on the menu. And I can't say enough about the staff. Super friendly, which definitely helps if you go during peak hours because there will be a good amount of waiting time. The great service helps get you past the wait, the lack of aesthetics and cramped space. I just like to think when there's a line, there's always a reason.
(5)
Noga S.
Delicious, interesting and inexpensive. They are BYOB too! I have no idea what I ordered, but it was AMAZING!
(5)
Yanyao N.
I tried to make veggie soba last night. I am such a fool. When JN first tried it, I thought I caught a glimpse of a face but he was quick to hide it - what a sweetheart. He, like me and many others, is enamored with the soba noodles from Sunshine Cafe. The perfect savory broth (how do they pack so much flavor in there?! Bonito flakes, I am told), the buckwheat noodles, the napa cabbage and other vegetables, the pieces of soft tofu... mmm, the perfect winter comfort food, and guilt free too! Broth, veggies, tofu, buckwheat noodles do not go to your hips, I promise. I think I'll learn a lesson from last night and not try to replicate anything else from SC. Seriously. This place serves the best Japanese food in Chicago. No swanky lounge music, bizzaro sushi rolls, and dim lighting here. Expect to find plenty of delicious appetizers, noodles, and rice bowls. I highly recommend the katsudon, one of my favorite Japanese dishes to eat as a teenager living in Japan-crazed Hong Kong, and I have to say, the one at SC is better! A bowl full of perfectly cooked sticky white rice, topped with a mixture of cut up breaded pork (think tonkatsu) stir-fried with egg, onions, and soy sauce. Miso soup and green tea come with your meal. The service here is some of the friendliest I have ever encountered. Informative, warm, funny even! The staff here will make you feel at home and make sure you are happy with your meal. Plenty of regulars come here and are remembered, even us! My favorite is Dan, who brought me my first "Japanese Big Mac" aka musubi (get this GIANT sushi rice ball if you are a rice fanatic like me) and on our second visit, promised the next time we came, he would sit us at a different table. I really don't care though. I'd be happy to sit in the corner as long as I get some katsudon. Sunshine Cafe is closed Mondays and only open from 4-9pm the rest of the week. There aren't that many tables, so come early or expect to wait a little while. It is also BYOB, for those of you who are into that. Parking on this stretch of Clark is also reasonably easy.
(5)
Michelle L.
Good family restaurant! Finally tasted something more close then other japanese restaurant in Chicago.
(5)
Andrew K.
Tried this place out tonight was GREAT! reasonable prices and everything we tried was satisfying and TASTY! We had pork udon and sakuyuki both were really good. we also split a rice ball with plum inside as well as gyoza appetizer and potato croquets! Will definitely come back! For 2 to eat till near purging it was about 40$ Not a bad dinner date considering how much we ate! Plus they were on top of the water and even gave some tasty green tea when we sat down!
(4)
Helen H.
Terrific!! A little mix up with the order of people being seated, but the people were so friendly and nice and gave us an appetizer in appreciation!! Gyoza... Yummmm Cold soba noodles wth dipping sauce and wasabi.... To die for!!! Such a special dish, I hardly ever find this dish in restaurants. Fried pork.. Yumm! The cucumbers in vinegar was even better than how my mom makes it!! I also love how they just laid out chopsticks, felt more authentic then those places that give u forks. Althoguh, as soon as I said that my Indian bf dropped his chopsticks on the floor. :) The prices are relatively inexpensive, but the portions are smaller. Even I could finish my dish and an appetizer and I do not eat very much. Decor is cute but nothing crazy, it's an overalll great laid back place!! Def will be back!
(4)
Alexis P.
We eat at Sunshine probably once a week - and when we miss a week, we get pretty down. It has become one of our favorite spots. Dan and the rest of the crew are SO friendly and welcoming - they make you feel right at home! If you are looking for some swanky, nightcluby sushi spot... Sunshine is NOT it! If, on the other hand, you are looking for consistent, delicious, affordable Japanese comfort food... you will likely become a Sunshine regular. Highlights that we order all the time: cold edamame, gyoza with great spicy sauce, tempura soba (yummy broth and tempura served on the side so it stays CRISP!), chicken teridon, tonkatsu, nanban yaki,... basically whatever you order will be tasty! We were devastated when we walked by and saw the "license suspended" sign on the door. We're currently trying to figure out if there is some way we can help Sunshine get open again (very selfish desire on our part!). Once they reopen, we will resume our weekly visits. Can't wait!
(5)
George K.
Home away from home, that is what Sunshine Cafe is to Andersonville. One of the greatest restaurants in the city, it possess a quality that cannot be purchased. The first thing my friends and I said when we heard the news of the close was "how can we help?" and we encourage everyone in the neighborhood to do the same.
(5)
Kaman T.
This is as home-cooked Japanese as it can get and they got it RIGHT! Do not expect mayo-filled sushi rolls here. This is a family owned restaurant that focuses on traditional home cooked Japanese dishes. Ones that you'd probably won't encounter unless in a Japanese home. I've been here a few times and am blown away each time. I've had the vegetable soba in hot broth before and the texture of the soba was amazing. Not too soft and it was a nice bouncy chewy texture. The udon is equally delicious. Sukiyaki is deelicious as well, but does not have enough beef imo. Tonkatsu is amazing as well. The meat is not dry at all. It is super tender and easy to chew. The croquettes (fried mash potato balls) are a must-get for appetizer and the grilled eggplant is awesome as well. Comes with a ginger sauce that you glaze on top. They aren't open for a long period of time....I think 5pm-9pm? So expect a LONG wait on weekends. HIGHLY recommend this place!!
(5)
Nick M.
Rule of thumb (or THE FINGER... inside joke) is if Mike K approves then you're good to go. Yes, yes if Mikey likes it... No joke, it really is Japanese comfort food. At the end of the meal you sit back or roll back (pending the amount you've eaten), scratch your belly and say ahhhhh. The service is so good they might even scratch you belly for you. Seriously, the service is excellent! The manager or owner (??) was making jokes about the size of the bowl (it's HUGE) saying "if you need a bigger bowl just let me know and I'll get more". Also, don't let the look of the building or the decor scare you. Being a wussy and not knowing what to order I went with Mike K's suggestions. I got the Korokke (potato croquette) which alone is pretty good but with the spicy sweet sauce they provide, it's a knock out. I also went with the vegetable Udon, which I can only compare it to a hearty soup of maybe even Pho. Tender noodles, awesome rejuvenating broth, and some crisp vegetables, this will easy become my go to place for colds and hangovers. I can't wait to go back and try other things. Nice find and in the hood even. Plus BYOB = Cheap hearty dinner!
(4)
Rowena A.
Can't rate. Just arrived at the front door. Closed. Sign reads "license suspended", posted 12/8/11. Looks like it failed inspection: chicago.everyblock.com/f…
(2)
Joe L.
Great, cheap, affordable. FYI, Sunshine is currently closed due to a City Health Inspection.
(4)
Chris D.
Love this place! The decor is stripped down simple, clean, very Japanese. If you are looking to dine in a Japanese temple you won't find that here. What you will find is a very nice and helpful front of the house and delicious food. It is all reasonably priced and arrives just on time. Not to quick so that you think it isn't fresh, and not to long that you starve. Once again, I love this place.
(5)
Theresa S.
It's cold and rainy. I'm pregnant, he's grumpy. No one's cooking tonight. To Sunshine Cafe we go. 1.) BYOB - helps his mood. 2.) Hot green tea - helps mine. 3.) The food: Potato croquettes Shumai Ten don Hot soba with pork Green tea ice cream Everything was perfect! The wasabi mixture that comes with the shumai knocked my socks off initially, but I just needed to do a smaller dip. And the sauce that comes in those stock 50's diner syrup containers...well, it was half empty (half full?) by the time we left the table. It's delicious on everything! The potato croquettes and tempura weren't greasy at all - as is the tendency of deep fried foods - and honestly, we have no complaints. We had even warmed up so much we shared ice cream at the end of the meal. 4.) The staff: SO NICE. Made us feel so welcome. No complaints - try it out!
(5)
Steve S.
Good Japanese food, friendly staff. I haven't had food like this since I lived in Japan! It is, however, a bit overpriced, and the decor needs a lot of work - but the food is deliciously authentic.
(4)
Janet W.
Affordable, delicious Japanese comfort food. Which, as I discovered, is any kind of Japanese food that I could think of excluding sushi. This place has the best katsu I've ever had. The noodle soups are pretty good. I haven't had anything quite like their potato croquettes before, but they were scrumptious. The service was okay. I've been here a couple of times and was serviced by the same waiter. It's a very casual place and the waiter tried to engage us in conversation. Friendly folks. Good place to go with close friends and be comforted.
(5)
Mikey J.
Too be honest, this place was alright at best. The seating was slow, the service was fairly slow, and the food came out, well, slow. Granted I wolfed down my soba because my hunger was through the roof after the wait, but the noodles were good, not spectacular. It's curious to see how Yelp has one $ for the prices here, because our bill for two small appetizers and a main dish each came to over $15 a person for our party or 6. Not cheap in my books! Oh yeah, don't get the teriyaki chicken
(3)
Anthony J.
Cute enough inside, but slow service. Been there a couple times, still haven't eaten anything I really liked. The worst offender was the yaki soba, which tasted like ketchup.
(2)
Hannah E.
This place smells like the seventies and it kinda freaks me out, but holy comfort food, Batman! For some reason, despite the fact that I am entirely northern European genetically, my body has decided that when it is depressed it wants to eat agedashi, tonkatsu donburi bowls, and buckwheat noodles with wasabi and scallions. So this should be the perfect place for me. And admittedly it is pretty good. What it's best at is everything without fish. The katsu don and the tonkatsu dinner are both hearty - and the fill-up is not all in the rice. There are tons of pieces of juicy, lightly breaded pork, and onions and green vegetables popping up everywhere. The potato croquettes are a delight - like pure deep fried mashed potatoes. And the zaru soba is cooked exactly how it should be, with a nice deep well of dipping sauce for dipping and slurping and splattering sauce everywhere. However, both times I've had seafood here I haven't been impressed. The tempura shrimp that came with the ten zaru soba tasted like chlorine bleach - Dan spit his out and I, stupidly, ate mine. (To no ill effect, but still: nasty.) The calamari was fried in old oil and it certainly tasted like it - stale rubber. So stick to the simple stuff, stay away from the seafood, banter with the insanely friendly servers, and enjoy.
(3)
Lynn D.
Sunshine had reopened when we ate dinner there Feb. 3 and it was one of the best dining experiences I've had in Chicago. It is truly homestyle Japanese cooking -- like sitting in your mama's kitchen. If you've ever experienced real Japanese meals as eaten by real Japanese people, this will make you weep with joy. I had the salmon (lightly salted as traditionally prepared) and it was a big piece for a very affordable price. The tsukemono is crispy without being too vinegary or tart, the musubi is big enough to eat as a meal by itself, and the gyoza sauce is to die for; someone snagged the leftovers and poured it over their rice. The miso soup is like homemade. If you love sushi and want sleek ambiance, don't come here. (There's only one sushi entree and why would you order it anyway with all the other fantastic choices?) Sunshine is not for you if you need to impress by paying a big bill in a fancy joint. But if you've lived in Japan, grown up in a Japanese family, or want to sample what everyday Japanese folks eat in their own homes, definitely make time for Sunshine. Although they don't have a liquor license, they're incredibly accommodating by bringing you wine or beer glasses and bottle openers. The staff are all lovely people and earnestly try to please. As an out-of-towner, I will make it a point to eat at Sunshine every time I'm in Chicago.
(5)
Minna A.
I'm still new the the neighborhood, I had no idea near nothing was open on Sunday afternoons! I stumbled onto Clark with my friend, hoping to find a semi-decent place for cheap to have dinner. Thank you yelp app (and the monocle function!) for making my life complete, for we came across the lovely sunshine cafe. FIRST of all, the waitress here is so incredibly nice. I would come back just for the awesome service! Prices are really great, and food seems really authentic! I wish we had gotten the potato croquettes, b/c they sound awesome! My friend ordered the tempura udon. Apparently they were good because he refused to share and finished every last drop! I had the sukiyaki, which was awesome. Being Korean, I love eating hot soupy foods (especially spicy ones!) in the summer. Sounds strange but hot broth in hot weather is actually a winning combo :) This place is awesome, and I can't wait to come back and try the other things on their menu! (Katsu Don, i'm headed your way....)
(5)
Jin L.
Found elderly Japanese people eating here. This can only mean a good thing. My friend and I shared Potato croquette and I had Tempura Udon. The noodles were chewy and the broth was yummy. My friend only had good things to say about this place. The tempura was ok but everything tasted clean. Will definitely be back soon for more. With water, they provided hot green tea (not the tea bag kind) which I liked.
(4)
Terrence C.
I do not give 5 stars rarely. I'd give 6 if the option was present. Sunshine Cafe is a gift from the heavens. I cannot think of a single negative comment. Friendly jovial staff will make you feel comfortable from the beginning. The decor is simple at best. You may feel like you are in a church basement temporarily. There is a slight glimpse of Japanese-esque design, but let's be honest, the food is the reason to come to Sunshine. No frills dining, the dishes are straight to the point. Katsu Don.. slammin. quite possibly best dish on the menu. Udon.. (all meats) taste like they were hand made moments before they are served. They have a salmon dish that escapes the memory presently, but it is par to none. I absolutely love Sunshine cafe. It is truly a home cooked meal, with friendly service at a great price. A meal for 2 will run you about 20 bucks with an appetizer. Yes, 20 bucks. Go here! Eat well. A diamond in the rough.
(5)
Christina B.
Sunshine is great when you want real homestyle Japanese food, but otherwise, probably not worth it. The service is impeccable, I will admit that much. The guy who usually serves everything up is incredibly kind and solicitous. And look, I'm a thrifty person to whom atmosphere isn't everything, or even anything - but when I walk into your establishment and immediately smell mildew, that's wrong. Food is definitely tasty - but why is a bowl of rice with some chicken, onion, and egg on top over ten bucks? Why would your daily tsukemono be over five bucks? All in all, not usually worth it. Unless you're going for street cred with elderly nisei. Then you will OWN this joint.
(3)
Tammy C.
(See pic) This is a small family Japanese place. Super friendly service that I enjoyed so much. Food wise, the Chilean sea bass, crab cakes, miso soup, Unagi Don were all for less than 30 dollars. Great value for really tasty food!
(4)
Mike K.
You're probably not going to find a better bowl of udon in the city. Maybe you will but I guarantee it won't be as unpretentious as you'll find here at Sunshine Cafe. The place serves Japanese comfort food. There is no sushi bar here. Think hiyayakko (cold tofu), korokke (potato croquette) and katsudon (breaded pork). Their chicken udon is what keeps me coming back. As a noodle soup fan, this is as good as it gets. The portions are amazing. The noodles have a great texture and there is a great mix of soup to noodles, vegetables and chicken. It tastes like a warm hug from your grandmother. BYOB. Four highly enthusiastic stars.
(4)
Ryne D.
A Japanese place that isn't about sushi? It almost seems oxymoronic, but seeing as I'm on a "new experiences" kick, I was down for it. Well, OK, I'm pretty familiar with non-sushi Japanese food, but it was still cool to find a place like this. It's pretty small, but we didn't have trouble finding a seat. Like everyone says, you must get the potato croquettes. If you don't, you're pretty much wasting your own time...they alone are worth the trip here. I got the tonkatsu, but for my friend who can't eat pork, they happily suggested she get chicken katsu instead. It's not quite the same as the Hawaiian classic, but it still looked pretty good. My tonkatsu was served in a pretty traditional fashion and I recommend it if you want to try a classic Japanese dish. The guys who work here were really cool, even after my friend vigorously pounded on the front door until she noticed there were two (two!) signs that read "Pull". They cracked jokes with us the whole night and really left an impression on us...almost as big as the impression my friend invariably left on their door frame.
(4)
Helena G.
It was the first time that I tried Japanese comfort food and I really enjoyed the food, the service and the place. It's a good value for money. The portions are very generous. Appetizers: - potato croquettes ***** (try it with the special sauce) - kinpira***** - ika geso (squid tempura) ***** (DELICIOUS) Main dish: - Salmon shioyaki ***** (it comes with delicious and soft pickles, and with white radish... SUCCULENT) The main dish comes with a bowl of rice, a miso soup (yummy) and green tea (very good). I highly recommend this place!
(4)
Kevin S.
I love this place! I had the katsu-don and it was one of the best things I have ever eaten. My girlfriend had some grilled fish and she said it was great. I hear that sometimes they have a hibachi steak on special and that it's to die for. I didn't look at the menu too thoroughly, but if you're looking for a trendy Japanese restaurant that is so popular nowadays, don't come here. The seating area is pretty small and old school, but I like the decor on the wall/windows.. makes it seem like it is outdoors in Japan! The service was great too. Overall this place is a down to earth homestyle Japanese restaurant that doesn't carry the higher price commonly associated with Japanese food. Highly recommended!
(5)
Andy M.
This place is awesome. From the outside it looks like a total hole in the wall. Who am I kidding, the inside looks like a hole in the wall as well. But aesthetics aside, the great food made my tummy quite happy. The Croquette appetizer was awesome and the beef dish (that I can't pronounce) was very tasty. The Beef was marinated with terriyaki sauce and the bottle of special sauce they offer was the perfect blend of sweet and spicy goodness. This was the first time that I ever tried Japanese food, and the Sunshine Cafe has made me a convert. Our server was great. He was laid back, funny and kept our cups filled with the awesome green tea that they serve. This place rocked, and I can't wait for my next visit.
(5)
Nik O.
I recently moved to Chicago from LA and have been dying to find good Japanese food. Found this little gem and was thoroughly impressed. All the staff and customers were happy and cheerful and the Manager was really funny. I had the Sukiyaki and it was extremely filling, not to mention SUPERB!! I didn't read up on it, but they allow you to bring your own booze. There were a lot of customers who brought wine and Sapporo, so do yourself a favor AND BYOB! :D Next time I go I am going to order the Mackeral, which looked and smelled mouth watering.
(5)
Bob W.
I give this four stars for one dish that we had, the Sukiyaki. This is a dish most places screw up because it's a delicate balance of savory and sweetness. Here it was just perfect. I don't normally enjoy tofu but in this I snapped it right up. Other than that we ordered small dishes (my wife had a craving for potato croquettes) and so we ordered the croquettes, the gyoza and the shumai. The former were tasty but pricy more than the dumplings despite just being fried potatoes (five dollars). The gyoza were actually on the bad side, I only ate them because I dislike wasting food. Finally, the shumai were decent, but my wife has made better (which may say more about my wife's prowess than their quality). So avoid the gyoza and get the sukiyaki. Other noodle dishes looked good and I will go back to try them even though the prices on the whole seemed a bit steep for dishes that often enough were a few slices of chicken on some rice.
(4)
Jen P.
The owner of Sunshine Cafe has to be the nicest man on earth! And to top it off, the potato croquettes are wonderful, as well as the vegetable udon. LOVE.
(5)
V B.
I used to love coming here. What happened? We ordered the tofu salad and it was drenched with a strong miso dressing. We sent it back and reordered it with the dressing on the side - much better. I ordered one of my usual; sukiyaki, and the broth overly salty! I had to pour some of my water in the broth to dilute it.
(2)
Pinaki S.
This is something you'd probably never even imagined existed: a Japanese hole-in-the-wall. I say that in the most endearing way.You won't find a dragon roll on the menu, but you'll find home style Japanese food-- Udon noodles, Katsu, Unagi, mackerel, etc. And you'll find really friendly staff and terrific food at ridiculous prices. I went on a man-date (cue man-date music) here, we got the potato croquettes, unagi-don, sukiyaki, miso soup and little saki-type shot glasses for our BYOB Asian liquor. Total $32 with tip and tax. I thought that was pretty sweet. Also pretty sweet: the MIDI style music in the background. Really sets the mood for a man-date.
(4)
Christine K.
Oh, Sunshine Cafe. How to do you justice? The food here is authentic and homey. When you walk into its unassuming storefront, it feels like you're entering your Japanese aunt's house and eating her home-cooked food. What more could you ask for? I love everything here, from the potato croquettes to the noodles (soba? ramen? udon? Yes, please.). I would particularly recommend the grilled mackerel. The fish just melts in your mouth. MELTS. It was my first time experiencing fish that is so juicy it literally falls apart on contact with the tongue. Wow. I love coming here for brunch on Sundays. They're not too busy, and they always offer tasty specials.
(5)
Jane M.
If my grandma were Japanese, her food would taste like this. Incidentally, Abuelita is an awesome cook. And at Sunshine Cafe, grandma is literally in the kitchen. It's a family joint, which I love above all the Michelin starred eateries in the universe. Their udon is delightful, but the ramen is made of crack and unicorns. It's not on the menu, you've got to ask for it. Sometimes they don't have it, but when they do, get it. The oyako don is gorgeous, and the sukiyaki to die for. Frankly, I've never had anything that wasn't perfect. Now, if you want fancy ass sushi rolls, you can go down the street. They have one roll here, no sushi, no sashimi. Just home cookin'. The place is tiny and casual, and packed on weekends, so go off hours if you don't want to wait. And super reasonably priced. Which for Andersonville is doubly noteworthy, as you can't even get a coffee in Hipster-landia for less than $5. Go! Go now!
(5)
Guillermo A.
Salty miso soup. Extremely cold Edamame. Only relief was the chicken teri don, but not by much. Maybe it was because we went at 3:00 pm. People who review this place and give it a high score need to visit other places outsides this neighborhood establishment.
(1)
William Y.
Very good family style Japanese food. Loved it.
(4)
Dominic F.
This is what I imagine eating at my Japanese grandma's house would feel like, if I had one. The prices are fair and the portions are large. Give it a try.
(4)
Katie L.
I was just thinking how much I want the udon since I have a cold. This place is great! It's BYOB, short wait times, and delicious food. I like to get the potato croquettes and either the vegetable udon or ten don which is also amazing. The food is fresh and seasoned on the lighter side to let the natural flavors come through. I'm glad that it will soon be fall, so I can bring a six pack and some friends and enjoy a hot bowl of soup and some green tea. They are sometimes closed around the holidays, so you might want to call before you head over. I have had two times that they were closed when I tried to go. What a sad day that was!
(5)
Sarah A.
Just went here for dinner and wow, once again, I was blown away! The staff is sooooo friendly! We got extra potato croquettes on the house because there were 3 of us (2 croquettes split three ways is not enough!!). Totally forgot we get green tea and miso soup so it was just a heap of food! Super affordable AND byob - what more can you ask for?? 3 people + beer + so much food = priceless (but if you had to put a price on it would only be $26 -- 34 with tip) Oh AND I have left overs!
(5)
Joe T.
Before leaving Chicago, my GF wanted us to dine somewhere inexpensive and unique. I wanted to avoid congestion downtown and find a gem tucked away in a cozy Northside neighborhood where we could park for a couple of dollars right in front of our eatery. Sunshine Cafe was a check on all counts, as it's uncommon Japanese homestyle restaurant between the Andersonville and Edgewater neighborhoods. It is a modest place, minimal decor - yet cozy and welcoming in its humility. The service was excellent - though the manager and waiter were the only 2 employees on the floor of this small, casual Japanese diner, we felt like they were always there when we needed them. They had such a friendly, serving attitude, and were ready to give their recommendations on what to try as newcomers. Also, being a free BYOB venue with no corking fee was awesome. We enjoyed our own bottle of wine, with house provided wine glasses & corker. I absolutely heart BYOB in Chicago. We need that in metro Detroit. If you're American and you think of Japanese food, you think Japanese steakhouse and Sushi first. This is neither. These guys serve up hot, traditional everyday dishes like Sukiyaki. My GF and I both ordered potato croquettes to appetize, think hot potato pancakes, crispy breaded on the outside, soft potato on the inside, not greasy - in the shape of a big cutlet. A nice miso-type soup with a thick broth and good amount of tofu came out before our dinners, as well as hot tea. For dinner, we ordered the classic Sukiyaki with beef, and it came out piping hot and fresh, with plenty of rice noodles, tender cooked tofu pieces, vegetables (cabbage, spinach, etc.), and a rather modest portion of about 4 oz. of thinly sliced, flavorful beef - all in the same hot metal dish it was made in. The broth was rather sweet, but paired well with some Sriracha to make a spicy-sweet broth. While there was plenty of broth, I would not call this dish a soup. This was a healthy, palate cleansing type meal. There was really nothing bad for you in it, and it left me satisfied without feeling heavy at all. Overall, an awesome experience of traditional, homestyle Japanese food. I highly recommend this place in the winter. You can warm up with some BYOB vino, hot tea, soup, and piping hot dishes like Sukiyaki. I seriously felt less of the biting chill of the Windy City after walking outta here! A cozy, healthy, and inexpensive place for a truly unique cuisine. The bill came out to about just $50 for 4 of us. My only gripe, enough to reduce a single star, is the modest FDA-recommended 4oz. portion of beef in the dish. At $10.50 I would hope for a plus size of at least 6 oz. This may not bug most people, but I have been (and always will be) a stickler for meat portions in my food, especially at independent owned corner spots like this. Luckily, the plentiful tofu alleviated some of my disappointment in the lack of beef protein.
(4)
John C.
Various teriyaki dinner options which are all really good. I usually get the chicken teriyaki, my wife loves their beef teriyaki, and the shrimp/vegetable tempura is pretty good as well. You will get great friendly service, the dining area is small but we have not waited longer than 20 minutes, and I have been coming here for the last 10 years. Good food with reasonable prices.
(4)
Andy K.
Sushi is certainly delicious, but there's more to Japanese food then raw fish! Sunshine Cafe IS the place to go for authentic Japanese home cookin. And there's no other place in the city that comes even close. You can see the adorable Japanese grandmas in the small back kitchen as proof this is food made with love! Sunshine's cuisine captures what IMO is the beauty of Japanese food -- beautiful minimalistic, artistically nuanced and a perfect harmony of flavors. You probably have experienced this with well-made, fresh sushi, but at Sunshine you can experience it with hearty, homestyle dishes like Sukiyaki (my favorite on the menu: sweet beef with tofu and vegetables) and Soba Noodles, cold buckwheat noodles in a wasabi dipping sauce. And I'm not a big fan of Udon noodles in general, but I will eat Sunshine's, the broth is fantastic. The potato croquettes, as many reviewers noted, are fantastic and be on the look out for the occasional grilled egg plant special -- it is fresh and tasty. And icing on the cake (or should I say the dipping sauce on the potato croquette) is that Sunshine is very inexpensive, entrees being around 10 bucks. For big eaters like me, the portions are not huge but I can honestly say that after eating there somewhere around 10 times, I've never left dissatisfied. Remember Sunshine is BYOB so take be sure to advantage with a cold glass of Sapporo or bottle of Sake. And please make sure you say hello to Dan, who is honest-to-God one of the nicest fellas I've ever met at a restaurant, and I've been to many. Sunshine Cafe has been a gathering place for the Japanese American community in Chicago for decades with its deliciously authentic food and attentive service. Don't you want to experience that for yourself?
(5)
Tyrell C.
For traditional Japanese comfort food in Chicago, look no further! Sunshine Cafe is the perfect place for a bad day. You know those days, where work sucks, you can't find a seat on the CTA, and winter is in full effect? You will feel much better after enjoying a some potato croquettes followed by a big order of Sukiyaki. The quality of your life will improve exponentially as you digest these, the most tastey of hot Japanese dishes. All items are delicious (particularly the ton katsu or udon), but you could eat only the Sukiyaki and Croquettes on every visit and never get tired of it. Seriously, the sauce they serve with the Croquettes is like some type of drug. To top it all off, they are extremely friendly and usually getting a seat is not impossible. Journey north on Clark to this homey joint and you'll thank me later.
(4)
Edward A.
We having been going to Sunshine for around seven years. I was delighted with the simple and excellent home-style cooking, and commented to my wife that this was "Grandma cooking". I got an odd look from the young man who managed the place. He came by later and explained that, in fact, his grandmother DID supervise the kitchen! We later had the pleasure of meeting this tiny, smiling lady on an evening when the waitstaff was short handed. May she live one hundred years!
(5)
A G.
Perfect at what it does. Delicious Japanese home cooking. Inexpensive, casual, and nice service. Will definitely go back.
(5)
Dave D.
fantastic Japanese home style cooking. Like Japanede food was before air freight brought sushi to Chicago
(5)
Kevin A.
OKAERINASAI (WELCOME HOME) That's exactly how I feel when I walk into Sunshine Cafe, like I've just returned home from a long journey and that my obaachan has prepared a home-cooked meal of all my favorite dishes just for me. Completely absent are the ultra-lounge vibe and the obscene mishmash of Pier 1 faux-Asian pseudo-cultural artifacts. In its place, dated yet strangely comforting wood paneling, smiling faces, and quite simply THE BEST home style Japanese food in the city. I recently took a friend here who had just returned from five years of teaching in Japan and was suffering from Japan withdrawal and reverse culture shock. When she took her first bite of kimpira gobo, she was instantly transported back to the country she had grown to love and for a moment I thought she was going to cry. It even made me a little homesick for the Japanese restaurants in Hawaii, at which point our server, upon learning of my homeland, put on some Israel Kamakawiwo'ole on the stereo. He even brought the owner out so we could converse with her in Japanese. How cool is that? Such is the power of food, especially food prepared and served with love. Everything here is just as it was meant to be. Miso soup with homemade dashi, simmering sukiyaki with a cool raw egg (upon request), and the always comforting katsudon. Sunshine Cafe is an absolute treasure.
(5)
Laila C.
I love grilled mackerel! I love grilled mackerel at Sunshine!! Yum yum yum! Super crispy and flavorful outside. A very generous portion with rice! The grilled salmon is also delicious, although a little fattier. They don't serve sushi, but their california roll is actually quite delicious-very different from generic ones everywhere else. The eel dinner is also delicious, also VERY generous, huge portions of eel. But if you go to Sunshine, you HAVE to try the mackerel!!! Everyone that works there is super nice and so polite! It's a great quiet place to have a relaxing and soul satisfying dinner. Also the fact that it's super affordable Japanese food is just a miracle!
(5)
Yvonne Y.
Wow, we came on a Sunday evening and if you don't arrive by 5pm, you'll have to wait for a table. Excellent potato croquettes, grilled eggplantwith freshly grated ginger and special sauce, katsu donburi and saba shioyaki. Flavor is just right and you're supposed to use just a bit of any sauce that comes with it. Will definitely be back. The owner is very friendly!
(5)
Marlon V.
Good food at a reasonable price. It's close to home & staff was super friendly. Very cosy looking spot. Walked in to the restaurant & it had a home-y feel & I sense it was going to be good. Potato croquettes w/ the special sauce was good. The chicken udon was good. I loved the mackerel, if I had some nori wrap on the side with the rice - it would be over. Delicious food & can't wait to go back.
(4)
Joyce C.
I love the food here. It really is like home cooked food. The decor is totally like my mom's basement from the 70's though, with the paneling and everything. We've been here twice and I think our second experience was better. The first time went we had the calamari legs to start and those were a little overcooked but had a good breading and good taste. I had the sukiyaki and my husband had the katsu. Both were good, with generous portions. The second time we came, it was a chilly fall night. We had the squid again and also the gyoza. The gyoza was definitely home made and the sauce that comes with it is super spicy. My husband had the pork udon, while I had the broiled mackerel. I don't usually like mackerel because I think it's stinky, but I guess I was in the mood for some super oily stinky salty fish because this TOTALLY hit the mark for me. YUM!! Only downside of this dish is that it did come with some bones, but I knew that going in so I looked out for them. My husband's udon had a good broth, but the noodles were cooked a little past al dente toward the mushy side. However, both of us ended up getting exactly what we wanted, and it was a tasty meal homey meal for a cold night. And two apps with two entrees = $30!! I will be back soon!!
(4)
Patrick S.
You know a place is fucking prime when it gets closed down by the health department and it still has a 4.5 a half star average Yelp review.
(5)
Cynthia N.
The food was good and hearty, the service was exceptional! We ordered potato croquettes (crispy Panko breaded, inside fluffy mashed potatoes--what's not to love?!) edamame for our son, sukiyaki for me and tempura udon for my husband. It was all delicious. Nothing fancy, just homey, comforting food. The owner brought some complimentary tofu for my son, just to be nice. It's gestures like that that make me remember a restaurant and bring my friends. We'll be back.
(4)
Amanda A.
Solid. Soothing. Steaming. Shall I continue? I've been here so many times, but never bothered with writing a review. (Does anyone else find that they never actually _think_ to Yelp about the places that became a routine part of their being long before this site existed?) On my last visit, the standard: vegetable udon + shrimp shumai. I don't know why I continue to order shumai at any establishment, as I find my delight only in the texture, but rarely in the taste. Same here, but it was perfectly passable. Per usual, the udon broth was well-balanced, tofu satisfying and just firm enough...lots of vegetables swimming happily about.
(4)
Jocelynne G.
The food here is great! I loved how tender and crunchy the pork cutlet was, my friend ordered sukiyaki and it was delicious. Why is the tempura 13$ though? Oh well... I wasn't going to order it anyway. I can't wait to come back. This place is so cozy!
(5)
Kenny T.
After living in Lakeview, I'm always hesitant to try any kind of Asian place on a whim lest they be 'fusion'-y, over priced, dirty, or too obsessed with frills. But this place said 'Homestyle Japanese food' and when my gf and I were looking at the menu a family came out and the father told us he recommended it. The kids laughed and nodded so we went in. I am so glad we did. It's got a cute, unassuming interior and the waitstaff was probably the nicest I've ever had in the city. We tried the potato croquettes and they were amazing. The sauce was totally delicious and they gave you a perfect serving. I ordered the udon and my gf got the veggie soba and when they were brought, it was in two giant steaming bowls. They were so good and filling. Just simple and unlike other udon I've had- not greasy or overly watery. This place is worth a try- yummy, simple, tasty Japanese food that is good any time, any day and at a really decent price. Our main course was only 8 bucks! To top it off, they serve hot fresh green tea and their green tea ice cream was amazing. We will be back for sure. The only downside is that they are closed on Monday.
(5)
Maxwell C.
So, have you ever had a day at work where your boss yells at you? You print something and the printer decides that you need 100x more than you printed and everyone in the office is calling you an environmental disaster? And you just want to have a great home cooked meal from your asian mom but then you realized she's not here... and that you're not asian? If so, then this is the place for you! This is a great mom and pop shop that cooks up authentic Japanese home food. You won't find your shitty Lincoln Park sushi stuff here. Go away LP sushi. You'll find soba, udon, katsudon, and gyoza. Everything I have ordered there is great, but hands down, they have the best Katsudon in Chicago. And if you don't know what Katsudon is, you best get yourself there right now and order one. It is heaven... in a bowl. I can't say enough about how much I love this place. You'll feel like you're transported to Japan.
(5)
Patrick R.
I've lived off Clark Street for three years and haven't yet ventured in Sunshine. Friends have sung its praises for at least as long, so my wife and I dined there earlier this week. During the walk through the snowy sidewalks, I had visions of ordering up a mug of green tea to enjoy before my meal. Imagine my surprise when we sat down and were greeted by a waiter bearing water AND green tea, without us even having to ask. I warmed up with green tea and ordered the beef curry special, and my wife had the chicken teri don (huge bowl of chicken chunks over rice and lettuce). Our meal was hot, simple and filling --exactly what I'd heard from friends who had dined here. I had the leftovers for lunch today. One sidenote: our waiter was very helpful in explaining what each dish consisted of, as well as how to mix the various ingredients together. In fact, he seemed to default to a "these folks probably have more questions than answers" mode when he approached us, which was really refreshing. He made little jokes about the menu, suggested items, advised us on what was spicy --all with very little encouraging or questioning from us.
(4)
Ryan R.
The absolute best bowl of udon in the city. Everything I have tried at this restaurant is really tasty. I am aware that this place was recently closed by the health department. While I appreciate some of the other commentors concerns I have a few comments of my own. I have owned restaurants before. None of my restaurants were ever closed by the health department but I know other owners who were closed. It is true that it often takes an egregious offense to draw the health departments sanction. However, Sometimes it is as simple as an equipment failure that was discovered during an inspection. Other times it is as simple as an infestation that has migrated from another neighboring storefront or from the alley. While this may sound gross it really happens all the time. In my restaurants, I used to pay for extermination in the neighboring storefronts just to be sure I didnt get a migrating infestation. Point is, take some of these negative comments with a grain of salt. The restaurant was only closed for a week or so. I seriously doubt the offense was dangerous. Furthermore, it is very difficult to reopen after a sanction. The fact that they were allowed to reopen should speak for itself. And no. I do not know the owners. I just enjoy the food. And will continue to go back.
(5)
Jiyoun B.
Authentic Japanese home cooking. Even the decor matches the food. It feels like going to one of your old aunt's house with the back-then fashionable (were they ever fashionable?) wood paneling. They have the best potato croquettes (ko-ro-ke) ever! Creamy, smooth filling matched with crunchy outside... kinda like deep fried mashed potatoes. I guess that's what they are essentially. They sometimes have perfectly seasoned kimpira~ a root veggie that you don't find easily at a restaurant anymore. Don't go here for any raw fish cuz they won't have any. Do go here for any udon or donburi (so good). Things maybe a little too sweet or salty but that's Japanese food for ya! People who work here are pretty friendly and more than willing to explain their dish. I've passed by this place thousands of times and it's unpredictable when they are open. But that's okay, I'll catch them when they do open! You'll find lots of older Japanese patrons here but I'd take that as a good sign. Not much of a date place unless you go to restaurants for quality of food and for not ambiance.
(5)
Boon K.
I love the family feel of this place and it is very traditional. Great service and very friendly. Good price point. The udon noodle soup is good and the chicken Katsu. This is my to-go place for my japanese comfort warm meal.
(4)
Elleb K.
5 stars for the serivce. Very friendly, fast service. Comfortable setting. 3 stars for the food. We ordered the potatoe dish, katsu don, suki yaki dish. The food wasn't something to rave about. I've had better in Japan. But since we are in Chicago, It was a mere OK. My american counter parts loved it. The menu selection wasn't as grand, small, sweet , simple.
(3)
Aurore L.
So for a little while yesterday I entertained the illusion that I was Japanese. Yes it requires a little bit of imagination...... I've got plenty. Thank you very much. Sunshine Cafe. Perfect place to spend the end of the only sunny afternoon we had since the beginning of the year (or so it seems). Perfect place to warm up your body and soul. Perfect place to escape the sound and fury of National Football Day. (A more southern location would definitely add the finishing touch to the perfection. But it's not only their fault is we are 107 blocks apart....I have my share of responsibility.) When we enter the place at 4 we are with family. Some are reading the news, others are watching TV. A lively discussion is going on. The place looks non-assuming, plain and old-fashioned. No frills, no fuss, no dainty decor or cute little details. We are in your Japanese grandma (big) dining room, and she is stuck in the past. You don't really care because you love your grandma; not her furniture. And you love your grandma because she kicks ass in the kitchen. Your grandpa agrees. His first love?!?!? Potato croquettes. Everybody is talking about them with reason: these are comfort food if there has been any. Crunchy-melty, they are succulent topped with the accompanying sauce (reminiscent of a sweet mustard...SO good) They come in pair and you really have to struggle hard not to order another one. You can get instead inari sushi: sushi rice stuffed in small pouches of deep fried tofu. Sweet and delicious. Yum, nom, gulp. The katsudon is another shining star for sure. A balmy bowl of satisfaction, zen style (even Mike Jagger would calm down and stop his hip undulations to sit down and eat). Sticky rice, breaded pork, egg, onions - stir-fried in soy sauce happiness. The result is beyond good; the saltiness is so pleasant that you cannot stop eating, even if you are already full. That's the magic. I sat there, eating, drinking matcha tea, listening to soothing traditional music, chatting with the lovely waitress about the differences between football, soccer and rugby. Should have talked about sumos and baseball.... Next time.
(4)
Christine L.
This is my favorite home-style Japanese restaurant in Chicago! Pork udon is the ultimate comfort food. I lived in Asia, and this restaurant always makes me homesick.
(5)
Reuben H.
The restaurant industry today has been trending towards going back to basics. It amazes me how hyped up people get over relatively simple dishes, flavors and ingredients (myself included). If one had to analyze what this says about society one could draw up various conclusions. Still the fact remains- people want to feel comfortable with what they eat and have some sense of familiarity with the food or the dining experience. The latest trend that has now become its own genre is "new-American" and is based around a revamping of traditional, home-style dishes that come from the somewhat short history of the great melting pot most of us call home. Couple that tradition with a sense of "fine dining" spin in plating and presentation, while usually involving seasonal, fresh ingredients. That fancy plating and presentation technique brings you classic favorites like mac 'n cheese in cylindrical form, with a healthy does of organic butternut squash and artisinal cheese and silken tofu (locally produced of course) laced in as an example. It has us feasting with our eyes before it even hits our sense of smell, taste and touch (texture people!). The all-American hamburger is another example of this simple sandwich that has been revived (as if it were dying in the first place) in all areas of the restaurant world and with incredibly refined results in many cases. This revived look at American dining (Chicago being one of the leading markets for this concept) brought me to wonder whether the same concept is happening at "ethnic" restaurants. That is where I realized that what we typically associate with "Japanese" food is raw fish-based. To think that an overwhelming majority of Japanese only eat raw fish for just about every meal is absurd. Yet if you go around to the overwhelming majority of Japanese restaurants here in Chicago, and that is exactly what you will find for an overwhelming majority of the menu items. This is precisely why you NEED to come to places like Sunshine Cafe which has a small menu, yet a representation of what is probably more "real" about Japanese cuisine. Good old-fashioned, down home, mama's in the kitchen type of cooking. Yet, this is where the disconnect with the new-American style joint that is happening all around us (and one that I am a big fan of) begins. Not only because Japanese food is, well- Japanese and therefore different from American, because that is obvious; but because the plating isn't going to be anything special. What you get: a bowl of food. Simple, and yet complex, because like the awesome old-school flavors being served up in a lot of the new-American places: they are bold, comforting, and somehow familiar. Two must-get items: potato croquettes (doesn't sound very Japanese, but they are glorious- fried panko-encased mashed potatoes pillows) and ketsudon (fried pork medallions mixed in with caramelized onions, wilted spinach, sauce all served on a bed of sticky rice). We also tried the beef udon. Good, but not the best in Chicago (which so far, oddly enough, the best we have had is out in the suburbs). Still, a bowl of those noodles in that benito broth is enough to turn a drab day into a cozy one. Here you are bound to get a carb-laced, hearty meal. Absolutely perfect for a cold winter's day! Rich flavors, in an old-world style dining room amongst family. Warm, welcoming and most importantly- familiar. So while the hippest of the new-age restaurants follow through on the latest trend, or try to highlight the fresh seasonal ingredient of the week or month, try to remember that these restaurants and their dishes need to be able to stand the test of time to truly be rated appropriately. After all, it is the flavor and the level of satisfaction the dining experience gives you that really matters, right? Sunshine Cafe's dishes are a terrific litmus test for any of these new-American restaurants. In the end, the food has got to be right!
(4)
Jim S.
The squid appetizer was amazing. Delicious, perfectly fried. Sukiyaki was tasty, homey, and practically licked the plate clean. Tonkatsu was tender and just plain yummy. Pork Udon shined... I'd happily eat any and all again and again. Even the tea was great. It isn't haute cuisine, this is comfort food... and would be an excellent place to visit for a first timer. The owner and servers were incredibly friendly.
(5)
Jessica G.
Wonderful little restaurant. The food is simple and delicious - Japanese comfort food at it's best. My friend, Lindsay J., swears by the potato croquettes. My favourites are the Unagi Don (delectable!), the salmon teriyaki (phenomenal!), and the sukiyaki (outstanding!). I was a little less fond of the Pork Katsu, mostly because I was expecting a lighter breading instead of the heavy, deep fried nuggets of meat. Very tasty, but I'd order it again as a table dish to split - it's too heavy and rich for my entire meal. I love this place. Friendly, honest, delicious food.
(5)
Annie W.
Ooof. I'm still full and it's already been a couple of hours. Small menu (makes decisions easy!) and the items are actually really simple but tasty. Portions are great and service is super friendly! Seeing how it was Easter today, at the end of our meal, the waitress plopped down a big basket full of pastel color-wrapped candies! Cute! Anyway, things are a bit on the salty side but the sukiyaki sure hit the spot! Plentiful shabu-style beef, napa cabbage, onions, glass noodles, tofu all in that nice sweet and salty broth with perfectly cooked rice to pair. (My favorite rice is always found in Japanese joints!). While three of us ordered the sukiyaki, one other friend got the katsu don and he remarked that while it was initally good, it got increasingly more and more salty so....watch out for that one! Yes, we shared orders of the potato croquette (crunchy on the outside, smooth inside) and the ika (calamari legs). The ika was fried well but could've been a tad less bland. All in all, not bad in a homey place. I wouldn't necessarily crave it like I would with ramen but finally after a couple of years of eyeing this place, my curiosity's been satiated!
(3)
KuangYou C.
I've been to several Japanese restaurants in Chicago. I can't say they have the best food but I think the food and the price are pretty decent. My friend and I order one appetizer (ginger, green onion with tofu, not sure the exact name) , eel rice and sukiyaki. The tofu is just average, I think. The sukiyaki is good. The downside is they don't have a heater to keep the pot warm. The eel is good as well and they give you the definitely enough rice to eat with. The service is great. Overall, I'm willing to go there again.
(4)
Kelly Z.
Unlike what it seems from the outside, it is very very bright inside! Ha! They built a strip of Japanese roof on the side of the restaurant. So you feel like sitting in the courtyard. It's been a while since I've seen children at a restaurant. Although the restaurant doesn't take reservation, we only waited about ten minutes to get a seat. I like the potato croquette. For some reason, it is quite similar to a Peruvian dish I had last week. Don't remember exactly what the saying is. Somehow we may be all connected. I had sukiyaki. I don't usually like to order meat dish at Asian restaurants because most often they turned out to be overcooked. The one I had was tender and fresh. The item my friend ordered seems interesting as well. The menu seems to be very simple but healthy. Mostly meat or fish over rise or noodle. But they all come in with good balance of protein and carbohydrate. Best of all, most dishes are under $10. The architecture element reminds me of Suzhou, a city in China. I have been wanting to come here for a long time but a friend who I wanted to be here with moved away. So, there is a touch of sadness about this. Melancholy maybe for times gone by.
(4)
Rachel O.
Amazing udon noodles! Especially great for fighting off a cold. The service for carry out was excellent and fast. Definitely will be back!
(5)
Paul M.
I have been going to the Sunshine Cafe for several years now, and I must say, it is a place that can be overlooked or otherwise taken for granted. Rediscovery is a great thing. Unassuming in its decor, a great value for the price. I enjoy the Goma-ae spinach -- with crushed peanuts instead of a heavy peanut sauce. The udon and soba soups are just the thing for a cold or to enjoy a tasty preventative. The crowd varies: just imagine anyone who would want reasonably priced, well prepared Japanese food in a byob setting. They also provide take-away service.
(5)
Cynthia E.
Beautifully prepared food from scratch, outstanding friendly service, the best tonkatsu sauce we've had... All at a fair price and 10 minutes from home! The wilted spinach appetizer was lightly dressed and tasty, the potato croquettes were the only thing near mediocre, but they were piping hot and served quickly. The miso soup served with entrees was very hit and a good-sized portion. My husband had Katsu, which was the best we've had, and made even tastier with their housemade sauce. I had yakisoba, the special, and it was the right blend of chewy to crispy noodles, with chicken and a good amount of vegetables. Can't believe it took us this long to find the Sunshine!
(5)
Tracy K.
Having dinner here felt like having dinner at someone's house. And I mean that in the best way possible. The owner made us feel very welcome, had a sense of humor, and basically, provided some of the best restaurant service I have ever experienced. Our table of seven had way more food than necessary and the (BYOB) alcohols flowed freely. I didn't love the food, but I would come back because of the warm, friendly atmosphere.
(4)
Began T.
Never eat here! Trust me, your stomach will thank you. I had been excited to try this place after reading all the great reviews and I love Japanese food! I even described it to my girlfriend while driving there as the "ace up my sleeve" thinking it couldn't be bad with such a high score on yelp. My god was I wrong. This is authentic Japanese food in that if you opened up a garbage can in Japan you might find something similar. We went to the restaurant at 5:00 PM, it is now 4 am and my stomach still has not forgiven me and i didn't even eat that much! Things that we ordered: Gyoza (not that bad, not that good) potato croquette (ok if you don't use the rancid dipping sauce) beef vegetable udon (worst udon ever...noodles were terrible, beef was worse) Katsudon (breaded pork tenderloin was soggy and disgusting) All in all this is just horrible food. The free green tea tasted and smelled like seaweed and lint. The miso soup that came with the Katsudon was the aberrant unacceptable no miso at all just flavorless broth with some thin scallions and a few pieces of tofu. I make my own miso and udon at home and have eaten at many Japonese restaurants in Chicago, the best being Akai Hanna and Japonaise(obviously a more expensive one). The Yelpers are sorely mistaken with this one, do yourself a favor and skip it!
(1)
Adam F.
Crazy decor (wood paneling combined with a faux traditional Japanese exterior structure), super affordable and friendly staff. Love the Katsu Don, Japanese Curry, Sukiyaki and potato croquettes.
(5)
Annie R.
A homey restaurant with great authentic Japanese food! Only way they can be even better is a bigger place or a bigger menu! Because of the smaller size of the restaurant and limited staff, there may be a bit of a wait. But, it's BYOB so maybe that will be good during the wait. I ordered the Chicken Katsu and was very happy with a great combination of flavor and texture of the Chicken. Pairing it with rice and the soupy egg was extra delish! My friend who recently visited Japan attested to the pretty much authentic Japanese food, and she loves it! We will definitely visit again, especially with such great prices!
MY NEW FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT. Seriously, the staff at this place is amazing. I am a vegetarian and went here with a group of friends (who were all relatively unfamiliar to Japanese cuisine) and our waiter was so helpful in guiding each of our individual tastes and even made some really crazy substitutions for us. The food was just as great as the service (get the potato croquettes -- UNREAL.) I will absolutely be back!
(5)
Rinko E.
I would like to say TADAIMA~!!!!!! (I'm home!) when I come here. I have been to Sunshine Cafe twice, and this place is the complete package: cheap, home-style, uncomplicated Japanese comfort food, friendly staff, and BYOB. Tendon (Tempuras and sauce over a bowl of rice) and potato croquettes are my favorite, but my friends love Tempura Udon noodles and Sukiyaki. Seems like this place has been in business forever, and I hope they stay open for many many many more years to come. It's good to have a Japanese "home" when you are miles away from your family.
(5)
Tara R.
Delicious food, wonderful service, BYOB and great company make dinner at the Sunshine Cafe a joyous experience. We waited all of five minutes for a table. Yeah, we saw that there were a few empty ones but the restaurant seemed to get busy right when we walked in and there were just a couple servers. The manager apologized several times for the wait and then took care of us the rest of our visit. After immediately bringing hot green tea, he promptly took our appetizer order. We had just enough time to run across the street for a bottle of wine before he brought the pickled vegetables and the potato croquette. Oh, that croquette. It was like a deep fried potato cloud. Chopsticks cut those babies like butter, yet they were strong enough to be dipped again and again in the spicy brown sauce accompaniment. I ordered broiled salmon, which came with miso soup and rice - pretty great deal for nine-fitty in the city! The salmon was perfectly cooked. Crispy skin, tender flesh, minimally spiced but perfectly satisfying on its own. But it was even more delicious with the shredded white radish garnish and a squirt of lemon (much thanks to our awesome waiter for that tip). Speaking of our awesome waiter, he brought us a second order of potato croquette on the house, as well as some freebie green tea ice cream. That was the best service experience in a long time. Next time I visit my friends in that neighborhood, I will definitely be going back.
(5)
Chris C.
This place is great. The perfect place to check out on a cold winter night. That atmosphere may displease some, but I like the simplicity of it. It adds to the homey atmosphere. Really good Japanese comfort food. I've been three times now and I always have inner struggle on what to order. So many good options. Seeing other peoples food going by only makes it more difficult. So there is only one solution... keep going until I've had everything! Go check it out, but don't take the last table, in case I need it.
(5)
Katie T.
We came here for my dad's birthday and it was a wonderful experience. First of all, BYOB and no cork fee which was great. The waiter (named Daniel) was the sweetest guy ever, gave us extra fried calamari because we were a family of five and one order wasn't enough. For food, we got a bunch of stuff from the menu: my sister and I had the udon which was pretty standard, my mom the soba which was less fresh than she would have liked, my brother the katsu don which was delicious! Highly recommend. And then my dad, birthday boy got the special noodles on the menu that came with rice; the broth was amazing. If it wasn't so far north, I would definitely come to this place all the time. Very homey and comfortable!
(4)
Aaron K.
I was taken here Sunday by a friend and left feeling stupid for not eating here sooner! Sunshine Cafe serves wonderful home-style Japanese food prepared at the highest level. Looking around, this place was packed for 8:30 on a Sunday night (my party of 2 was seated at a table for 6) and yet rather quiet. The simple and obvious explanation came from the food. Now I could gush about the pork or smelt or unagi, but the real star of the show is the rice. Perfect rice, or as I call is chopstick rice, is so elusive. Light, fluffy, and sticky enough to pick up large balls with chopsticks without being gluey, fuzzy and glutinous, the rice here has it all. In fact, I would come back for a bowl of rice alone. Amazing. My friend, who comes here often, says this is always the case. Wow....even with a rice cooker I can't manage this level of perfection time-in and time-out. Sunshine Cafe is a steal with dishes in the $10-15 range. You could easily spend 2-3 times the price without finding this level of dedication to consistently excellent food.
This is my new favorite noodle place!!! It's an intimate restaurant, bare essentials and no real decor, they know that you are coming for the best japanese food around! The food is fresh and delicious. Be prepared to wait and definiately no attitudes here. The staff just warmly greets you as you walk in, I highly recommend ordering the Potatoe Croquettes to start - I had dreams about those stuffed pockets all week-end. I ordered the veggie and beef udon - sooo good! Slurped and enjoyed the meal tremendously! I will be back and probably will become a regular!
(5)
Joanna S.
After I came back from Japan it was very very difficult to find anywhere that cooks home style Japanese food instead of the usual sushi. This place is family owned, reasonably priced, great authentic food, and good service. I love the specials and they occasionally have japanese curry which is hard to find in a restaurant. I also love the atmosphere... especially the grandmother who comes around and serves the green tea. You can always tell a good asian place when people from that country eat there, and there are always japanese conversations to join in on at Sunshine.
(4)
Christine F.
Oh my God. I can't believe I live a few blocks from this place. I live in the neighborhood of magical food. Anyway, me and my husband dashed to get here asap, since it's small and lines form early. We waited around 20-30 minutes to be seated, and were immediately treated to some hot green tea. We opened our bottle of wine and feasted our eyes on the menu. The udon seemed appealing to me, though it was unseasonably warm out (60's in November!) so I decided on the tempura, and my husband got the beef udon. We also ordered shrimp shumai and potato croquettes. The potato croquettes are basically, deep fried mashed potatoes with a panko breading...the potatoes are smooth and velvety and soo good. It came with a sweet sauce that left a slight bite on the nose at the end. The shrimp shumai came with a VERY hot mustard sauce, and were also delicious. The main courses didn't disappoint. My tempura consisted of shrimp, acorn squash, eggplant, sweet potato, and green bean. It was delicious and had a light, soy based sauce for dipping. My husband loved his beef udon, as well. When it's colder, I am for sure getting the udon, it looked delicious. Our waiter was also very nice and got our food out to us surprisingly fast. Yeah, it's a hole in the wall. Yeah, there's waits. But the food is absolutely phenomenal, and it's perfect comfort food for long Chicago winters.
(5)
Nicole C.
You sit down, you're poured some freshly brewed green tea, and handed a menu of unique but unpretentious selections. We started with the burdock and carrot salad (delicious, though a bit overly sweet for my taste), a standard wakame seaweed salad, and the potato croquette that everyone raves about. Said croquette was good, though not as orgasmic (for me) as some have described it here, though definitely enhanced when dipped into the accompanying sauce; a sweet, soy, horseradish concoction. We then had some miso soup, rich and satisfying, which is served with all non-soup entrees. I really liked the miso, definitely gave you that umami factor you want. For an entree I had the unagi (eel) don. The pieces of unagi were tender and delicious, grilled in a teriyaki sauce and served over a mountain of rice. At first I thought, I'll save half the rice to bring home, but, I couldn't bring myself to put the chopsticks down. I will say that again, this dish (both the marinade and rice) was a bit sweet for my liking. (I'm the sugar police.). My fellow diners were all very pleased with their dishes: sukiyaki, udon soup, and vegetables with tofu (the latter of which sounds so plain, but was done really well.). Service was great and our waiter, a Sox fan, rightly sassed my Cubs-fan friend. I appreciate the casual, neighborhood feel to this place so much more than the faux-hip stylings of many sushi restaurants in the city. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Lori Taylor R.
Let's get straight to the point. 5 stars for Sukiyaki with beef. A MUST try. Unfortunately, the friendly staff was a bit inattentive. However, we won't let that hold us back from visiting again!
(4)
Timtim H.
its very authentic and cheap!!!!!!!!!!!! even though the ramen noodles are not the best ones I ever had in Chicago........
(4)
Catherine S.
We are new to the neighborhood and tried this on recommendation of a friend. The decor is nothing special, but it's not as bad as some of the reviews make it sound--it's cozy and simple. The place was filled with local families and the service was SO nice. Maybe we're just not used to the midwest yet, but the two servers who waited on us were very attentive and sweet despite the fact that the place was packed. On to the food. We started with the potato croquettes, which were so delicious. We're not normally huge fried food fans, but others had mentioned them so we tried them out: light, not greasy in the slightest, and served with a pleasantly sweet dipping sauce. We both had udon--one veggie and one chicken. They were huge portions--neither one of us could finish them--simple and delicious. The veggie broth had nice flavor, which is often lacking in not as good udon. Furthermore, it was cheap, which is important for us! You can get a nice big entree for $10 or under. We didn't bring our own alcohol, but it's good to note for the future that it is BYOB. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)
ZZ K.
Based on all the great reviews we decided to go and try this little mom and pop establishment in Edgewater. I do agree with many of the reviews.... - great, friendly staff - BYOB with Jewel/Osco right around the corner - homey vibe, like eating in grandma's kitchen - simple and tasty food - cafeteriaesk look and feel...yes, you don't come here for the ambiance, however you immediately feel very welcome. :) But, I think for our taste...not that we are these ultimate food snobs or anything, it was just a bit too simple all around. What did we have you ask? 1. Goyza 2.sukiyaki 3. udon with vegetables and chicken (this was the best) 4. a dish with cold buckwheat noodles with nori, wasabi, green onions and tempura I guess we are more into unique tastes and combinations....things we would find difficult to make ourselves. I hate to say this, but even the goyza tasted exactly like the ones I buy frozen at the store, no difference what so ever. So overall this place is not bad, but we just won't be back...
(3)
Joseph A.
What can I add that hasn't already been said: Japanese food that isn't based on sushi, very affordable, friendly service, cozy little restaurant. Just wanted to add to the recommendations. The guy who answered the phone on a Friday night said we could bring our own Saki with no cork fee if we poured him a cup (jokingly). I can't confirm this is the case since I parked far away in dreadfully cold weather and forgot the bottle in the car.
(5)
James B.
Japanese Pub Food. Simple. No Frills. BYOB. Delicious.
(4)
Susan L.
Cute, cheap, satisfying. Go for the noodles, not for the ambiance.
(4)
Andy S.
Now this is the place to have Japanese food! Authentic, tasty, and huge portions. They have have Musubi (Rice balls)! The prices are extremely cheap. $23 dollars for two huge meals, and sides of miso soup and musubi. The waiters and host are extremely nice and friendly. I didn't feel rushed and hell, i even felt wanted there. Which is exactly what a restaurant is supposed to make you feel like. The only issue is that its not near the south side. Which, really isn't a issue. Its worth the travel. Why are you reading this review? Go out there and see how awesome it is! Oh, for the drinkers, it is BYOB. I don't believe they have sushi (or very limited selection). Its all homemade style Japanese cooking. Can't go wrong with that at all.
(5)
Juanita G.
I love this place! It has been my go to place all winter for a big warm meal. I love the home style Japanese cooking. I love the sukiyaki style beef lightly sweet broth with the glass noodles but also love the big bowl of udon when I want a big bowl of noodles. My niece loves the Unagi don. Very good unagi over rice. We always loved the unagi on sushi not we can just get the unagi over rice in a entree sized portion.
(5)
Gayle G.
How did I miss this little gem? I didn't find it until moving OUT of Andersonville. Boo. A great find in a ramshakle setting. It ain't glamorous. If it's a first date, you might scare your date. The horrible fluorescent lighting isn't flattering to anyone's skin tone. And yet, once I open a beer (BYOB) and the menu, I was alright! Tonkatsu, please! It was delicious! Everything that everyone ordered was really tasty, but I liked mine the best. The potato croquettes yummy and light! I mean, how can mashed potatoes that are coated in panko and deep fried be bad? We also had an app special of pickled burdock root that was great! Service was attentive and relaxed. The bill for 4 entrees and 2 apps was about $55 before tip. Cheap! Yum! Go! Now!
(4)
Dan D.
My newest "favorite place to eat" in Chicago and a new 5-star review! While the outside and inside are modest at best, the food is stellar and the price cannot be beat. Sunshine excels in customer service - super friendly service which recommends food and specializes orders. Also, prices that are unbelievable for what you get. I ordered the salmon terriyaki for just $9.50. A whole giant filet of grilled salmon, served with terriyaki sauce on the side, a nice salad, overflowing bowl of rice, and miso soup for just that great price! Wowsers. My buddy ordered the unagi don - freshwater eel served terriyaki over a bowl of rice and salad for just $10.50 (also miso soup). Talk about a filling meal and a great experience. This is Japanese cooking to be proud about. Even though Sunshine Cafe is located in trendy Andersonville, Sunshine Cafe has great prices for awesome food. Note: Do not come here for sushi as this is NOT a sushi restaurant. They ONLY have California rolls and sometimes spicy tuna rolls. This is a Japanese Cooking place - not quite raw food. That being said, it is one of THE BEST in chicago, and your wallet is gonna be happy.
(5)
Carolynne M.
Would you trade expensive, intricate, ambiant lighting for awesomely fresh, delicious food that costs virtually nothing? Would you trade a fancy interior, complete with a tinkling waterfall, leather chairs and gold rimmed china for service that is highly attentive, super friendly and very knowledgeable but never pushy? Would you trade a swanky Gold Coast locale with doormen and valet for a place that seems more like you are dining in someones home? If you said yes to any of these, then you need to get your butt over to Sunshine. Seriously, as much as I like my fancy places, Sunshine manages to out-shine (ha! get it) all of that frivolity with amazing service, incredible food and cheap to boot. We went on Friday around 5:30, to a room about half full. I had a piece of salmon that rivaled any seafood place on the East Coast, plus everything from the miso soup to the croquettes (which seemed to be out of place in a Japanese restaurant, but my friend Alice assures me they are the real deal, actually called kuroke) were excellently prepared and presented. Plus, Andy M was a little concerned at first when he saw there were only chopsticks on the table and tried to practice with them a little, but our waiter saw him and brought a fork with the explanation "I thought you might want this, we do close at 9 after all." Which almost caused me to snort in my green tea it was too funny.
(5)
Stacey P.
It feels like you're in Hawaii when you eat at sunshine cafe... .. that is, if you're like me, and when you go to hawaii you eat at a ton of japanese restaurants owned by Nisei and greater japanese-americans. BUT- Just like Hawaii, the food is GOOD. My initial plan was to go there and get a bunch of small dishes, do it izakaya style. However, my plan was somewhat foiled when I saw the limited appetizer menu. Ah well. We ordered Kimpira, Inari Zushi, and Gyoza for apps. Kimpira: dai sukina kimpira EVER!!!! (that was my favorite kimpira EVER) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was soft and sweet and not grainy. When I've made it, it's been grainy. Even when I've had it at other restaurants, it's been grainy. This kimpira was awesome and it now happily sits in my tum tum. Inari Zushi: Well, how do you really go wrong with this? I used to make it from canned wrappers in my dorm room. But yep, it was good. Gyoza: Meh. The one thing I will not give a very good review. I've had better, I've made better. For a main dish, I got tempura udon. Those noodles were AWESOME. I never finish soups, but I ate EVERY LAST NOODLE in this tempura udon. The tempura and the broth were alright, I would say I've had better in udon shops in Hawaii. But again...NOOOOOOOODLESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. burp. My friend got the Nanban yaki which she thought was very good! My main complaint is the small menu. I was hoping for curry udon, yaki onigiri, more musubi/onigiri options, more flavors of croquettes, more appetizers, some miso cod, eggplant, etc... stuff I'm used to at homestyle japanese places... If they expanded the menu, I'd be there every day. I'll still be there often :)
(4)
Ricardo B.
As good as it gets for home style Japanese food.
(5)
Robin C.
I fell in love with Sunshine Cafe tonight and felt the urge to document that with a review. Instant love. I've been living down the street from this lovely restaurant for years and went for the first time tonight. Thank God I did. I walked into this unassuming little restaurant PACKED on a Sunday night with regulars and my roommate and I both commented on how it felt like we just walked into a cozy movie set. The Japanese waitress we had was so adorable and friendly AND had great recommendations. We had the pickled veggies, potato croquettes and fried squid legs as appetizers. Only suggestion next time would be to get more orders of all of those items, because we gobbled them down in approximately 2 seconds flat. Our waitress suggested I get the mackerel, which wast broiled and lightly salted. Simple and delicious. Apparently, you can choose between broiled or teriyaki and the broiled gave you a crispy delicious skin which was perfect. My roommate got a TROUGH of udon noodles. Both were lip smackingly delicious and after eating for what seemed like an hour, it looked like we hadn't made a dent. Come here for Japanese comfort food (read: no sushi), and I can only see it getting better as the months get colder. One meal here is not only likely under 15 bucks, it will likely be your dinner the next night. They'll make you feel like an instant regular and anywhere I can get unlimited cups of green tea is grrrreat in my book.
(5)
Joe C.
I posted the news article from a prominent Chicago paper, about how the Chicago Health Department closed it down. I guess people werent interested in hearing about the dirt, and filth, and things that may or may not affect your health..... Yelp pulled the review down.... Maybe this place paid them enough and the pulled the review.....
(1)
Alf O.
Nothing not to like here. The food is fantastic, and varied, so you're sure to be able to find something appealing. Every dish I've tried there could have been the restaurant's signature dish. Also, who doesn't love the owners of this place? I think this restaurant may be my all time pleasant surprise finds.
(5)
Zach W.
This is absolutely, bar none, one of my favorite restaurants in all of Chicago. It goes to show that you don't need fancy decor and the perfect ambiance to produce amazing food. If you've never been to Japan, the other Japanese restaurants in Chicago are probably really good--they were to me before I went. They get the general concept right and taste really good. But after visiting Japan I found myself craving that authentic flavor that I only had overseas. Sunshine Cafe does that--it recreates authentic Japanese flavor. This is the first place I take people when they tell me they haven't had Japanese before, because you will get foods you can't get at most other Japanese places (which mostly fill their menu with 75% sushi). This place reeks of COMFORT. You go in and you feel like you're taking a place at someone's house and they're going to take care of you like their own kin. I go here whenever I warm warm fuzzy feelings. The prices are great--you can eat a full meal for under $10. Be prepared to wait 20 minutes on a busy night, since this is a small place relative to the number of people who want to eat there.
(5)
Kin L.
On my familiarity trip to Chicago, I made Sunshine Cafe one of my destinations. The menu might seem run-of-the-mill, but don't let that fool you. The Japanese Chef has perfected the craft of Japanese home-style cooking. The food is simple, yet wholesome and delicious. I'm a sucker for handmade dumplings, so I had to order the pan-fried gyozas. The spicy dipping sauce that came with it really made the dish harmonious. This one's a win. Next up were the potato croquettes. Perfectly shaped and fried, there's no better way to eat a potato. They paired nicely with the tonkatsu sauce. I would come back to the cafe just for those babies. Finally, the tonkatsu made it's way to the table. Perfectly breaded and not greasy, this was a real treat. In fact, I savored it. By the end, I was too full to move, even breathing was a bit difficult. The food was served by a little old Asian lady in an apron. She reminded me of my grandmother, except my grandmother just sits on the couch and watches Chinese dramas all day long. Sunshine Cafe has been around for 15 years. The owner used to have a sushi restaurant in the area, but she got tired of it and decided to do home-style cooking instead. Good move I say! I took a 40 minute train ride from the Gold Coast neighborhood and walked almost 3/4 of a mile just to get to this place. Actually, probably almost a mile as I was walking the wrong way for a bit after I left the station. A little ridiculous, but I'm glad I made the journey.
(4)
Choco Flan C.
This is the place to go if you like homestyle Japanese food. Anyone lucky enough to have eaten home cooked food in a Japanese American home will feel like you're visiting again. I was going through a period where I could not have gluten, and as anyone who needs to avoid this knows, Asian foods and gluten tend to go together. The waiter suggested the saba (mackeral) done shiyoyaki style, which is basically just salted and broiled. It was delicious, too! There's nothing trendy about this place - it provides good, authentic Japanese cooking and a solid meal. The prices are great, too, and you won't break the bank trying to feed a family there.
(5)
Yaeko M.
Certainly, friendly service, cozy atmosphere, family oriented place. We ordered and tasted gyoza, shumai, potato croquettes, tsukemono, kinpira gobo, miso soup. They are o-k. I can do better. Katsudon, it's too strong shoyu - salty. again I can do better....
(3)
Monica W.
Yum! If you want some Japanese homestyle food (not sushi), this place is just a big ball of sunshine. Best Udon soup in Chicago. Its not a fancy place and prices are fair.
(5)
Jims L.
The sukiyaki as shown in the pictures here is even more delicious than it appears. Their katsu sauce is so amazing - I wanted to dip everything in it. I do think it's not as cheap as everyone (here) has voted it to be. I was surprised at their prices, and it's definitely not a "$," under $10 meal. Also, NOTE THEIR HOURS!
(4)
Bethany L.
More than one person has told me how great Sunshine Cafe is in the last few weeks, so a few friends & I hit it up on Saturday night. Got there around 7 and there were still a few tables left, but it got busier as the evening went on. They scored a lot of points before we even got there for being BYOB. Our server took a few minutes to greet us (and took awhile to take orders, pick up plates, etc.), but was very friendly. We ordered two appetizers: the shumai, served with a tasty wasabi mustard sauce; and the seaweed salad. The shumai was good, not great; the seaweed salad was delicious and big enough to be shared amongst the three of us. I got the vegetable udon, which was really great. A HUGE bowl of tasty broth with fresh cabbage, carrots, and other succulent veggies, plus big long buckwheat noodles. We never did get our green tea as promised with our entrees, but that was corrected once we brought it up at the end of the meal. I got a cup of green tea ice cream for dessert, which was obviously freshly made with lots of matcha. Yum. For three entrees, two appetizers, and a dessert, we paid $45, which is amazing for this part of town. I wish the service had been a bit quicker, but I'll still be back.
(4)
Laura S.
Good Japanese noodles. Sorry I don't have more to say - I wish I did. It was just some gyoza and a bowl of udon with a friend. I would almost equate it to like, a japanese diner, if that makes sense. A perfectly respectable three stars. I'm not compelled to return tomorrow or anything, but it's definitely on the neighborhood hit list.
(3)
Jeff A.
Just did it again! speechless! Not really, just read my last review of this spot... It is all still true.... This is with out any apology or explanation simply one of the best restaurants in the country! I will just keep going back again and again! I don't do that at many spots, as you can probably tell I like variety... This place makes me want to throw variety out the window and just dine here!
(5)
Lawrence Y.
Stopped by with a friend for dinner last Friday, based on the positive yelp reviews. The restaurant is kinda simple, but don't let that sway your opinions. The service we had was above and beyond great! It's very mom and pop (homestyle food), and the two servers we had were polite and funny. We started off with the potato croquettes, which came out hot! It burned the roof of my tongue actually. But it was good nonetheless. I had the chicken teriyaki (came with a small side of sunomono, salad... sort of, and miso) and it was really good. Still not dark teriyaki (which I have been looking for ever since I moved to Chicago) but it was probably the yummiest teriyaki I've had here since.
(4)
Charlie B.
I kept meaning to try this place that is just a couple blocks away from me. Finally! I went here and couldn't be happier. Friendly service, a short-on-frills environment and amazing food make this an exceptional find. Cheap Japanese comfort food and the BYO situation make this one you can't miss. We had salmon, katsudon, croquettes and gyoza...and all were just wonderful.
(5)
scott s.
This is a cozy little neighborhood Japanese restaurant with little to no sushi that appears to be family owned and operated. It is also family friendly, judging by the number of folks with little kids dining in when we visited Saturday night. The special eggplant appetizer we had was nothing special but the eel and trout dinner entrees were excellent with hearty sauces. BYO with no corkage fee. The tiny waiting area gets crowded at peak times since they don't take reservations for small parties.
(3)
Greg K.
Unassuming appearance, but great flavors on the plate. The hot soba soup was delicious.
(4)
Helen S.
I stopped by for dinner on Wednesday night and the place was somewhat packed. I usually never order without consulting Yelp for the best option, but we were in a bit of a rush so I decided to be daring and ordered the hot soba with pork. My bf got the katsudon and a rice ball with ume, plus we split an order of potato croquettes. I've never had Japanese homestyle food so I was curious to see what it was all about, but I learned that I'm not a fan. Do you notice that you're feeling thirsty after eating dinner here? That's because their dishes (or at the least the ones we sampled) are loaded with msg. My soba broth was bland and didn't taste like anything except else salt and msg (adding the chili pepper helped a little I guess), plus the toppings were sparse. There were maybe 4-5 small pieces of bland pork and a few veggies total, and a heaping ton of noodles. The katsudon was relatively more flavorful, but has the same problem with msg and was also way too salty. Food quality was average and would usually warrant 3 stars from me, but I had to drop it to 2 for all the salt and msg. Service was great and the food came out fast, but otherwise it's not my cup of tea.
(2)
Maureen C.
I was craving tempura today so I thought I'd yelp for Japanese food... wanted to go somewhere i've never been before and of course i wanted quality food. Yelp did not fail me. This place is unassuming and very humble inside. But the food is authentic and delivers on taste. The gentleman who greeted us was very nice and we were seated right away. The waiter immediately brought out waters for us, as well as hot green tea (perfect for this dreary winter day). There was a huge party there and the gentleman who seated us told us there may be a little delay for our food due to the huge party (probably a party of 20, a 16th birthday lunch), and we understood, that was no problem. We ordered Gyoza, potato croquette, tempura dinner, and katsu don. Everything was spot on, and I really enjoyed my katsu don! It was a lot of food and it was all so tasty. I was definitely satisfied. Will gladly return here for authentic, delicious Japanese food.
(5)
Corona W.
The food isn't as good as the reviews suggest BUT the service was friendly and the noodles were perfect on a cold day in Chicago. The croquettes were nicely fried and quite tasty. Noodle broth was a little salty but the udon noodles were chewy and delicious. Highlight of the meal was the fried squid leg appetizer. Very tasty.
(4)
Amy M.
My biggest regret with Sunshine Cafe is that I did not find it sooner. How did I survive the long cold winter?! After a long day of paper writing and lamenting the less than June weather we've been experiencing, the boy and I ventured out in search of dinner. With our yelp app set to "highly rated, $, within 5 miles" this was one of the first results to pop up. Japanese comfort food? I'm there. The restaurant is perfectly adorable, in a divey yet comforting sort of way. We were seating and immediately brought water and green tea. I was excited. Pouring over the menu, so many things struck my fancy. I convinced the boy we needed to try the croquettes, and the only disappointment was that the order only had two. Crispy, yet mashy on the inside and the sauce (was that a hint of wasabi?) was delicious. I opted for the Katsu Don, my boyfriend the chicken soba. It came to me steaming and fresh, smelling deliciously of pork, rice, and vegetables. I quickly dug in and savored every bite. The meal was amazing, and just what I needed to revive my spirits. The even better part was that the bowl was so huge, I wound up only eating half and bringing back the other half for the boy to take to work for lunch. I'll have to ask him how it was. His chicken soba was equally delicious, equally filling, and equally reviving. My only regret is not getting an order of green tea ice cream before we made our way home, our bellies full of warm delicious food.
(5)
Jeremy S.
Great prices was hoping for more sushi options. The California maki is good but has like a crab salad instead of stick but very tasty. The katsu don is awesome definitely encourage that. The only real let down was the miso soup the broth was just average...
(4)
Cynthia N.
I'm definitely digging this place. I had a party of two and was seated right away on a Friday night (yes I got lucky). I ordered the potato croquette as an appetizer and it was delish! I wished the order came with more. :( I ordered the sukiyaki as my main dish that I shared with my friend, I forgot what she ordered but it was good too. I saw a cute little old lady in the back. I think it was the owners mom? Lol but I really like the whole family owned business thing. I'll definitely be back :)
(4)
Yuanjia Z.
This is my FAVORITE japanese restaurant in Chicago!! I really loved their food - it absolutely tasted home-made and the atmosphere is very cozy and cute. I would highly recommend their katsudon (the BEST i've had after visiting Japan)! Of course, you won't go wrong ordering anything on the menu. The waitresses and the owners are also super nice and friendly. It is definitely an authentic japanese restaurant that makes you feel like home.
(5)
Anh N.
My boyfriend and I were looking for a place that serves some type of hot soup. We were looking for Pho but we don't like the selection here, so we opted for something new. Sunshine is definitely a good find! The service is great and our server, who we think was probably the owner, was extremely kind and helpful. They serve complimentary green tea with every meal, which is perfect for a cold Chicago day. I would recommend getting the potato croquettes as an appetizer and trying their udon. The pork cutlets are also great. Their portions are quite big, so if you have a small appetite, sharing will probably still be satisfying!
My family's favorite dinner spot. Great food, nice space, great service. They've been here forever. And often you'll see extended Japanese families having a weekly meal together here. It's not fancy, just good. Danny is awesome. That is all.
(5)
Russ A.
Sunshine Cafe is indeed a home style restaurant. It is very simple and unpretentious. The menu offer delicious home style Japanese selections. The service is good, fast and friendly. The prices are reasonable. We really like this place and will definitely come back.
(5)
Jenny T.
THANK YOU for being the first Japanese place in Chicago that I've been to that isn't all about rolls and teriyaki! I enjoyed the sukiyaki (even though it could use a little more meat and variety of vegetables :P) and my date's oyako don was delicious as well. The potato croquettes were exactly how they tasted in Tokyo (sorry, totally being *that* person). I would love to see Sunshine Cafe diversify their menu to more exciting and harder to find dishes, like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and omuraisu. Maybe even dobinmushi or chawanmushi? That would be phenomenal. Great service, but the overhead fluorescent lighting clashed with the traditional style decor. Not that it matters a whole lot because the food was delicious!
(5)
Aaron C.
Came with a party of six on Friday for dinner. The place was clean and we were seated immediately. Ordered the Sukiyaki, Potato Croquettes, then split an order of Katsudon and Gyoza. Just looking at the decor and menu, I got a really good vibe, so I let myself get carried away and ordered way too much. Prices are really reasonable and you get a lot of food. The quality is good and they definitely understand their flavors. In short: It's good, it's cheap, if you're around, just go. It's BYOB. Have fun.
(4)
Michelle B.
Ahh Sunshine Cafe, how I love thee! Let me count the ways! I survived three long winters in Chicago and one of the bright spots during those cold nights was Sunshine Cafe! As a Filipino-American, I'm super picky about my Asian food and part of how I judge a place is to see if that particular ethnic group is eating there! Sunshine Cafe passes that part of the test! Then, I want to see how authentic it is. Well, the potato croquette is the best I have ever tested in my entire my life! And what in the world do they out in that crack sauce, I want to steal the bottle. It the Filipino Catholic guilt won't let me! Hehe...even though I no longer live in Chi-town I visit every year or every other year (scheduled to be there Easter 2013) and I don't have location itineraries when I visit towns I've lived in but I have food itineraries! Sunshine Cafe is on top of my list, even before Giordano's deep dish pizza (which when I lived there I ordered so much they have me a calendar with coupons-so embarrassing!). Their udon noodles made me close my eyes and just breathe in the broth. It tastes like someone's Momma made it, which unless something happened it's a sweet Japanese lady that makes the food. Her specials can vary depending on her mood and what is fresh. Plus even the waiter remembers me which is funny! My friend laughs that she goes there all the time and here I am living away and be remembers me and not her! I can be quite loud for a demure looking Asian lady (my friends are laughing that I said demure! Hehe). I miss you Sunshine cafe and will be back soon! Sending my love, your friend always, Michelle. :)
(5)
Brian M.
I'm definitely digging this place. It's small, cozy and there isn't a whole lot in the way of decor. A kind of divey looking place but that's what makes it charming. They don't take reservations and there isn't much of a waiting area, so we got really lucky getting in here on a Saturday night without a wait. We tried the Potato Croquette and Gyoza appetizers. Gyoza was excellent, but I had trouble enjoying the Potato Croquette even though it was highly recommended in other reviews we read. It's literally just mashed potatoes with a light breading on the outside. My entree was Katsu Don, a breaded pork tenderloin which I promptly devoured. Served with a little Miso soup and topped off with with some green tea post meal, I was in heaven. I can't wait to come back here again.
(5)
Amanda C.
First impression: Beautiful, charming decor and friendly greeting. It smells amazing as soon as you walk in. Food: I had the miso soup and sukiyaki. My partner had the shrimp tempura udon, and we shared dumplings. Miso soup is flavorful and plentiful in tofu and scallions, but not much seaweed (Wouldn't have minded more, but no complaints here). The sukiyaki was delicious and perfect for chilly Chicago weather. Meat was flavorful and tender, very reminiscent of bulgogi at kbbq places. Noodles were perfectly cooked, same with the cabbage, which soaked up the tasty broth really nicely. No complaint from my partner about the udon, besides not having a big enough stomach! Service: Our waiter was super sweet and very friendly. We were given water and free green tea immediately. Service was very attentive throughout the meal but never pushy. I'm hesitant to give a place 5 stars based off of one visit, but we had no complaints (a rarity from a couple of picky foodies) and the price value is great for getting tasty, filling food and excellent service. The next time I'm in Chicago, this will be one of the first places I return to, and I can't wait!
(5)
Cat J.
Go here. It's as good as it sounds. You really won't be disappointed. So I just moved to the hood and after one time going there I already know this is going to be a regular spot for me and my family. I love Japanese food, been eating traditional and/or home made Japanese food for most of my life and I am very particular about Japanese food...and this place not only impressed me, I think their Nanban Yaki with beef was one of the best dishes I have EVER had, and I say that with all seriousness. It's so on point words can't even describe it. We saw a Japanese family eating it when we came in and immediately asked our waitress what it was. I feel this is a restaurant where you should definitely try the udon and noodles, but it's also as equally important to explore other things on their menu. In addition to the Nanban yaki (which is essentially beef and cabbage, sprouts and some other greens stir fried in awesomesauce) we had the tempura udon which was tasty, good tempura. The noodles were as they should be, and the broth was pleasant. Then we had shumai with the ginger sauce. It was fresh and well-made. Though word to the wise take the waiter seriously when they say that the sauce has a kick. More like an immediate slap to the sinus system, but in a you-can't-help-but-go-back way. We also had the tofu salad which was fresh with a mighty yummy dressing. I'm looking forward to trying the hiya yakko. All in all really an exceptional experience, and the wait staff were friendly and attentive. Oh, and did I forget to mention that for three people it was $35. That's what I call a damn good meal.
(5)
Jessica M.
To many Chicagoans Japanese food means raw fish. I'll admit I can count on my hands the number of times I have eaten Japanese that isn't sushi. Sunshine Cafe is a small restaurant with very simple decor. You can easily pass it because there is a tree covering the sign. The word of advice is to look for a window with hanging origami. We were a group of four on a Thursday evening. Here's what we ordered: 1) Gyoza - If you're Asian, you can probably make these dumplings at home. 2) Potato Croquette - These were DELICIOUS! Crispy on the exterior and savory on the interior. 3) Ika Geso - Can never go wrong with calamari! 4) Hot Soba 5) Ten Zaru Soba 6) Saba Shioyaki - I adored the fried and marinated fish skin. The minced radish and cucumber salad were awesome. The salad was very provoking because of its mild sour flavor. 7) Pork Nanban Yaki - The pork was very succulent and tangy. My friend had it served mildly spicy. If you can tolerate more hotness, go beyond that. 8) Green Tea Ice Cream Sunshine Cafe had a pretty decent flow of customers yet the manager was never hesitant in pausing at tables to explain what they were serving and how the dishes should be consumed. The wait staff was very kind and efficient. It's BYOB and we bought two bottles of wine. We were given wine glasses and bottle openers before we even asked. The food is very homey and welcoming. I will definitely return for more!
(5)
Gabrielle S.
Don't judge this book by its cover. It's an unassuming place from the street, and the decor is sparse. This restaurant is clearly about the food. The potato croquettes were light and crispy, the go-mae sweet and tangy. Out favorite entree was the udon soup,a hearty bowl of soup with noodles and veggies. Everything, including the sauces, tasted homemade. We will be back. Soon.
(5)
Eric S.
On my visit to Japan, I was already a bit of an expert on authentic Japanese food thanks to this place. The owner is a very friendly man, and the food is great, particularly the Soba Noodles and the Katsu Don.
(5)
Jennie T.
Ok, udon was pretty amazing. I have to admit that I was a little skeptical that I could get a good bowl of udon in a restaurant so I was pleasantly surprised by this. Some places (even in California!) will only give me freshly julienned cucumbers and carrots as vegetables; they wouldn't even be cooked WITH the broth. This place was different, and I was glad for it. I ordered the chicken udon, and the portion of meat, vegetables, noodles, and soup was very generous. SO GOOD! My friend also ordered some potato croquettes. I like those too. I will definitely come back to try their other items.
(4)
David L.
Food: 2 Decor: 3 Service: 4 I came here with my gf for dinner Wednesday around 7pm. 1. Potato croquettes, 4 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Really good. Best koroke I've had. 2. Rice ball with ume, 3 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Disappointing. Rice ball wasn't that great, and the ume was too sour. 3. Katsudon, 12 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Subpar. Too salty. 4. Soba, 11 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Disappointing. A ton of noodles and not much on top. Gf said it was loaded with MSG.
(2)
Agnes F.
reasonable good homestyle Japanese cooking we came in on a sunday night, shared the calamari appetizer (nice, deep fried lightly breaded calamari), i had the grilled mackerel and bf had the unagi don i really liked my mackerel and his unagi don is not bad either we had so much food, had to bring half of that home love the attentive, friendly service
(4)
Dejan B.
Good place. Good service and great food. That said, I do not think it was the nicest place in the world inside. Yes, it was homey but it could have been better. It was relatively roomy inside and seemed very popular but we still got a seat very quickly. The food was delish but the portions were small. Overall, a good place for a quick dinner or lunch.
(4)
iddells E.
Delicious, authentic, Japanese home-style cooking. I LOVE Sunshine Cafe. I have been here a while ago, but decided to revisit to let my boyfriend experience this wonderful little restaurant. First of all, the staff is very friendly, making you feel right at home. The tea is perfect and so is the miso soup. My boyfriend ordered the udon with beef and vegetables...he loved it. I tried something different (I always order katsu don) and ordered the mackarel and it was delicious. The waiter explained to me the different ways to eat the mackerel, and I thought that was very helpful! I love that this restaurant is just 3 blocks away from me! The prices are also great, they're not expensive at all!
(5)
James D.
Place is amazing. Its completely unique, deff wont find another place like this. I have been going here since I was a little kid, most of the time its been owned and run by Joni an amazing lady. Its a favorite haunt for the post WW2 Japanese community for a long time. Which is strong evidence of the quality of food. It is as close to my grandmothers cooking as I could get, without going to see her. While alot of people looking for Japanese food, immediately think sushi as the first and only option. Sunshine proves you don't even need sushi on the menu @ a Japanese restaurant to be the best in the city. SO basically Sunshine is the legit home cooking japanese place in chicago(maybe in the states, according to some people i've talked to from California). And its BYOB, and very reasonably priced. P.S. the Salmon Shio/Teriyaki is out of this world. The Fish is super fresh, and picked out by the owners them selves for quality. The Nanban-yaki is also to die for, vegetable Nanban is my fav. and Tonkatsu is the old stand by for the "Mikey" kids (adults) who won't eat anything. OISHISOOUU!!!
(5)
T M.
I am going to have to come back here, so I'll just say a few things about some of the things I tried: 1. Potato croquettes- These things are stupendous. Now, I like Cuban-style ham croquettes which, I grant, some people might find absolutely disgusting. But consider the two basic ideas present in there, which are the crispy outside and the hot, creamy, and savory filling. Substitute panko for regular bread crumbs and potato for (cheap and gristly) ham, then cook it like you give a damn about quality, and you have the potato croquettes. 2. Vegetable nanban yaki- It's a whole lot of really well cooked tofu and assorted vegetables (mostly bean sprouts, onions, and cabbage) separated into two very large piles, both atop a sauce. The sauce is clearly the star of the show. This is not to say that the whole thing wasn't prepared perfectly or that the vegetables weren't crispy and flavorful. But the sauce, damn. What a perfect combination of spicy, sweet, and sublime (as in, it exceeds all bounds of your imagination in its magnitude, allowing you to represent to yourself your infinite vocation). It also came with some rice! The whole meal was far too cheap. I don't care what the place looks like inside, at least it's not like an interior designer threw up their ego all over the walls. You can't just wipe that up.
(4)
trieu n.
it was love at first bite. i've been here a few times, and i've always been greeted warmly and seated promptly. everything that i've tried off the menu is excellent, but i highly suggest the tonkatsu and the potato croquettes. the tonkatsu is a wonderfully deep-fried pork loin that is both crisp and juicy. the croquettes are literally breaded and fried mashed potatoes which are perfectly light and delicious. sunshine cafe is also very reasonably priced, which is not something that can be said for many japanese restaurants in the city. entrees range from the $9-14 range, and the portions are nicely sized. the service has always been spot-on, even with a full restaurant. they also accept reservations for parties of 8 or more, so call ahead!
(5)
Sarah T.
For the price, location (in my neighborhood), friendly service, and food, I love this place. I search for japanese restaurants that have good food besides sushi, it reminds me of the food my grandfather used to cook for us. It is japanese comfort food. I had wonderful service, everyone there is so nice and couldn't be happier with the choices. I got the Katsu Don, for I am a tonkatsu freak! They have a great homemade sauce, mmm. I look forward to going back there and trying something else.
(5)
Brian D.
delicious food. great prices, service was great, and the owner is extremely kind. I recommend their eel. Fantastic.
(5)
Carly O.
There is no place I'd rather go for a meal. Perhaps you're doubting my sanity or wondering if I've dined at other restaurants in Chicago. Trust me, I have. Sure, maybe I love the place because it's in my neighborhood, or because I'm JA or because Japanese food is my favorite. So what? Sunshine Cafe fulfills every craving I have. There is nothing pretentious about the place. No, I don't go for the interesting decor or the oustanding service. In most cases, this would be important to me, but not with Sunshine. Everything is good. I tend to go for the beef teridon, tempura, udon or the tonkatsu. All of the appetizers are great, including the simple but elusive tofu salad, the potato croquettes and their calamari special. For a lovely, down home, simply prepared Japanese meal, this is THE only place to go.
(5)
Joshua N.
If noodles are your comfort food, then this is like a trip to grandma's. I had the vegetable soba (hot) and was really impressed with how much flavor made it into the broth. It is a small and cozy restaurant with a decent crowd and one or two really friendly people running around taking orders and then disappearing behind some Japanese paper walls. Great value and a nice change from the sushi places. Five stars for being authentic, delicious, and particularly for having food that is much more inviting on a Chicago winter night than a cold piece of raw fish.
(5)
Inspector G.
This is a great little secret that's so authentic, it probably scares a lot of people away. Forget the typical coy ponds and pan flutes... plastic food samples and pictures of the menu items are more typical in Japan. Wood paneled walls, industrial carpeting and flat fluorescent lighting cap off an ambiance that can only be described as "well, at least the food better be good." It usually is great. Come, BYO and leave your prejudices at the door. This place is special.
(4)
Amy H.
YAY SUNSHINE CAFE! Authentic sukiyaki, fantastic service, my date and I had a perfect dining experience. Definitely going back. It reminded me of my vacation in Japan many years ago - plastic food in the windows, ftw! Prices were excellent, food was excellent, I love it here. Don't go looking for sushi or trendy food, that's not the point. The point is grandma's cooking, Japan-style. Seventeen thumbs up.
(5)
Lisa M.
I heart Sunshine Cafe! It's a wonderful, family-run Japanese restaurant serving authentic homestyle Japanese food. I love it for its simplicity, its great food at good prices, and its warm and welcoming staff. It's the kind of restaurant you go back to again and again because it starts feeling like home. Thank you, Sunshine Cafe!
(5)
jake b.
Imagine your incredibly nice and friendly Japanese friend in high school invited you over to his house for dinner with the family. And then that dinner was delicious. This should give you an idea of what Sunshine Cafe feels like. The staff is so nice, I wish they were my friends in high school. The ambiance and food feel very homey - and that is perfect for this place.
(5)
Kimberly B.
If your idea of Japanese is sushi, this place is not for you. They rarely have more than a California roll and when they do it is a special. Having said that, this is one of the best places in town. It's a small place, very down to earth -- nothing special about the decor, if they are super busy you might stand around the entrance for a bit. After that they'll direct you to any of the open, size appropriate tables. Honestly, I've never had a dish that went wrong here. I've had about half of the main courses, but my favorite is the sukiyaki. It's so delicious and perfect for cool weather. My boyfriend makes us go at least once every two weeks for their fish. After having fish here, he won't eat it anywhere else (or if he does there is lots of griping about how it could have been more like Sunshine's fish). It's been said before, but the potato croquettes are delicious and make a great appetizer. The green tea ice cream is some of the best I've had. It comes with two scoops, but they'll happily give you half an order or split your order between you and a friend.
(5)
Deez N.
Such a friendly staff and great tasty food. Not a fine dining restaurant by any means, but this is one of those places you can go to for a meal any day of the week. Price is pretty moderate. My picks here would be the tofu salad and the katsu don rice bowl. But to be honest, every dish we shared here was quite tasty. Oh yeah, the cold soba noodles were fantastic too. Just wish this place was walking distance to my apt, cuz if so, id def be a regular here.
(5)
B S.
This place is the best home style Japanese restaurant. The appetizers are awesome. Potato croquette, Gyoza (Pot Sticker) and Kimpira-Gobo are highly recommended. Especially, Potato Croquette is just like my Mom made at home.
(5)
Sierra R.
Victor is right, we love this place! Everything is so fresh and yummy. The fish is awesome and the staff too! Very homey food. I also love that it's BYOB.
(5)
Simone C.
Best home-style Japanese food in Chicago. Katsudon is the best. Sunshine is one of my favorite restaurants of all time. I take everyone here and they all love it.
(5)
Cary S.
This is my favorite Japanese restaurant in Chicago and has been since it opened in the 90s. If you're looking for a trendy Japanese dining experience with mood lighting, cool electronic music, and fancy food presentation, this place is not for you. If you're looking for simple but excellent Japanese cooking at a very affordable cost, this place is for you. Plus, they have my favorite miso soup in town.
(5)
Kerri C.
I've walked by this place so many times, and finally went in to experience the great things I heard about Sunshine for myself. I really loved the food. My companion had the Udon Noodles (delicious) with vegetables and I ordered the Nanban Yaki (vegetable stir-fry). We tried the potato croquettes as suggested by other reviewers and they were quite good. I loved the sauce that they came with. Service was very welcoming and friendly. I think this is a great place for traditional Japanese.
(4)
Mike C.
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE ... Love this place to death. There is nothing bad on the menu. It's all prepared with love and deliciousness. My fave is Oyako Don ... chicken strips sauteed in a slightly sweet sauce with egg and onions over rice. Sooooooo comforting. Try the fish too. Shioyaki style is so much more interesting than Teriyaki and especially good with makerel (saba).
(5)
E M.
Addictive potato croquettes, plus great katsu don and nanban yaki, and most importantly, awesome owners.
(5)
Jess H.
I thoroughly enjoyed this homestyle establishment in a super cute neighborhood. The miso soup was delicious, the unagi was perfect, and I *think* it's BYOB - gotta love that!
(4)
Paul H.
I've been hearing about this place for months now and finally had the chance to go last night. It was great! I started out with the tofu salad and an order of gyoza that had a surprisingly spicy dipping sauce. Both were simple and well executed dishes. I followed that up with the broiled makarel (Saba Shioyaki) it was recommended to me and didn't disappoint. It was perfectly cooked, light and flakey - I only wish there was more as I inhaled it along with the rice and cucumber salad. One more thing - this place is BYOB and doesn't have a corkage fee. For the price, this place is definitely worth the trip. I'm looking forward to heading there when the weather is cold - those udon noodles looked excellent too!
(5)
Lil G.
I knew this place was good when I felt like I was eating my grandma's japanese home cooking -- and i'm not even Japanese! That's just what it is: great japanese home cooking. No frills. I've been to Tokyo a few times and this place reminded me of some of the small dives I went to in Japan, where the locals go for a good warm meal. I've had the udon and the pork katsu and they were both very good. I can't wait to come back here for the udon when it's freezing cold out. The perfect meal. I will be back a lot. Edit: Been back there few more times and have not been dissappointed. You must try the mackerel and salmon both shioyaki style. They are godly.
(5)
Barry J.
Welcome back Sunshine Cafe! They were closed for 3 months over the summer but now they're back. I have nothing substantial to add that hasn't been said, I just want to pile my five stars onto the count. I used to come here for lunch but it's dinner only these days. We had a nice early dinner there on a Friday night. It's a single storefront, kinda small. Every perimeter table was taken with older japanese familes, all obviously regular customers. The staff was giving everyone a warm and sincere welcome. It was very pleasant and friendly. We had their special seaweed salad appetizer with squid, very tasty. Had their trusty Oyako don for my main. It's a bowl of stir-fried chicken with onions over white rice. The sauce is a little sweet and savory and it's very delicious. I eat the pork version in the winter (katsu don.) This is a casual unpretentious place that doesn't really need any hype or exaggerated praise. Excellent food, good value, friendly service.
(5)
Mark T.
Outstanding. Just outstanding. Since returning from a 3 week trip to Japan, my partner and I have been searching for something in Chicago to bring back memories. This is the place! We both had a bowl of soba, one with tofu and one with pork. Subtle, savory, delicious! Just like it should be. The service was friendly, the atmosphere was delightfully cafe-like and the origami in the window was a nice touch.
(5)
Jon J.
I am so happy that Sunshine Cafe has finally reopened. I have been waiting to try it out, since I first learned about it right before they closed last October. It's good, homecooked Japanese comfort food. No sushi - just the deliciousness of sukiyaki, tonkatsu, udon, etc. Not a huge menu, just the basics - which they do extremely well. Friendly staff, but they close a bit early - 9pm, even on Fridays!
(4)
Ben H.
This place is amazing,. I went there, got seated with my date, and we just ate... i got the saba shioyaki, and it was delicious. It was so good, that neither of us spoke during dinner. Its really grandma's cooking, so no sushi and such that you find at those other fancy restaurants. Prices are great and food even better. I am pretty much excited for the next visit. (they used to open for lunch, but not anymore)
(5)
Kurt B.
It's run by a kindly family and according to my Japanese friend it's about as close to authentic 'homestyle' Japanese cooking as you'll find on the North Side. No sushi! But their tempura is amazing. Their una-don is amazing. Their buckwheat soba soups are amazing. Portions are extra large and prices are extremely moderate. Sunshine is no secret, everyone in the neighborhood loves it. Places like this have all but disappeared, so do make sure to eat here if nearby. Plus, its BYOB.
(5)
Duncan S.
Great old school, home-style Japanese cooking. It is nice to find a place that is no frills, hole in the wall and NOT a sushi place. Gyoza were delicious. The tonkatsu was really good, with maybe the pork a little dry. Soba noodles were solid. The place gets really busy, so get in early or late. BYOB is a real plus and the service is friendly.
(3)
L T.
I love love love this place! Omgosh. I cannot say enough good things. I have been here twice. Nothing is really bad and its authentic Japanese. There's definitely a nice homely feel to it and the staff is incredibly sweet. The potato croquettes are so delicious. The outside is very crispy and the inside is like mash potato heaven. The sauce is very complementary- a bit tangy and slightly bbq-esque. I got the shrimp tempura udon both times I came here and it never lets me down. The flavor is just perfect and I like that the noodles taste fresh. It is smaller than the normal sized udon and kind of skinnier; i have never seen this size udon before and i like it! The portion of each plate is really good for the price. My boyfriend is a huge fan of fish and the first time we came, he ordered the salmon. Second time, he had mackerel. He really enjoyed them both very much! Like I said earlier, the staff is very kind. I remember seeing them eating watermelon in the back the second time I was at the restaurant and I made a comment to my bf that that would be an excellent dessert after our meal. He actually asked our server if it was possible to have a bowl of sliced watermelon and that we would pay for it. He came back with a huge bowl, more than we expected and he didnt charge us!!! GREAT Japanese food and GREAT service.. what's not to like?!
(5)
Jon G.
It's like going into a Japanese family's house and having a casual dinner. Don't expect anything fancy. Just simply really good food at really reasonable prices. The Unagi Don and Udon soups are outstanding.
(5)
Brad C.
Because so much of the Chicago restaurant scene is artifice, is so concept-driven, sometimes the real is revelation. Such is the case with Sunshine: it still looks like the stage set of some trivial play on 1970s post-marriage sexual politics (you know, like, the "Ice Storm" and such?), and it still serves the most honest menu in town, a concise collection of Japanese home cooking landmarks. Get a fish, by all means--I'm partial to a recent special, a grilled whole (well, headless) trout with ginger, miso, or teriyaki (we went with miso); the broiled mackeral is also a classic, served with radish snow, pickled cucumbers, and a lemon slice. I love their bright vegetable and seawood preps: we had the pickled burdock root and carrot mix, which had a nice salty tang from the sesame dressing. They're also very quietly serving up some of the best soups in town: the house miso is spectacularly balanced, presumably curative; noodles in the udon and soba are toothsome and unctuous, though what makes the mind reel are the broths, which are beguiling in their simple symmetry of dashi, mirin, and soy. Add a smidge of schichimi and you're golden. This was all $30, by the way. Quoth the neon sign above the neighboring Philadelphia Church: "Jesus saves."
(5)
M L.
My mom and stepdad drove down from Milwaukee on Mother's Day and this is one of the places we stopped. I had the potato croquettes (heaven!) and goma-ai. My mother had goma-ai, crab rolls, and a little pickle salad. I don't remember what my stepdad got aside from croquettes. But, my oh my, was this food amazing! It was definite comfort food and anyone who knows me well knows how stressful the last few weeks of a semester can be! I will definitely drop by there again this week just to get some of those tasty potato croquettes...
(5)
Nam V.
First off the service is 5 star they are good people but that's not gonna save them from this review... I am so furious by my meal that I'm writing this in the restaurant as we speak... I order a Katsu-don I swear I got a huge bowel of rice and 4 to 5 pieces of .5 in by .5 in pieces of katsu... I mean what the heck it's not even a full chicken breast... I don't know if it's a hit or miss with this restaurant or what, because some other reviewer said there were tons of meat in their katsu don... I must have happen to miss it by a long shot....It's like I order a giant bowel of rice.... If I wanted strictly rice I would take the container of rice out of my rice cooker and pour sweet soy sauce over it because that's what I am eating right now! I will not be returning to this place or at least not ordering the same meal.
(1)
Jon B.
Very friendly and homey, but the food is very Americanized, which in this case is a bad thing. The tonkatsu, which I foolishly try everywhere, was too thin and was a bit dry, didn't come with mustard, and came with soggy shredded iceberg lettuce instead of crisp shredded cabbage. The kinpira was too sweet for my taste, but not bad otherwise. Reminded me of a bad restaurant in a beach town in winter: you eat there only because you have no choice.
(2)
Andrew M.
Absolutely superb. The mackerel shioyaki was delectable, reminded me of home cooked breakfast in a Tokyo inn. Service was attentive, they even threw in an extra portion of potato croquettes for free because there were three in our party. Prices are extremely reasonable. A real treasure.
(5)
Sherry N.
I'm on my way now to pick up Katsu Don at Sunshine Cafe, and just had to do a quick shout-out. Excellent quality home-style Japanese comfort food, perfect for a winter Sunday evening take out. Our perfect neighborhood jewel. The service rocks, too - three cheers especially for Danny. Don't forget to try the potato croquettes and the amazing mystical sauce. I heart Sunshine.
(5)
Kino M.
The food is simply perfect and the stuff is really nice. They would give you the perfect advise for the food you want to have
(5)
Kathy C.
Tempura, croquettes, gyoza, inari (highly recommend), calamari, tonkatsu, katsudon, udon... I've had most of the items on the menu and never once regretted any of it. Their specials could be a sashimi platter or a whole cooked fish.
(4)
Bill G.
This is one of my favorite comfort food spots. Not only is the food stellar, the restaurant is family owned and operated, and is very popular with the Japanese American (Nissei) community. (Always a good sign :-) I always feel at home there, and always leave happy.
(5)
Rachel K.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago, and I go there at least once a week. It's hard to find really great, traditional Japanese food - and Sunshine really delivers. It's BYOB, so this is a really cool place to just relax with friends, have drinks and enjoy really good food. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the service is great. I feel lucky I only live 10 minutes away.
(5)
Eric V.
There are no frills when it comes to Sunshine Cafe. The prices are cheap, and I rather enjoyed the relaxed, comforting atmosphere. Unfortunately the food just didn't hold up its end of the bargain. Our fried squid appetizer was overcooked and somewhat rubbery, and my fiancee's salmon teriyaki had several large bones. I really wanted to like this place, especially with so many positive reviews. Maybe I came at an off night so I won't completely write them off just yet.
(3)
Alexis B.
A delicious dining experience in an intimate homey setting with great service. You don't want to miss this hidden gem! My favorite is the Oyako Don. I've been going there for years and can't get enough!
(4)
jaime m.
I'm listening to 101.1 FM, and they just stayed this place was shut down due to rust shelving, dirty cooking utensil and grease all over the place. No telling what else they didn't mention...ugh
(1)
Sara M.
RIP SUNSHINE CAFE, I will leave this review up as a tribute to your greatness: If you are ever feeling blue, or like your personal health has taken a nosedive, go to Sunshine Cafe. Order my favorite meal. Have a sip of green tea and then start with the Gomae. Be amazed that cooked spinach could taste like that. Procede to a gentle cup of miso (on a cold day drink it from the bowl and warm your hands at the same time), then eat the Norwiegan Salmon. Notice how the skin is UNBELIEVABLY crispy, marvel at the moistness of the fish. Pay the bill, note how it is less than $15. Feel smarter than all the people paying the same price or more for crapy food at chain outlets. Remark to yourself how it only took 35 minutes to treat yourself to something delicious. Think of me. Your guru.
(5)
Matt D.
After reading so many great reviews i was not pleasantly surprised with my dinner. I had a friend in town from San Fran who is quite the foodie so i was hoping Sunshine would prove to be the diamond in the rough it was reviewed as. It unfortunately was not. First of all i must say i was pleased with the appetizers, calamari, tofu, and the pork dumplings were all great. The main course was a different story however. I ordered a fried pork tenderloin and was surprised to find a piece of meat resembling a wiener schnitzel. I guess i was expecting more of a light coating instead of the deep, deep fried meat that i got. I also had a sample of some other dinners and was not impressed by any. Overall i was very disappointed and will not be returning soon.
(2)
Ted F.
Is there such a thing as Japanese soul food? Knowing this place is around is making me dread winter slightly less.
(4)
Anjali B.
A friend of mine said this was his favorite place EVER, so I needed to try it ASAP being that it's right in the neighborhood. While I'm more sushi-focused as a whole, I know that Japanese homestyle can be delicious, so I wanted to try it out here. It's a simple but homey atmosphere, and the waitstaff was attentive and very friendly. We ordered a few appetizers, including the california roll, potato croquettes, pickled veggies, and gyoza. You could tell it was all fresh, homemade, and used great ingredients. I got the chicken teriyaki meal and so did my friend. The miso soup that came with the meal was good too, with big pieces of tofu, and a savory broth (not just warm saltwater like at some places, meh). The chicken teriyaki was delicious. The outside of the meat was almost crispy and firm, and the inside was tender and juicy. The sauce wasn't gelatinous or "corn-syrupy" as my friend put it, but just pure, perfect flavor. My boyfriend got the sukiyaki and I just about screamed when I grabbed a bite from his plate. So savory and delicious, with tender bits of beef, noodles, onions, and a flavorful beefy broth. Real comfort food. Not too expensive at all for what it has to offer. Great place :) EDIT! Still 5 stars, but the Ika Geso and the Ten Zaru Soba are AMAZING!
(5)
Nastassia J.
Deelish. Fresh, homey food. No complaints at all. I don't have much to add that other reviewers have no covered, but I did overhear another guest ask for a raw egg on the Sukiyaki....they said they don't do that anymore for health reasons.
(5)
Jay B.
Simply Love this place. Sunshine is one of my favorite restaurants on the Andersonville North Clark strip. It's affordable and the food is really good. It was closed for a while, I belive to family stuff, but as of last weekend, the open sign is back. All is good in the world.
(5)
Yan H.
Ironically I came here on a very rainy day earlier this year. It is still clear in my memory....on a dark rainy day after driving around looking for food, that my friends and I ended up here.... thanks yelp! The place is family run so it has a friendly laid back atmosphere, and matching service. The food here is homestyle japanese .. so it's very rustic and unpretentious. There is a very unique flavor in the dishes I ordered here compared to other similar japanese restaurants. Particularly the katsudon, had a special distinctsweetness...mmmmm. What puts this over the top for me is the great value, most of the food was cheap, and good sized portions. (You can come here again and again.) Which is what makes sunshine cafe charming, it's not the fancy place you go to take a date once in awhile, it's that favorite neighborhood place to visit with friends.
(5)
Herminia I.
So i'm not sure what came over me, but since i wrote my last review I had tried several other dishes--Yes i tried something new, and I was not disappointed. I have since had the tempura (my favorite is just the shrimp and sweet potatoes), the tonkatsu (panko crusted pork tenderloin) and chicken tonkatsu (same thing but with chicken breast). I recommend anything that comes out of that kitchen! Next on my list, is to raise enough courage to order the teriyaki salmon (it may not sound too shocking, but for someone with the palate of a 6 yr old...). Now that day will be sure to shock Paul and Dan (the super-cool dudes who run the place), who i'm pretty sure put my "usual" request into the kitchen when they see me coming.
(5)
David S.
Having grown up and lived in Japan for a good 10 years, it goes without saying that I'm constantly on the prowl for some down home, authentic Japanese food. Don't let the mild slant in my eyes and the high cheek bones fool you; despite my genetic coding I'm completely and utterly opposed to sushi as a dietary choice. When it comes to Japanese food, I want the food my mom put on the table when I was a kid. I found it here! If Sunshine Cafe spoke with a mild accent and insisted on wearing Tweety Bird sweatshirts at all times I'd actually confuse it with my mother. The decor leaves a lot to be desired (for a second I thought I'd taken a wrong step and gone into a currency exchange), but in all honesty I'd probably be happy eating on a bus bench if the food was good enough. We started off with some sliced tofu with bonito flakes, green onion, and ginger. Simple food that mom used to throw on the table to get our appetites going. It's pretty hard to screw this dish up, and they didn't. My boyfriend ordered the tempura udon, which I took a quick bite of and deemed to be adequate, but not stellar. My katsudon came out as a complete mess in terms of presentation, but after one bit all my huffiness melted away as the pork cutlet massaged my ego into submission. Not as good as Mom's, but good enough for me to save the $20 in gas it would cost me to get it at home. First time visit, but I thought it pretty much rocked. Service was "meh" but to be honest they seemed really understaffed and if I had to run around explaining to everyone eating there that, yes, this really IS Japanese food even though it's not wrapped in seaweed, I might be a little grumpy, too. I'll be back. And I'll be bringing my appetite, too!
(4)
Dan B.
I went here for the first time last night due to yelpers raving reviews, and I must say I agree. Plus it didn't hurt that its a few blocks from my apartment. Yes it is wood paneled and a bit flourescent, but I actually liked the atmosphere, it was lively, warm, and friendly. The service was good, especially since one guy seemed to be waiting on the entire restaurant. I have the Tempura Udon which was awesome, especially after adding some of the red pepper he brought out. I was pratically licking the bottom of the bowl for the last bits of that broth. The tempura was perfect, and heavy on green beans which is my favorite tempura vegetable. There were many other menu items that loooked tempting, and that I would like to try, but that udon was good enough I might not be able to stray. The only thing that I disagree with most other reviews on are the appetizers. We had the potato croquettes and calamari per reccomendations, and I found neither overly exciting. The potatoes were simply that, mashed potatos, and the calamari while tasty was a bit chewy for my taste. All in all though I will definitely return. Probably very soon, especially if this cold weather keeps up.
(4)
n l.
So my friend was so chatty we passed up a sushi restaurant we wanted to try. Using my Yelp application on my phone, I found this place. The interior looks like a... mom and pop's Japanese restaurant, but there wasn't a single asian client seated.. (hmm..).. We normally would have turned around, but we were tired of walking. The hostess and waiter greeted us almost immediately and were both very friendly. We ordered potato croquettes, a pork udon bowl, and some beef noodle dish.. which were ALL delicious! I'm usually satisfied with any asian restaurant, but I have to say this was heaveeennn. We ate everything and considered ordering more to go.. I will more than likely be back. :)
(5)
Rebecca N.
I have never had Japanese food as good as this, and I use to live in Hawaii (and ate a lot of Japanese food). Looking at the cafe from the outside, you wouldn't think you are about to eat anything that would be memorable, but once you walk in and see how busy it is, you know you're in for a treat. I went last night and had to wait about 10-15 minutes for a table, but when we sat down, we were offered 2 free appetizers for waiting! I have worked in plenty of restaurants, and you RARELY see managers offer a table anything for free because they had to wait a measly 15 minutes. Bottom line, the food was excellent (I got the Chicken Udon - delicious) and the service was definitely above and beyond. I highly recommend Sunshine!
(5)
AJ M.
What can I say about this place that has not already been said? This place has simple and delicious food with good service. Try the udon, you won't be disappointed. It has a great texture and an appropriate firmness for a noodle. Couple that with the broth/veggies/etc. in the soup and it's great. The grilled fish is nicely prepared and is one of my favorite things to get.
(4)
Jessica G.
So from the outside, this place doesn't look like much. Again, this is an instance of looks being deceiving. All around, this place is fantastic. Service is super friendly to the point where you feel like you're hanging out with cousins or an old family friend. Great recommendations and the gentleman who helped us was kind enough to bring out an extra croquette so we had three since there were three of us in our party. Everything came out quickly - the afore-mentioned croquettes were soft and crispy at the same time and just delicious. Yay for the sauce it came with, even if it was just tonkatus sauce. We also had the special egg-plant appetizer and normally I am not a fan of eggplant because it's so ashy-tasting and bitter was this was so nicely grilled and a little bit sweet. We were even given tips on how to mix the sauce it came with for the best flavor. I had the vegetable soba and since it was pretty cold today, it was a great choice - the perfect thing for warding off a chilly day. Lots of veggies and broth and just the right amount of noodles. As someone who does not normally go and search out the tofu in anything, I will say that I really liked the tofu in this. I was very glad that the food was not overly salted and seasoned to death - I could taste each item as it is supposed to be, which was a very good thing. My dining partners, who both lived in Japan for two years, were similarly happy with their meals, to the point that we are contemplating going back tomorrow, Sunday, for their lunch. Apparently there are more specials on that day - definitely something we'd want to give a try. Portions are good for the money and the service and food are wonderful - Sunshine Cafe is fantastic!
(5)
Kyle J.
Right to the point here... Sushi is great but sometimes you'd think the only thing the Japanese eat is sushi based on the places out there. This is the Japan I visited. Good yummy food, no pretension, friendly people. Oh and lets not forget the wonderful fried dishes! You can't go wrong with fried food!
(5)
Tina R.
I love this place. It is very casual, clean and good food. The decor is not so pretty but the food and service is worth it. We are there at least once a week:)
(5)
Stephen M.
This place is great for cheap and cheerful Japanese food. The menu is limited but what they do, they do well. Try the squid appetizer and the Katsu don. Yummers.
(5)
Jeanus T.
When you walk in this place, you'd feel like you walk in to a local diner in Japan. It's not fancy but cozy! They serve very simple and everyday Japanese style dinners (no sushi) but everything from the tea (free) they serve, the miso soup (pretty much come with everything) to your entree and steamed rice. Everything's perfectly prepared!! It's BYOB if you want to crack a bottle. Otherwise, the green tea that they serve is just as satisfying! Food tastes so well yet very simple and healthy! And it's cheap!!! I can eat at this place for dinner every night and would not break my bank! I highly highly recommend this for simple everyday Japanese style dinners.
(5)
Eric P.
Wooooooo, a japanese restaurant without sushi? huh? really? What are we going to eat??? Traditional japanese food thats what. This place is fantastic, has a very modern feel to the restaurant and plus great food and service. Our waiter was great, very talkative, helpful, and joked around with us. Very chill and laid back. But more importantly he was attentive and friendly. The chef was also very helpful. And more important they were both Japanese or asian, which is a very good sign of good authentic food. So the food was excellent, I had the sakiyuki which was good. A sweet savory noodle dish with tofu, thinly sliced beef, and veggies. It was delightful though for a non-sweets guy I couldn't handle it too much so be warned. But I got to switch with a friend and thus the other food was amazing. I forgot what it was called but its the last dish on the menu and its a beef stir fry with veggies. The beef had a subtle sweet and salty flavor that was delicious and the veggies. Wow I don't know why the veggies tasted so good but it was garlic stir fryed and thus amazing. And got to try my friends katsu (breaded pork) and it was delicious, subtle sweetness with baked (tastes like grilled onions) with it. Simply tasty. And did I mentioned I had the potato croquette which is basically deep fried mash potato! It was fried perfectly, crispy exterior with a piping hot creamy mash potato inside as you dip it in a sauce that can only be described as sweet japanese sauce. good stuff But the service was amazing because they gave my friends, a total of 9 of us, enough gyoza for all of us on the house! Those things were crispy tasty morsels, smoky flavor. So overall it was amazing experience, and definitely will come back soon. You won't regret it!
(4)
yakuza e.
well, i was there last saturday thinking i could get some good japanese food. the waiter told me about their special - a rainbow trout - i thought it should be fresh since you cant go wrong ordering seafood at a japanese restaurant. what did i know? the fish was not fresh at all and they simply grilled the fish (burned a bit) without any seasoning (well, i guess this is zen's way of grilling?) with 2 sides (pickled cucumber and raddish) and a bowl of white rice. i can deal with the simple meal concept except that the fish (special of the day) was NOT fresh at all. the service was not great either. at the end, the waiter (a young one) just literally THREW me the bill on the table without saying anything (no thank-you or here is your bill, etc, all i saw was a piece of paper flew out from his hand and landed on my table, and he just walked away... i was like, WT***)... what a horrible service!!! i looked at myself -- i had my shoes, clothes, and took a shower that morning and shaved; it must be my look!! I AM CROSSING OUT THIS RESTAURANT FROM MY LIST NOW. it used to be good but, not anymore. there are better japanese restaurants elsewhere in chicago with comparable prices and better food and services.
(1)
Frederica B.
Liked: Authentic Japanese homecookin', low prices and free green tea and miso soup with your meal. The nice waitress who seemed to know what she was doing. Disliked:The somewhat sneering waiter who was inflexible and could not accommodate a non-pork diet. ( What were the gyoza frozen or something and that's why you couldn't put something else in them?) And the wooden plank put up by the bathroom. It looked totally out of place. 4 stars, but it was more like 3 and half.
(4)
Brian R.
A couple of good friends of mine took me to this place last week. They live just right down the street from it and have raved how godo the food was. It was closed for awhile, but with one phone call it was confirmed they were open for business! The place a small and very quaint. The owner and staff were very pleasant. My friends have been to this place previous times. The menu is not overwhelming for a Japanese place. Which I enjoyed. But overall the food at this place is inexpensive and fantastic! Will definitely be back to this cute little place.
(5)
Jasmine C.
God, I love this place. I recommend: gyoza, potato croquettes, sukiyaki (you can ask them to throw an egg in so it's a little more authentic), and the tempura udon. The dining area is small and the restaurant is unpretentious. The food? Homey, affordable and very, very satisfying. I'm a fan.
(5)
Amy L.
If there's such a thing as Japanese comfort food, that's what it felt like I ate here. Went here with 3 others. It was not busy at all. Even saw my wedding florist and her husband eating there. She is native Japanese and lives/works not too far from there so I supposed it'd be good. It was tasty food. Still not as good as Renga-tei but pretty good and cheap too. Only open for dinner. Helpful service. Street meter parking may be hard to find.
(3)
lauren p.
This is one of those reviews where I have very little to add to what the other reviewers have said. There's very little to disagree with. I just had such a wonderful dinner last night that I want to give Sunshine a shout-out, even if it does get lost in the myriad of 4- and 5-star reviews below. Here is what you need to know about Sunshine: -it's kind of a dump. And I mean that in the nicest way possible. You do get the feel of eating in your grandmother's home, if your grandmother lives in a VFW hall. Decor is clearly not a priority here, which is fine, because you really don't want them thinking about anything but your delicious meal. - the menu is sort of vague. My companions and I had no real knowledge of Japanese food, so we asked a few questions, and the waiter patiently answered them. Sort of. - the food is CHEAP. For the 3 of us, we split an order of gyoza (delicious) and the tsukemono (pickled vegetables). I had the Kastu don, one friend had the Tonkatsu, and other friend had (I think) Beef Teridon. The Katsu don was delicious- panko-crusted pork deep fried to perfection and served with an amazingly sweet sauce, with a side of rice, some 'salad' and pickled cucumber. It was great, but the Tonkatsu, which was very similar, took it to another level. The Tonkatsu had the same pork, but with the addition of egg and onion, served over the rice, with a sweet broth. Fan-freaking-tastic. We BYO'd, and I think the total bill was $38. It seems like a lot of people take home leftovers, but while the portions were hearty, the food was so tasty I couldn't imagine not eating every single bite immediately. Go, before someone gets it on Check Please and it's impossible to get in.
(4)
Ron H.
I don't recommend getting there "specials" for the day because it isn't good. I got the Katsu curry and the cut of the meat is poor and too chewy with limited good meat. The curry tends to be on the very light side and a price tag of $13 was not worth it at all. Many better restaurants along the street looks much better then this place!
(1)
Daniel C.
Sunshine Cafe is a pretty low key restaurant with sort of a rundown store front. Before I read about this place, I used to walk by it thinking that it was a shady business. After I read some good reviews about this place, I decided to give it a try. Sunshine serves home style Japanese dishes such as don. If you want sushi, look elsewhere, because you won't find it here. I've tried the tonkatsu, which is fried pork cutlet, as well as the oyako don, which is rice with chicken and egg, and both were pretty good. If you are looking for a simple, fairly affordable dinner, this is your place! Being located in Andersonville, parking can be a pain, so beware.
(4)
Johnathan W.
This place is very unassuming from the outside. The exterior makes it seem like a little bit of a dump. The inside is nothing special (gotta love wood paneling) and lends itself to be quite a relaxing lunch place. I went here last night and was greeted by a very friendly server. I was surprised to find out that this restaurant had some delicious-sounding specials. I, thanks to the recommendations of several yelpers, started with the potato croquettes. They were fairly moist and a little bit bland, but good overall. I then ordered Hot Chicken Soba (buckwheat noodles in a bowl with broth, veggies, and chicken) and my lady ordered Chicken Teriyaki. The verdict? Not too bad. I hope to go here again to try a few more things out. The food all tasted pretty decent, and was filling, nothing really blew me away though. The chicken teriyaki was a little bit heavy on the teriyaki. The soba was quite delicious and I couldn't finish it (because of the large portions).
(4)
Erica S.
My friend and I decided to try Sunshine cafe last night and boy do I wish we had discovered it sooner. The inside is somewhat small and there are old school wood paneled walls. The restaurant was packed and among the diners there were many older Japanese folks, which to me was a good indicator of authenticity. There were so many tasty Japanese classics on the menu it was hard to decide what to eat and my friend was so excited when he found out his favorite Japanese dish, katsu curry, was a special that night. I had katsu don, a humble bowl of rice, breaded pork cutlet, eggs, and onions with a savory brown sauce. Sure the ingredients are simple, but that is what great comfort food is about and it was truly comforting after a long day. The impressiveness of Sunshine Cafe is in the details: At one point, he held out a morsel to me on his fork, "You can taste how slowly this has been simmering" he said. And boy was he right, It was possibly the most tender piece of beef I have eaten in my life. This is a great weeknight place to go for a satisfying meal. The entrees were about $10 and since its BYO you can really keep costs down. Why haven't you eaten there yet? Get going!
(5)
Elysia L.
Please stop coming here! I love this place and it's getting too crowded these days. In all seriousness, I can't keep Sunshine to myself. My husband & I love this place. It's one of our favorites and we're there at least 2 or 3 times a month. I haven't had a thing on the menu that I didn't like. Even if you're not a fan of noodle soups, try the tempura udon with a healthy dose of the spicy chili powder. It's the best I've ever had. I will say that due to the size, this place is much better suited for couples & double-dates than it is for a group. The last time we were there they had 2 large parties and it really threw them off.
(5)
Jim K.
Thanks fellow Yelps! This new find was fantastic. It almost looks like a bakery from the outside. The interior is plain to say the least. Now the food is awesome. We had a tuna sashimi appetizer and the unagi and teriyaki salmon for the main courses. Very well prepared and incredibly reasonable. We're going here again and again.
(5)
Liz S.
If you're looking for Japanese home-style cooking that will leave you full and happy - this is the place to go! The best authentic and delicious COOKED Japanese food that I have had in the Chicago-land area. Ever since I moved back to the states from Asia, I've been craving a greater variety of Japanese food since most restaurants around here seem to only cater to the population that strictly eats only sushi & sashimi. Sunshine Cafe has a wonderful variety of cooked Japanese foods ranging from fish to meats. The quality of their food is great and I have never been disappointed! If you are craving udon or soba, this is also the place to go! I usually get an appetizer, side of pickled vegetables, a grilled saba or eel dish (with rice and miso) and a drink and the bill usually comes out around $15. They are so reasonable, and the wait staff are incredibly sweet and personable. I know it may look a little dingy from the outside but you should absolutely give it a try.
(4)
Alvin d.
This would be a 'Check, Please!' - type recommendation for me Yes, they're keeping it simple stupid, all about the food. Tasty, no frills, comfy, reasonable food served in a friendly efficient manner. I particularly like the the soup selection. It does feel like eating in the extension of the church community room next door (with a Japanese flair of course), but I guess I'll just file this one under cute, interesting, and clean restaurant space. Want a break from sushi, but craving Japanese food? This is the place.
I have been eating at this place for years. Thought I could keep it a secret but seems like the word is out. Since it's become more popular, I tend to go on Wed or Thurs to avoid the line that I've seen on the weekends during dinner. Otherwise i sneak in early around 5pm-6pm, before the dinner rush. I know everyone loves their potato croquette but I would highly recommend their gyoza...really good. For mains, I love the Katsu Don. Sunshine basically embodies everything I love about mom-and-pop style restaurants that are laid back and have an inviting atmosphere.
(5)
Luan N.
I was ecstatic to find such a hidden gem in close by Andersonville! Although I preferred the saba shioyaki over the salmon shioyaki, I thought they were both amazing. When we ordered, the waiter told us how he liked to prepare the saba. "Turn it over, squeeze some lemon, add the daikon oroshi with soy sauce on top" So he was very helpful, polite, and seemed like he had lots of pride in the restaurant. The saba has just the right amount of oil, firm, charred to perfection so that I could savor the skin. It brought back fond memories when my grandma would cook me some shioyaki in Japan. Portions were just right and made me want to go back for more. Although they can improve upon the decor, with these prices and great home cookin, I'm not going to care. Actually I take that back, I think the atmosphere is just right. If this place had design like Sushi Samba or Japonais, it just wouldn't fit with the homestyle cookin. Almost all the customers knew the waiter by name. I'll definitely be a return customer very soon.
(4)
Sam Y.
We salvaged our anniversary at this place. Tried going to a fancier place but couldn't find a baby sitter last minute. Ended up here without expecting too much. Actually, the wife was disappointed because the decor of this place is pretty sub-par. But the food was near perfection. The soba noodles and the warm noodle soup was just perfect. We also ordered teriyaki chicken over rice... it tasted like exactly what we thought it would taste like (nothing special there). We wipe the plates clean! I mean, they literally just had to rinse cuz there was nothing to clean off the plates... except maybe our saliva.
(5)
Cindi C.
ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY. The food is to die for and the atmosphere is one of the greatest things I have ever seen. What a hidden gem!
(5)
Yanni N.
You can't believe how good this food is! Ok. so it's not some super chic Andersonville lounge and cafe - but if you are looking for the best AUTHENTIC Japanese food in the city - head on over to the Sunshine Cafe. The best part: This place has figured out how to serve high quality food at extremely low prices -- that's magic!!!!
(5)
Barb L.
Everything you've read here is true. This place has good service, a pleasant host, great value and tasty food. What more can you ask for?
(5)
Freddie S.
Coming from LA I think I've had some really great Japanese food. When I lived in Chicago, however, most Japanese places focused on sushi. There's so much more and I found it at Sunshine Cafe. The atmosphere is homey and comfortable. I don't know for sure but it seems like a family-run business. The food is great and the prices are very reasonable. I just wish it had longer hours so I could go whenever I want.
(5)
Heather K.
Potato Croquettes! Sukiyaki! So freaking good. When all is said and done, homestyle cooking, no matter what the culture or country of origin, simply cannot be beat. Sunshine Cafe is no exception. Wish I lived closer! Also wish I had a Japanese grandmother who could cook this stuff for me on a regular basis.
(5)
Carrie R.
Mmmm... last night was cold and rainy, we missed our bus to meet a friend for dinner and stood in the rain for 20 minutes while we watched several 22's run the other direction, but none on our side, and when we finally got to Sunshine our friend had been waiting for almost 45 minutes, hogging a table in the crowded restaurant, and we were freezing and wet. The perfect way to fix that situation? A cozy heartwarming dinner at Sunshine Cafe. Not only were the staff never unfriendly about the horrible waiting situation, they were funny and super helpful when we finally arrived. And the food. The gyoza were smoky and the sauce spicy and the combo delish. The sukiyaki was sweet and savory and hot and perfect for my cold and wet body. My companions ordered udon varieties and raved as well. And the portions were huge and the prices cheap, what more can you ask for?
(4)
Annie L.
I went with my sister after reading all these reviews but I was a bit disappointed. The selection of food was ok but NOTHING like WOW that's great! They put so much MSG in the food, I feel so thirsty before I left the restaurant.
(2)
Jia M.
I've eaten here twice and each time the food has been great and the service has been prompt and friendly. I have tried the shumai, the tonkatsu, the beef teri don, oyako don, the potato croquettes, and the beef teri don. I enjoyed all of these dishes (but I would choose the tonkatsu if forced), although my acquaintance noted that the oyako don was too salty. Prices are very reasonable. The one niggle I have is that while the owner is very friendly and prompt, sometimes you feel as though he is watching you as you eat. Maybe I'm just paranoid.
(4)
Chris m.
Just my favorite Japanese place in the city. Not the kind of place where they fly in fresh fish daily for sushi, etc. blah blah blah and the chef is making this or that. I don't eat raw fish anyway. No offense if you do! Leave that to Sushi Smushi. But I do like fresh fish cooked and prepared well! This is just the kind of comfort Japanese food I love. Super nice family staff. Really first-rate sukiyaki and excellent salmon teriyaki, etc. They also offer a traditional salt-glazed version which is, well, salty but great. Their mackerel is excellent as well. Great basics. Wonderful appetizers, which shared can amount to a meal (which you should share here). Nothing fancy, but just perfect! The people are always super nice and accommodating. Always a nice experience, including the patrons who are a chill, hip, non-pretense group. Not uncommon to strike up a conversation with people next to you and chat about food choices, etc.
(5)
Jesster A.
Chicago Tribune (10/20/06) gave it top billing with a 4 Forks review today in it's CHEAP EATS column ( AT PLAY Section) - so look out for crowds and a possible (if temporary) downturn in quality and service. The reviewer pretty much LOVED everything about this place and everything on the menu as well (he just wishes the Oyako Duburi "had been made with chicken thigh" instead of breast meat. Note that 4 Forks is their highest rating and they almost never give it!
(4)
Ayaka H.
What is not to like about this kind of place? It is not pretentious. Good food and good people serving it. Complimentary green tea is a keystone of a good japanese restaurant. Who charges for green tea?!! I took my bf there last night and I arrived as hungry as a horse. We started off with the hiya yakko- cold tofu with an assortment of toppings: grated ginger, bonito flakes, and thinly slices green onion. You top your tofu with all of that goodness and pour a little soy sauce over the whole thing. Delicious. Such simple ingredients that delivers such an amazing complexity of flavors. Now I said I was hungry so we also ordered gyoza (done perfectly as any good japanese gyoza is....heavy on the vegetable mixture, must be pork filling and served with ponzu with a little spicy chili oil). They were piping hot and inspired me to make my own batch. Then on a whim, I tried the fried smelt appetizer. for 4.50 you get about 10 fried smelt. Prettty tasy morsels. For our main meal, I had the saba shioyaki served with a heaping mound of grated daikon. SOOOO Good. My bf had the Katsu Don and I think he even purposely saved a bit so he can take it to lunch today. Too cute that boy. For all that food, the bill came out to 32 dollars.....what a deal. For the price, the quality is amazing. The decor is nothing to call home about, but the main star is the food.
(5)
Jennifer Y.
I'm asian (as you can tell) and I'm not saying that I have better taste buds, BUT ... I'm asian. For better or for worse. I love this place. I recommend the mackerel over the salmon. Potato croquettes are great -- the sauce they come with is delicious-yum-yum. Highly recommended to anyone who likes hole-in-the-wall restaurants and authentic Asian food.
(5)
Rachelle G.
Honestly, I've never had Japanese food outside of the extras you can find at sushi restaurants. I decided to come here and figure out what Japanese cuisine was like other than sushi. First impressions (and I had read about this in other reviews), don't expect to be welcomed upon entering. You can of just wait until they come talk to you, they don't really acknowledge your arrival regardless if they see you or not. The space itself kind of reminds me of eating in your grandmother's house, you know in that, nothing is really modern way yet it feels ok bc it's cozy. Upon being seated, we were given two menus, the regular and their specials. Nothing really jumped out at me. I decided to go with something I was familiar with, tempura udon. I also tried the special calamari appetizer as others have commented that if it's available, get it. The udon was fairly standard, nothing special. The calamari was basically the tentacles which the server did note in his description, it was just lightly floured. Nothing special. I also tried some of my friend's gyoza, I didn't really care for it much. They pretty much fell apart once you lifted it up. Overall, the tastes were very delicate and I think my taste buds are used to being shocked here and there. Overall, a good bargain but I didn't leave wanting more.
(3)
Jim W.
Honestly I wish I could rate this place higher, esp b/c I love Japanese home cooking at a very reasonable price. Perhaps b/c I've been discussing a lot with friends recently that food, particularly ethnic food, in Chicago just isn't on par with the coasts. Part of it is the expectation I suppose after reading all the glowing reviews here, but really Sunshine Cafe, while doing the cooked dishes better than all of downtown Chicago, was pretty plain. I ordered the potato croquettes on everyone's recommendation - which was solid. They had a special of squid calamari that evening which was slightly battered, but not entirely fried and that was decent. For my entree I settled upon the sukiyaki - awesome that there was this option, but again, it was good but not great. My friend tried their chicken teriyaki (yea, I know, I know). Something about the texture of the chicken was different in a good way, but it wasn't like melt-in-my-mouth delicious. I think in the end what Sunshine Cafe offers is diversity from your typical Chicago Japanese restaurant. It is homely and a mom and pop shop - although my friend claims she saw that the chef was Mexican (not being racist, just an observation for Japanese purists) - but it wins you over by default b/c these options just don't exist downtown.
(3)
Claire S.
I had passed Sunshine Cafe before and not really noticed it. But my boyfriend has been coming here for years and brought me in for dinner several weeks ago. We're both fans of homestyle Japanese cooking and having visited Japan, we both look for spots in the city where we can satisfy our craving for all things Japanese. Sunshine Cafe is one of these spots. Authentic, modest and comforting food is what you'll find (try the potato croquettes and tempura udon). Hot green tea is complimentary. Sunshine is a family-owned and operated gem of a restaurant where you can relax and briefly escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
(5)
matt b.
Only thing better than the food was the friendly, welcoming personality of the staff. Only wish i had discovered this place a long time ago.
(4)
Nick B.
This is place isn't your normal japanese place. 1st of all there is no sushi (well there is one califonia roll..). If your ok with not having sushi (which you should be because the resto of japanese cuisne is amazing you will love this place. The sukiakee is great, the soups are amazing, the teriakee salmon/chicken is very good. In fact i can say ive had almost everything on the menu and never been disapointed. I would definitly go to this place and recomend it to anyone. BYOB by the way. And cheap as well
(5)
Rob K.
I just wanted to update my review and say that Sunshine Cafe reopened and all is right with the world. It is my favorite restaurant in the entire city, and it can never close again, ever. NEVER EVER. There is no problem a bowl of udon from Sunshine Cafe can't solve, or at least make seem less daunting. The best homestyle Japanese cooking in the city, bar none.
(5)
Char Y.
Ok, so we went back for more of the delicious home cooking today, and got eggplants, marinated spicy carrots and burdock, potato coquettes, pork curry katsu rice, and sukiyaki. Everything was either too salty, sweet or spicy. I was disappointed at the quality of the food we were served. They seemed TOO home made.
(2)
Barbara L.
Dear Chicago Vegetarians, Don't be scared of the Sunshine Cafe! Like me, you probably dread the prospect of eating at authentic Asian restaurants. It only takes a few fishy tasting "vegetarian" sauces to make you swear off the cuisine entirely. In this regard, eating at the Sunshine cafe was an extraordinarily pleasant surprise. The waiter (whom I'm told works there almost all of the time) not only knew what it meant to be vegetarian, but actually went through the menu and explained what my options were. In terms of the food itself, it was pretty damn good. I ain't going to lie, Japanese food probably isn't the tastiest vegetarian choice (at least in my opinion) but it is really nice to be able to escort meat-eaters to this very popular place.
(4)
Jane K.
Must get croquettes and anything on the menu. It's all good. No sushi, just homestyle Japanese. Delicious flavors but a bit on the salt heavy side.
(4)
Stacey H.
Yum! Very good Udon, and they had a great whole miso glazed rainbow trout special the day I was there. Very friendly server too!
(4)
Grace L.
Oy-shi. As written and warned...this is not a sushi place. This is definitely Japanese comfort food. all cooked and comfortable. My in-laws who love Japanese food came here with a lot of skepticism, but left enjoying the food and the ambiance. We had the ten don, beef teri don, katsu don and the salmon. All of them under or around 10 bucks. No complaints there. The portions are amazing and unlike some fusion places, the sauces aren't too saucy or sweet. The service was absolutely delightful, helpful and patient. Although we came in the middle of summer, I know that this food will be even more comforting on a winter evening. Can't wait until I come back.
(5)
Robyn F.
This place is great for the burbs! The homestyle cooking is very comforting. The appetizers are especially good. I usually get the soba noodles or the donburi.
(4)
Kimberly E.
AMAZING! I literally did not want to stop eating! It may look like a hole in the wall, but this place is incredible and one of the best meals I've ever had. The soba is delicious and perfect for a cold day (though next time I want to try the pork instead of the shrimp tempura), and the chicken-onions-eggs is unreal -- get it!! Service was also great, really friendly and comfortable. The only thing that could make it better is not being so far north!
(5)
Jacob K.
Sunshine cafe is a good place for country style Japanese food. The ambiance is lacking but the food is good and the people are friendly. Don't pass up the tekadon- I had something else that was good but not that good.
(3)
Kendrah R.
I love this place. Totally down to earth and great food. Since there are few good jewish deli's in this town, I have made sunshine my new home cooking fix when I'm sick. Their chicken udon soup rival's my grandma's matzo ball soup. Though they are not a sushi place, I think they have the best california rolls in town.
(5)
Christine J.
The best part about my meal at Sunshine Cafe was that it was cheap. The two of us left satisfied and only dropped $28 for three dishes. Nothing really inventive though, everything on the menu you can pretty much get at other Japanese restaurants, even some sushi ones.
(3)
Justin R.
This place was great. The food reminded me of Tokyo. Nice. Homey. Not too expensive. The service was outstandingly friendly and the place is BYOB. If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, other than sushi, you cannot do wrong at Sunshine Cafe. I will definitely be going back, but will it be soon enough to keep me happy?
(5)
super t.
Such a cute, casual place eat. The staff is very friendly and warm, and I like it when you can be a on a first-name basis with the owner. I like their katsudon, seaweed salad and tempura udon (make sure to ask for tempura sauce if they don't give it to you -- it's has freshly grated ginger, mm).
(5)
Erin K.
Sunshine= love. I've been going here for years, and I've never had anything off the menu that was less than delicious. I almost cried when they closed, and when they didn't make tempura shrimp because the lady who has the recipe was out of town for a while. Their tempura udon is some of the best I've ever eaten. The shrimp is great quality and the broth is sososososo good. However, I always order sukiyaki. It's gotten to the point where Paul just laughs at me when I say that's what I'm getting. But hey, if it's good, why get anything else! It's served with rice and misoshiro, so you definitely walk away from your meal feeling full. And content. The only problem is that I'm pretty sure they put MSG in the food. And I always forget to ask them to exclude it, so I usually get a bit of a stomachache. Oh well, it's always worth it. BTdubs, I'm Japanese, so I feel like it's necessary to mention that their food tastes just like the food my grandma makes. Que authentico!
(5)
Darlene R.
This place is extremely good and very reasonable. I would highly suggest the fried calamari tentacles if they have it. The ambience was nothing special, but the food made up for it. One of the reasons i didn't give this place 5 stars is because there was no sushi. also the beef teriyaki wasn't closer to korean bulgogi than beef teriyaki. however, since it was only 8.50 i'm not overly offended. the tonkatsu ($10.50)was wonderful. the sukiyaki was great and the tempura dinner ($13.50)was huge! overall very pleased and i will be back.
(4)
Made N.
My first experience with Japanese food was a good one. I had the Vegetable Udon - incredibly deliscious noodles! My partner had a teriyaki beef dish of some sort which was served with lettuce and rice. good, but not as good as my gargantuan bowl of udon! We shared a seaweed salad, yummyliscious! and also got some Miso soup, which was very tasty as well. The green tea was plentiful and yummy. it was all perfect warmth for a chilly day. the ambiance, however, leaves something to be desired - wood paneling everywhere. Odd place in terms of looks, but definitely good food. For the look of the place, I feel like the food should be even cheaper really, like an excellent hole-in-the wall food find, but still it's cheaper than many other places, so I'd probably go back because the food really is excellent.
(4)
Tasty K.
Yummy! Just when I had decided good Japanese food had to expensive I stumbled upon this here joint. My big toe was sore but my belly, my big fat belly, was full. Imagine a big bowl of unadon for about what you'd expect to pay for a single piece of unagi at a fancy pants sushi restaurant. I don't have to. I've lived the dream! Marry me Sunshine Cafe! It won't just be because I can't keep my lips off your eel. I love you for your gomae, too! xoxo
(5)
rachel p.
our first time at sunshine cafe and nowhere to sit. :( no worries... the lovely couple in the corner would like to share their table with us. :) our first time with a japanese homecookin' menu and we're not sure what to order. :( no worries... the lovely couple who happen to be regulars would like to give you some suggestions. :) you can't decide between the salmon teriyaki and the salmon shioyaki. :( no worries... the waiter suggests the shioyaki w/ a side of teriyaki sauce so you can try both :) the food was straight forward, simple flavors beautifully executed. we shared the gyoza, and i had the chicken udon. everything was delicious and my soup was large enough for two people. i also really liked that they brought the spicy stuff on the side so you could season to your likening. for a place that looks like a backroom diner, they sure cook up some tasty food! thanks to fern and norm for their suggestions :)
(5)
Brandon S.
Amazing food, amazing and friendly service, and really cheap prizes! Focuses more on general Japanese cuisine (which I love) than sushi (which I also love). Just a great, great place, and I'm almost afraid to rate it b/c I want it to kind of stay a secret and not busy... ^_^
(5)
Keri M.
I tried this adorable little place a few weeks ago with some girlfriends and it was so good! It's not fancy or trendy - it's just really good food and nice people bring it to you. Yum!
(4)
Dan J.
What a super cute place! It was recommended by a friend, so I kind of knew what to expect, but it was just as good as she said! Incredibly friendly and helpful staff; they apologized for the wait (all of 5 minutes) and double checked that our table was okay. The food was delicious and extremely reasonably priced. Plus BYOB and it is perfect for tight budgets! I will definitely be going back! Thank you, Sunshine Cafe!
(4)
Soo S.
One of my Chicago favorites! My best friend told me about this place a long time ago, and since I always make an effort to go there. The food is just GREAT. Its Japanese home cooking. The owners are really nice and waiters and waitresses are always sweet. The Tonkatsu is my favorite, the meat they use is of high quality. The udon is out of this world.
(5)
Tony R.
This is by far the most lovely place to eat in Chicagoland; I left feeling absolutely serene. In fact, I got depressed when I left, I just wanted to go back and chill with Rob(I think that's the guy's name). It has a very homey atmosphere with the Japanese grandmas serving food and clearly, most of the customers are die-hard regulars. The ambiance from the outside isn't too indicative of the wonders that lie inside, which is simply decorated with some nice back music. I have never felt so satisfied and pleased with any other place I've dined at in this city. I seriously cannot emphasize this enough. Anyway, now for the meat of the business...the food was quite delectable. I mean, this is wonderful Japanese comfort food that makes Chicago considerably less miserable. I had the unagi don and my dining compatriots had the chicken teriyaki and sukiyaki, which were absolutely delicious. I plan to go back for the soba and udon which from what I eye look like they'd be very tasty. As an aside, I was given some Japanese pepper for my unagi and the cute grandma carefully explained " you might think this tastes weird, but I really like it, so you should try it." Hhahahaha, I almost died, it was hilarious. I plan to come here often this summer for much food and hugs from the grandmas. The feeling of serenity and being so absolutely full of amazing delicious awesomeness cannot be emphasized enough.
(5)
Julian C.
Sunshine Cafe was a complete let down given all the hype on Yelp. The sad excuse for udon consisted of instant noodles w/ broth tasted like soy sauce mixed with hot water. Not tasty. Not authentic. Decor is shabby. And, hey waiter guy don't touch your customers okay? Creepy.
(1)
Anna H.
I really enjoy this restaurant. It's cozy and comfortable - I feel like I'm eating at home! The dishes are all "homestyle Japanese". They have Katsu-Don, Tonkastu, fish dishes, good appetizers - all at very affordable prices. Also, if you're nice, they'll usually give you some homecooked little cookie crisps that are a great ending to a healthy, comforting meal! It's a small restaurant with only 10-12 tables, so it's likely that you'll have to wait 10-15 minutes if you go at dinner time, even on a weekday. However, once you're seated, the service is fast and attentive, so don't let the wait deter you!
(4)
Ken H.
There is everything to like about this place... Friendly service, great prices, good portions, and excellent food. This is not haute fusion cuisine, and it's not a sushi bar,so if that's what you crave it's 3 blocks down. Sunshine is about comfort and awesome laid back deliciousness. It's like eating at the kids table at your grandma's.
(5)
Joan D.
We had edamame and potato croquettes as appetizers, and the unagi don and the oyako donburi for dinner. The food was excellent and the service was even better! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful.
(5)
Yas M.
Homestyle Japanese comfort food, slow and steady. There are no gimmicks here. Zero pretense. Sunshine is not Tokyo-modern. Unless you got a ma or grandma or aunties with roots in the pre-modern Japanese countryside, this may be about the only spot left in Chicago to taste this type of atmosphere and flavor. No liquor served, but you may bring your own bottle.
(5)
Tristin M.
Still my favorite place!
(5)
nunov y.
Fantastic! This place is quite small, and I'm sure it gets very busy. Wow...this is an incredible value. One of the best meals I've had in recent memory, and I think 3 of us walked out for under $40. We ordered the California Rolls, and although sushi isn't their specialty, they were very good. I had the pork cutlet with special sauce...it was kind of a tangy hoisin sauce but very good. It came with a salad which had a very interesting dressing, definitely worth trying. My wife had a steak stirfry, and it had flavor unlike any other food I've ever tried. This was truly an original eating experience, the food is incredibly inexpensive and it'll be like nothing you've ever tasted. I recommend this place 100% They even will recommend places near to buy beer, since they have a BYOB policy. Too bad I don't live in the area, or I would become part of the furniture in this place. Check out my picture of the new glass ledge in Sears Tower, how cool! theholstory.blogspot.com
(5)
Heather I.
Yum! Great food, good prices in a unpretentious setting. Hooray!
(5)
Linda C.
A friend recommended this place. She said it's one of her favorite restaurants, and I understand why. This place is on the small side. It's a simple atmosphere, but the food is home cooking. It's so good. Everything I've had on the menu has been so satisfying, and the place is surprisingly affordable. You can get really great food, for reasonable prices here. It's become one of my new favorites. And the 70 blocks that separate us, doesn't keep me from wondering over there whenever possible.
(4)
Alexander T.
Great Restaurant, great waiter. returned there several times with friends.
(5)
Mark B.
This place has been a neighborhood favorite of mine for at least 8-10 years. During long study sessions, Chicken Teridon was my comfort food, along with some yummy Shumai. I'm only sorry that I don't live a couple of blocks away anymore. The service is very friendly, the prices are better than reasonable, and I've never been disappointed by any of the food that I've ordered there.
(5)
Joel S.
I kind of wish that I could speak to the authenticity of this place, because it would make me seem that much cooler or somehow make my white skin seem less pasty. Alas, all I can say is that my wife and I had a huge meal of potato croquettes, udon and nanban yaki for about 20 bucks, it was all really delicious, and I hope to eat here more often this coming year. Usually I am all about the BYO, but in this case I am glad I skipped, as a warm complimentary cup of green tea on a cold Chicago night is just what the Dr. ordered.
(4)
Zach H.
I can't say enough about this place. I would call it my favorite place to eat in the city. Delicious, savory homestyle food. It feels like Japanese comfort food. It was an especially great experience going there this past winter, warming up with some green tea and tender tempura pork cutlet over sticky rice of the perfect consistency. The room is simple, small, and welcoming. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)
Melinda L.
I love this place!!! We were first recommended this place by a friend who called it Japanese home cooking. There is nothing fancy about Sunshine Cafe, nothing pretentious, no push for sushi (though great if you do have it), just a warm staff, and fabulous food. The pork tenderloin is something I crave constantly! I have not tried one poor dish yet. Every dish gets better and better. I cannot say enough about this place. If you're looking for really home style comfort and just very well prepared great food, you have got to stop by this place! After all their great reviews, they better not go changing!
(5)
Jacob R.
So, what's not to like? 1. The music they play here will put you to sleep. 2. The seating/decor could use a little bit of help. I mean, just a little bit!
(5)
jerry c.
Japanese comfort food! Delicate, savory gyoza. Wonderful salmon shiyo. I love this warm, homey place!
(5)
olivia p.
4.5 stars. i was gonna give it 4 for the food, but the service was so good i had to bump it up to 4.5 i asked dan, the nicest server ever, about the potato croquettes and the gyoza. he said to get the croquettes. when i was hemming and hawing about getting the gyoza too, he said he'd bring some out so i could try it. after which he brought gyoza for our party of 9 on the house! the gyoza were really good and on top of that, the potato croquettes were perfect. light and crispy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside. not oily at all. i could eat those all day. was thinkin about the udon, but decided on the saba shioyaki - fresh mackerel, lightly salted and broiled, to get something a little more interesting. the fish was well cooked, broiled just to a crisp and tasty with white radish, lemon and a little soy sauce. it got a little oily for me in the end, but i'm not used to oily things. it was very good, but didn't knock my socks off. next time i wanna try their udon. my friends got the nanban yaki, hot soba and some other stuff i can't remember and really liked them. my bro thought his chicken teriyaki was a little dry. all in all a great place with excellent service. nicest people ever.
(4)
Sheena C.
The food is good (we ordered the udon, tilapia, and potatoe croquette), but the croquette is overrated. The chicken in the udon wasn't very good (I should have ordered the vegetable udon instead). I'm an udon nazi and I was very hesitant about this place at first, but the udon was cooked perfectly. However, the broth was only okay. It seems as if most of the customers are returning customers as everyone who came in hugged the owner and whatnot. This isn't the best Japanese food I've had but the prices are decent and the owner is nice.
(3)
A M C.
If I crave a steaming bowl of tempura udon, I can walk there and have it in front of me in a few minutes, provided there isn't a wait. (Sometimes there is.) There isn't anything fancy here (and sometimes I wish they would give it a facelift), but the soup is tasty, and the staff is friendly, and that's all I need when I come here. If you're looking for a sleek, modern Japanese restaurant with a full sushi bar, this isn't the place. This is comfy, homestyle cooking.
(4)
Mia F.
Very good home style japanese food.
(5)
John S.
The Sunshine Cafe is a family owned and operated restaurant which offers home-style Japanese food in a cozy / kitchy setting. If you are looking for a trendy sushi restaurant, this is not it. The food is always warm and tasty and the service - friendly. It is a great place to take a friend for a nice quiet meal and a good conversation.
(4)
Josh L.
Great food... everything I've had there is tasty, cheap, and the owner is super nice. Good place to go for low-key eats.
(4)
Juice R.
Awesome, on the cheap, homestyle japanese comfort food, quintessential japanese meal for not so demanding people. warning - they don't serve sushi, nigiri, sashimi, raw fish stuffs of any kind. once in a blue moon with a slight purple tint, you might run into a 'special' but don't count on it. the place is no frills, clean, nicer hole in the wall but won't creep you out on cleanliness like some korean/chinese places. I don't think the food stands out head and shoulder above the average home cooked japanese meal. To be completely honest, it's on par w decent japanese mall/street food (think mistuwa) and I can probably make them almost as good, except for their gomae (steamed spinach w sweet sesame sauce, which is fantastic). however, they still get 5 stars cause the family run place is friendly and down to earth (one of the guys can use some sarcasm, fyi) yet priced very reasonably as long as you don't go nuts on appetizers. Also, considering how many places in chicago, just don't get it right on these simple japanese stuffs, I think 5 is justifiable. Expect a wait if your group is huge. Bring some japanese beer, it's BYOB. there are no outdoor seating. parking can be tight but jewel lot is close. the place is open, well lit and music volume is on the low and don't have booths - don't expect to be sharing ur intimate conversations if you dare.
(5)
Karen L.
This is a small Japanese restaurant in Andersonville that offers homestyle Japanese cooking. I ordered the beef udon soup and it was big, flavorful and satisfying! If you are looking for sushi, this is not the place to go. They don't have raw fish and only have one kind of roll. They have the dishes like udon soup, tonkatsu, and rice dishes. The food is fresh and well-prepared. The decor is lacking, but it is the food that have the loyal customers coming back here. It is BYOB and the prices are reasonable.
(4)
Robert G.
Sunshine is one of my favorite restaurants on the Andersonville strip. It's affordable and the food is really good. Most of all, the staff is extremely friendly, adding to the place's cozy, homey feel. Some of the best plastic food wrapped in Saran wrap you'll ever see displayed in a window too.
(5)
Linda S.
One of the cutest Japanese family-run restaurant in Chicago. We love their udon dishes, the tonkatsu, and their enormous rice balls filled with pickled plums. The menu is quite limited but everything is homestyle, there's always a group of family members/friends hanging out at the restaurant. Check out the multiple "Be careful! Watch your step!" signs taped to the door before you exit.
(4)
Rose C.
i just tried this place tonight after meaning to go for years... my friend used to work here and would help out cooking massive amounts of chicken teriyaki at the annual cultural bash the japanese american community throws for chicago----so i knew the owners of the cafe must be cool reach-out-to-the-community types. anyway, i love the fact that this cozy and warm cafe has a distinctive home-cookin' feel which is so difficult to find in most chicago japanese restaurants. i say the place is warm because as soon as you walk in, you get the sense that it's a comfortable, kick-back place for many folks. we arrived at 8:15PM, 45 minutes before the place was supposed to close, to a surprisingly busy dining room on a thursday night... it seemed like many were regulars from the neighborhood, a place to gather with friends. the food was just as genuine and comforting. as soon as we sat down, menus were before us and just seconds after that, hot green tea and ice water. our server, roxanne, a down-to-earth 3rd-generation japanese american with a southern twang, was wonderfully patient as we inquired about the specials and went back and forth about what to order. we had 2 of the specials: the appetizer of grilled eggplant which we had with grated ginger and miso dressing on the side (her suggestion that we try both types of seasonings) and the chilean sea bass with miso sauce. and we had to order a chicken teriyaki! all were great! the slices of eggplant was deliciously rich and grilled just perfectly! the ginger really brought out the flavors and the miso dressing was a happy break when the ginger got a little much. the sea bass was oh-so-tender....i ate most of it even though it was my boyfriend's meal (which i'm sure he fully expected once he saw my face after my first bite). chicken teriyaki wasn't terribly tender but they broil it with the skin on one side which helps to flavor much of the meat and the chicken develops this rugged texture which i could only describe as uniquely authentic. the sauce wasn't overly sweet or salty like it is at other places. it came with salad topped with miso dressing. both dinner entrees included the veggie of the day, a little dish of green beans covered in a tangy, sesame sauce....scrumptious! i also need to say that the service/timing was impeccable...appetizer came out within minutes of our order and almost immediately after we scarfed down the eggplant, we had steaming bowls of miso soup arrive to entertain us til the entrees. as if they could read our stomachs and knew we were ravenous. especially as we could hear the sizzling coming from the kitchen which was nearly visible (i think they had a curtain). total bill came out to around $25 for two. loved chatting with roxanne, too. so friendly! she was happy to take a few minutes and tell us about the interesting history of her family. go on a cold evening to warm up with some hearty and authentic japanese food---you won't find a place with more heart behind their cooking or service!
(5)
Jonathan Y.
Sunshine Cafe looks and feels exactly like what it is: A small family owned restaurant. Their dishes are simple and made very well. The balance of the flavors of the food continually surprises me. I'm a sucker for pickled food and I especially like the tsukemono appetizer and other pickled vegetables that come with some entrees. I haven't tried any of the noodle dishes yet, but I'll definitely rectify that soon.
(4)
Cristin M.
I finally made my way into this hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant after years of wondering about it. It's pretty small, but the staff is attentive and very friendly. The only complaint I had was that the owner/waiter attended to other tables first, although we had been waiting longer, but I wasn't in a hurry, so I wasn't too upset. We ordered two appetizers and two entrees and our bill only came to $21!! It's a great deal for the amount of food. We had the shumai, potato croquettes, miso soup, chicken teri don, and katsu don. They were all out of gyoza that night, which was a little disappointing, but the potato croquettes were very good. They were surprisingly light and served with a tasty sauce. My katsu don was a little on the salty side, but everything else was really good. Great portion sizes too. If you're looking for some home-style Japanese food on the cheap, this is the place to go. They seem to have a loyal base of customers, and also offer carry-out.
(4)
Davin B.
just moved away from andersonville and this is going to be the thing i miss the most. mildly dumpy interior gives way to the best Japanese food in the city. the food is not froo froo sushi Japanese or crazy hibachi Japanese, but a style i had never experienced until this restaurant. all of the noodle soups are incredible on a cold chicago night and the calimari app is amazing. also BYOB so that is a big bonus for me.
(5)
Stephanie M.
This is a very homestyle joint. Don't expect trendy maki rolls, but if you want some good sukiyaki or udon, this is the place.
(4)
k s.
the sunshine restaurant has the sensibility of a neighborhood spot. everyone knew each other and there was quite a bit of japanese being spoken. i thought the food was tasty and the staff very accomodating.
(4)
Nathan A.
"You are my sunshine." Sunshine Cafe always makes me happy when skies are grey. Actually, Sunshine Cafe makes me happy. Period. A great spot for authentic home style Japanese food. Actually, it might just be the best spot. Wonderfully charming, exceptionally delicious, great service, and impeccable experience. As many others have said, the potato croquettes are delicious. I have yet to order less than 2-3 orders every time I go. And the sauce that goes along with it...it's the most deliciously addicting sauce. Other great dishes: Udon noodles, ten zaru soba, soba, tempura, and tonkatsu. Portions are not huge, but every meal is incredibly satisfying. If you get the chance to get to know Dan, do so. By far, he is one of the most friendly and wonderful employees of a restaurant I have ever met. Visit often. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Noam S.
Here's the thing: though the food is good, the ambience is pretty bad. We were impressed by the home style family Japanese cuisine, and the service was very pleasant. However, the location isn't amazing, and the interior decoration is pretty bad, not just uninspiring but kinda nasty.. I would happily return if the owners put some love into the space, not just the food.
(3)
C. L.
Pro: good cheap food My friend and I both had Udon dishes. We asked for extra vegetables and they added it for free. The noodles actually weren't thick like Udon, but it still did the trick. I had the tempura udon. The broth wasn't anything special, but it wasn't soy-sauce-msg water (which some restaurants try to do). It was pleasant. The tempura was on a bland side, but you got a wide variety of vegetables and shrimp, and it had the perfect crunch. The bill for both of our udon bowls was $23 including tax...totally worth it.. Con: Limited parking/hole in the wall If you're looking for somewhere trendy or snazzy, this isn't it. It's not well decorated. They only have one unisex single toilet bathroom. Parking was a pain depending on the time of day. My friend got meter parking right across the street. I wasn't so lucky. I had to go a block into the residential area for parking..but at least it was free.
(4)
Jasmine L.
Came here for the first time because of 4.5 star. Nice little Japanese place, cozy, nice staff. However, food is under average. I ordered Udon with beef, it taste like beef and chopped vegi boiled in hot water. The soup has no taste. My friend got hot soba with pork, same thing. Things just didn't taste fresh. My other friend got Unagi don, she said it was ok, not amazing. Maybe because we're Asian we have higher expectation for Asian food. Another thing that I CAN'T stand is their utensils, they're all made with white plastics so you can see all the stains on it. Not coming back.
(2)
Andrew E.
Lots of rave yelp reviews, but I was pretty far from being having my mind blown. Got a donburi and the gf had a grilled fish, and started out with some pickled veggies. The service, value and portions were fine, but I guess maybe we were expecting too much from homestyle food. On the other hand, perhaps we would have done better to order more of the fried items on the menu like some of the other reviewers on here.
(3)
Feb S.
Taste: 3 Location: 3.5 Cleanliness: 3.5 Ambience: 2.5 Value: 3.5 Service: 3.5 OVERALL = 3.25 * Out of a 5-point scale I got Katsu Don, Sukiyaki, and Potato Croquettes. The Sukiyaki was too sweet. The Katsu Don was not too shabby. The Potato Croquettes were pretty good. The complimentary Miso Soup was good. They don't taste like Authentic Japanese Food but I guess if you really miss some Japanese Food, this can be an option. Will I come back? Maybe, but not anytime soon.
(3)
Jackie M.
Simple cooked japanese food. I've been hankering for Japanese food that isn't sushi. In Japan, most people usually eat rice or noodles. I really like their rice. Got the potato croquettes which was like a blend of mashed potatoes covered in panko bread crust and deep fried. Mackeral was seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper cooked to highlight natural flavors of fish with a side of grated daikon and vinegar cucumbers. Nothing mind blowing, just healthy homecooking.
(4)
Joe J.
Not sure what everyone is talking about and why it's rated 4.5 stars, food was average and a little over priced for the quantity and quality. Service was great but restaurant is old and has a old place smell.
(3)
Gee B.
I've been here a few times (including last night) and this place is great! It's a Japanese restaurant but not the kind you would expect- it's not a sushi place, but more of a Japanese home-cooking kinda place. It focuses more on meat & rice or noodle soup dishes. Nothing fancy and intimidating. The waiters make you feel welcome like you're just chilling at someone's house ready to get your eat on. For an appetizer, can't go wrong with the potato croquettes. Just be careful because the inside is HOT (temperature). It's basically a big crispy oval filled with a yummy mashed potato filling. As an entree, I recommend the: - Sukiyaki: flavorful noodle/veggie/meat dish cooked in a little sweet broth - Nanban Yaki: flavorful Japanese stir fry of veggies and meat - Katsu Don (or anything in the Donburi section of menu): yummy meat usually with egg & onion served with a yummy sauce over a bed of rice. The Katsu Don is breaded and crisp, can't remember if the other options are breaded though. You get lots of rice so be hungry. Or I recommend what I got last night- the Ten Zaru Soba. It's a unique dish- cold buckwheat noodles served with a sauce to DIP them in?! They give you wasabi and scallions to put into the sauce which of course, I completely use up. So you mix up whatever you want to put into the sauce, take your noodles, dip them into the liquid, and somehow the liquid gets absorbed just enough into the noodles so that they pick up the wonderful flavor. And THEN it comes with tempura fried shrimp and veggies (you can get the noodles alone, then it's just called Zaru Soba). The tempura is AWESOME and even goes with the noodle sauce if you wanna use it =) I got about two large pieces of shrimp and an assortment of sweet potato, green beans, and eggplant all in crispy tempura glory. Most entrees (except noodle soup dishes) come with miso soup as well, and I think they all come with green tea. I had their udon noodles once- it was good but I was a little disappointed that the noodles weren't as round and fat as the kind I've gotten from Asian grocery stores. I don't know if this is a different style or what. The broth was slightly bland but they do give you a condiment to add so maybe I just didn't put enough in. Anyway, overall the soup was still good and filling so I stand with my 5-star rating. So in conclusion, go to Sunshine Cafe for an affordable, delicious Japanese rice or noodle dish. You'll come out feeling pleasantly plump and happy!
(5)
Jenny Y.
Sunshine Cafe was one of the first places I hit shortly after returning from my first trip to Japan. After that, I've gone back a handful of times trying new things each visit. It's just rare to find Japanese restaurants that offer homestyle cooking in Chicago. The food is simple - like my Japanese friend's mom's cooking. The look and feel make me feel as if I'm in someone's house. Hard to mess up potato croquettes so they are excellent by default! Teriyaki, donburi and sukayaki is sweeter than I'm used to, but they were enjoyable. The grilled fish is served whole just like at home! I don't think there is anything distinguishable about the flavors though - perhaps there's something pleasantly nostalgic about revisiting a cuisine thousands of miles away like it does for me.
(3)
Mira S.
I grabbed some takeout when I was in the area. The place was pretty full on a random weeknight. The steamed shrimp shumai were good, cooked properly, but pretty overpriced for I think 5 pieces of what I expect is frozen dumplings, steamed. I dipped it in some sauce, maybe not the sauce meant for them, but good with it nonetheless, filled with wasabi and tasty. The chicken teriyaki came with soup and salad, but I didn't love the quality of the chicken--some of the meat was grayish, and it came with skin (the latter might be a preference for some). The rice was good, sort of sticky. The food was ready quickly. There's street parking around, paid and unpaid (the latter takes a few minutes, but was doable).
(3)
Jennifer E.
I've been to Sunshine more times than I can count. I always get the Nanban Yaki with tofu and it is always delicious. The cooks always prepare the tofu with just the right consistency and the spice is just right. The staff and service are excellent. I'm a regular and they always greet me warmly like I'm a part of their family. Highly recommend!
(5)
Katie M.
Stopped here for carryout after seeing the great reviews. I agree that ambiance is not the reason for coming here! But their udon definitely is! It was delicious! I live a half hour away and sped home nervous that my tempura would get soggy. I was delighted to see they packed the tempura separately. So thoughtful! Staff was friendly and helpful. Would definitely make the trip back down for the udon again.
(4)
Terry N.
If you're looking for authentic, home-style Japanese cooking you need to go to Sunshine. It's the place where Japanese-Americans go to get great Tempura, Tonkatsu, Sukiyaki, Udon or Yaki-soba. If you're looking for the latest or craziest made-up sushi you're in the wrong place. In fact, you can only get California maki if you want sushi. But like Renga-Tei in Lincolnwood, Sunshine is owned and run by Japanese-Americans so everything you order is like eating at our house.
(5)
Justin B.
The miso soup was the best thing I had last night, but if I go back I will stick to the things that my other friends thought were incredible (the udon, the pork, the beef). As is, the veggie tempura rice bowl (ten don?) was very plain, but the rice was tasty. The soup was strangely incredible; to say "I would go back for the miso" is weird, but accurate given what I tasted last night. A big thanks to the Sunshine staff for accommodating my group of nine adults and a baby. It was a little rowdy, but we tipped well. BYO means that you can pick up a King Cobra at the Jewel nearby...and you know what? King Cobra isn't as terrible as I remember from college.
(3)
Jim W.
Excellent food. Great service. Everyone is always friendly and polite. The only area for improvement is in the lighting. Harsh / overly bright fluorescent bulbs cut into the dining experience.
(4)
Travis P.
Great Japanese restaurant tucked away on the north side of chicago. The inari was a great start to the meal, the pickled ginger was also really good. The tankatsu was delicious, a great lean piece of pork. Great little place to take someone who hasn't had Japanese food and even better for someone who does love it! Had the cold soba noodles on a previous stop and that was really good as well. Plan on going back to try the hot soba soup. Caution, the spicy mustard has a serious horseradish style kick to it.
(4)
Laura T.
This is the spot for Japanese comfort food at a reasonable price. I don't think there's anything on the menu more than $13 and most items clock in around $8. It's a bargain. The exterior is a little scary in that Japanese kitsch way. The dusty hello kitty dolls beg your brain to lower your expectations and for god's sake, don't order raw fish. But once inside, you realize this is...authentic. The menu is focused. Primarily noodle dishes and apps. But wow. Each one of them are standout. Nothing much more to say. Super cheap. Super fresh. And the service is fairly quick. Just what you would want at this price point. The take out food is well packaged. No worries about your food being limp by the time you get it home. Tempura, etc. all arrived in fine shape.
(5)
Yvonne H.
This is THE place to go when you're not in the mood for sushi. What's great about Japanese homestyle cooking is that it's simple, yet delicious. My Japanese friends that have been here have said that this place reminds them of home. What I normally order: -Sukiyaki: Rather than a huge pot for everyone to share, this is a one person sukiyaki that really hits the spot during colder days. The broth is properly light and sweet here. I sometimes ask for extra noodles to go into my sukiyaki, and an extra bowl of rice too. See if you can get a raw egg to use as dip! -Katsudon: They give a huge piece of tonkatsu, cut up and covered in egg sauce, over soft short grain rice. They serve other great donburi's too, like the beef teri don. -Tendon/tempura/ten zaru soba: They give a good amount of tempura to go with/on your rice bowl or soba. If you get the soba, you're served a mentsuyu sauce to dip the noodles in. Make sure to mix the scallions and wasabi in! Great dish for the summer. -Potato croquettes: Basically balls (oval shaped) of mashed potato and fried. Use that sauce they give you. You can also ask for yakisoba (not on the menu), since they have the ingredients. They'll gladly make it for you, and it's pretty good too. The service is great. The owner's son will happily explain dishes to you and converse with you. Sometimes, my friends and I get extra rice or scoops of green tea ice cream on the house!
(5)
Annette Q.
I've now been here twice & this place does not disappoint! I've had the sukiyaki & now udon tempura. Delicious! I didn't even miss not having sushi. I'll definitely return again & again!
(5)
June K.
This is my favorite Japanese restaurant in Chicago. Family owned and amazing homestyle cuisine. Great prices and amazing staff. Not a sushi place. And if you think that's the only kind of Japanese food there is, you are seriously missing out.
(5)
Tina Z.
Pretty good food and excellent service. When we came we were able to choose a seat from any of the available tables. Then they quickly brought cups of water and hot tea which was really nice since it was freezing cold outside. I ordered the chicken teri don which is teriyaki chicken and medley of greens on a bed of rice. I had expected grilled chicken in teriyaki sauce but instead the chicken seemed to have been fried and was a little dry. The veggies were a nice compliment to the chicken and helped to offset how flavorful the sauce was. Overall a pretty good dish but not the best that I've had. My friend got unadon which was one of their specials and although I usually like eel, I was not a fan of how this one was made. It was similar to the chicken in my don but had a slight fishy taste. While I was there I noticed that they had a lot of large tables and not a lot of small ones which limits their flexibility when seating people. As a result, sometimes multiple couples will share a table but they always ask the relevant parties if it would be okay. They were also super nice about splitting the check. We each ordered a dish and wanted to split the appetizer three ways and they accommodated us. Five stars for service but three stars for food.
(4)
Ruki R.
I was on my way to Calo's (okay but won't be going back) to dine with friends and passed by Sunshine. I went the next day. It was so enjoyable and comfortable. The owner was very friendly and it seems to be a family run place with the older folks cooking. The only dish I remember having was Katsudon and it was very good. If you're looking for some trendy looking sushi place, this is not for you. It's relaxing, a neighborhood diner type place with good home style cooking. If I lived in Chicago I'd eat here at least twice a week.
(4)
DC G.
Good food. Casual Dining. Bad Lighting. You're not going to this place for the ambiance, but the food is good. The servers and clientele are all dressed casually (jeans, etc). There's fluorescent lighting and plastic dinner/silverware. The servers are genuinely friendly. I had the Vegetable Udon which I definitely enjoyed. My friend had the Chicken Katsu (I think). We also had a spinach/sesame-oil appetizer and a potato croquette thing. The potato croquette was little too much mush for me and the spinach wanted a little more vegetably resistance when biting in but the flavors are good. I'll probably try to re-create the spinach dish on my own but I'll go back for the Udon. :) Also it's BYOB and I don't think there was a corkage fee. They provided a corkscrew and wineglasses.
(4)
Kyla D.
Home style Japanese cooking like maybe a mom would make. The staff here is A+ and makes you feel warm and welcome each time you stop by. The food has a variety of flavors and profiles --- think everyday Japanese fare that isn't sushi. While the place itself looks a tad shabby, I think that the food, service, and low prices speak for themselves.
(5)
Ben C.
This is a great little cafe. I lived in Japan for a year when I was younger and this definitely takes me back there and reminds me of the food my host family would make. I particularly love the croquettes or "korroke" as the Japanese call it. The sauce that comes with them, also, I want to put it on absolutely everything. Lastly, this is one of the only places in Chicago that I have found Soba!!!!!! I can't stress enough how amazing this is!!! I go as often as I can! You will not regret coming here.
(5)
Horace L.
Solid food and service. It's a family restaurant usually filled with families. The food was good, if a bit light. Good noodles and dumplings.
(4)
Emily H.
pro: great atomosphere, authentic feel. food taste great, nicely presented and very flavourful, wait staff is very knowledgable and nice, BYOB con: portion is a bit on the low side, wasn't too full after a main course udon and 2 appetizers split among 4 people
(4)
Sophia M.
Food was delicious! I had the Udon and the broth was so good I wanted to pick up my bowl and slurp it. I would definitely go back again and I can't wait to take more people there. This place is really casual and BYOB so it's perfect for a chill night.
(5)
Shambavi K.
I was excited to try this place after missing the awesome Japanese cuisine when I lived in NYC. there was still a wait for 2 people even though it was a weeknight. It looked like a good sign. We ordered : Oyako don - slightly below par for me only because it was a bit sweet. the little gravy it had was all absorbed by the large quantity of rice it came with. Maybe i'd ask for for the rice on the side next time. -squid legs - pretty good. simple appetizer...similar to fried calamari -We also ordered some ramen, which I enjoyed more than the oyako don. I would not mind coming back to try the other dishes. I liked that it was small hole in the wall place. though it was the closest reminicent of NYC it was still not as close. I felt the lights were bit too bright to have a meal. Otherwise, i still consider this a solid joint.
(3)
Debra L.
You know a restaurant is good when it's jam-packed on a Tuesday night when the wind chill is 1 degree above zero. I'm not well versed in Japanese cuisine and usually get vegetable tempura. Our server was extremely kind and patient with us as he explained what menu items were, and answered our questions. He was also extremely helpful in helping me chose items that were vegan friendly. I decided on Vegetable Nanban Yaki. Which was a tasty assortment of stir fried vegetables and smooth as silk tofu cubes in a mild teriyaki like sauce. He also brought me a bowl of miso soup. I've never been a fan of miso soup but I decided to try it. It was amazing. It was flavorful, yet mild and less salty than other miso soups I've tried. My friend had a variety of sushi and loved everything she had. From outside this restaurant looks so unassuming, but step in and have dinner. The atmosphere is warm, the service is great and the food is fantastic. Plus it's a BYOB. I'm glad I tried this Andersonville gem.
(5)
Stephanie S.
Came here for a light dinner with my husband on a Sunday night. We ordered the hot soba w/veggies and the tempura udon. Both dishes were solid, but we had a few issues with our meal. Upon being seated, we were told they were out of the eggplant appetizer, 3+ hours prior to closing...perhaps buy more eggplant if you see you're running low? Wasn't too bummed as they weren't out of the potato croquettes, which I was most excited about. Sadly, those never made it to our table as they completely forgot we ordered them. Had to flag someone down to get our tea refilled and they forgot to do that, too. May have been excusable if they were crazy busy, but that was not the case. Solid 4 stars for food, 2 for everything else.
(3)
Samn R.
I'm not a huge fan of Chicago. It's usually cold, and windy... and when it's not, it's hot and humid... for about 2 months in the year. I am. however, a fan of food in Chicago. I am especially a fan of the Sunshine Cafe in Andersonville. This place is the absolute, most delicious, Japanese food place I have ever been to. It's hole-in-wall, family owned feeling/vibe you get when you walk in is precedent of what's to come, food-wise. Everything I ate here was delicious. I highly recommend the salmon, potato croquettes, agedashi tofu and eggplant appetizer. It is all cooked and flavored perfectly.
(5)
Penny L.
Good for the neighborhood. BYOB. Jewel-Osco nearby mix and pick 6 pack for $6.99, craft beers and ciders. Anchor stream beer only paired with "barbecue?" sauce. Wish I opened the Asahi. Arrived on a summer weekday before Independence Day. Available Paid street parking @4pm. Hosts/servers welcoming, attentive and polite. Clean dining room. Seats available to choose. Order came out quick and hot since wasn't busy. Fried food not greasy. Pork tender. Potato croquettes, hot fluffy goodness. Should have ordered more. Only two pieces in an order. Seasoning balanced on tonkatsu and salmon. Miso soup has a signature flavor. Udon noodles good texture and broth. Green tea not bitter. Price point good for family and frequent diners. Worthy of tipping more than 20%. Would go back if in the neighborhood.
(4)
Molly S.
We just had our second holiday party at Sunshine Cafe and I cannot say enough great things about the ambiance (think of your Japanese grandma's basement - don't have a Japanese grandma; this will make you wish you did), food (so deliciously homemade - noodles to die for, simple grilled veggies), and service (so accommodating to large groups of big drinkers). Everyone in our group of 19 was extremely happy and our bill was under $500 which is flabbergasting!
(5)
Daniella S.
I'm not an expert on Japanese cuisine but this place seems pretty authentic. Our waiter explained everything on the menu and recommended some personal favorites, which are now my favorites too. I remember specifically loving the stir fry, udon soup, croquettes and some other delicious plate with fried pork. I look forward to visiting again.
(5)
Kristina W.
I hate waiting at restaurants that don't take reservations, so I always just eat absurdly early to avoid the crowds. I went at 5:30pm tonight (a Saturday night) and thankfully my group of 5 friends and I were seated right away! Right from the start, the waiters were so friendly - they brought ice water and green tea for each one of us, and also gave us wine glasses for the BYOB wine that we brought. SO MANY beverage options. Onto the food.. between the 6 of us we got to try a few different dishes: the Gyoza, Potato Croquettes, Sukiyaki, Tempura Udon, and Chicken Udon. All of us loved everything we ordered - the homey Japanese food was perfect for the gloomy, rainy day. I think we all agreed that the standouts were the Potato Croquettes and the Sukiyaki - the croquettes were so soft and just melted in my mouth, and the dipping sauce was delicious too. the sukiyaki was one of the best I've had (and I'd had my fair share growing up in California and having visited Japan 4 times), being perfectly sweet and savory. I would highly recommend these 2 dishes! OVERALL: Order the Potato Croquettes & Sukiyaki. BYOB! I will definitely be back, since it's my new favorite authentic Japanese restaurant in the Chicago area!
(5)
Hannah H.
About a 2-2.5: I was ecstatic to find a restaurant in which it was described as a 'no frills authentic Japanese restaurant.' The menu itself had a list of appetizing food - we started off with the 6 pieces of gyozas; they were okay and had the typical filling of pork and vegetables. I also wanted to try out their pickled vegetables, Tsukemono, which is like Oshinko, but they ran out :( so, I ordered the Kinpiri Gobo, which is a braised burdock root - very tasty - crunchy, slightly pickled, and a little sweet! I really enjoyed these. For the entrees, I ordered the Beef and Vegetable Udon - it had tons of vegetables (such as the cabbage slices with its lettuce-like leaves) - the broth itself was okay, but it was more of a sweeter taste. I also ordered the Zaru Soba, which were cold buckwheat noodles topped with shredded nori seaweed that you dip into the soba sauce with sliced scallions (you put in yourself). My husband had the same udon as well with a side of donkatsu - the breaded fried pork cutlet itself was very dry, and the tonkatsu sauce itself was very thin and watery. The service was great, and the Japanese grandmas who serve you were very cute! This seems to be a very popular place and I'm glad I was able to try them out! +Kinpiri Gobo +friendly staff
(3)
Christa Lei S.
I went here on a date, and while the date didn't go well-- the food was great. It's not the best Japanese food I've ever had, but it's supposed to feel like old school Japanese home cooking. I was extremely homesick when I ate here, so it felt like home to me. :) As everyone stated, get the potato croquettes. It comes with dat bull-dog sauce (tonkatsu) that makes it taste so goooood. In any case, I got the sukiyaki. It's not like traditional sukiyaki, as it already comes cooked. They are also super small portions, but I really enjoyed the meal. It's definitely a comfort meal for someone who comes from a place in which Japanese food is readily available and varied. It also comes with a side of rice, which is awesome. I want to come back here because I didn't really get much of a taste of anything else. But I did enjoy coming here, and it's so nice and cozy on a winter's night. It's always crowded, so just be aware of that. :) While it's not the best cooking I've had-- it'll definitely remind you of obachan's cooking.
(4)
Rosa J.
Don't expect this place to be a chic or a trendy sushi spot. This a local mom and pop's place and serves Japanese down home-cooking. I ordered Sukiyaki. It was hearty, though the broth was a little too sweet for my taste. The service was a bit slow but still adequate. The owners' family and friends were there so they spent lots of time with them. It was fine by me since I'm normally self-sufficient as a customer. My husband loves edamame but their edamame was slightly bland and lacked seasoning. I think there are other menu items I will try next time when I'm in Andersonville. It will be a nice, cozy spot to have an udon when we, once again, encounter the unforgiving winter in the Midwest.
(4)
Tina L.
Wow, why did it take me so long to eat here? It's so close to my place. Let me tell you now, I am DEFINITELY coming back for more! It's a small restaurant, so make sure you go early to grab a table. For some reason, they only have large tables, so if you're a party of 2, they'll seat you at whatever table is available, whether it seats 4 or 6 people. I personally think it's not a very efficient use of space, because they could really maximize the space and serve more people... Anyway, one couple was nice enough to offer two seats at their 6-seater table, so we got seated after only 5 minutes of waiting. So all you people reading this review, if I'm ever sitting at a table that could definitely fit another group, especially if you're standing around waiting and hungry, I will gladly offer whatever seats are available at my table. Just don't invade my space or sneeze on me or my food please... They bring over hot green tea AND ice water right away. How awesome is that??!! I love starting off with something hot and then having ice water during / at the end of my meal, so this was perfect. Already off to a great start! Started off with the potato croquette: perfectly crispy on the outside, and hot and steamy on the inside. Careful, they're hot! Tempura udon: the tempura comes out separately, so if you like your tempura crispy, no need to worry about soggy tempura! Altho sometimes I like when the tempura soaks up all the yummy udon broth...but for the most part, I like my tempura fresh out of the fryer. The noodles were perfectly cooked, not too much, not too little. Katsudon: I used to always get this dish at Mitsuwa, but now I only get ramen noodles there. I've definitely missed having a good katsudon bowl! I'm glad I got it here, because it will now be my go-to place for katsudon. This place adds spinach (or something similar), which I've never had before in this dish, but I definitely like that it adds some color and a little extra for the flavor and texture of the meal.
(5)
Tom Z.
Good homely japanese fare. Prices are decent. Ordered Potato Croquettes- delicious, freshly fried, burned my tongue =( -octopus legs (calamari):Nothing too special but was fried well and price was appropriate -Don bowls: Beef and Chicken- Both meats were cooked well, but the proportion of meat to rice was not the best. More meat would have been great but the quality was on point. Came with Miso soup which was great.
(4)
Elaine M.
We have a couple of Mexican "dives" that we like to frequent regularly - they seem to be a dime a dozen. I never thought that I would find a Japanese place that falls into the same category but I am so happy that I have. Sunshine Cafe is warm, cozy and the perfect place to grab a bite when you want casual and comforting food. This place is popular and they don't take reservations so you can plan to wait a bit. Worth it! Decor is nothing to write home about but don't let that deter you. I don't know if it is a family run restaurant but it certainly feels like one! I went here on a Saturday night with my (adult) kids. We began our meal with the Potato Croquette freshly made Japanese-style mashed potatoes lightly breaded, deep-fried and served with a special tangy sauce. YUM! I had never had these before but will again. Then for my meal I had the vegetable and chicken udon. It was piping hot, huge and delicious. Just what I needed on an unseasonably cold November night. The kids both had the Teriyaki salmon which came with miso soup, rice and hot green tea. Both said it was delicious. At the end we all agreed that not only would we come back but we all want one of these in our own neighborhoods!
(5)
Lauren L.
Didn't want to have to pull this card but... I've lived in Japan, this is so much more than the sushi American stereotypical Japanese spot! Visited a friend who suggested this place as 'Japanese comfort food'. Spot on. The ambiance is a little bright... think Sunshine... but the food was unbelievable. We basically ordered a little of everything and brought our own sake, it was an amazing meal. Plus we closed the place down since we had so much food to keep eating. Must tries: - Potato croquettes (will burn your mouth.. caution) - Pork dumplings - Beef udon noodles - Teriyaki chicken - EVERYTHING ELSE! Cannot wait until my next visit specifically for this meal.
(5)
Kevan M.
Nuthin fancy just tasty Japanese comfort food served in a comfortable neighborhood and family-oriented restaurant. Affordable, simply prepared and presented. My wife and I arrived with a nice bottle of wine from a nearby shop and ordered the potato croquettes, cold buckwheat noodles and katsu don. We enjoyed all that we ordered. The buckwheat noodles had strips of nori along with wasabi and fresh green onions. The croquettes were soft and light in the center and crisp on the outside - quite tasty! My wife enjoyed her katsu don. This place seems to be run by a family. The service was adequate and hospitable. Although I felt like just another customer on just another night. The decor could be updated a bit. There's some old wood paneling on the walls and some faded fabric dividers between the kitchen and dining area. It's basic but it works. This is a solid spot for a neighborhood meal.
(4)
Amanda J.
Very good restaurant! Enjoyed the various options and fresh food. Very attentive wait staff.
(4)
Chris G.
Solid home style cooking. But much of it you can make at home just as good. Also the portions are kinda small.
(3)
Adam S.
Easiest 5-star review I've ever written. Very good food and even better service, at a price that'll make you forget you're in Chicago. We ate: - Special grilled eggplant appetizer, with a fantastic bbq/teriyaki/wasabi hybrid-type dipping sauce (more on that later) - Potato croquettes, a can't miss - Tempura udon - Grilled salmon entree w/ miso soup, radish, and pickled cucumber - Green tea included with the meal also Total cost = $29 including tax, $35 after tip Yes, you read that right. Not only was the most delicious meal that I've ever eaten in Chicago for that price, but I fell in love with the bbq/teriyaki/wasabi sauce mentioned above for the eggplant, and after a quick consultation with the kitchen, our waiter brought me a big tub of it to take home (for free). I don't live up in Andersonville so it was me and my wife's first time at this gem, but we'll be back as soon as physically possible. And if you find yourself up in that 'hood, you absolutely CAN'T MISS with this place.
(5)
Avery A.
Very pleased with the sunshine cafe. Great portion sizes and very inexpensive. They have the details down too (complimentary tea and miso soup were fantastic). Sunshine cafe is very much home-cooked Japanese food with a homey feel. I felt like i was eating in someone's house! (I mean this in a good way). I will definitely be coming back.
(4)
Len L.
Honestly, when I heard I was going to a sushi restaurant, the first thing that pops in my mind is specialty rolls. sashimi and loud music - NOT!. To my surprise, it was a pleasant dining experience - we ordered a veggie udon and chicken teriyaki as something simple, I did not see any sushi rolls that they offered but we had plenty when the food arrived. The udon was delicious, almost wanted to order another bowl. The chicken teriyaki was undesirable after eating the noodles. Chicken was dry and uneventful, the side salad that came with the meal was cold, I guess I was expecting the greens to be hot, The service was impeccable, the staff was super friendly, felt like they know you for a very long time. Would I come back, "Yes" for the Udon and the service.
(4)
Cheryl W.
I feel like I am in Japan when I walk in here. This is a no frills authentic Japanese restaurant. I have only had the croquettes and sukiyaki and both were spot on. I can't wait to come back to try the other things on the menu. Service is friendly and prices are reasonable.
This is my absolute favorite place to go in Chicago. It is homestyle Japanese food at it's finest. I am Japanese so I was raised on home cooked Japanese food, this is as good as it gets. They do not offer sushi except for a California roll to feed the masses but homestyle Japanese food restaurants usually do not offer sushi. Their Katsu-Donburi and Oyako-Donburi is delicious. They have their version of calimari that comes with a special coating as well as the best gyoza you will ever taste. Danny is one of the owners and is the nicest person you will ever meet. Once you step foot in this place you are treated like family, I have taken a lot of people here and not one person has ever said it was bad. If there were more stars available I would up the rating.
(5)
dessislava n.
Love this place! All I wish for is more sushi roll choices.
(5)
Gerry T.
The homestyle cooking was fine, we just missed the sushi and uni. However, the service was on target and our food was served quickly, the staff was attentive to our needs.
(3)
Yvonne O.
My father was friends with the owners of this place - as far back as when they used to run Cho Cho San, so I have grown up on Joni's cooking. I absolutely feel like this is one of the only places in the City that you can get authentic, country-style Japanese cooking. Like some of the other reviewers have pointed-out, Japanese food is so much more than sushi and chicekn teriyaki - so much so that people who are used to those offerings don't know what to make of the real stuff. I am so glad that the community has kept this place busy - it fills a much needed void in Japanese cooking out there! Definitely get the koroke if they are available - and the tempura (love that you can get chrysanthemum leaf in the tempura here) donburi if available. I also loved the seki-han that they made, although I don't know if it is on the menu now!
(5)
Scout A.
Sunshine, you are the jewel of Andersonville. Amazing food, wonderful staff... but please, please, please change your lighting. Even when I just walk by the fluorescent fixtures make me cringe. You have such a wonderful thing going. Just needs a slight makeover. Home Depot to the rescue?
(4)
Keesh C.
I have lived down the street from here for MOST of my life and never thought to stop in. After all, its indistinct exterior doesn't exactly scream "Come in! We have yummy, authentic Japanese food!" The interior is just as simple, but the food and service are definitely the stars of the show. For my first visit, I had Udon with Beef and Vegetables. It was VERY good. The broth had a sweet, comforting aroma and the vegetables were very hearty. I was hoping for a little bit more beef, but it was still really good. The service was friendly and very prompt. On a later visit, I had Saba Shioyaki- a broiled, salted Mackerel that comes with a small cucumber salad, rice, soy sauce and radish. I was even told how to eat it! Sweet! Again, great service and great food. Based on these reviews, I will try the Potato Croquettes next time.
(5)
Rex M.
Dan and the family at Sunshine-----hang in there! I'm waiting for your re-opening. I know the city can be picky about one thing or another, and I'm sure this MINOR reason will be worked out in no time at all. I miss my Chicken Teriyaki! Open up soon...... HURRY!!
(5)
Colin B.
An exercise in purity and restraint, truly japanese. The sukiyaki is absurdley good and I suspect they might make the broth with an organ meat or two. The soba cold is very good, and though the dressing of the noodles was well done I've had better quality noodles themselves, albeit not by much. Although not tried this time around I also recommend the eel and any whole fish.
(4)
Troy K.
Sushi does not make you a Japanese restaraunt. Sunshine is home cooking done right. My better half is from Nagasaki. Not a sushi fan. The owners are very welcoming and the food is better than we make it home. I am looking forward to going there again.
(3)
Michelle L.
Amazing homestyle eats. GREAT saba shio, salmon, and udon. Fresh, quality ingredients cooked to perfection. All homemade with love. Like having the obachan you never had make you dinner. I have been trying to find a similar place in Los Angeles, but nothing has come close thus far. I miss Sunshine Cafe!
(5)
Dan F.
Fifty reviews. Well son of a gun. It's been a long hard road, and I'm more than glad Sunshine Cafe could be my half century mark review. I have been reading about this place and walking by for so long, glad I finally got to make the trip. My fiancee and I went on a weekday, early. I always think this is a good time to go. It gives you an idea of the ebb and flow of the 'regular' dinner rush without compromising the service you receive. When we arrived, the only other diners were some elderly women who spent most of their meal trying to pronounce 'Hugh Jackman.' Charming, really. The food was, as advertised, filling and very comforting. We had the potato croquettes for a starter and I got the Katsu Don for my entree, swine flu be damned. The mix of breaded and fried pork cutlets, lightly cooked eggs, and perfectly steamed rice hit me right in the sweet spot. Whether they use MSG or not, I could give a hoot. This stuff left me with that rich protein buzz I crave from time to time. I was also supremely entertained by my fiancee's futile struggles with chop sticks. At one point (after the miso soup, before the entree), I thought she might snap the damn things in half and storm out. Luckily it was my birthday, and she had to follow MY orders. The service was prompt, but not too hovering. I kept hearing the guy running the place talking to the servers about doing it like they do "in real restaurants." I'm not sure how they used to do it, but I have a feeling it's the Japanese comfort food putting butts in the seats, not the attentive service. Sunshine Cafe, you have not seen the last of me. P.S. BYOB! Booya.
(4)
Matthew W.
This was the third time we had eaten at Sunshine Cafe. The first two were great. The food is good, prices are reasonable. The Katsu Don is very good. There are only 2 people who work here. The cook, who is a nice older Japanese lady, who gives you cookies (not fortune or almond cookies, but freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookies) and what I assume is, her son. Her son, who when my girlfriend asked if she "could have some more water when he had a chance", replied "Ugh, WHEN I GET AROUND TO IT!". Look, I realize that you are busy, but if it's too much to handle, HIRE ANOTHER SERVER. Here's a tip. No matter how good your food is, if you treat people like sh*t, they won't be coming back.
(2)
C C.
This place is like eating at home. The staff make you feel like you've always been there for years. The food is amazing--especially the famous potato croquettes and the secret sauce. We've eaten just about everything on the menu and they are all delicious.
(5)
Heather I.
Yum! Great food, good prices in a unpretentious setting. Hooray!
(5)
Joe T.
Before leaving Chicago, my GF wanted us to dine somewhere inexpensive and unique. I wanted to avoid congestion downtown and find a gem tucked away in a cozy Northside neighborhood where we could park for a couple of dollars right in front of our eatery. Sunshine Cafe was a check on all counts, as it's uncommon Japanese homestyle restaurant between the Andersonville and Edgewater neighborhoods. It is a modest place, minimal decor - yet cozy and welcoming in its humility. The service was excellent - though the manager and waiter were the only 2 employees on the floor of this small, casual Japanese diner, we felt like they were always there when we needed them. They had such a friendly, serving attitude, and were ready to give their recommendations on what to try as newcomers. Also, being a free BYOB venue with no corking fee was awesome. We enjoyed our own bottle of wine, with house provided wine glasses & corker. I absolutely heart BYOB in Chicago. We need that in metro Detroit. If you're American and you think of Japanese food, you think Japanese steakhouse and Sushi first. This is neither. These guys serve up hot, traditional everyday dishes like Sukiyaki. My GF and I both ordered potato croquettes to appetize, think hot potato pancakes, crispy breaded on the outside, soft potato on the inside, not greasy - in the shape of a big cutlet. A nice miso-type soup with a thick broth and good amount of tofu came out before our dinners, as well as hot tea. For dinner, we ordered the classic Sukiyaki with beef, and it came out piping hot and fresh, with plenty of rice noodles, tender cooked tofu pieces, vegetables (cabbage, spinach, etc.), and a rather modest portion of about 4 oz. of thinly sliced, flavorful beef - all in the same hot metal dish it was made in. The broth was rather sweet, but paired well with some Sriracha to make a spicy-sweet broth. While there was plenty of broth, I would not call this dish a soup. This was a healthy, palate cleansing type meal. There was really nothing bad for you in it, and it left me satisfied without feeling heavy at all. Overall, an awesome experience of traditional, homestyle Japanese food. I highly recommend this place in the winter. You can warm up with some BYOB vino, hot tea, soup, and piping hot dishes like Sukiyaki. I seriously felt less of the biting chill of the Windy City after walking outta here! A cozy, healthy, and inexpensive place for a truly unique cuisine. The bill came out to about just $50 for 4 of us. My only gripe, enough to reduce a single star, is the modest FDA-recommended 4oz. portion of beef in the dish. At $10.50 I would hope for a plus size of at least 6 oz. This may not bug most people, but I have been (and always will be) a stickler for meat portions in my food, especially at independent owned corner spots like this. Luckily, the plentiful tofu alleviated some of my disappointment in the lack of beef protein.
(4)
John C.
Various teriyaki dinner options which are all really good. I usually get the chicken teriyaki, my wife loves their beef teriyaki, and the shrimp/vegetable tempura is pretty good as well. You will get great friendly service, the dining area is small but we have not waited longer than 20 minutes, and I have been coming here for the last 10 years. Good food with reasonable prices.
(4)
Andy K.
Sushi is certainly delicious, but there's more to Japanese food then raw fish! Sunshine Cafe IS the place to go for authentic Japanese home cookin. And there's no other place in the city that comes even close. You can see the adorable Japanese grandmas in the small back kitchen as proof this is food made with love! Sunshine's cuisine captures what IMO is the beauty of Japanese food -- beautiful minimalistic, artistically nuanced and a perfect harmony of flavors. You probably have experienced this with well-made, fresh sushi, but at Sunshine you can experience it with hearty, homestyle dishes like Sukiyaki (my favorite on the menu: sweet beef with tofu and vegetables) and Soba Noodles, cold buckwheat noodles in a wasabi dipping sauce. And I'm not a big fan of Udon noodles in general, but I will eat Sunshine's, the broth is fantastic. The potato croquettes, as many reviewers noted, are fantastic and be on the look out for the occasional grilled egg plant special -- it is fresh and tasty. And icing on the cake (or should I say the dipping sauce on the potato croquette) is that Sunshine is very inexpensive, entrees being around 10 bucks. For big eaters like me, the portions are not huge but I can honestly say that after eating there somewhere around 10 times, I've never left dissatisfied. Remember Sunshine is BYOB so take be sure to advantage with a cold glass of Sapporo or bottle of Sake. And please make sure you say hello to Dan, who is honest-to-God one of the nicest fellas I've ever met at a restaurant, and I've been to many. Sunshine Cafe has been a gathering place for the Japanese American community in Chicago for decades with its deliciously authentic food and attentive service. Don't you want to experience that for yourself?
(5)
Tyrell C.
For traditional Japanese comfort food in Chicago, look no further! Sunshine Cafe is the perfect place for a bad day. You know those days, where work sucks, you can't find a seat on the CTA, and winter is in full effect? You will feel much better after enjoying a some potato croquettes followed by a big order of Sukiyaki. The quality of your life will improve exponentially as you digest these, the most tastey of hot Japanese dishes. All items are delicious (particularly the ton katsu or udon), but you could eat only the Sukiyaki and Croquettes on every visit and never get tired of it. Seriously, the sauce they serve with the Croquettes is like some type of drug. To top it all off, they are extremely friendly and usually getting a seat is not impossible. Journey north on Clark to this homey joint and you'll thank me later.
(4)
Edward A.
We having been going to Sunshine for around seven years. I was delighted with the simple and excellent home-style cooking, and commented to my wife that this was "Grandma cooking". I got an odd look from the young man who managed the place. He came by later and explained that, in fact, his grandmother DID supervise the kitchen! We later had the pleasure of meeting this tiny, smiling lady on an evening when the waitstaff was short handed. May she live one hundred years!
(5)
A G.
Perfect at what it does. Delicious Japanese home cooking. Inexpensive, casual, and nice service. Will definitely go back.
(5)
Dave D.
fantastic Japanese home style cooking. Like Japanede food was before air freight brought sushi to Chicago
(5)
Kevin A.
OKAERINASAI (WELCOME HOME) That's exactly how I feel when I walk into Sunshine Cafe, like I've just returned home from a long journey and that my obaachan has prepared a home-cooked meal of all my favorite dishes just for me. Completely absent are the ultra-lounge vibe and the obscene mishmash of Pier 1 faux-Asian pseudo-cultural artifacts. In its place, dated yet strangely comforting wood paneling, smiling faces, and quite simply THE BEST home style Japanese food in the city. I recently took a friend here who had just returned from five years of teaching in Japan and was suffering from Japan withdrawal and reverse culture shock. When she took her first bite of kimpira gobo, she was instantly transported back to the country she had grown to love and for a moment I thought she was going to cry. It even made me a little homesick for the Japanese restaurants in Hawaii, at which point our server, upon learning of my homeland, put on some Israel Kamakawiwo'ole on the stereo. He even brought the owner out so we could converse with her in Japanese. How cool is that? Such is the power of food, especially food prepared and served with love. Everything here is just as it was meant to be. Miso soup with homemade dashi, simmering sukiyaki with a cool raw egg (upon request), and the always comforting katsudon. Sunshine Cafe is an absolute treasure.
(5)
Laila C.
I love grilled mackerel! I love grilled mackerel at Sunshine!! Yum yum yum! Super crispy and flavorful outside. A very generous portion with rice! The grilled salmon is also delicious, although a little fattier. They don't serve sushi, but their california roll is actually quite delicious-very different from generic ones everywhere else. The eel dinner is also delicious, also VERY generous, huge portions of eel. But if you go to Sunshine, you HAVE to try the mackerel!!! Everyone that works there is super nice and so polite! It's a great quiet place to have a relaxing and soul satisfying dinner. Also the fact that it's super affordable Japanese food is just a miracle!
(5)
Yvonne Y.
Wow, we came on a Sunday evening and if you don't arrive by 5pm, you'll have to wait for a table. Excellent potato croquettes, grilled eggplantwith freshly grated ginger and special sauce, katsu donburi and saba shioyaki. Flavor is just right and you're supposed to use just a bit of any sauce that comes with it. Will definitely be back. The owner is very friendly!
(5)
Marlon V.
Good food at a reasonable price. It's close to home & staff was super friendly. Very cosy looking spot. Walked in to the restaurant & it had a home-y feel & I sense it was going to be good. Potato croquettes w/ the special sauce was good. The chicken udon was good. I loved the mackerel, if I had some nori wrap on the side with the rice - it would be over. Delicious food & can't wait to go back.
(4)
Joyce C.
I love the food here. It really is like home cooked food. The decor is totally like my mom's basement from the 70's though, with the paneling and everything. We've been here twice and I think our second experience was better. The first time went we had the calamari legs to start and those were a little overcooked but had a good breading and good taste. I had the sukiyaki and my husband had the katsu. Both were good, with generous portions. The second time we came, it was a chilly fall night. We had the squid again and also the gyoza. The gyoza was definitely home made and the sauce that comes with it is super spicy. My husband had the pork udon, while I had the broiled mackerel. I don't usually like mackerel because I think it's stinky, but I guess I was in the mood for some super oily stinky salty fish because this TOTALLY hit the mark for me. YUM!! Only downside of this dish is that it did come with some bones, but I knew that going in so I looked out for them. My husband's udon had a good broth, but the noodles were cooked a little past al dente toward the mushy side. However, both of us ended up getting exactly what we wanted, and it was a tasty meal homey meal for a cold night. And two apps with two entrees = $30!! I will be back soon!!
(4)
Patrick S.
You know a place is fucking prime when it gets closed down by the health department and it still has a 4.5 a half star average Yelp review.
(5)
Cynthia N.
The food was good and hearty, the service was exceptional! We ordered potato croquettes (crispy Panko breaded, inside fluffy mashed potatoes--what's not to love?!) edamame for our son, sukiyaki for me and tempura udon for my husband. It was all delicious. Nothing fancy, just homey, comforting food. The owner brought some complimentary tofu for my son, just to be nice. It's gestures like that that make me remember a restaurant and bring my friends. We'll be back.
(4)
Amanda A.
Solid. Soothing. Steaming. Shall I continue? I've been here so many times, but never bothered with writing a review. (Does anyone else find that they never actually _think_ to Yelp about the places that became a routine part of their being long before this site existed?) On my last visit, the standard: vegetable udon + shrimp shumai. I don't know why I continue to order shumai at any establishment, as I find my delight only in the texture, but rarely in the taste. Same here, but it was perfectly passable. Per usual, the udon broth was well-balanced, tofu satisfying and just firm enough...lots of vegetables swimming happily about.
(4)
Jocelynne G.
The food here is great! I loved how tender and crunchy the pork cutlet was, my friend ordered sukiyaki and it was delicious. Why is the tempura 13$ though? Oh well... I wasn't going to order it anyway. I can't wait to come back. This place is so cozy!
(5)
Kenny T.
After living in Lakeview, I'm always hesitant to try any kind of Asian place on a whim lest they be 'fusion'-y, over priced, dirty, or too obsessed with frills. But this place said 'Homestyle Japanese food' and when my gf and I were looking at the menu a family came out and the father told us he recommended it. The kids laughed and nodded so we went in. I am so glad we did. It's got a cute, unassuming interior and the waitstaff was probably the nicest I've ever had in the city. We tried the potato croquettes and they were amazing. The sauce was totally delicious and they gave you a perfect serving. I ordered the udon and my gf got the veggie soba and when they were brought, it was in two giant steaming bowls. They were so good and filling. Just simple and unlike other udon I've had- not greasy or overly watery. This place is worth a try- yummy, simple, tasty Japanese food that is good any time, any day and at a really decent price. Our main course was only 8 bucks! To top it off, they serve hot fresh green tea and their green tea ice cream was amazing. We will be back for sure. The only downside is that they are closed on Monday.
(5)
Maxwell C.
So, have you ever had a day at work where your boss yells at you? You print something and the printer decides that you need 100x more than you printed and everyone in the office is calling you an environmental disaster? And you just want to have a great home cooked meal from your asian mom but then you realized she's not here... and that you're not asian? If so, then this is the place for you! This is a great mom and pop shop that cooks up authentic Japanese home food. You won't find your shitty Lincoln Park sushi stuff here. Go away LP sushi. You'll find soba, udon, katsudon, and gyoza. Everything I have ordered there is great, but hands down, they have the best Katsudon in Chicago. And if you don't know what Katsudon is, you best get yourself there right now and order one. It is heaven... in a bowl. I can't say enough about how much I love this place. You'll feel like you're transported to Japan.
(5)
Patrick R.
I've lived off Clark Street for three years and haven't yet ventured in Sunshine. Friends have sung its praises for at least as long, so my wife and I dined there earlier this week. During the walk through the snowy sidewalks, I had visions of ordering up a mug of green tea to enjoy before my meal. Imagine my surprise when we sat down and were greeted by a waiter bearing water AND green tea, without us even having to ask. I warmed up with green tea and ordered the beef curry special, and my wife had the chicken teri don (huge bowl of chicken chunks over rice and lettuce). Our meal was hot, simple and filling --exactly what I'd heard from friends who had dined here. I had the leftovers for lunch today. One sidenote: our waiter was very helpful in explaining what each dish consisted of, as well as how to mix the various ingredients together. In fact, he seemed to default to a "these folks probably have more questions than answers" mode when he approached us, which was really refreshing. He made little jokes about the menu, suggested items, advised us on what was spicy --all with very little encouraging or questioning from us.
(4)
Ryan R.
The absolute best bowl of udon in the city. Everything I have tried at this restaurant is really tasty. I am aware that this place was recently closed by the health department. While I appreciate some of the other commentors concerns I have a few comments of my own. I have owned restaurants before. None of my restaurants were ever closed by the health department but I know other owners who were closed. It is true that it often takes an egregious offense to draw the health departments sanction. However, Sometimes it is as simple as an equipment failure that was discovered during an inspection. Other times it is as simple as an infestation that has migrated from another neighboring storefront or from the alley. While this may sound gross it really happens all the time. In my restaurants, I used to pay for extermination in the neighboring storefronts just to be sure I didnt get a migrating infestation. Point is, take some of these negative comments with a grain of salt. The restaurant was only closed for a week or so. I seriously doubt the offense was dangerous. Furthermore, it is very difficult to reopen after a sanction. The fact that they were allowed to reopen should speak for itself. And no. I do not know the owners. I just enjoy the food. And will continue to go back.
(5)
Jiyoun B.
Authentic Japanese home cooking. Even the decor matches the food. It feels like going to one of your old aunt's house with the back-then fashionable (were they ever fashionable?) wood paneling. They have the best potato croquettes (ko-ro-ke) ever! Creamy, smooth filling matched with crunchy outside... kinda like deep fried mashed potatoes. I guess that's what they are essentially. They sometimes have perfectly seasoned kimpira~ a root veggie that you don't find easily at a restaurant anymore. Don't go here for any raw fish cuz they won't have any. Do go here for any udon or donburi (so good). Things maybe a little too sweet or salty but that's Japanese food for ya! People who work here are pretty friendly and more than willing to explain their dish. I've passed by this place thousands of times and it's unpredictable when they are open. But that's okay, I'll catch them when they do open! You'll find lots of older Japanese patrons here but I'd take that as a good sign. Not much of a date place unless you go to restaurants for quality of food and for not ambiance.
(5)
Boon K.
I love the family feel of this place and it is very traditional. Great service and very friendly. Good price point. The udon noodle soup is good and the chicken Katsu. This is my to-go place for my japanese comfort warm meal.
(4)
Rinko E.
I would like to say TADAIMA~!!!!!! (I'm home!) when I come here. I have been to Sunshine Cafe twice, and this place is the complete package: cheap, home-style, uncomplicated Japanese comfort food, friendly staff, and BYOB. Tendon (Tempuras and sauce over a bowl of rice) and potato croquettes are my favorite, but my friends love Tempura Udon noodles and Sukiyaki. Seems like this place has been in business forever, and I hope they stay open for many many many more years to come. It's good to have a Japanese "home" when you are miles away from your family.
(5)
Aurore L.
So for a little while yesterday I entertained the illusion that I was Japanese. Yes it requires a little bit of imagination...... I've got plenty. Thank you very much. Sunshine Cafe. Perfect place to spend the end of the only sunny afternoon we had since the beginning of the year (or so it seems). Perfect place to warm up your body and soul. Perfect place to escape the sound and fury of National Football Day. (A more southern location would definitely add the finishing touch to the perfection. But it's not only their fault is we are 107 blocks apart....I have my share of responsibility.) When we enter the place at 4 we are with family. Some are reading the news, others are watching TV. A lively discussion is going on. The place looks non-assuming, plain and old-fashioned. No frills, no fuss, no dainty decor or cute little details. We are in your Japanese grandma (big) dining room, and she is stuck in the past. You don't really care because you love your grandma; not her furniture. And you love your grandma because she kicks ass in the kitchen. Your grandpa agrees. His first love?!?!? Potato croquettes. Everybody is talking about them with reason: these are comfort food if there has been any. Crunchy-melty, they are succulent topped with the accompanying sauce (reminiscent of a sweet mustard...SO good) They come in pair and you really have to struggle hard not to order another one. You can get instead inari sushi: sushi rice stuffed in small pouches of deep fried tofu. Sweet and delicious. Yum, nom, gulp. The katsudon is another shining star for sure. A balmy bowl of satisfaction, zen style (even Mike Jagger would calm down and stop his hip undulations to sit down and eat). Sticky rice, breaded pork, egg, onions - stir-fried in soy sauce happiness. The result is beyond good; the saltiness is so pleasant that you cannot stop eating, even if you are already full. That's the magic. I sat there, eating, drinking matcha tea, listening to soothing traditional music, chatting with the lovely waitress about the differences between football, soccer and rugby. Should have talked about sumos and baseball.... Next time.
(4)
Christine L.
This is my favorite home-style Japanese restaurant in Chicago! Pork udon is the ultimate comfort food. I lived in Asia, and this restaurant always makes me homesick.
(5)
Reuben H.
The restaurant industry today has been trending towards going back to basics. It amazes me how hyped up people get over relatively simple dishes, flavors and ingredients (myself included). If one had to analyze what this says about society one could draw up various conclusions. Still the fact remains- people want to feel comfortable with what they eat and have some sense of familiarity with the food or the dining experience. The latest trend that has now become its own genre is "new-American" and is based around a revamping of traditional, home-style dishes that come from the somewhat short history of the great melting pot most of us call home. Couple that tradition with a sense of "fine dining" spin in plating and presentation, while usually involving seasonal, fresh ingredients. That fancy plating and presentation technique brings you classic favorites like mac 'n cheese in cylindrical form, with a healthy does of organic butternut squash and artisinal cheese and silken tofu (locally produced of course) laced in as an example. It has us feasting with our eyes before it even hits our sense of smell, taste and touch (texture people!). The all-American hamburger is another example of this simple sandwich that has been revived (as if it were dying in the first place) in all areas of the restaurant world and with incredibly refined results in many cases. This revived look at American dining (Chicago being one of the leading markets for this concept) brought me to wonder whether the same concept is happening at "ethnic" restaurants. That is where I realized that what we typically associate with "Japanese" food is raw fish-based. To think that an overwhelming majority of Japanese only eat raw fish for just about every meal is absurd. Yet if you go around to the overwhelming majority of Japanese restaurants here in Chicago, and that is exactly what you will find for an overwhelming majority of the menu items. This is precisely why you NEED to come to places like Sunshine Cafe which has a small menu, yet a representation of what is probably more "real" about Japanese cuisine. Good old-fashioned, down home, mama's in the kitchen type of cooking. Yet, this is where the disconnect with the new-American style joint that is happening all around us (and one that I am a big fan of) begins. Not only because Japanese food is, well- Japanese and therefore different from American, because that is obvious; but because the plating isn't going to be anything special. What you get: a bowl of food. Simple, and yet complex, because like the awesome old-school flavors being served up in a lot of the new-American places: they are bold, comforting, and somehow familiar. Two must-get items: potato croquettes (doesn't sound very Japanese, but they are glorious- fried panko-encased mashed potatoes pillows) and ketsudon (fried pork medallions mixed in with caramelized onions, wilted spinach, sauce all served on a bed of sticky rice). We also tried the beef udon. Good, but not the best in Chicago (which so far, oddly enough, the best we have had is out in the suburbs). Still, a bowl of those noodles in that benito broth is enough to turn a drab day into a cozy one. Here you are bound to get a carb-laced, hearty meal. Absolutely perfect for a cold winter's day! Rich flavors, in an old-world style dining room amongst family. Warm, welcoming and most importantly- familiar. So while the hippest of the new-age restaurants follow through on the latest trend, or try to highlight the fresh seasonal ingredient of the week or month, try to remember that these restaurants and their dishes need to be able to stand the test of time to truly be rated appropriately. After all, it is the flavor and the level of satisfaction the dining experience gives you that really matters, right? Sunshine Cafe's dishes are a terrific litmus test for any of these new-American restaurants. In the end, the food has got to be right!
(4)
Jim S.
The squid appetizer was amazing. Delicious, perfectly fried. Sukiyaki was tasty, homey, and practically licked the plate clean. Tonkatsu was tender and just plain yummy. Pork Udon shined... I'd happily eat any and all again and again. Even the tea was great. It isn't haute cuisine, this is comfort food... and would be an excellent place to visit for a first timer. The owner and servers were incredibly friendly.
(5)
Jessica G.
Wonderful little restaurant. The food is simple and delicious - Japanese comfort food at it's best. My friend, Lindsay J., swears by the potato croquettes. My favourites are the Unagi Don (delectable!), the salmon teriyaki (phenomenal!), and the sukiyaki (outstanding!). I was a little less fond of the Pork Katsu, mostly because I was expecting a lighter breading instead of the heavy, deep fried nuggets of meat. Very tasty, but I'd order it again as a table dish to split - it's too heavy and rich for my entire meal. I love this place. Friendly, honest, delicious food.
(5)
Theresa S.
It's cold and rainy. I'm pregnant, he's grumpy. No one's cooking tonight. To Sunshine Cafe we go. 1.) BYOB - helps his mood. 2.) Hot green tea - helps mine. 3.) The food: Potato croquettes Shumai Ten don Hot soba with pork Green tea ice cream Everything was perfect! The wasabi mixture that comes with the shumai knocked my socks off initially, but I just needed to do a smaller dip. And the sauce that comes in those stock 50's diner syrup containers...well, it was half empty (half full?) by the time we left the table. It's delicious on everything! The potato croquettes and tempura weren't greasy at all - as is the tendency of deep fried foods - and honestly, we have no complaints. We had even warmed up so much we shared ice cream at the end of the meal. 4.) The staff: SO NICE. Made us feel so welcome. No complaints - try it out!
(5)
Steve S.
Good Japanese food, friendly staff. I haven't had food like this since I lived in Japan! It is, however, a bit overpriced, and the decor needs a lot of work - but the food is deliciously authentic.
(4)
Janet W.
Affordable, delicious Japanese comfort food. Which, as I discovered, is any kind of Japanese food that I could think of excluding sushi. This place has the best katsu I've ever had. The noodle soups are pretty good. I haven't had anything quite like their potato croquettes before, but they were scrumptious. The service was okay. I've been here a couple of times and was serviced by the same waiter. It's a very casual place and the waiter tried to engage us in conversation. Friendly folks. Good place to go with close friends and be comforted.
(5)
Hannah E.
This place smells like the seventies and it kinda freaks me out, but holy comfort food, Batman! For some reason, despite the fact that I am entirely northern European genetically, my body has decided that when it is depressed it wants to eat agedashi, tonkatsu donburi bowls, and buckwheat noodles with wasabi and scallions. So this should be the perfect place for me. And admittedly it is pretty good. What it's best at is everything without fish. The katsu don and the tonkatsu dinner are both hearty - and the fill-up is not all in the rice. There are tons of pieces of juicy, lightly breaded pork, and onions and green vegetables popping up everywhere. The potato croquettes are a delight - like pure deep fried mashed potatoes. And the zaru soba is cooked exactly how it should be, with a nice deep well of dipping sauce for dipping and slurping and splattering sauce everywhere. However, both times I've had seafood here I haven't been impressed. The tempura shrimp that came with the ten zaru soba tasted like chlorine bleach - Dan spit his out and I, stupidly, ate mine. (To no ill effect, but still: nasty.) The calamari was fried in old oil and it certainly tasted like it - stale rubber. So stick to the simple stuff, stay away from the seafood, banter with the insanely friendly servers, and enjoy.
(3)
Lynn D.
Sunshine had reopened when we ate dinner there Feb. 3 and it was one of the best dining experiences I've had in Chicago. It is truly homestyle Japanese cooking -- like sitting in your mama's kitchen. If you've ever experienced real Japanese meals as eaten by real Japanese people, this will make you weep with joy. I had the salmon (lightly salted as traditionally prepared) and it was a big piece for a very affordable price. The tsukemono is crispy without being too vinegary or tart, the musubi is big enough to eat as a meal by itself, and the gyoza sauce is to die for; someone snagged the leftovers and poured it over their rice. The miso soup is like homemade. If you love sushi and want sleek ambiance, don't come here. (There's only one sushi entree and why would you order it anyway with all the other fantastic choices?) Sunshine is not for you if you need to impress by paying a big bill in a fancy joint. But if you've lived in Japan, grown up in a Japanese family, or want to sample what everyday Japanese folks eat in their own homes, definitely make time for Sunshine. Although they don't have a liquor license, they're incredibly accommodating by bringing you wine or beer glasses and bottle openers. The staff are all lovely people and earnestly try to please. As an out-of-towner, I will make it a point to eat at Sunshine every time I'm in Chicago.
(5)
Minna A.
I'm still new the the neighborhood, I had no idea near nothing was open on Sunday afternoons! I stumbled onto Clark with my friend, hoping to find a semi-decent place for cheap to have dinner. Thank you yelp app (and the monocle function!) for making my life complete, for we came across the lovely sunshine cafe. FIRST of all, the waitress here is so incredibly nice. I would come back just for the awesome service! Prices are really great, and food seems really authentic! I wish we had gotten the potato croquettes, b/c they sound awesome! My friend ordered the tempura udon. Apparently they were good because he refused to share and finished every last drop! I had the sukiyaki, which was awesome. Being Korean, I love eating hot soupy foods (especially spicy ones!) in the summer. Sounds strange but hot broth in hot weather is actually a winning combo :) This place is awesome, and I can't wait to come back and try the other things on their menu! (Katsu Don, i'm headed your way....)
(5)
Annie R.
A homey restaurant with great authentic Japanese food! Only way they can be even better is a bigger place or a bigger menu! Because of the smaller size of the restaurant and limited staff, there may be a bit of a wait. But, it's BYOB so maybe that will be good during the wait. I ordered the Chicken Katsu and was very happy with a great combination of flavor and texture of the Chicken. Pairing it with rice and the soupy egg was extra delish! My friend who recently visited Japan attested to the pretty much authentic Japanese food, and she loves it! We will definitely visit again, especially with such great prices!
MY NEW FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT. Seriously, the staff at this place is amazing. I am a vegetarian and went here with a group of friends (who were all relatively unfamiliar to Japanese cuisine) and our waiter was so helpful in guiding each of our individual tastes and even made some really crazy substitutions for us. The food was just as great as the service (get the potato croquettes -- UNREAL.) I will absolutely be back!
(5)
Tara R.
Delicious food, wonderful service, BYOB and great company make dinner at the Sunshine Cafe a joyous experience. We waited all of five minutes for a table. Yeah, we saw that there were a few empty ones but the restaurant seemed to get busy right when we walked in and there were just a couple servers. The manager apologized several times for the wait and then took care of us the rest of our visit. After immediately bringing hot green tea, he promptly took our appetizer order. We had just enough time to run across the street for a bottle of wine before he brought the pickled vegetables and the potato croquette. Oh, that croquette. It was like a deep fried potato cloud. Chopsticks cut those babies like butter, yet they were strong enough to be dipped again and again in the spicy brown sauce accompaniment. I ordered broiled salmon, which came with miso soup and rice - pretty great deal for nine-fitty in the city! The salmon was perfectly cooked. Crispy skin, tender flesh, minimally spiced but perfectly satisfying on its own. But it was even more delicious with the shredded white radish garnish and a squirt of lemon (much thanks to our awesome waiter for that tip). Speaking of our awesome waiter, he brought us a second order of potato croquette on the house, as well as some freebie green tea ice cream. That was the best service experience in a long time. Next time I visit my friends in that neighborhood, I will definitely be going back.
(5)
Chris C.
This place is great. The perfect place to check out on a cold winter night. That atmosphere may displease some, but I like the simplicity of it. It adds to the homey atmosphere. Really good Japanese comfort food. I've been three times now and I always have inner struggle on what to order. So many good options. Seeing other peoples food going by only makes it more difficult. So there is only one solution... keep going until I've had everything! Go check it out, but don't take the last table, in case I need it.
(5)
Katie T.
We came here for my dad's birthday and it was a wonderful experience. First of all, BYOB and no cork fee which was great. The waiter (named Daniel) was the sweetest guy ever, gave us extra fried calamari because we were a family of five and one order wasn't enough. For food, we got a bunch of stuff from the menu: my sister and I had the udon which was pretty standard, my mom the soba which was less fresh than she would have liked, my brother the katsu don which was delicious! Highly recommend. And then my dad, birthday boy got the special noodles on the menu that came with rice; the broth was amazing. If it wasn't so far north, I would definitely come to this place all the time. Very homey and comfortable!
(4)
Alf O.
Nothing not to like here. The food is fantastic, and varied, so you're sure to be able to find something appealing. Every dish I've tried there could have been the restaurant's signature dish. Also, who doesn't love the owners of this place? I think this restaurant may be my all time pleasant surprise finds.
(5)
Aaron K.
I was taken here Sunday by a friend and left feeling stupid for not eating here sooner! Sunshine Cafe serves wonderful home-style Japanese food prepared at the highest level. Looking around, this place was packed for 8:30 on a Sunday night (my party of 2 was seated at a table for 6) and yet rather quiet. The simple and obvious explanation came from the food. Now I could gush about the pork or smelt or unagi, but the real star of the show is the rice. Perfect rice, or as I call is chopstick rice, is so elusive. Light, fluffy, and sticky enough to pick up large balls with chopsticks without being gluey, fuzzy and glutinous, the rice here has it all. In fact, I would come back for a bowl of rice alone. Amazing. My friend, who comes here often, says this is always the case. Wow....even with a rice cooker I can't manage this level of perfection time-in and time-out. Sunshine Cafe is a steal with dishes in the $10-15 range. You could easily spend 2-3 times the price without finding this level of dedication to consistently excellent food.
This is my new favorite noodle place!!! It's an intimate restaurant, bare essentials and no real decor, they know that you are coming for the best japanese food around! The food is fresh and delicious. Be prepared to wait and definiately no attitudes here. The staff just warmly greets you as you walk in, I highly recommend ordering the Potatoe Croquettes to start - I had dreams about those stuffed pockets all week-end. I ordered the veggie and beef udon - sooo good! Slurped and enjoyed the meal tremendously! I will be back and probably will become a regular!
(5)
Christine F.
Oh my God. I can't believe I live a few blocks from this place. I live in the neighborhood of magical food. Anyway, me and my husband dashed to get here asap, since it's small and lines form early. We waited around 20-30 minutes to be seated, and were immediately treated to some hot green tea. We opened our bottle of wine and feasted our eyes on the menu. The udon seemed appealing to me, though it was unseasonably warm out (60's in November!) so I decided on the tempura, and my husband got the beef udon. We also ordered shrimp shumai and potato croquettes. The potato croquettes are basically, deep fried mashed potatoes with a panko breading...the potatoes are smooth and velvety and soo good. It came with a sweet sauce that left a slight bite on the nose at the end. The shrimp shumai came with a VERY hot mustard sauce, and were also delicious. The main courses didn't disappoint. My tempura consisted of shrimp, acorn squash, eggplant, sweet potato, and green bean. It was delicious and had a light, soy based sauce for dipping. My husband loved his beef udon, as well. When it's colder, I am for sure getting the udon, it looked delicious. Our waiter was also very nice and got our food out to us surprisingly fast. Yeah, it's a hole in the wall. Yeah, there's waits. But the food is absolutely phenomenal, and it's perfect comfort food for long Chicago winters.
(5)
Nicole C.
You sit down, you're poured some freshly brewed green tea, and handed a menu of unique but unpretentious selections. We started with the burdock and carrot salad (delicious, though a bit overly sweet for my taste), a standard wakame seaweed salad, and the potato croquette that everyone raves about. Said croquette was good, though not as orgasmic (for me) as some have described it here, though definitely enhanced when dipped into the accompanying sauce; a sweet, soy, horseradish concoction. We then had some miso soup, rich and satisfying, which is served with all non-soup entrees. I really liked the miso, definitely gave you that umami factor you want. For an entree I had the unagi (eel) don. The pieces of unagi were tender and delicious, grilled in a teriyaki sauce and served over a mountain of rice. At first I thought, I'll save half the rice to bring home, but, I couldn't bring myself to put the chopsticks down. I will say that again, this dish (both the marinade and rice) was a bit sweet for my liking. (I'm the sugar police.). My fellow diners were all very pleased with their dishes: sukiyaki, udon soup, and vegetables with tofu (the latter of which sounds so plain, but was done really well.). Service was great and our waiter, a Sox fan, rightly sassed my Cubs-fan friend. I appreciate the casual, neighborhood feel to this place so much more than the faux-hip stylings of many sushi restaurants in the city. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Lori Taylor R.
Let's get straight to the point. 5 stars for Sukiyaki with beef. A MUST try. Unfortunately, the friendly staff was a bit inattentive. However, we won't let that hold us back from visiting again!
(4)
Timtim H.
its very authentic and cheap!!!!!!!!!!!! even though the ramen noodles are not the best ones I ever had in Chicago........
(4)
Catherine S.
We are new to the neighborhood and tried this on recommendation of a friend. The decor is nothing special, but it's not as bad as some of the reviews make it sound--it's cozy and simple. The place was filled with local families and the service was SO nice. Maybe we're just not used to the midwest yet, but the two servers who waited on us were very attentive and sweet despite the fact that the place was packed. On to the food. We started with the potato croquettes, which were so delicious. We're not normally huge fried food fans, but others had mentioned them so we tried them out: light, not greasy in the slightest, and served with a pleasantly sweet dipping sauce. We both had udon--one veggie and one chicken. They were huge portions--neither one of us could finish them--simple and delicious. The veggie broth had nice flavor, which is often lacking in not as good udon. Furthermore, it was cheap, which is important for us! You can get a nice big entree for $10 or under. We didn't bring our own alcohol, but it's good to note for the future that it is BYOB. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)
ZZ K.
Based on all the great reviews we decided to go and try this little mom and pop establishment in Edgewater. I do agree with many of the reviews.... - great, friendly staff - BYOB with Jewel/Osco right around the corner - homey vibe, like eating in grandma's kitchen - simple and tasty food - cafeteriaesk look and feel...yes, you don't come here for the ambiance, however you immediately feel very welcome. :) But, I think for our taste...not that we are these ultimate food snobs or anything, it was just a bit too simple all around. What did we have you ask? 1. Goyza 2.sukiyaki 3. udon with vegetables and chicken (this was the best) 4. a dish with cold buckwheat noodles with nori, wasabi, green onions and tempura I guess we are more into unique tastes and combinations....things we would find difficult to make ourselves. I hate to say this, but even the goyza tasted exactly like the ones I buy frozen at the store, no difference what so ever. So overall this place is not bad, but we just won't be back...
(3)
Joseph A.
What can I add that hasn't already been said: Japanese food that isn't based on sushi, very affordable, friendly service, cozy little restaurant. Just wanted to add to the recommendations. The guy who answered the phone on a Friday night said we could bring our own Saki with no cork fee if we poured him a cup (jokingly). I can't confirm this is the case since I parked far away in dreadfully cold weather and forgot the bottle in the car.
(5)
James B.
Japanese Pub Food. Simple. No Frills. BYOB. Delicious.
(4)
Susan L.
Cute, cheap, satisfying. Go for the noodles, not for the ambiance.
(4)
Andy S.
Now this is the place to have Japanese food! Authentic, tasty, and huge portions. They have have Musubi (Rice balls)! The prices are extremely cheap. $23 dollars for two huge meals, and sides of miso soup and musubi. The waiters and host are extremely nice and friendly. I didn't feel rushed and hell, i even felt wanted there. Which is exactly what a restaurant is supposed to make you feel like. The only issue is that its not near the south side. Which, really isn't a issue. Its worth the travel. Why are you reading this review? Go out there and see how awesome it is! Oh, for the drinkers, it is BYOB. I don't believe they have sushi (or very limited selection). Its all homemade style Japanese cooking. Can't go wrong with that at all.
(5)
Juanita G.
I love this place! It has been my go to place all winter for a big warm meal. I love the home style Japanese cooking. I love the sukiyaki style beef lightly sweet broth with the glass noodles but also love the big bowl of udon when I want a big bowl of noodles. My niece loves the Unagi don. Very good unagi over rice. We always loved the unagi on sushi not we can just get the unagi over rice in a entree sized portion.
(5)
Gayle G.
How did I miss this little gem? I didn't find it until moving OUT of Andersonville. Boo. A great find in a ramshakle setting. It ain't glamorous. If it's a first date, you might scare your date. The horrible fluorescent lighting isn't flattering to anyone's skin tone. And yet, once I open a beer (BYOB) and the menu, I was alright! Tonkatsu, please! It was delicious! Everything that everyone ordered was really tasty, but I liked mine the best. The potato croquettes yummy and light! I mean, how can mashed potatoes that are coated in panko and deep fried be bad? We also had an app special of pickled burdock root that was great! Service was attentive and relaxed. The bill for 4 entrees and 2 apps was about $55 before tip. Cheap! Yum! Go! Now!
(4)
Dan D.
My newest "favorite place to eat" in Chicago and a new 5-star review! While the outside and inside are modest at best, the food is stellar and the price cannot be beat. Sunshine excels in customer service - super friendly service which recommends food and specializes orders. Also, prices that are unbelievable for what you get. I ordered the salmon terriyaki for just $9.50. A whole giant filet of grilled salmon, served with terriyaki sauce on the side, a nice salad, overflowing bowl of rice, and miso soup for just that great price! Wowsers. My buddy ordered the unagi don - freshwater eel served terriyaki over a bowl of rice and salad for just $10.50 (also miso soup). Talk about a filling meal and a great experience. This is Japanese cooking to be proud about. Even though Sunshine Cafe is located in trendy Andersonville, Sunshine Cafe has great prices for awesome food. Note: Do not come here for sushi as this is NOT a sushi restaurant. They ONLY have California rolls and sometimes spicy tuna rolls. This is a Japanese Cooking place - not quite raw food. That being said, it is one of THE BEST in chicago, and your wallet is gonna be happy.
(5)
Carolynne M.
Would you trade expensive, intricate, ambiant lighting for awesomely fresh, delicious food that costs virtually nothing? Would you trade a fancy interior, complete with a tinkling waterfall, leather chairs and gold rimmed china for service that is highly attentive, super friendly and very knowledgeable but never pushy? Would you trade a swanky Gold Coast locale with doormen and valet for a place that seems more like you are dining in someones home? If you said yes to any of these, then you need to get your butt over to Sunshine. Seriously, as much as I like my fancy places, Sunshine manages to out-shine (ha! get it) all of that frivolity with amazing service, incredible food and cheap to boot. We went on Friday around 5:30, to a room about half full. I had a piece of salmon that rivaled any seafood place on the East Coast, plus everything from the miso soup to the croquettes (which seemed to be out of place in a Japanese restaurant, but my friend Alice assures me they are the real deal, actually called kuroke) were excellently prepared and presented. Plus, Andy M was a little concerned at first when he saw there were only chopsticks on the table and tried to practice with them a little, but our waiter saw him and brought a fork with the explanation "I thought you might want this, we do close at 9 after all." Which almost caused me to snort in my green tea it was too funny.
(5)
Stacey P.
It feels like you're in Hawaii when you eat at sunshine cafe... .. that is, if you're like me, and when you go to hawaii you eat at a ton of japanese restaurants owned by Nisei and greater japanese-americans. BUT- Just like Hawaii, the food is GOOD. My initial plan was to go there and get a bunch of small dishes, do it izakaya style. However, my plan was somewhat foiled when I saw the limited appetizer menu. Ah well. We ordered Kimpira, Inari Zushi, and Gyoza for apps. Kimpira: dai sukina kimpira EVER!!!! (that was my favorite kimpira EVER) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was soft and sweet and not grainy. When I've made it, it's been grainy. Even when I've had it at other restaurants, it's been grainy. This kimpira was awesome and it now happily sits in my tum tum. Inari Zushi: Well, how do you really go wrong with this? I used to make it from canned wrappers in my dorm room. But yep, it was good. Gyoza: Meh. The one thing I will not give a very good review. I've had better, I've made better. For a main dish, I got tempura udon. Those noodles were AWESOME. I never finish soups, but I ate EVERY LAST NOODLE in this tempura udon. The tempura and the broth were alright, I would say I've had better in udon shops in Hawaii. But again...NOOOOOOOODLESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. burp. My friend got the Nanban yaki which she thought was very good! My main complaint is the small menu. I was hoping for curry udon, yaki onigiri, more musubi/onigiri options, more flavors of croquettes, more appetizers, some miso cod, eggplant, etc... stuff I'm used to at homestyle japanese places... If they expanded the menu, I'd be there every day. I'll still be there often :)
(4)
Ricardo B.
As good as it gets for home style Japanese food.
(5)
Robin C.
I fell in love with Sunshine Cafe tonight and felt the urge to document that with a review. Instant love. I've been living down the street from this lovely restaurant for years and went for the first time tonight. Thank God I did. I walked into this unassuming little restaurant PACKED on a Sunday night with regulars and my roommate and I both commented on how it felt like we just walked into a cozy movie set. The Japanese waitress we had was so adorable and friendly AND had great recommendations. We had the pickled veggies, potato croquettes and fried squid legs as appetizers. Only suggestion next time would be to get more orders of all of those items, because we gobbled them down in approximately 2 seconds flat. Our waitress suggested I get the mackerel, which wast broiled and lightly salted. Simple and delicious. Apparently, you can choose between broiled or teriyaki and the broiled gave you a crispy delicious skin which was perfect. My roommate got a TROUGH of udon noodles. Both were lip smackingly delicious and after eating for what seemed like an hour, it looked like we hadn't made a dent. Come here for Japanese comfort food (read: no sushi), and I can only see it getting better as the months get colder. One meal here is not only likely under 15 bucks, it will likely be your dinner the next night. They'll make you feel like an instant regular and anywhere I can get unlimited cups of green tea is grrrreat in my book.
(5)
Joe C.
I posted the news article from a prominent Chicago paper, about how the Chicago Health Department closed it down. I guess people werent interested in hearing about the dirt, and filth, and things that may or may not affect your health..... Yelp pulled the review down.... Maybe this place paid them enough and the pulled the review.....
(1)
Zach W.
This is absolutely, bar none, one of my favorite restaurants in all of Chicago. It goes to show that you don't need fancy decor and the perfect ambiance to produce amazing food. If you've never been to Japan, the other Japanese restaurants in Chicago are probably really good--they were to me before I went. They get the general concept right and taste really good. But after visiting Japan I found myself craving that authentic flavor that I only had overseas. Sunshine Cafe does that--it recreates authentic Japanese flavor. This is the first place I take people when they tell me they haven't had Japanese before, because you will get foods you can't get at most other Japanese places (which mostly fill their menu with 75% sushi). This place reeks of COMFORT. You go in and you feel like you're taking a place at someone's house and they're going to take care of you like their own kin. I go here whenever I warm warm fuzzy feelings. The prices are great--you can eat a full meal for under $10. Be prepared to wait 20 minutes on a busy night, since this is a small place relative to the number of people who want to eat there.
(5)
Kin L.
On my familiarity trip to Chicago, I made Sunshine Cafe one of my destinations. The menu might seem run-of-the-mill, but don't let that fool you. The Japanese Chef has perfected the craft of Japanese home-style cooking. The food is simple, yet wholesome and delicious. I'm a sucker for handmade dumplings, so I had to order the pan-fried gyozas. The spicy dipping sauce that came with it really made the dish harmonious. This one's a win. Next up were the potato croquettes. Perfectly shaped and fried, there's no better way to eat a potato. They paired nicely with the tonkatsu sauce. I would come back to the cafe just for those babies. Finally, the tonkatsu made it's way to the table. Perfectly breaded and not greasy, this was a real treat. In fact, I savored it. By the end, I was too full to move, even breathing was a bit difficult. The food was served by a little old Asian lady in an apron. She reminded me of my grandmother, except my grandmother just sits on the couch and watches Chinese dramas all day long. Sunshine Cafe has been around for 15 years. The owner used to have a sushi restaurant in the area, but she got tired of it and decided to do home-style cooking instead. Good move I say! I took a 40 minute train ride from the Gold Coast neighborhood and walked almost 3/4 of a mile just to get to this place. Actually, probably almost a mile as I was walking the wrong way for a bit after I left the station. A little ridiculous, but I'm glad I made the journey.
(4)
Choco Flan C.
This is the place to go if you like homestyle Japanese food. Anyone lucky enough to have eaten home cooked food in a Japanese American home will feel like you're visiting again. I was going through a period where I could not have gluten, and as anyone who needs to avoid this knows, Asian foods and gluten tend to go together. The waiter suggested the saba (mackeral) done shiyoyaki style, which is basically just salted and broiled. It was delicious, too! There's nothing trendy about this place - it provides good, authentic Japanese cooking and a solid meal. The prices are great, too, and you won't break the bank trying to feed a family there.
(5)
Yaeko M.
Certainly, friendly service, cozy atmosphere, family oriented place. We ordered and tasted gyoza, shumai, potato croquettes, tsukemono, kinpira gobo, miso soup. They are o-k. I can do better. Katsudon, it's too strong shoyu - salty. again I can do better....
(3)
Monica W.
Yum! If you want some Japanese homestyle food (not sushi), this place is just a big ball of sunshine. Best Udon soup in Chicago. Its not a fancy place and prices are fair.
(5)
Jims L.
The sukiyaki as shown in the pictures here is even more delicious than it appears. Their katsu sauce is so amazing - I wanted to dip everything in it. I do think it's not as cheap as everyone (here) has voted it to be. I was surprised at their prices, and it's definitely not a "$," under $10 meal. Also, NOTE THEIR HOURS!
(4)
Bethany L.
More than one person has told me how great Sunshine Cafe is in the last few weeks, so a few friends & I hit it up on Saturday night. Got there around 7 and there were still a few tables left, but it got busier as the evening went on. They scored a lot of points before we even got there for being BYOB. Our server took a few minutes to greet us (and took awhile to take orders, pick up plates, etc.), but was very friendly. We ordered two appetizers: the shumai, served with a tasty wasabi mustard sauce; and the seaweed salad. The shumai was good, not great; the seaweed salad was delicious and big enough to be shared amongst the three of us. I got the vegetable udon, which was really great. A HUGE bowl of tasty broth with fresh cabbage, carrots, and other succulent veggies, plus big long buckwheat noodles. We never did get our green tea as promised with our entrees, but that was corrected once we brought it up at the end of the meal. I got a cup of green tea ice cream for dessert, which was obviously freshly made with lots of matcha. Yum. For three entrees, two appetizers, and a dessert, we paid $45, which is amazing for this part of town. I wish the service had been a bit quicker, but I'll still be back.
(4)
Laura S.
Good Japanese noodles. Sorry I don't have more to say - I wish I did. It was just some gyoza and a bowl of udon with a friend. I would almost equate it to like, a japanese diner, if that makes sense. A perfectly respectable three stars. I'm not compelled to return tomorrow or anything, but it's definitely on the neighborhood hit list.
(3)
Jeff A.
Just did it again! speechless! Not really, just read my last review of this spot... It is all still true.... This is with out any apology or explanation simply one of the best restaurants in the country! I will just keep going back again and again! I don't do that at many spots, as you can probably tell I like variety... This place makes me want to throw variety out the window and just dine here!
(5)
Lawrence Y.
Stopped by with a friend for dinner last Friday, based on the positive yelp reviews. The restaurant is kinda simple, but don't let that sway your opinions. The service we had was above and beyond great! It's very mom and pop (homestyle food), and the two servers we had were polite and funny. We started off with the potato croquettes, which came out hot! It burned the roof of my tongue actually. But it was good nonetheless. I had the chicken teriyaki (came with a small side of sunomono, salad... sort of, and miso) and it was really good. Still not dark teriyaki (which I have been looking for ever since I moved to Chicago) but it was probably the yummiest teriyaki I've had here since.
(4)
Charlie B.
I kept meaning to try this place that is just a couple blocks away from me. Finally! I went here and couldn't be happier. Friendly service, a short-on-frills environment and amazing food make this an exceptional find. Cheap Japanese comfort food and the BYO situation make this one you can't miss. We had salmon, katsudon, croquettes and gyoza...and all were just wonderful.
(5)
Joanna S.
After I came back from Japan it was very very difficult to find anywhere that cooks home style Japanese food instead of the usual sushi. This place is family owned, reasonably priced, great authentic food, and good service. I love the specials and they occasionally have japanese curry which is hard to find in a restaurant. I also love the atmosphere... especially the grandmother who comes around and serves the green tea. You can always tell a good asian place when people from that country eat there, and there are always japanese conversations to join in on at Sunshine.
(4)
Yvonne O.
My father was friends with the owners of this place - as far back as when they used to run Cho Cho San, so I have grown up on Joni's cooking. I absolutely feel like this is one of the only places in the City that you can get authentic, country-style Japanese cooking. Like some of the other reviewers have pointed-out, Japanese food is so much more than sushi and chicekn teriyaki - so much so that people who are used to those offerings don't know what to make of the real stuff. I am so glad that the community has kept this place busy - it fills a much needed void in Japanese cooking out there! Definitely get the koroke if they are available - and the tempura (love that you can get chrysanthemum leaf in the tempura here) donburi if available. I also loved the seki-han that they made, although I don't know if it is on the menu now!
(5)
Scout A.
Sunshine, you are the jewel of Andersonville. Amazing food, wonderful staff... but please, please, please change your lighting. Even when I just walk by the fluorescent fixtures make me cringe. You have such a wonderful thing going. Just needs a slight makeover. Home Depot to the rescue?
(4)
Keesh C.
I have lived down the street from here for MOST of my life and never thought to stop in. After all, its indistinct exterior doesn't exactly scream "Come in! We have yummy, authentic Japanese food!" The interior is just as simple, but the food and service are definitely the stars of the show. For my first visit, I had Udon with Beef and Vegetables. It was VERY good. The broth had a sweet, comforting aroma and the vegetables were very hearty. I was hoping for a little bit more beef, but it was still really good. The service was friendly and very prompt. On a later visit, I had Saba Shioyaki- a broiled, salted Mackerel that comes with a small cucumber salad, rice, soy sauce and radish. I was even told how to eat it! Sweet! Again, great service and great food. Based on these reviews, I will try the Potato Croquettes next time.
(5)
Dan F.
Fifty reviews. Well son of a gun. It's been a long hard road, and I'm more than glad Sunshine Cafe could be my half century mark review. I have been reading about this place and walking by for so long, glad I finally got to make the trip. My fiancee and I went on a weekday, early. I always think this is a good time to go. It gives you an idea of the ebb and flow of the 'regular' dinner rush without compromising the service you receive. When we arrived, the only other diners were some elderly women who spent most of their meal trying to pronounce 'Hugh Jackman.' Charming, really. The food was, as advertised, filling and very comforting. We had the potato croquettes for a starter and I got the Katsu Don for my entree, swine flu be damned. The mix of breaded and fried pork cutlets, lightly cooked eggs, and perfectly steamed rice hit me right in the sweet spot. Whether they use MSG or not, I could give a hoot. This stuff left me with that rich protein buzz I crave from time to time. I was also supremely entertained by my fiancee's futile struggles with chop sticks. At one point (after the miso soup, before the entree), I thought she might snap the damn things in half and storm out. Luckily it was my birthday, and she had to follow MY orders. The service was prompt, but not too hovering. I kept hearing the guy running the place talking to the servers about doing it like they do "in real restaurants." I'm not sure how they used to do it, but I have a feeling it's the Japanese comfort food putting butts in the seats, not the attentive service. Sunshine Cafe, you have not seen the last of me. P.S. BYOB! Booya.
(4)
Matthew W.
This was the third time we had eaten at Sunshine Cafe. The first two were great. The food is good, prices are reasonable. The Katsu Don is very good. There are only 2 people who work here. The cook, who is a nice older Japanese lady, who gives you cookies (not fortune or almond cookies, but freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookies) and what I assume is, her son. Her son, who when my girlfriend asked if she "could have some more water when he had a chance", replied "Ugh, WHEN I GET AROUND TO IT!". Look, I realize that you are busy, but if it's too much to handle, HIRE ANOTHER SERVER. Here's a tip. No matter how good your food is, if you treat people like sh*t, they won't be coming back.
(2)
C C.
This place is like eating at home. The staff make you feel like you've always been there for years. The food is amazing--especially the famous potato croquettes and the secret sauce. We've eaten just about everything on the menu and they are all delicious.
(5)
Jay B.
Simply Love this place. Sunshine is one of my favorite restaurants on the Andersonville North Clark strip. It's affordable and the food is really good. It was closed for a while, I belive to family stuff, but as of last weekend, the open sign is back. All is good in the world.
(5)
Yan H.
Ironically I came here on a very rainy day earlier this year. It is still clear in my memory....on a dark rainy day after driving around looking for food, that my friends and I ended up here.... thanks yelp! The place is family run so it has a friendly laid back atmosphere, and matching service. The food here is homestyle japanese .. so it's very rustic and unpretentious. There is a very unique flavor in the dishes I ordered here compared to other similar japanese restaurants. Particularly the katsudon, had a special distinctsweetness...mmmmm. What puts this over the top for me is the great value, most of the food was cheap, and good sized portions. (You can come here again and again.) Which is what makes sunshine cafe charming, it's not the fancy place you go to take a date once in awhile, it's that favorite neighborhood place to visit with friends.
(5)
Herminia I.
So i'm not sure what came over me, but since i wrote my last review I had tried several other dishes--Yes i tried something new, and I was not disappointed. I have since had the tempura (my favorite is just the shrimp and sweet potatoes), the tonkatsu (panko crusted pork tenderloin) and chicken tonkatsu (same thing but with chicken breast). I recommend anything that comes out of that kitchen! Next on my list, is to raise enough courage to order the teriyaki salmon (it may not sound too shocking, but for someone with the palate of a 6 yr old...). Now that day will be sure to shock Paul and Dan (the super-cool dudes who run the place), who i'm pretty sure put my "usual" request into the kitchen when they see me coming.
(5)
Elleb K.
5 stars for the serivce. Very friendly, fast service. Comfortable setting. 3 stars for the food. We ordered the potatoe dish, katsu don, suki yaki dish. The food wasn't something to rave about. I've had better in Japan. But since we are in Chicago, It was a mere OK. My american counter parts loved it. The menu selection wasn't as grand, small, sweet , simple.
(3)
Annie W.
Ooof. I'm still full and it's already been a couple of hours. Small menu (makes decisions easy!) and the items are actually really simple but tasty. Portions are great and service is super friendly! Seeing how it was Easter today, at the end of our meal, the waitress plopped down a big basket full of pastel color-wrapped candies! Cute! Anyway, things are a bit on the salty side but the sukiyaki sure hit the spot! Plentiful shabu-style beef, napa cabbage, onions, glass noodles, tofu all in that nice sweet and salty broth with perfectly cooked rice to pair. (My favorite rice is always found in Japanese joints!). While three of us ordered the sukiyaki, one other friend got the katsu don and he remarked that while it was initally good, it got increasingly more and more salty so....watch out for that one! Yes, we shared orders of the potato croquette (crunchy on the outside, smooth inside) and the ika (calamari legs). The ika was fried well but could've been a tad less bland. All in all, not bad in a homey place. I wouldn't necessarily crave it like I would with ramen but finally after a couple of years of eyeing this place, my curiosity's been satiated!
(3)
KuangYou C.
I've been to several Japanese restaurants in Chicago. I can't say they have the best food but I think the food and the price are pretty decent. My friend and I order one appetizer (ginger, green onion with tofu, not sure the exact name) , eel rice and sukiyaki. The tofu is just average, I think. The sukiyaki is good. The downside is they don't have a heater to keep the pot warm. The eel is good as well and they give you the definitely enough rice to eat with. The service is great. Overall, I'm willing to go there again.
(4)
Kelly Z.
Unlike what it seems from the outside, it is very very bright inside! Ha! They built a strip of Japanese roof on the side of the restaurant. So you feel like sitting in the courtyard. It's been a while since I've seen children at a restaurant. Although the restaurant doesn't take reservation, we only waited about ten minutes to get a seat. I like the potato croquette. For some reason, it is quite similar to a Peruvian dish I had last week. Don't remember exactly what the saying is. Somehow we may be all connected. I had sukiyaki. I don't usually like to order meat dish at Asian restaurants because most often they turned out to be overcooked. The one I had was tender and fresh. The item my friend ordered seems interesting as well. The menu seems to be very simple but healthy. Mostly meat or fish over rise or noodle. But they all come in with good balance of protein and carbohydrate. Best of all, most dishes are under $10. The architecture element reminds me of Suzhou, a city in China. I have been wanting to come here for a long time but a friend who I wanted to be here with moved away. So, there is a touch of sadness about this. Melancholy maybe for times gone by.
(4)
Rachel O.
Amazing udon noodles! Especially great for fighting off a cold. The service for carry out was excellent and fast. Definitely will be back!
(5)
Paul M.
I have been going to the Sunshine Cafe for several years now, and I must say, it is a place that can be overlooked or otherwise taken for granted. Rediscovery is a great thing. Unassuming in its decor, a great value for the price. I enjoy the Goma-ae spinach -- with crushed peanuts instead of a heavy peanut sauce. The udon and soba soups are just the thing for a cold or to enjoy a tasty preventative. The crowd varies: just imagine anyone who would want reasonably priced, well prepared Japanese food in a byob setting. They also provide take-away service.
(5)
Cynthia E.
Beautifully prepared food from scratch, outstanding friendly service, the best tonkatsu sauce we've had... All at a fair price and 10 minutes from home! The wilted spinach appetizer was lightly dressed and tasty, the potato croquettes were the only thing near mediocre, but they were piping hot and served quickly. The miso soup served with entrees was very hit and a good-sized portion. My husband had Katsu, which was the best we've had, and made even tastier with their housemade sauce. I had yakisoba, the special, and it was the right blend of chewy to crispy noodles, with chicken and a good amount of vegetables. Can't believe it took us this long to find the Sunshine!
(5)
Tracy K.
Having dinner here felt like having dinner at someone's house. And I mean that in the best way possible. The owner made us feel very welcome, had a sense of humor, and basically, provided some of the best restaurant service I have ever experienced. Our table of seven had way more food than necessary and the (BYOB) alcohols flowed freely. I didn't love the food, but I would come back because of the warm, friendly atmosphere.
(4)
Began T.
Never eat here! Trust me, your stomach will thank you. I had been excited to try this place after reading all the great reviews and I love Japanese food! I even described it to my girlfriend while driving there as the "ace up my sleeve" thinking it couldn't be bad with such a high score on yelp. My god was I wrong. This is authentic Japanese food in that if you opened up a garbage can in Japan you might find something similar. We went to the restaurant at 5:00 PM, it is now 4 am and my stomach still has not forgiven me and i didn't even eat that much! Things that we ordered: Gyoza (not that bad, not that good) potato croquette (ok if you don't use the rancid dipping sauce) beef vegetable udon (worst udon ever...noodles were terrible, beef was worse) Katsudon (breaded pork tenderloin was soggy and disgusting) All in all this is just horrible food. The free green tea tasted and smelled like seaweed and lint. The miso soup that came with the Katsudon was the aberrant unacceptable no miso at all just flavorless broth with some thin scallions and a few pieces of tofu. I make my own miso and udon at home and have eaten at many Japonese restaurants in Chicago, the best being Akai Hanna and Japonaise(obviously a more expensive one). The Yelpers are sorely mistaken with this one, do yourself a favor and skip it!
(1)
Adam F.
Crazy decor (wood paneling combined with a faux traditional Japanese exterior structure), super affordable and friendly staff. Love the Katsu Don, Japanese Curry, Sukiyaki and potato croquettes.
(5)
Rebecca N.
I have never had Japanese food as good as this, and I use to live in Hawaii (and ate a lot of Japanese food). Looking at the cafe from the outside, you wouldn't think you are about to eat anything that would be memorable, but once you walk in and see how busy it is, you know you're in for a treat. I went last night and had to wait about 10-15 minutes for a table, but when we sat down, we were offered 2 free appetizers for waiting! I have worked in plenty of restaurants, and you RARELY see managers offer a table anything for free because they had to wait a measly 15 minutes. Bottom line, the food was excellent (I got the Chicken Udon - delicious) and the service was definitely above and beyond. I highly recommend Sunshine!
(5)
AJ M.
What can I say about this place that has not already been said? This place has simple and delicious food with good service. Try the udon, you won't be disappointed. It has a great texture and an appropriate firmness for a noodle. Couple that with the broth/veggies/etc. in the soup and it's great. The grilled fish is nicely prepared and is one of my favorite things to get.
(4)
Jessica G.
So from the outside, this place doesn't look like much. Again, this is an instance of looks being deceiving. All around, this place is fantastic. Service is super friendly to the point where you feel like you're hanging out with cousins or an old family friend. Great recommendations and the gentleman who helped us was kind enough to bring out an extra croquette so we had three since there were three of us in our party. Everything came out quickly - the afore-mentioned croquettes were soft and crispy at the same time and just delicious. Yay for the sauce it came with, even if it was just tonkatus sauce. We also had the special egg-plant appetizer and normally I am not a fan of eggplant because it's so ashy-tasting and bitter was this was so nicely grilled and a little bit sweet. We were even given tips on how to mix the sauce it came with for the best flavor. I had the vegetable soba and since it was pretty cold today, it was a great choice - the perfect thing for warding off a chilly day. Lots of veggies and broth and just the right amount of noodles. As someone who does not normally go and search out the tofu in anything, I will say that I really liked the tofu in this. I was very glad that the food was not overly salted and seasoned to death - I could taste each item as it is supposed to be, which was a very good thing. My dining partners, who both lived in Japan for two years, were similarly happy with their meals, to the point that we are contemplating going back tomorrow, Sunday, for their lunch. Apparently there are more specials on that day - definitely something we'd want to give a try. Portions are good for the money and the service and food are wonderful - Sunshine Cafe is fantastic!
(5)
Kyle J.
Right to the point here... Sushi is great but sometimes you'd think the only thing the Japanese eat is sushi based on the places out there. This is the Japan I visited. Good yummy food, no pretension, friendly people. Oh and lets not forget the wonderful fried dishes! You can't go wrong with fried food!
(5)
Tina R.
I love this place. It is very casual, clean and good food. The decor is not so pretty but the food and service is worth it. We are there at least once a week:)
(5)
Stephen M.
This place is great for cheap and cheerful Japanese food. The menu is limited but what they do, they do well. Try the squid appetizer and the Katsu don. Yummers.
(5)
Jeanus T.
When you walk in this place, you'd feel like you walk in to a local diner in Japan. It's not fancy but cozy! They serve very simple and everyday Japanese style dinners (no sushi) but everything from the tea (free) they serve, the miso soup (pretty much come with everything) to your entree and steamed rice. Everything's perfectly prepared!! It's BYOB if you want to crack a bottle. Otherwise, the green tea that they serve is just as satisfying! Food tastes so well yet very simple and healthy! And it's cheap!!! I can eat at this place for dinner every night and would not break my bank! I highly highly recommend this for simple everyday Japanese style dinners.
(5)
Eric P.
Wooooooo, a japanese restaurant without sushi? huh? really? What are we going to eat??? Traditional japanese food thats what. This place is fantastic, has a very modern feel to the restaurant and plus great food and service. Our waiter was great, very talkative, helpful, and joked around with us. Very chill and laid back. But more importantly he was attentive and friendly. The chef was also very helpful. And more important they were both Japanese or asian, which is a very good sign of good authentic food. So the food was excellent, I had the sakiyuki which was good. A sweet savory noodle dish with tofu, thinly sliced beef, and veggies. It was delightful though for a non-sweets guy I couldn't handle it too much so be warned. But I got to switch with a friend and thus the other food was amazing. I forgot what it was called but its the last dish on the menu and its a beef stir fry with veggies. The beef had a subtle sweet and salty flavor that was delicious and the veggies. Wow I don't know why the veggies tasted so good but it was garlic stir fryed and thus amazing. And got to try my friends katsu (breaded pork) and it was delicious, subtle sweetness with baked (tastes like grilled onions) with it. Simply tasty. And did I mentioned I had the potato croquette which is basically deep fried mash potato! It was fried perfectly, crispy exterior with a piping hot creamy mash potato inside as you dip it in a sauce that can only be described as sweet japanese sauce. good stuff But the service was amazing because they gave my friends, a total of 9 of us, enough gyoza for all of us on the house! Those things were crispy tasty morsels, smoky flavor. So overall it was amazing experience, and definitely will come back soon. You won't regret it!
(4)
yakuza e.
well, i was there last saturday thinking i could get some good japanese food. the waiter told me about their special - a rainbow trout - i thought it should be fresh since you cant go wrong ordering seafood at a japanese restaurant. what did i know? the fish was not fresh at all and they simply grilled the fish (burned a bit) without any seasoning (well, i guess this is zen's way of grilling?) with 2 sides (pickled cucumber and raddish) and a bowl of white rice. i can deal with the simple meal concept except that the fish (special of the day) was NOT fresh at all. the service was not great either. at the end, the waiter (a young one) just literally THREW me the bill on the table without saying anything (no thank-you or here is your bill, etc, all i saw was a piece of paper flew out from his hand and landed on my table, and he just walked away... i was like, WT***)... what a horrible service!!! i looked at myself -- i had my shoes, clothes, and took a shower that morning and shaved; it must be my look!! I AM CROSSING OUT THIS RESTAURANT FROM MY LIST NOW. it used to be good but, not anymore. there are better japanese restaurants elsewhere in chicago with comparable prices and better food and services.
(1)
Frederica B.
Liked: Authentic Japanese homecookin', low prices and free green tea and miso soup with your meal. The nice waitress who seemed to know what she was doing. Disliked:The somewhat sneering waiter who was inflexible and could not accommodate a non-pork diet. ( What were the gyoza frozen or something and that's why you couldn't put something else in them?) And the wooden plank put up by the bathroom. It looked totally out of place. 4 stars, but it was more like 3 and half.
(4)
Rex M.
Dan and the family at Sunshine-----hang in there! I'm waiting for your re-opening. I know the city can be picky about one thing or another, and I'm sure this MINOR reason will be worked out in no time at all. I miss my Chicken Teriyaki! Open up soon...... HURRY!!
(5)
Colin B.
An exercise in purity and restraint, truly japanese. The sukiyaki is absurdley good and I suspect they might make the broth with an organ meat or two. The soba cold is very good, and though the dressing of the noodles was well done I've had better quality noodles themselves, albeit not by much. Although not tried this time around I also recommend the eel and any whole fish.
(4)
Troy K.
Sushi does not make you a Japanese restaraunt. Sunshine is home cooking done right. My better half is from Nagasaki. Not a sushi fan. The owners are very welcoming and the food is better than we make it home. I am looking forward to going there again.
(3)
Michelle L.
Amazing homestyle eats. GREAT saba shio, salmon, and udon. Fresh, quality ingredients cooked to perfection. All homemade with love. Like having the obachan you never had make you dinner. I have been trying to find a similar place in Los Angeles, but nothing has come close thus far. I miss Sunshine Cafe!
(5)
Brian R.
A couple of good friends of mine took me to this place last week. They live just right down the street from it and have raved how godo the food was. It was closed for awhile, but with one phone call it was confirmed they were open for business! The place a small and very quaint. The owner and staff were very pleasant. My friends have been to this place previous times. The menu is not overwhelming for a Japanese place. Which I enjoyed. But overall the food at this place is inexpensive and fantastic! Will definitely be back to this cute little place.
(5)
Jasmine C.
God, I love this place. I recommend: gyoza, potato croquettes, sukiyaki (you can ask them to throw an egg in so it's a little more authentic), and the tempura udon. The dining area is small and the restaurant is unpretentious. The food? Homey, affordable and very, very satisfying. I'm a fan.
(5)
Amy L.
If there's such a thing as Japanese comfort food, that's what it felt like I ate here. Went here with 3 others. It was not busy at all. Even saw my wedding florist and her husband eating there. She is native Japanese and lives/works not too far from there so I supposed it'd be good. It was tasty food. Still not as good as Renga-tei but pretty good and cheap too. Only open for dinner. Helpful service. Street meter parking may be hard to find.
(3)
lauren p.
This is one of those reviews where I have very little to add to what the other reviewers have said. There's very little to disagree with. I just had such a wonderful dinner last night that I want to give Sunshine a shout-out, even if it does get lost in the myriad of 4- and 5-star reviews below. Here is what you need to know about Sunshine: -it's kind of a dump. And I mean that in the nicest way possible. You do get the feel of eating in your grandmother's home, if your grandmother lives in a VFW hall. Decor is clearly not a priority here, which is fine, because you really don't want them thinking about anything but your delicious meal. - the menu is sort of vague. My companions and I had no real knowledge of Japanese food, so we asked a few questions, and the waiter patiently answered them. Sort of. - the food is CHEAP. For the 3 of us, we split an order of gyoza (delicious) and the tsukemono (pickled vegetables). I had the Kastu don, one friend had the Tonkatsu, and other friend had (I think) Beef Teridon. The Katsu don was delicious- panko-crusted pork deep fried to perfection and served with an amazingly sweet sauce, with a side of rice, some 'salad' and pickled cucumber. It was great, but the Tonkatsu, which was very similar, took it to another level. The Tonkatsu had the same pork, but with the addition of egg and onion, served over the rice, with a sweet broth. Fan-freaking-tastic. We BYO'd, and I think the total bill was $38. It seems like a lot of people take home leftovers, but while the portions were hearty, the food was so tasty I couldn't imagine not eating every single bite immediately. Go, before someone gets it on Check Please and it's impossible to get in.
(4)
Ron H.
I don't recommend getting there "specials" for the day because it isn't good. I got the Katsu curry and the cut of the meat is poor and too chewy with limited good meat. The curry tends to be on the very light side and a price tag of $13 was not worth it at all. Many better restaurants along the street looks much better then this place!
(1)
Daniel C.
Sunshine Cafe is a pretty low key restaurant with sort of a rundown store front. Before I read about this place, I used to walk by it thinking that it was a shady business. After I read some good reviews about this place, I decided to give it a try. Sunshine serves home style Japanese dishes such as don. If you want sushi, look elsewhere, because you won't find it here. I've tried the tonkatsu, which is fried pork cutlet, as well as the oyako don, which is rice with chicken and egg, and both were pretty good. If you are looking for a simple, fairly affordable dinner, this is your place! Being located in Andersonville, parking can be a pain, so beware.
(4)
Brian D.
delicious food. great prices, service was great, and the owner is extremely kind. I recommend their eel. Fantastic.
(5)
Johnathan W.
This place is very unassuming from the outside. The exterior makes it seem like a little bit of a dump. The inside is nothing special (gotta love wood paneling) and lends itself to be quite a relaxing lunch place. I went here last night and was greeted by a very friendly server. I was surprised to find out that this restaurant had some delicious-sounding specials. I, thanks to the recommendations of several yelpers, started with the potato croquettes. They were fairly moist and a little bit bland, but good overall. I then ordered Hot Chicken Soba (buckwheat noodles in a bowl with broth, veggies, and chicken) and my lady ordered Chicken Teriyaki. The verdict? Not too bad. I hope to go here again to try a few more things out. The food all tasted pretty decent, and was filling, nothing really blew me away though. The chicken teriyaki was a little bit heavy on the teriyaki. The soba was quite delicious and I couldn't finish it (because of the large portions).
(4)
Erica S.
My friend and I decided to try Sunshine cafe last night and boy do I wish we had discovered it sooner. The inside is somewhat small and there are old school wood paneled walls. The restaurant was packed and among the diners there were many older Japanese folks, which to me was a good indicator of authenticity. There were so many tasty Japanese classics on the menu it was hard to decide what to eat and my friend was so excited when he found out his favorite Japanese dish, katsu curry, was a special that night. I had katsu don, a humble bowl of rice, breaded pork cutlet, eggs, and onions with a savory brown sauce. Sure the ingredients are simple, but that is what great comfort food is about and it was truly comforting after a long day. The impressiveness of Sunshine Cafe is in the details: At one point, he held out a morsel to me on his fork, "You can taste how slowly this has been simmering" he said. And boy was he right, It was possibly the most tender piece of beef I have eaten in my life. This is a great weeknight place to go for a satisfying meal. The entrees were about $10 and since its BYO you can really keep costs down. Why haven't you eaten there yet? Get going!
(5)
Elysia L.
Please stop coming here! I love this place and it's getting too crowded these days. In all seriousness, I can't keep Sunshine to myself. My husband & I love this place. It's one of our favorites and we're there at least 2 or 3 times a month. I haven't had a thing on the menu that I didn't like. Even if you're not a fan of noodle soups, try the tempura udon with a healthy dose of the spicy chili powder. It's the best I've ever had. I will say that due to the size, this place is much better suited for couples & double-dates than it is for a group. The last time we were there they had 2 large parties and it really threw them off.
(5)
Jim K.
Thanks fellow Yelps! This new find was fantastic. It almost looks like a bakery from the outside. The interior is plain to say the least. Now the food is awesome. We had a tuna sashimi appetizer and the unagi and teriyaki salmon for the main courses. Very well prepared and incredibly reasonable. We're going here again and again.
(5)
Liz S.
If you're looking for Japanese home-style cooking that will leave you full and happy - this is the place to go! The best authentic and delicious COOKED Japanese food that I have had in the Chicago-land area. Ever since I moved back to the states from Asia, I've been craving a greater variety of Japanese food since most restaurants around here seem to only cater to the population that strictly eats only sushi & sashimi. Sunshine Cafe has a wonderful variety of cooked Japanese foods ranging from fish to meats. The quality of their food is great and I have never been disappointed! If you are craving udon or soba, this is also the place to go! I usually get an appetizer, side of pickled vegetables, a grilled saba or eel dish (with rice and miso) and a drink and the bill usually comes out around $15. They are so reasonable, and the wait staff are incredibly sweet and personable. I know it may look a little dingy from the outside but you should absolutely give it a try.
(4)
Alvin d.
This would be a 'Check, Please!' - type recommendation for me Yes, they're keeping it simple stupid, all about the food. Tasty, no frills, comfy, reasonable food served in a friendly efficient manner. I particularly like the the soup selection. It does feel like eating in the extension of the church community room next door (with a Japanese flair of course), but I guess I'll just file this one under cute, interesting, and clean restaurant space. Want a break from sushi, but craving Japanese food? This is the place.
I have been eating at this place for years. Thought I could keep it a secret but seems like the word is out. Since it's become more popular, I tend to go on Wed or Thurs to avoid the line that I've seen on the weekends during dinner. Otherwise i sneak in early around 5pm-6pm, before the dinner rush. I know everyone loves their potato croquette but I would highly recommend their gyoza...really good. For mains, I love the Katsu Don. Sunshine basically embodies everything I love about mom-and-pop style restaurants that are laid back and have an inviting atmosphere.
(5)
Mike C.
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE ... Love this place to death. There is nothing bad on the menu. It's all prepared with love and deliciousness. My fave is Oyako Don ... chicken strips sauteed in a slightly sweet sauce with egg and onions over rice. Sooooooo comforting. Try the fish too. Shioyaki style is so much more interesting than Teriyaki and especially good with makerel (saba).
(5)
E M.
Addictive potato croquettes, plus great katsu don and nanban yaki, and most importantly, awesome owners.
(5)
Jess H.
I thoroughly enjoyed this homestyle establishment in a super cute neighborhood. The miso soup was delicious, the unagi was perfect, and I *think* it's BYOB - gotta love that!
(4)
Luan N.
I was ecstatic to find such a hidden gem in close by Andersonville! Although I preferred the saba shioyaki over the salmon shioyaki, I thought they were both amazing. When we ordered, the waiter told us how he liked to prepare the saba. "Turn it over, squeeze some lemon, add the daikon oroshi with soy sauce on top" So he was very helpful, polite, and seemed like he had lots of pride in the restaurant. The saba has just the right amount of oil, firm, charred to perfection so that I could savor the skin. It brought back fond memories when my grandma would cook me some shioyaki in Japan. Portions were just right and made me want to go back for more. Although they can improve upon the decor, with these prices and great home cookin, I'm not going to care. Actually I take that back, I think the atmosphere is just right. If this place had design like Sushi Samba or Japonais, it just wouldn't fit with the homestyle cookin. Almost all the customers knew the waiter by name. I'll definitely be a return customer very soon.
(4)
Sam Y.
We salvaged our anniversary at this place. Tried going to a fancier place but couldn't find a baby sitter last minute. Ended up here without expecting too much. Actually, the wife was disappointed because the decor of this place is pretty sub-par. But the food was near perfection. The soba noodles and the warm noodle soup was just perfect. We also ordered teriyaki chicken over rice... it tasted like exactly what we thought it would taste like (nothing special there). We wipe the plates clean! I mean, they literally just had to rinse cuz there was nothing to clean off the plates... except maybe our saliva.
(5)
Cindi C.
ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY. The food is to die for and the atmosphere is one of the greatest things I have ever seen. What a hidden gem!
(5)
Yanni N.
You can't believe how good this food is! Ok. so it's not some super chic Andersonville lounge and cafe - but if you are looking for the best AUTHENTIC Japanese food in the city - head on over to the Sunshine Cafe. The best part: This place has figured out how to serve high quality food at extremely low prices -- that's magic!!!!
(5)
Barb L.
Everything you've read here is true. This place has good service, a pleasant host, great value and tasty food. What more can you ask for?
(5)
Freddie S.
Coming from LA I think I've had some really great Japanese food. When I lived in Chicago, however, most Japanese places focused on sushi. There's so much more and I found it at Sunshine Cafe. The atmosphere is homey and comfortable. I don't know for sure but it seems like a family-run business. The food is great and the prices are very reasonable. I just wish it had longer hours so I could go whenever I want.
(5)
Heather K.
Potato Croquettes! Sukiyaki! So freaking good. When all is said and done, homestyle cooking, no matter what the culture or country of origin, simply cannot be beat. Sunshine Cafe is no exception. Wish I lived closer! Also wish I had a Japanese grandmother who could cook this stuff for me on a regular basis.
(5)
Carrie R.
Mmmm... last night was cold and rainy, we missed our bus to meet a friend for dinner and stood in the rain for 20 minutes while we watched several 22's run the other direction, but none on our side, and when we finally got to Sunshine our friend had been waiting for almost 45 minutes, hogging a table in the crowded restaurant, and we were freezing and wet. The perfect way to fix that situation? A cozy heartwarming dinner at Sunshine Cafe. Not only were the staff never unfriendly about the horrible waiting situation, they were funny and super helpful when we finally arrived. And the food. The gyoza were smoky and the sauce spicy and the combo delish. The sukiyaki was sweet and savory and hot and perfect for my cold and wet body. My companions ordered udon varieties and raved as well. And the portions were huge and the prices cheap, what more can you ask for?
(4)
Annie L.
I went with my sister after reading all these reviews but I was a bit disappointed. The selection of food was ok but NOTHING like WOW that's great! They put so much MSG in the food, I feel so thirsty before I left the restaurant.
(2)
Jia M.
I've eaten here twice and each time the food has been great and the service has been prompt and friendly. I have tried the shumai, the tonkatsu, the beef teri don, oyako don, the potato croquettes, and the beef teri don. I enjoyed all of these dishes (but I would choose the tonkatsu if forced), although my acquaintance noted that the oyako don was too salty. Prices are very reasonable. The one niggle I have is that while the owner is very friendly and prompt, sometimes you feel as though he is watching you as you eat. Maybe I'm just paranoid.
(4)
Chris m.
Just my favorite Japanese place in the city. Not the kind of place where they fly in fresh fish daily for sushi, etc. blah blah blah and the chef is making this or that. I don't eat raw fish anyway. No offense if you do! Leave that to Sushi Smushi. But I do like fresh fish cooked and prepared well! This is just the kind of comfort Japanese food I love. Super nice family staff. Really first-rate sukiyaki and excellent salmon teriyaki, etc. They also offer a traditional salt-glazed version which is, well, salty but great. Their mackerel is excellent as well. Great basics. Wonderful appetizers, which shared can amount to a meal (which you should share here). Nothing fancy, but just perfect! The people are always super nice and accommodating. Always a nice experience, including the patrons who are a chill, hip, non-pretense group. Not uncommon to strike up a conversation with people next to you and chat about food choices, etc.
(5)
Ben H.
This place is amazing,. I went there, got seated with my date, and we just ate... i got the saba shioyaki, and it was delicious. It was so good, that neither of us spoke during dinner. Its really grandma's cooking, so no sushi and such that you find at those other fancy restaurants. Prices are great and food even better. I am pretty much excited for the next visit. (they used to open for lunch, but not anymore)
(5)
Ayaka H.
What is not to like about this kind of place? It is not pretentious. Good food and good people serving it. Complimentary green tea is a keystone of a good japanese restaurant. Who charges for green tea?!! I took my bf there last night and I arrived as hungry as a horse. We started off with the hiya yakko- cold tofu with an assortment of toppings: grated ginger, bonito flakes, and thinly slices green onion. You top your tofu with all of that goodness and pour a little soy sauce over the whole thing. Delicious. Such simple ingredients that delivers such an amazing complexity of flavors. Now I said I was hungry so we also ordered gyoza (done perfectly as any good japanese gyoza is....heavy on the vegetable mixture, must be pork filling and served with ponzu with a little spicy chili oil). They were piping hot and inspired me to make my own batch. Then on a whim, I tried the fried smelt appetizer. for 4.50 you get about 10 fried smelt. Prettty tasy morsels. For our main meal, I had the saba shioyaki served with a heaping mound of grated daikon. SOOOO Good. My bf had the Katsu Don and I think he even purposely saved a bit so he can take it to lunch today. Too cute that boy. For all that food, the bill came out to 32 dollars.....what a deal. For the price, the quality is amazing. The decor is nothing to call home about, but the main star is the food.
(5)
David S.
Having grown up and lived in Japan for a good 10 years, it goes without saying that I'm constantly on the prowl for some down home, authentic Japanese food. Don't let the mild slant in my eyes and the high cheek bones fool you; despite my genetic coding I'm completely and utterly opposed to sushi as a dietary choice. When it comes to Japanese food, I want the food my mom put on the table when I was a kid. I found it here! If Sunshine Cafe spoke with a mild accent and insisted on wearing Tweety Bird sweatshirts at all times I'd actually confuse it with my mother. The decor leaves a lot to be desired (for a second I thought I'd taken a wrong step and gone into a currency exchange), but in all honesty I'd probably be happy eating on a bus bench if the food was good enough. We started off with some sliced tofu with bonito flakes, green onion, and ginger. Simple food that mom used to throw on the table to get our appetites going. It's pretty hard to screw this dish up, and they didn't. My boyfriend ordered the tempura udon, which I took a quick bite of and deemed to be adequate, but not stellar. My katsudon came out as a complete mess in terms of presentation, but after one bit all my huffiness melted away as the pork cutlet massaged my ego into submission. Not as good as Mom's, but good enough for me to save the $20 in gas it would cost me to get it at home. First time visit, but I thought it pretty much rocked. Service was "meh" but to be honest they seemed really understaffed and if I had to run around explaining to everyone eating there that, yes, this really IS Japanese food even though it's not wrapped in seaweed, I might be a little grumpy, too. I'll be back. And I'll be bringing my appetite, too!
(4)
Dan B.
I went here for the first time last night due to yelpers raving reviews, and I must say I agree. Plus it didn't hurt that its a few blocks from my apartment. Yes it is wood paneled and a bit flourescent, but I actually liked the atmosphere, it was lively, warm, and friendly. The service was good, especially since one guy seemed to be waiting on the entire restaurant. I have the Tempura Udon which was awesome, especially after adding some of the red pepper he brought out. I was pratically licking the bottom of the bowl for the last bits of that broth. The tempura was perfect, and heavy on green beans which is my favorite tempura vegetable. There were many other menu items that loooked tempting, and that I would like to try, but that udon was good enough I might not be able to stray. The only thing that I disagree with most other reviews on are the appetizers. We had the potato croquettes and calamari per reccomendations, and I found neither overly exciting. The potatoes were simply that, mashed potatos, and the calamari while tasty was a bit chewy for my taste. All in all though I will definitely return. Probably very soon, especially if this cold weather keeps up.
(4)
n l.
So my friend was so chatty we passed up a sushi restaurant we wanted to try. Using my Yelp application on my phone, I found this place. The interior looks like a... mom and pop's Japanese restaurant, but there wasn't a single asian client seated.. (hmm..).. We normally would have turned around, but we were tired of walking. The hostess and waiter greeted us almost immediately and were both very friendly. We ordered potato croquettes, a pork udon bowl, and some beef noodle dish.. which were ALL delicious! I'm usually satisfied with any asian restaurant, but I have to say this was heaveeennn. We ate everything and considered ordering more to go.. I will more than likely be back. :)
(5)
Jennifer Y.
I'm asian (as you can tell) and I'm not saying that I have better taste buds, BUT ... I'm asian. For better or for worse. I love this place. I recommend the mackerel over the salmon. Potato croquettes are great -- the sauce they come with is delicious-yum-yum. Highly recommended to anyone who likes hole-in-the-wall restaurants and authentic Asian food.
(5)
Rachelle G.
Honestly, I've never had Japanese food outside of the extras you can find at sushi restaurants. I decided to come here and figure out what Japanese cuisine was like other than sushi. First impressions (and I had read about this in other reviews), don't expect to be welcomed upon entering. You can of just wait until they come talk to you, they don't really acknowledge your arrival regardless if they see you or not. The space itself kind of reminds me of eating in your grandmother's house, you know in that, nothing is really modern way yet it feels ok bc it's cozy. Upon being seated, we were given two menus, the regular and their specials. Nothing really jumped out at me. I decided to go with something I was familiar with, tempura udon. I also tried the special calamari appetizer as others have commented that if it's available, get it. The udon was fairly standard, nothing special. The calamari was basically the tentacles which the server did note in his description, it was just lightly floured. Nothing special. I also tried some of my friend's gyoza, I didn't really care for it much. They pretty much fell apart once you lifted it up. Overall, the tastes were very delicate and I think my taste buds are used to being shocked here and there. Overall, a good bargain but I didn't leave wanting more.
(3)
Jim W.
Honestly I wish I could rate this place higher, esp b/c I love Japanese home cooking at a very reasonable price. Perhaps b/c I've been discussing a lot with friends recently that food, particularly ethnic food, in Chicago just isn't on par with the coasts. Part of it is the expectation I suppose after reading all the glowing reviews here, but really Sunshine Cafe, while doing the cooked dishes better than all of downtown Chicago, was pretty plain. I ordered the potato croquettes on everyone's recommendation - which was solid. They had a special of squid calamari that evening which was slightly battered, but not entirely fried and that was decent. For my entree I settled upon the sukiyaki - awesome that there was this option, but again, it was good but not great. My friend tried their chicken teriyaki (yea, I know, I know). Something about the texture of the chicken was different in a good way, but it wasn't like melt-in-my-mouth delicious. I think in the end what Sunshine Cafe offers is diversity from your typical Chicago Japanese restaurant. It is homely and a mom and pop shop - although my friend claims she saw that the chef was Mexican (not being racist, just an observation for Japanese purists) - but it wins you over by default b/c these options just don't exist downtown.
(3)
Agnes F.
reasonable good homestyle Japanese cooking we came in on a sunday night, shared the calamari appetizer (nice, deep fried lightly breaded calamari), i had the grilled mackerel and bf had the unagi don i really liked my mackerel and his unagi don is not bad either we had so much food, had to bring half of that home love the attentive, friendly service
(4)
Dejan B.
Good place. Good service and great food. That said, I do not think it was the nicest place in the world inside. Yes, it was homey but it could have been better. It was relatively roomy inside and seemed very popular but we still got a seat very quickly. The food was delish but the portions were small. Overall, a good place for a quick dinner or lunch.
(4)
iddells E.
Delicious, authentic, Japanese home-style cooking. I LOVE Sunshine Cafe. I have been here a while ago, but decided to revisit to let my boyfriend experience this wonderful little restaurant. First of all, the staff is very friendly, making you feel right at home. The tea is perfect and so is the miso soup. My boyfriend ordered the udon with beef and vegetables...he loved it. I tried something different (I always order katsu don) and ordered the mackarel and it was delicious. The waiter explained to me the different ways to eat the mackerel, and I thought that was very helpful! I love that this restaurant is just 3 blocks away from me! The prices are also great, they're not expensive at all!
(5)
Sarah T.
For the price, location (in my neighborhood), friendly service, and food, I love this place. I search for japanese restaurants that have good food besides sushi, it reminds me of the food my grandfather used to cook for us. It is japanese comfort food. I had wonderful service, everyone there is so nice and couldn't be happier with the choices. I got the Katsu Don, for I am a tonkatsu freak! They have a great homemade sauce, mmm. I look forward to going back there and trying something else.
(5)
James D.
Place is amazing. Its completely unique, deff wont find another place like this. I have been going here since I was a little kid, most of the time its been owned and run by Joni an amazing lady. Its a favorite haunt for the post WW2 Japanese community for a long time. Which is strong evidence of the quality of food. It is as close to my grandmothers cooking as I could get, without going to see her. While alot of people looking for Japanese food, immediately think sushi as the first and only option. Sunshine proves you don't even need sushi on the menu @ a Japanese restaurant to be the best in the city. SO basically Sunshine is the legit home cooking japanese place in chicago(maybe in the states, according to some people i've talked to from California). And its BYOB, and very reasonably priced. P.S. the Salmon Shio/Teriyaki is out of this world. The Fish is super fresh, and picked out by the owners them selves for quality. The Nanban-yaki is also to die for, vegetable Nanban is my fav. and Tonkatsu is the old stand by for the "Mikey" kids (adults) who won't eat anything. OISHISOOUU!!!
(5)
T M.
I am going to have to come back here, so I'll just say a few things about some of the things I tried: 1. Potato croquettes- These things are stupendous. Now, I like Cuban-style ham croquettes which, I grant, some people might find absolutely disgusting. But consider the two basic ideas present in there, which are the crispy outside and the hot, creamy, and savory filling. Substitute panko for regular bread crumbs and potato for (cheap and gristly) ham, then cook it like you give a damn about quality, and you have the potato croquettes. 2. Vegetable nanban yaki- It's a whole lot of really well cooked tofu and assorted vegetables (mostly bean sprouts, onions, and cabbage) separated into two very large piles, both atop a sauce. The sauce is clearly the star of the show. This is not to say that the whole thing wasn't prepared perfectly or that the vegetables weren't crispy and flavorful. But the sauce, damn. What a perfect combination of spicy, sweet, and sublime (as in, it exceeds all bounds of your imagination in its magnitude, allowing you to represent to yourself your infinite vocation). It also came with some rice! The whole meal was far too cheap. I don't care what the place looks like inside, at least it's not like an interior designer threw up their ego all over the walls. You can't just wipe that up.
(4)
trieu n.
it was love at first bite. i've been here a few times, and i've always been greeted warmly and seated promptly. everything that i've tried off the menu is excellent, but i highly suggest the tonkatsu and the potato croquettes. the tonkatsu is a wonderfully deep-fried pork loin that is both crisp and juicy. the croquettes are literally breaded and fried mashed potatoes which are perfectly light and delicious. sunshine cafe is also very reasonably priced, which is not something that can be said for many japanese restaurants in the city. entrees range from the $9-14 range, and the portions are nicely sized. the service has always been spot-on, even with a full restaurant. they also accept reservations for parties of 8 or more, so call ahead!
(5)
Carly O.
There is no place I'd rather go for a meal. Perhaps you're doubting my sanity or wondering if I've dined at other restaurants in Chicago. Trust me, I have. Sure, maybe I love the place because it's in my neighborhood, or because I'm JA or because Japanese food is my favorite. So what? Sunshine Cafe fulfills every craving I have. There is nothing pretentious about the place. No, I don't go for the interesting decor or the oustanding service. In most cases, this would be important to me, but not with Sunshine. Everything is good. I tend to go for the beef teridon, tempura, udon or the tonkatsu. All of the appetizers are great, including the simple but elusive tofu salad, the potato croquettes and their calamari special. For a lovely, down home, simply prepared Japanese meal, this is THE only place to go.
(5)
Joshua N.
If noodles are your comfort food, then this is like a trip to grandma's. I had the vegetable soba (hot) and was really impressed with how much flavor made it into the broth. It is a small and cozy restaurant with a decent crowd and one or two really friendly people running around taking orders and then disappearing behind some Japanese paper walls. Great value and a nice change from the sushi places. Five stars for being authentic, delicious, and particularly for having food that is much more inviting on a Chicago winter night than a cold piece of raw fish.
(5)
Inspector G.
This is a great little secret that's so authentic, it probably scares a lot of people away. Forget the typical coy ponds and pan flutes... plastic food samples and pictures of the menu items are more typical in Japan. Wood paneled walls, industrial carpeting and flat fluorescent lighting cap off an ambiance that can only be described as "well, at least the food better be good." It usually is great. Come, BYO and leave your prejudices at the door. This place is special.
(4)
Amy H.
YAY SUNSHINE CAFE! Authentic sukiyaki, fantastic service, my date and I had a perfect dining experience. Definitely going back. It reminded me of my vacation in Japan many years ago - plastic food in the windows, ftw! Prices were excellent, food was excellent, I love it here. Don't go looking for sushi or trendy food, that's not the point. The point is grandma's cooking, Japan-style. Seventeen thumbs up.
(5)
Lisa M.
I heart Sunshine Cafe! It's a wonderful, family-run Japanese restaurant serving authentic homestyle Japanese food. I love it for its simplicity, its great food at good prices, and its warm and welcoming staff. It's the kind of restaurant you go back to again and again because it starts feeling like home. Thank you, Sunshine Cafe!
(5)
jake b.
Imagine your incredibly nice and friendly Japanese friend in high school invited you over to his house for dinner with the family. And then that dinner was delicious. This should give you an idea of what Sunshine Cafe feels like. The staff is so nice, I wish they were my friends in high school. The ambiance and food feel very homey - and that is perfect for this place.
(5)
Kimberly B.
If your idea of Japanese is sushi, this place is not for you. They rarely have more than a California roll and when they do it is a special. Having said that, this is one of the best places in town. It's a small place, very down to earth -- nothing special about the decor, if they are super busy you might stand around the entrance for a bit. After that they'll direct you to any of the open, size appropriate tables. Honestly, I've never had a dish that went wrong here. I've had about half of the main courses, but my favorite is the sukiyaki. It's so delicious and perfect for cool weather. My boyfriend makes us go at least once every two weeks for their fish. After having fish here, he won't eat it anywhere else (or if he does there is lots of griping about how it could have been more like Sunshine's fish). It's been said before, but the potato croquettes are delicious and make a great appetizer. The green tea ice cream is some of the best I've had. It comes with two scoops, but they'll happily give you half an order or split your order between you and a friend.
(5)
Deez N.
Such a friendly staff and great tasty food. Not a fine dining restaurant by any means, but this is one of those places you can go to for a meal any day of the week. Price is pretty moderate. My picks here would be the tofu salad and the katsu don rice bowl. But to be honest, every dish we shared here was quite tasty. Oh yeah, the cold soba noodles were fantastic too. Just wish this place was walking distance to my apt, cuz if so, id def be a regular here.
(5)
B S.
This place is the best home style Japanese restaurant. The appetizers are awesome. Potato croquette, Gyoza (Pot Sticker) and Kimpira-Gobo are highly recommended. Especially, Potato Croquette is just like my Mom made at home.
(5)
Sierra R.
Victor is right, we love this place! Everything is so fresh and yummy. The fish is awesome and the staff too! Very homey food. I also love that it's BYOB.
(5)
Simone C.
Best home-style Japanese food in Chicago. Katsudon is the best. Sunshine is one of my favorite restaurants of all time. I take everyone here and they all love it.
(5)
Cary S.
This is my favorite Japanese restaurant in Chicago and has been since it opened in the 90s. If you're looking for a trendy Japanese dining experience with mood lighting, cool electronic music, and fancy food presentation, this place is not for you. If you're looking for simple but excellent Japanese cooking at a very affordable cost, this place is for you. Plus, they have my favorite miso soup in town.
(5)
Kerri C.
I've walked by this place so many times, and finally went in to experience the great things I heard about Sunshine for myself. I really loved the food. My companion had the Udon Noodles (delicious) with vegetables and I ordered the Nanban Yaki (vegetable stir-fry). We tried the potato croquettes as suggested by other reviewers and they were quite good. I loved the sauce that they came with. Service was very welcoming and friendly. I think this is a great place for traditional Japanese.
(4)
Paul H.
I've been hearing about this place for months now and finally had the chance to go last night. It was great! I started out with the tofu salad and an order of gyoza that had a surprisingly spicy dipping sauce. Both were simple and well executed dishes. I followed that up with the broiled makarel (Saba Shioyaki) it was recommended to me and didn't disappoint. It was perfectly cooked, light and flakey - I only wish there was more as I inhaled it along with the rice and cucumber salad. One more thing - this place is BYOB and doesn't have a corkage fee. For the price, this place is definitely worth the trip. I'm looking forward to heading there when the weather is cold - those udon noodles looked excellent too!
(5)
Lil G.
I knew this place was good when I felt like I was eating my grandma's japanese home cooking -- and i'm not even Japanese! That's just what it is: great japanese home cooking. No frills. I've been to Tokyo a few times and this place reminded me of some of the small dives I went to in Japan, where the locals go for a good warm meal. I've had the udon and the pork katsu and they were both very good. I can't wait to come back here for the udon when it's freezing cold out. The perfect meal. I will be back a lot. Edit: Been back there few more times and have not been dissappointed. You must try the mackerel and salmon both shioyaki style. They are godly.
(5)
Barry J.
Welcome back Sunshine Cafe! They were closed for 3 months over the summer but now they're back. I have nothing substantial to add that hasn't been said, I just want to pile my five stars onto the count. I used to come here for lunch but it's dinner only these days. We had a nice early dinner there on a Friday night. It's a single storefront, kinda small. Every perimeter table was taken with older japanese familes, all obviously regular customers. The staff was giving everyone a warm and sincere welcome. It was very pleasant and friendly. We had their special seaweed salad appetizer with squid, very tasty. Had their trusty Oyako don for my main. It's a bowl of stir-fried chicken with onions over white rice. The sauce is a little sweet and savory and it's very delicious. I eat the pork version in the winter (katsu don.) This is a casual unpretentious place that doesn't really need any hype or exaggerated praise. Excellent food, good value, friendly service.
(5)
Mark T.
Outstanding. Just outstanding. Since returning from a 3 week trip to Japan, my partner and I have been searching for something in Chicago to bring back memories. This is the place! We both had a bowl of soba, one with tofu and one with pork. Subtle, savory, delicious! Just like it should be. The service was friendly, the atmosphere was delightfully cafe-like and the origami in the window was a nice touch.
(5)
Jon J.
I am so happy that Sunshine Cafe has finally reopened. I have been waiting to try it out, since I first learned about it right before they closed last October. It's good, homecooked Japanese comfort food. No sushi - just the deliciousness of sukiyaki, tonkatsu, udon, etc. Not a huge menu, just the basics - which they do extremely well. Friendly staff, but they close a bit early - 9pm, even on Fridays!
(4)
L T.
I love love love this place! Omgosh. I cannot say enough good things. I have been here twice. Nothing is really bad and its authentic Japanese. There's definitely a nice homely feel to it and the staff is incredibly sweet. The potato croquettes are so delicious. The outside is very crispy and the inside is like mash potato heaven. The sauce is very complementary- a bit tangy and slightly bbq-esque. I got the shrimp tempura udon both times I came here and it never lets me down. The flavor is just perfect and I like that the noodles taste fresh. It is smaller than the normal sized udon and kind of skinnier; i have never seen this size udon before and i like it! The portion of each plate is really good for the price. My boyfriend is a huge fan of fish and the first time we came, he ordered the salmon. Second time, he had mackerel. He really enjoyed them both very much! Like I said earlier, the staff is very kind. I remember seeing them eating watermelon in the back the second time I was at the restaurant and I made a comment to my bf that that would be an excellent dessert after our meal. He actually asked our server if it was possible to have a bowl of sliced watermelon and that we would pay for it. He came back with a huge bowl, more than we expected and he didnt charge us!!! GREAT Japanese food and GREAT service.. what's not to like?!
(5)
Jon G.
It's like going into a Japanese family's house and having a casual dinner. Don't expect anything fancy. Just simply really good food at really reasonable prices. The Unagi Don and Udon soups are outstanding.
(5)
Brad C.
Because so much of the Chicago restaurant scene is artifice, is so concept-driven, sometimes the real is revelation. Such is the case with Sunshine: it still looks like the stage set of some trivial play on 1970s post-marriage sexual politics (you know, like, the "Ice Storm" and such?), and it still serves the most honest menu in town, a concise collection of Japanese home cooking landmarks. Get a fish, by all means--I'm partial to a recent special, a grilled whole (well, headless) trout with ginger, miso, or teriyaki (we went with miso); the broiled mackeral is also a classic, served with radish snow, pickled cucumbers, and a lemon slice. I love their bright vegetable and seawood preps: we had the pickled burdock root and carrot mix, which had a nice salty tang from the sesame dressing. They're also very quietly serving up some of the best soups in town: the house miso is spectacularly balanced, presumably curative; noodles in the udon and soba are toothsome and unctuous, though what makes the mind reel are the broths, which are beguiling in their simple symmetry of dashi, mirin, and soy. Add a smidge of schichimi and you're golden. This was all $30, by the way. Quoth the neon sign above the neighboring Philadelphia Church: "Jesus saves."
(5)
Alexis B.
A delicious dining experience in an intimate homey setting with great service. You don't want to miss this hidden gem! My favorite is the Oyako Don. I've been going there for years and can't get enough!
(4)
jaime m.
I'm listening to 101.1 FM, and they just stayed this place was shut down due to rust shelving, dirty cooking utensil and grease all over the place. No telling what else they didn't mention...ugh
(1)
Nam V.
First off the service is 5 star they are good people but that's not gonna save them from this review... I am so furious by my meal that I'm writing this in the restaurant as we speak... I order a Katsu-don I swear I got a huge bowel of rice and 4 to 5 pieces of .5 in by .5 in pieces of katsu... I mean what the heck it's not even a full chicken breast... I don't know if it's a hit or miss with this restaurant or what, because some other reviewer said there were tons of meat in their katsu don... I must have happen to miss it by a long shot....It's like I order a giant bowel of rice.... If I wanted strictly rice I would take the container of rice out of my rice cooker and pour sweet soy sauce over it because that's what I am eating right now! I will not be returning to this place or at least not ordering the same meal.
(1)
Jon B.
Very friendly and homey, but the food is very Americanized, which in this case is a bad thing. The tonkatsu, which I foolishly try everywhere, was too thin and was a bit dry, didn't come with mustard, and came with soggy shredded iceberg lettuce instead of crisp shredded cabbage. The kinpira was too sweet for my taste, but not bad otherwise. Reminded me of a bad restaurant in a beach town in winter: you eat there only because you have no choice.
(2)
Andrew M.
Absolutely superb. The mackerel shioyaki was delectable, reminded me of home cooked breakfast in a Tokyo inn. Service was attentive, they even threw in an extra portion of potato croquettes for free because there were three in our party. Prices are extremely reasonable. A real treasure.
(5)
Sherry N.
I'm on my way now to pick up Katsu Don at Sunshine Cafe, and just had to do a quick shout-out. Excellent quality home-style Japanese comfort food, perfect for a winter Sunday evening take out. Our perfect neighborhood jewel. The service rocks, too - three cheers especially for Danny. Don't forget to try the potato croquettes and the amazing mystical sauce. I heart Sunshine.
(5)
Claire S.
I had passed Sunshine Cafe before and not really noticed it. But my boyfriend has been coming here for years and brought me in for dinner several weeks ago. We're both fans of homestyle Japanese cooking and having visited Japan, we both look for spots in the city where we can satisfy our craving for all things Japanese. Sunshine Cafe is one of these spots. Authentic, modest and comforting food is what you'll find (try the potato croquettes and tempura udon). Hot green tea is complimentary. Sunshine is a family-owned and operated gem of a restaurant where you can relax and briefly escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
(5)
matt b.
Only thing better than the food was the friendly, welcoming personality of the staff. Only wish i had discovered this place a long time ago.
(4)
Eric V.
There are no frills when it comes to Sunshine Cafe. The prices are cheap, and I rather enjoyed the relaxed, comforting atmosphere. Unfortunately the food just didn't hold up its end of the bargain. Our fried squid appetizer was overcooked and somewhat rubbery, and my fiancee's salmon teriyaki had several large bones. I really wanted to like this place, especially with so many positive reviews. Maybe I came at an off night so I won't completely write them off just yet.
(3)
Sara M.
RIP SUNSHINE CAFE, I will leave this review up as a tribute to your greatness: If you are ever feeling blue, or like your personal health has taken a nosedive, go to Sunshine Cafe. Order my favorite meal. Have a sip of green tea and then start with the Gomae. Be amazed that cooked spinach could taste like that. Procede to a gentle cup of miso (on a cold day drink it from the bowl and warm your hands at the same time), then eat the Norwiegan Salmon. Notice how the skin is UNBELIEVABLY crispy, marvel at the moistness of the fish. Pay the bill, note how it is less than $15. Feel smarter than all the people paying the same price or more for crapy food at chain outlets. Remark to yourself how it only took 35 minutes to treat yourself to something delicious. Think of me. Your guru.
(5)
Matt D.
After reading so many great reviews i was not pleasantly surprised with my dinner. I had a friend in town from San Fran who is quite the foodie so i was hoping Sunshine would prove to be the diamond in the rough it was reviewed as. It unfortunately was not. First of all i must say i was pleased with the appetizers, calamari, tofu, and the pork dumplings were all great. The main course was a different story however. I ordered a fried pork tenderloin and was surprised to find a piece of meat resembling a wiener schnitzel. I guess i was expecting more of a light coating instead of the deep, deep fried meat that i got. I also had a sample of some other dinners and was not impressed by any. Overall i was very disappointed and will not be returning soon.
(2)
Ted F.
Is there such a thing as Japanese soul food? Knowing this place is around is making me dread winter slightly less.
(4)
Anjali B.
A friend of mine said this was his favorite place EVER, so I needed to try it ASAP being that it's right in the neighborhood. While I'm more sushi-focused as a whole, I know that Japanese homestyle can be delicious, so I wanted to try it out here. It's a simple but homey atmosphere, and the waitstaff was attentive and very friendly. We ordered a few appetizers, including the california roll, potato croquettes, pickled veggies, and gyoza. You could tell it was all fresh, homemade, and used great ingredients. I got the chicken teriyaki meal and so did my friend. The miso soup that came with the meal was good too, with big pieces of tofu, and a savory broth (not just warm saltwater like at some places, meh). The chicken teriyaki was delicious. The outside of the meat was almost crispy and firm, and the inside was tender and juicy. The sauce wasn't gelatinous or "corn-syrupy" as my friend put it, but just pure, perfect flavor. My boyfriend got the sukiyaki and I just about screamed when I grabbed a bite from his plate. So savory and delicious, with tender bits of beef, noodles, onions, and a flavorful beefy broth. Real comfort food. Not too expensive at all for what it has to offer. Great place :) EDIT! Still 5 stars, but the Ika Geso and the Ten Zaru Soba are AMAZING!
(5)
Nastassia J.
Deelish. Fresh, homey food. No complaints at all. I don't have much to add that other reviewers have no covered, but I did overhear another guest ask for a raw egg on the Sukiyaki....they said they don't do that anymore for health reasons.
(5)
Nick B.
This is place isn't your normal japanese place. 1st of all there is no sushi (well there is one califonia roll..). If your ok with not having sushi (which you should be because the resto of japanese cuisne is amazing you will love this place. The sukiakee is great, the soups are amazing, the teriakee salmon/chicken is very good. In fact i can say ive had almost everything on the menu and never been disapointed. I would definitly go to this place and recomend it to anyone. BYOB by the way. And cheap as well
(5)
Rob K.
I just wanted to update my review and say that Sunshine Cafe reopened and all is right with the world. It is my favorite restaurant in the entire city, and it can never close again, ever. NEVER EVER. There is no problem a bowl of udon from Sunshine Cafe can't solve, or at least make seem less daunting. The best homestyle Japanese cooking in the city, bar none.
(5)
Jesster A.
Chicago Tribune (10/20/06) gave it top billing with a 4 Forks review today in it's CHEAP EATS column ( AT PLAY Section) - so look out for crowds and a possible (if temporary) downturn in quality and service. The reviewer pretty much LOVED everything about this place and everything on the menu as well (he just wishes the Oyako Duburi "had been made with chicken thigh" instead of breast meat. Note that 4 Forks is their highest rating and they almost never give it!
(4)
Char Y.
Ok, so we went back for more of the delicious home cooking today, and got eggplants, marinated spicy carrots and burdock, potato coquettes, pork curry katsu rice, and sukiyaki. Everything was either too salty, sweet or spicy. I was disappointed at the quality of the food we were served. They seemed TOO home made.
(2)
Barbara L.
Dear Chicago Vegetarians, Don't be scared of the Sunshine Cafe! Like me, you probably dread the prospect of eating at authentic Asian restaurants. It only takes a few fishy tasting "vegetarian" sauces to make you swear off the cuisine entirely. In this regard, eating at the Sunshine cafe was an extraordinarily pleasant surprise. The waiter (whom I'm told works there almost all of the time) not only knew what it meant to be vegetarian, but actually went through the menu and explained what my options were. In terms of the food itself, it was pretty damn good. I ain't going to lie, Japanese food probably isn't the tastiest vegetarian choice (at least in my opinion) but it is really nice to be able to escort meat-eaters to this very popular place.
(4)
Jane K.
Must get croquettes and anything on the menu. It's all good. No sushi, just homestyle Japanese. Delicious flavors but a bit on the salt heavy side.
(4)
Stacey H.
Yum! Very good Udon, and they had a great whole miso glazed rainbow trout special the day I was there. Very friendly server too!
(4)
Grace L.
Oy-shi. As written and warned...this is not a sushi place. This is definitely Japanese comfort food. all cooked and comfortable. My in-laws who love Japanese food came here with a lot of skepticism, but left enjoying the food and the ambiance. We had the ten don, beef teri don, katsu don and the salmon. All of them under or around 10 bucks. No complaints there. The portions are amazing and unlike some fusion places, the sauces aren't too saucy or sweet. The service was absolutely delightful, helpful and patient. Although we came in the middle of summer, I know that this food will be even more comforting on a winter evening. Can't wait until I come back.
(5)
Robyn F.
This place is great for the burbs! The homestyle cooking is very comforting. The appetizers are especially good. I usually get the soba noodles or the donburi.
(4)
Kimberly E.
AMAZING! I literally did not want to stop eating! It may look like a hole in the wall, but this place is incredible and one of the best meals I've ever had. The soba is delicious and perfect for a cold day (though next time I want to try the pork instead of the shrimp tempura), and the chicken-onions-eggs is unreal -- get it!! Service was also great, really friendly and comfortable. The only thing that could make it better is not being so far north!
(5)
Jacob K.
Sunshine cafe is a good place for country style Japanese food. The ambiance is lacking but the food is good and the people are friendly. Don't pass up the tekadon- I had something else that was good but not that good.
(3)
Kendrah R.
I love this place. Totally down to earth and great food. Since there are few good jewish deli's in this town, I have made sunshine my new home cooking fix when I'm sick. Their chicken udon soup rival's my grandma's matzo ball soup. Though they are not a sushi place, I think they have the best california rolls in town.
(5)
Christine J.
The best part about my meal at Sunshine Cafe was that it was cheap. The two of us left satisfied and only dropped $28 for three dishes. Nothing really inventive though, everything on the menu you can pretty much get at other Japanese restaurants, even some sushi ones.
(3)
Justin R.
This place was great. The food reminded me of Tokyo. Nice. Homey. Not too expensive. The service was outstandingly friendly and the place is BYOB. If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, other than sushi, you cannot do wrong at Sunshine Cafe. I will definitely be going back, but will it be soon enough to keep me happy?
(5)
super t.
Such a cute, casual place eat. The staff is very friendly and warm, and I like it when you can be a on a first-name basis with the owner. I like their katsudon, seaweed salad and tempura udon (make sure to ask for tempura sauce if they don't give it to you -- it's has freshly grated ginger, mm).
(5)
Erin K.
Sunshine= love. I've been going here for years, and I've never had anything off the menu that was less than delicious. I almost cried when they closed, and when they didn't make tempura shrimp because the lady who has the recipe was out of town for a while. Their tempura udon is some of the best I've ever eaten. The shrimp is great quality and the broth is sososososo good. However, I always order sukiyaki. It's gotten to the point where Paul just laughs at me when I say that's what I'm getting. But hey, if it's good, why get anything else! It's served with rice and misoshiro, so you definitely walk away from your meal feeling full. And content. The only problem is that I'm pretty sure they put MSG in the food. And I always forget to ask them to exclude it, so I usually get a bit of a stomachache. Oh well, it's always worth it. BTdubs, I'm Japanese, so I feel like it's necessary to mention that their food tastes just like the food my grandma makes. Que authentico!
(5)
Darlene R.
This place is extremely good and very reasonable. I would highly suggest the fried calamari tentacles if they have it. The ambience was nothing special, but the food made up for it. One of the reasons i didn't give this place 5 stars is because there was no sushi. also the beef teriyaki wasn't closer to korean bulgogi than beef teriyaki. however, since it was only 8.50 i'm not overly offended. the tonkatsu ($10.50)was wonderful. the sukiyaki was great and the tempura dinner ($13.50)was huge! overall very pleased and i will be back.
(4)
Made N.
My first experience with Japanese food was a good one. I had the Vegetable Udon - incredibly deliscious noodles! My partner had a teriyaki beef dish of some sort which was served with lettuce and rice. good, but not as good as my gargantuan bowl of udon! We shared a seaweed salad, yummyliscious! and also got some Miso soup, which was very tasty as well. The green tea was plentiful and yummy. it was all perfect warmth for a chilly day. the ambiance, however, leaves something to be desired - wood paneling everywhere. Odd place in terms of looks, but definitely good food. For the look of the place, I feel like the food should be even cheaper really, like an excellent hole-in-the wall food find, but still it's cheaper than many other places, so I'd probably go back because the food really is excellent.
(4)
Tasty K.
Yummy! Just when I had decided good Japanese food had to expensive I stumbled upon this here joint. My big toe was sore but my belly, my big fat belly, was full. Imagine a big bowl of unadon for about what you'd expect to pay for a single piece of unagi at a fancy pants sushi restaurant. I don't have to. I've lived the dream! Marry me Sunshine Cafe! It won't just be because I can't keep my lips off your eel. I love you for your gomae, too! xoxo
(5)
rachel p.
our first time at sunshine cafe and nowhere to sit. :( no worries... the lovely couple in the corner would like to share their table with us. :) our first time with a japanese homecookin' menu and we're not sure what to order. :( no worries... the lovely couple who happen to be regulars would like to give you some suggestions. :) you can't decide between the salmon teriyaki and the salmon shioyaki. :( no worries... the waiter suggests the shioyaki w/ a side of teriyaki sauce so you can try both :) the food was straight forward, simple flavors beautifully executed. we shared the gyoza, and i had the chicken udon. everything was delicious and my soup was large enough for two people. i also really liked that they brought the spicy stuff on the side so you could season to your likening. for a place that looks like a backroom diner, they sure cook up some tasty food! thanks to fern and norm for their suggestions :)
(5)
Brandon S.
Amazing food, amazing and friendly service, and really cheap prizes! Focuses more on general Japanese cuisine (which I love) than sushi (which I also love). Just a great, great place, and I'm almost afraid to rate it b/c I want it to kind of stay a secret and not busy... ^_^
(5)
Keri M.
I tried this adorable little place a few weeks ago with some girlfriends and it was so good! It's not fancy or trendy - it's just really good food and nice people bring it to you. Yum!
(4)
Dan J.
What a super cute place! It was recommended by a friend, so I kind of knew what to expect, but it was just as good as she said! Incredibly friendly and helpful staff; they apologized for the wait (all of 5 minutes) and double checked that our table was okay. The food was delicious and extremely reasonably priced. Plus BYOB and it is perfect for tight budgets! I will definitely be going back! Thank you, Sunshine Cafe!
(4)
Soo S.
One of my Chicago favorites! My best friend told me about this place a long time ago, and since I always make an effort to go there. The food is just GREAT. Its Japanese home cooking. The owners are really nice and waiters and waitresses are always sweet. The Tonkatsu is my favorite, the meat they use is of high quality. The udon is out of this world.
(5)
Tristin M.
Still my favorite place!
(5)
nunov y.
Fantastic! This place is quite small, and I'm sure it gets very busy. Wow...this is an incredible value. One of the best meals I've had in recent memory, and I think 3 of us walked out for under $40. We ordered the California Rolls, and although sushi isn't their specialty, they were very good. I had the pork cutlet with special sauce...it was kind of a tangy hoisin sauce but very good. It came with a salad which had a very interesting dressing, definitely worth trying. My wife had a steak stirfry, and it had flavor unlike any other food I've ever tried. This was truly an original eating experience, the food is incredibly inexpensive and it'll be like nothing you've ever tasted. I recommend this place 100% They even will recommend places near to buy beer, since they have a BYOB policy. Too bad I don't live in the area, or I would become part of the furniture in this place. Check out my picture of the new glass ledge in Sears Tower, how cool! theholstory.blogspot.com
(5)
Tony R.
This is by far the most lovely place to eat in Chicagoland; I left feeling absolutely serene. In fact, I got depressed when I left, I just wanted to go back and chill with Rob(I think that's the guy's name). It has a very homey atmosphere with the Japanese grandmas serving food and clearly, most of the customers are die-hard regulars. The ambiance from the outside isn't too indicative of the wonders that lie inside, which is simply decorated with some nice back music. I have never felt so satisfied and pleased with any other place I've dined at in this city. I seriously cannot emphasize this enough. Anyway, now for the meat of the business...the food was quite delectable. I mean, this is wonderful Japanese comfort food that makes Chicago considerably less miserable. I had the unagi don and my dining compatriots had the chicken teriyaki and sukiyaki, which were absolutely delicious. I plan to go back for the soba and udon which from what I eye look like they'd be very tasty. As an aside, I was given some Japanese pepper for my unagi and the cute grandma carefully explained " you might think this tastes weird, but I really like it, so you should try it." Hhahahaha, I almost died, it was hilarious. I plan to come here often this summer for much food and hugs from the grandmas. The feeling of serenity and being so absolutely full of amazing delicious awesomeness cannot be emphasized enough.
(5)
Julian C.
Sunshine Cafe was a complete let down given all the hype on Yelp. The sad excuse for udon consisted of instant noodles w/ broth tasted like soy sauce mixed with hot water. Not tasty. Not authentic. Decor is shabby. And, hey waiter guy don't touch your customers okay? Creepy.
(1)
Anna H.
I really enjoy this restaurant. It's cozy and comfortable - I feel like I'm eating at home! The dishes are all "homestyle Japanese". They have Katsu-Don, Tonkastu, fish dishes, good appetizers - all at very affordable prices. Also, if you're nice, they'll usually give you some homecooked little cookie crisps that are a great ending to a healthy, comforting meal! It's a small restaurant with only 10-12 tables, so it's likely that you'll have to wait 10-15 minutes if you go at dinner time, even on a weekday. However, once you're seated, the service is fast and attentive, so don't let the wait deter you!
(4)
Ken H.
There is everything to like about this place... Friendly service, great prices, good portions, and excellent food. This is not haute fusion cuisine, and it's not a sushi bar,so if that's what you crave it's 3 blocks down. Sunshine is about comfort and awesome laid back deliciousness. It's like eating at the kids table at your grandma's.
(5)
Joan D.
We had edamame and potato croquettes as appetizers, and the unagi don and the oyako donburi for dinner. The food was excellent and the service was even better! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful.
(5)
Yas M.
Homestyle Japanese comfort food, slow and steady. There are no gimmicks here. Zero pretense. Sunshine is not Tokyo-modern. Unless you got a ma or grandma or aunties with roots in the pre-modern Japanese countryside, this may be about the only spot left in Chicago to taste this type of atmosphere and flavor. No liquor served, but you may bring your own bottle.
(5)
Linda C.
A friend recommended this place. She said it's one of her favorite restaurants, and I understand why. This place is on the small side. It's a simple atmosphere, but the food is home cooking. It's so good. Everything I've had on the menu has been so satisfying, and the place is surprisingly affordable. You can get really great food, for reasonable prices here. It's become one of my new favorites. And the 70 blocks that separate us, doesn't keep me from wondering over there whenever possible.
(4)
Alexander T.
Great Restaurant, great waiter. returned there several times with friends.
(5)
Mark B.
This place has been a neighborhood favorite of mine for at least 8-10 years. During long study sessions, Chicken Teridon was my comfort food, along with some yummy Shumai. I'm only sorry that I don't live a couple of blocks away anymore. The service is very friendly, the prices are better than reasonable, and I've never been disappointed by any of the food that I've ordered there.
(5)
Joel S.
I kind of wish that I could speak to the authenticity of this place, because it would make me seem that much cooler or somehow make my white skin seem less pasty. Alas, all I can say is that my wife and I had a huge meal of potato croquettes, udon and nanban yaki for about 20 bucks, it was all really delicious, and I hope to eat here more often this coming year. Usually I am all about the BYO, but in this case I am glad I skipped, as a warm complimentary cup of green tea on a cold Chicago night is just what the Dr. ordered.
(4)
Zach H.
I can't say enough about this place. I would call it my favorite place to eat in the city. Delicious, savory homestyle food. It feels like Japanese comfort food. It was an especially great experience going there this past winter, warming up with some green tea and tender tempura pork cutlet over sticky rice of the perfect consistency. The room is simple, small, and welcoming. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)
Melinda L.
I love this place!!! We were first recommended this place by a friend who called it Japanese home cooking. There is nothing fancy about Sunshine Cafe, nothing pretentious, no push for sushi (though great if you do have it), just a warm staff, and fabulous food. The pork tenderloin is something I crave constantly! I have not tried one poor dish yet. Every dish gets better and better. I cannot say enough about this place. If you're looking for really home style comfort and just very well prepared great food, you have got to stop by this place! After all their great reviews, they better not go changing!
(5)
Jacob R.
So, what's not to like? 1. The music they play here will put you to sleep. 2. The seating/decor could use a little bit of help. I mean, just a little bit!
(5)
Kino M.
The food is simply perfect and the stuff is really nice. They would give you the perfect advise for the food you want to have
(5)
Kathy C.
Tempura, croquettes, gyoza, inari (highly recommend), calamari, tonkatsu, katsudon, udon... I've had most of the items on the menu and never once regretted any of it. Their specials could be a sashimi platter or a whole cooked fish.
(4)
Bill G.
This is one of my favorite comfort food spots. Not only is the food stellar, the restaurant is family owned and operated, and is very popular with the Japanese American (Nissei) community. (Always a good sign :-) I always feel at home there, and always leave happy.
(5)
M L.
My mom and stepdad drove down from Milwaukee on Mother's Day and this is one of the places we stopped. I had the potato croquettes (heaven!) and goma-ai. My mother had goma-ai, crab rolls, and a little pickle salad. I don't remember what my stepdad got aside from croquettes. But, my oh my, was this food amazing! It was definite comfort food and anyone who knows me well knows how stressful the last few weeks of a semester can be! I will definitely drop by there again this week just to get some of those tasty potato croquettes...
(5)
Kurt B.
It's run by a kindly family and according to my Japanese friend it's about as close to authentic 'homestyle' Japanese cooking as you'll find on the North Side. No sushi! But their tempura is amazing. Their una-don is amazing. Their buckwheat soba soups are amazing. Portions are extra large and prices are extremely moderate. Sunshine is no secret, everyone in the neighborhood loves it. Places like this have all but disappeared, so do make sure to eat here if nearby. Plus, its BYOB.
(5)
Duncan S.
Great old school, home-style Japanese cooking. It is nice to find a place that is no frills, hole in the wall and NOT a sushi place. Gyoza were delicious. The tonkatsu was really good, with maybe the pork a little dry. Soba noodles were solid. The place gets really busy, so get in early or late. BYOB is a real plus and the service is friendly.
(3)
Rachel K.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago, and I go there at least once a week. It's hard to find really great, traditional Japanese food - and Sunshine really delivers. It's BYOB, so this is a really cool place to just relax with friends, have drinks and enjoy really good food. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the service is great. I feel lucky I only live 10 minutes away.
(5)
Linda S.
One of the cutest Japanese family-run restaurant in Chicago. We love their udon dishes, the tonkatsu, and their enormous rice balls filled with pickled plums. The menu is quite limited but everything is homestyle, there's always a group of family members/friends hanging out at the restaurant. Check out the multiple "Be careful! Watch your step!" signs taped to the door before you exit.
(4)
Rose C.
i just tried this place tonight after meaning to go for years... my friend used to work here and would help out cooking massive amounts of chicken teriyaki at the annual cultural bash the japanese american community throws for chicago----so i knew the owners of the cafe must be cool reach-out-to-the-community types. anyway, i love the fact that this cozy and warm cafe has a distinctive home-cookin' feel which is so difficult to find in most chicago japanese restaurants. i say the place is warm because as soon as you walk in, you get the sense that it's a comfortable, kick-back place for many folks. we arrived at 8:15PM, 45 minutes before the place was supposed to close, to a surprisingly busy dining room on a thursday night... it seemed like many were regulars from the neighborhood, a place to gather with friends. the food was just as genuine and comforting. as soon as we sat down, menus were before us and just seconds after that, hot green tea and ice water. our server, roxanne, a down-to-earth 3rd-generation japanese american with a southern twang, was wonderfully patient as we inquired about the specials and went back and forth about what to order. we had 2 of the specials: the appetizer of grilled eggplant which we had with grated ginger and miso dressing on the side (her suggestion that we try both types of seasonings) and the chilean sea bass with miso sauce. and we had to order a chicken teriyaki! all were great! the slices of eggplant was deliciously rich and grilled just perfectly! the ginger really brought out the flavors and the miso dressing was a happy break when the ginger got a little much. the sea bass was oh-so-tender....i ate most of it even though it was my boyfriend's meal (which i'm sure he fully expected once he saw my face after my first bite). chicken teriyaki wasn't terribly tender but they broil it with the skin on one side which helps to flavor much of the meat and the chicken develops this rugged texture which i could only describe as uniquely authentic. the sauce wasn't overly sweet or salty like it is at other places. it came with salad topped with miso dressing. both dinner entrees included the veggie of the day, a little dish of green beans covered in a tangy, sesame sauce....scrumptious! i also need to say that the service/timing was impeccable...appetizer came out within minutes of our order and almost immediately after we scarfed down the eggplant, we had steaming bowls of miso soup arrive to entertain us til the entrees. as if they could read our stomachs and knew we were ravenous. especially as we could hear the sizzling coming from the kitchen which was nearly visible (i think they had a curtain). total bill came out to around $25 for two. loved chatting with roxanne, too. so friendly! she was happy to take a few minutes and tell us about the interesting history of her family. go on a cold evening to warm up with some hearty and authentic japanese food---you won't find a place with more heart behind their cooking or service!
(5)
Jonathan Y.
Sunshine Cafe looks and feels exactly like what it is: A small family owned restaurant. Their dishes are simple and made very well. The balance of the flavors of the food continually surprises me. I'm a sucker for pickled food and I especially like the tsukemono appetizer and other pickled vegetables that come with some entrees. I haven't tried any of the noodle dishes yet, but I'll definitely rectify that soon.
(4)
Cristin M.
I finally made my way into this hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant after years of wondering about it. It's pretty small, but the staff is attentive and very friendly. The only complaint I had was that the owner/waiter attended to other tables first, although we had been waiting longer, but I wasn't in a hurry, so I wasn't too upset. We ordered two appetizers and two entrees and our bill only came to $21!! It's a great deal for the amount of food. We had the shumai, potato croquettes, miso soup, chicken teri don, and katsu don. They were all out of gyoza that night, which was a little disappointing, but the potato croquettes were very good. They were surprisingly light and served with a tasty sauce. My katsu don was a little on the salty side, but everything else was really good. Great portion sizes too. If you're looking for some home-style Japanese food on the cheap, this is the place to go. They seem to have a loyal base of customers, and also offer carry-out.
(4)
Davin B.
just moved away from andersonville and this is going to be the thing i miss the most. mildly dumpy interior gives way to the best Japanese food in the city. the food is not froo froo sushi Japanese or crazy hibachi Japanese, but a style i had never experienced until this restaurant. all of the noodle soups are incredible on a cold chicago night and the calimari app is amazing. also BYOB so that is a big bonus for me.
(5)
Stephanie M.
This is a very homestyle joint. Don't expect trendy maki rolls, but if you want some good sukiyaki or udon, this is the place.
(4)
k s.
the sunshine restaurant has the sensibility of a neighborhood spot. everyone knew each other and there was quite a bit of japanese being spoken. i thought the food was tasty and the staff very accomodating.
(4)
jerry c.
Japanese comfort food! Delicate, savory gyoza. Wonderful salmon shiyo. I love this warm, homey place!
(5)
olivia p.
4.5 stars. i was gonna give it 4 for the food, but the service was so good i had to bump it up to 4.5 i asked dan, the nicest server ever, about the potato croquettes and the gyoza. he said to get the croquettes. when i was hemming and hawing about getting the gyoza too, he said he'd bring some out so i could try it. after which he brought gyoza for our party of 9 on the house! the gyoza were really good and on top of that, the potato croquettes were perfect. light and crispy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside. not oily at all. i could eat those all day. was thinkin about the udon, but decided on the saba shioyaki - fresh mackerel, lightly salted and broiled, to get something a little more interesting. the fish was well cooked, broiled just to a crisp and tasty with white radish, lemon and a little soy sauce. it got a little oily for me in the end, but i'm not used to oily things. it was very good, but didn't knock my socks off. next time i wanna try their udon. my friends got the nanban yaki, hot soba and some other stuff i can't remember and really liked them. my bro thought his chicken teriyaki was a little dry. all in all a great place with excellent service. nicest people ever.
(4)
Sheena C.
The food is good (we ordered the udon, tilapia, and potatoe croquette), but the croquette is overrated. The chicken in the udon wasn't very good (I should have ordered the vegetable udon instead). I'm an udon nazi and I was very hesitant about this place at first, but the udon was cooked perfectly. However, the broth was only okay. It seems as if most of the customers are returning customers as everyone who came in hugged the owner and whatnot. This isn't the best Japanese food I've had but the prices are decent and the owner is nice.
(3)
A M C.
If I crave a steaming bowl of tempura udon, I can walk there and have it in front of me in a few minutes, provided there isn't a wait. (Sometimes there is.) There isn't anything fancy here (and sometimes I wish they would give it a facelift), but the soup is tasty, and the staff is friendly, and that's all I need when I come here. If you're looking for a sleek, modern Japanese restaurant with a full sushi bar, this isn't the place. This is comfy, homestyle cooking.
(4)
Mia F.
Very good home style japanese food.
(5)
John S.
The Sunshine Cafe is a family owned and operated restaurant which offers home-style Japanese food in a cozy / kitchy setting. If you are looking for a trendy sushi restaurant, this is not it. The food is always warm and tasty and the service - friendly. It is a great place to take a friend for a nice quiet meal and a good conversation.
(4)
Josh L.
Great food... everything I've had there is tasty, cheap, and the owner is super nice. Good place to go for low-key eats.
(4)
Juice R.
Awesome, on the cheap, homestyle japanese comfort food, quintessential japanese meal for not so demanding people. warning - they don't serve sushi, nigiri, sashimi, raw fish stuffs of any kind. once in a blue moon with a slight purple tint, you might run into a 'special' but don't count on it. the place is no frills, clean, nicer hole in the wall but won't creep you out on cleanliness like some korean/chinese places. I don't think the food stands out head and shoulder above the average home cooked japanese meal. To be completely honest, it's on par w decent japanese mall/street food (think mistuwa) and I can probably make them almost as good, except for their gomae (steamed spinach w sweet sesame sauce, which is fantastic). however, they still get 5 stars cause the family run place is friendly and down to earth (one of the guys can use some sarcasm, fyi) yet priced very reasonably as long as you don't go nuts on appetizers. Also, considering how many places in chicago, just don't get it right on these simple japanese stuffs, I think 5 is justifiable. Expect a wait if your group is huge. Bring some japanese beer, it's BYOB. there are no outdoor seating. parking can be tight but jewel lot is close. the place is open, well lit and music volume is on the low and don't have booths - don't expect to be sharing ur intimate conversations if you dare.
(5)
Karen L.
This is a small Japanese restaurant in Andersonville that offers homestyle Japanese cooking. I ordered the beef udon soup and it was big, flavorful and satisfying! If you are looking for sushi, this is not the place to go. They don't have raw fish and only have one kind of roll. They have the dishes like udon soup, tonkatsu, and rice dishes. The food is fresh and well-prepared. The decor is lacking, but it is the food that have the loyal customers coming back here. It is BYOB and the prices are reasonable.
(4)
Robert G.
Sunshine is one of my favorite restaurants on the Andersonville strip. It's affordable and the food is really good. Most of all, the staff is extremely friendly, adding to the place's cozy, homey feel. Some of the best plastic food wrapped in Saran wrap you'll ever see displayed in a window too.
(5)
Michelle B.
Ahh Sunshine Cafe, how I love thee! Let me count the ways! I survived three long winters in Chicago and one of the bright spots during those cold nights was Sunshine Cafe! As a Filipino-American, I'm super picky about my Asian food and part of how I judge a place is to see if that particular ethnic group is eating there! Sunshine Cafe passes that part of the test! Then, I want to see how authentic it is. Well, the potato croquette is the best I have ever tested in my entire my life! And what in the world do they out in that crack sauce, I want to steal the bottle. It the Filipino Catholic guilt won't let me! Hehe...even though I no longer live in Chi-town I visit every year or every other year (scheduled to be there Easter 2013) and I don't have location itineraries when I visit towns I've lived in but I have food itineraries! Sunshine Cafe is on top of my list, even before Giordano's deep dish pizza (which when I lived there I ordered so much they have me a calendar with coupons-so embarrassing!). Their udon noodles made me close my eyes and just breathe in the broth. It tastes like someone's Momma made it, which unless something happened it's a sweet Japanese lady that makes the food. Her specials can vary depending on her mood and what is fresh. Plus even the waiter remembers me which is funny! My friend laughs that she goes there all the time and here I am living away and be remembers me and not her! I can be quite loud for a demure looking Asian lady (my friends are laughing that I said demure! Hehe). I miss you Sunshine cafe and will be back soon! Sending my love, your friend always, Michelle. :)
(5)
Brian M.
I'm definitely digging this place. It's small, cozy and there isn't a whole lot in the way of decor. A kind of divey looking place but that's what makes it charming. They don't take reservations and there isn't much of a waiting area, so we got really lucky getting in here on a Saturday night without a wait. We tried the Potato Croquette and Gyoza appetizers. Gyoza was excellent, but I had trouble enjoying the Potato Croquette even though it was highly recommended in other reviews we read. It's literally just mashed potatoes with a light breading on the outside. My entree was Katsu Don, a breaded pork tenderloin which I promptly devoured. Served with a little Miso soup and topped off with with some green tea post meal, I was in heaven. I can't wait to come back here again.
(5)
Amanda C.
First impression: Beautiful, charming decor and friendly greeting. It smells amazing as soon as you walk in. Food: I had the miso soup and sukiyaki. My partner had the shrimp tempura udon, and we shared dumplings. Miso soup is flavorful and plentiful in tofu and scallions, but not much seaweed (Wouldn't have minded more, but no complaints here). The sukiyaki was delicious and perfect for chilly Chicago weather. Meat was flavorful and tender, very reminiscent of bulgogi at kbbq places. Noodles were perfectly cooked, same with the cabbage, which soaked up the tasty broth really nicely. No complaint from my partner about the udon, besides not having a big enough stomach! Service: Our waiter was super sweet and very friendly. We were given water and free green tea immediately. Service was very attentive throughout the meal but never pushy. I'm hesitant to give a place 5 stars based off of one visit, but we had no complaints (a rarity from a couple of picky foodies) and the price value is great for getting tasty, filling food and excellent service. The next time I'm in Chicago, this will be one of the first places I return to, and I can't wait!
(5)
Monica J.
I have eaten here twice. This place certainty reminds me of suburban Tokyo restaurants that had cozy, family recipe-based food. The decor is charming, with the origami and Japanese-style chairs and tables. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes and quick with service. The items I have tried from Sunshine Cafe are the following: Nanban Yaki Ramen (was a special) Katsu Zaru Soba Croquettes I've found all dishes to be reminiscent of the simple, clean Japanese food I've had growing up. They were not culturally washed out whatsoever. I recommend the Nanban Yaki for a hearty, well-seasoned beef dish. The ramen was flavorful as well, although I'm not sure if it was limited only to the period of time where it was a special. The katsu was full of panko goodness, which gave it a great crunch. I was also pleasantly surprised by the croquettes, as they are a simple dish, but they executed this very well with its sauce pairing. The biggest highlight was the soba. It has been difficult for me to find a restaurant that serves cold soba accurately and Sunshine Cafe nailed it! If you try one dish here, give the cold soba a try. Truly Japanese!
(5)
Ham B.
A cozy little Japanese diner showcasing home cooking and comfort food. Many dishes come paired with a Miso soup and hot green tea. Most meals are priced at or just below $10 with pretty filling portions- i'm a big guy and always leave stuffed. I've had several soba and udon noodle dishes and most recently a fried pork meal with a cucumber salad and a side of fried eggplant with a ginger dipping sauce. Delicious and filling. The seating is limited and its a cozy space right in the heart of Andersonville- seating can be difficult to come buy during peak meal hours- you've been warned! The only criticism i can come up with is that the waitstaff seemed small- only 2 girls who were working at top speed but were challenged to get drink refills to all tables enough- they just need another server! Anyway, TLDR; a great inexpensive Japanese Diner, thats also BYOB! I'll be back soon
(4)
Sharon C.
I've been here before, ordered the udon and LOVED it. On this visit, though, I ordered the sukiyaki - and while the first few bites were amazing, packed with flavor and so delicious, the next few revealed that most the flavor was mostly salt. The entire dish was incredibly salty - I tasted my friend's to make sure it wasn't just mine, and his was incredibly salty, as well. As delicious as it was, I couldn't even come close to finishing it, and even eating most of the bowl of rice it came with wasn't enough. Overall, just really disappointing from a place that I used to love.
(3)
Justin B.
The miso soup was the best thing I had last night, but if I go back I will stick to the things that my other friends thought were incredible (the udon, the pork, the beef). As is, the veggie tempura rice bowl (ten don?) was very plain, but the rice was tasty. The soup was strangely incredible; to say "I would go back for the miso" is weird, but accurate given what I tasted last night. A big thanks to the Sunshine staff for accommodating my group of nine adults and a baby. It was a little rowdy, but we tipped well. BYO means that you can pick up a King Cobra at the Jewel nearby...and you know what? King Cobra isn't as terrible as I remember from college.
(3)
Sheila K.
This is one of the places on Clark that I have always wanted to try. I pass by it all the time when I go produce shopping at Edgewater. It was a perfect evening to get some grub because it was quite chilly outside. We came in pretty early around 5ish and had no problem getting a table for two. Upon being seated, we were given the menu and hot tea and water were served without requesting them. That was pretty great! I liked that touch. The have an array of things on the menu, from small appetizers to udon to don and many more. I decided to try the Katsu Don and my other half got the Tempura Udon. In addition, I tried their Misuri Ume. We enjoyed our meals and both very filling. The Katsu Don was very flavorful and the udon hit the right spot for the chilly evening. This is a cute family run business. It has a lot of charm. While we were dining, there were also a lot of people calling in and picking up orders. I think they also just did some remodeling. Overall, we would not hesitate to return in the future.
(4)
Yuki Z.
Family style Japanese restaurant. Relatively cheap and authentic Japanese place, tho the location is not prime. Got the una-don. Very decently priced and much cheaper than many restaurants in Evanston. The unagi was fresh, tho the presentation of food looks very different from what I would expect. Also not much veggies. The gyoza are tiny, but still taste good! Should get the potato thing! That is great! Will go back if I have the chance!
(4)
J K.
Please don't close!!! This place is the last of the local Japanese American haunts and its closing would signal the end of an era. Please please don't close!
(5)
Brian K.
I hope Dan buys it or is given it to run. He is Sunshine Cafe!!! BYK. Food is great, service is superb keep this place running. Japs and all races love it. Work something out because this joint the bomb. BYK
(5)
Brian S.
Ever go to a place and see the other patrons enjoying there food so much tou couldnt wait to dig in? 5his is the place. Not only is it a locals spot, its a family spot for all to enjoy. Solid Japanese fare with a cult like almost following. Mmm TASTY noodles. Who Don? I love udon.
(4)
Roger M.
Have seen this place for years (1980's) but never went in. I wasted 25 years of my life having denied myself of the best Japanese home cooking in Chicago! So far, everything I had was excellent: Katsudon, Tempura, Salmon Teriyaki, Gyiza and Tonkatsu. Fresh as can be. That's it. Don't want to bore you with the repetitiveness of what's already been said.
(5)
Nathan A.
"You are my sunshine." Sunshine Cafe always makes me happy when skies are grey. Actually, Sunshine Cafe makes me happy. Period. A great spot for authentic home style Japanese food. Actually, it might just be the best spot. Wonderfully charming, exceptionally delicious, great service, and impeccable experience. As many others have said, the potato croquettes are delicious. I have yet to order less than 2-3 orders every time I go. And the sauce that goes along with it...it's the most deliciously addicting sauce. Other great dishes: Udon noodles, ten zaru soba, soba, tempura, and tonkatsu. Portions are not huge, but every meal is incredibly satisfying. If you get the chance to get to know Dan, do so. By far, he is one of the most friendly and wonderful employees of a restaurant I have ever met. Visit often. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Noam S.
Here's the thing: though the food is good, the ambience is pretty bad. We were impressed by the home style family Japanese cuisine, and the service was very pleasant. However, the location isn't amazing, and the interior decoration is pretty bad, not just uninspiring but kinda nasty.. I would happily return if the owners put some love into the space, not just the food.
(3)
Katie M.
Stopped here for carryout after seeing the great reviews. I agree that ambiance is not the reason for coming here! But their udon definitely is! It was delicious! I live a half hour away and sped home nervous that my tempura would get soggy. I was delighted to see they packed the tempura separately. So thoughtful! Staff was friendly and helpful. Would definitely make the trip back down for the udon again.
(4)
Terry N.
If you're looking for authentic, home-style Japanese cooking you need to go to Sunshine. It's the place where Japanese-Americans go to get great Tempura, Tonkatsu, Sukiyaki, Udon or Yaki-soba. If you're looking for the latest or craziest made-up sushi you're in the wrong place. In fact, you can only get California maki if you want sushi. But like Renga-Tei in Lincolnwood, Sunshine is owned and run by Japanese-Americans so everything you order is like eating at our house.
(5)
Jim W.
Excellent food. Great service. Everyone is always friendly and polite. The only area for improvement is in the lighting. Harsh / overly bright fluorescent bulbs cut into the dining experience.
(4)
Travis P.
Great Japanese restaurant tucked away on the north side of chicago. The inari was a great start to the meal, the pickled ginger was also really good. The tankatsu was delicious, a great lean piece of pork. Great little place to take someone who hasn't had Japanese food and even better for someone who does love it! Had the cold soba noodles on a previous stop and that was really good as well. Plan on going back to try the hot soba soup. Caution, the spicy mustard has a serious horseradish style kick to it.
(4)
Laura T.
This is the spot for Japanese comfort food at a reasonable price. I don't think there's anything on the menu more than $13 and most items clock in around $8. It's a bargain. The exterior is a little scary in that Japanese kitsch way. The dusty hello kitty dolls beg your brain to lower your expectations and for god's sake, don't order raw fish. But once inside, you realize this is...authentic. The menu is focused. Primarily noodle dishes and apps. But wow. Each one of them are standout. Nothing much more to say. Super cheap. Super fresh. And the service is fairly quick. Just what you would want at this price point. The take out food is well packaged. No worries about your food being limp by the time you get it home. Tempura, etc. all arrived in fine shape.
(5)
Yvonne H.
This is THE place to go when you're not in the mood for sushi. What's great about Japanese homestyle cooking is that it's simple, yet delicious. My Japanese friends that have been here have said that this place reminds them of home. What I normally order: -Sukiyaki: Rather than a huge pot for everyone to share, this is a one person sukiyaki that really hits the spot during colder days. The broth is properly light and sweet here. I sometimes ask for extra noodles to go into my sukiyaki, and an extra bowl of rice too. See if you can get a raw egg to use as dip! -Katsudon: They give a huge piece of tonkatsu, cut up and covered in egg sauce, over soft short grain rice. They serve other great donburi's too, like the beef teri don. -Tendon/tempura/ten zaru soba: They give a good amount of tempura to go with/on your rice bowl or soba. If you get the soba, you're served a mentsuyu sauce to dip the noodles in. Make sure to mix the scallions and wasabi in! Great dish for the summer. -Potato croquettes: Basically balls (oval shaped) of mashed potato and fried. Use that sauce they give you. You can also ask for yakisoba (not on the menu), since they have the ingredients. They'll gladly make it for you, and it's pretty good too. The service is great. The owner's son will happily explain dishes to you and converse with you. Sometimes, my friends and I get extra rice or scoops of green tea ice cream on the house!
(5)
Annette Q.
I've now been here twice & this place does not disappoint! I've had the sukiyaki & now udon tempura. Delicious! I didn't even miss not having sushi. I'll definitely return again & again!
(5)
June K.
This is my favorite Japanese restaurant in Chicago. Family owned and amazing homestyle cuisine. Great prices and amazing staff. Not a sushi place. And if you think that's the only kind of Japanese food there is, you are seriously missing out.
(5)
Tina Z.
Pretty good food and excellent service. When we came we were able to choose a seat from any of the available tables. Then they quickly brought cups of water and hot tea which was really nice since it was freezing cold outside. I ordered the chicken teri don which is teriyaki chicken and medley of greens on a bed of rice. I had expected grilled chicken in teriyaki sauce but instead the chicken seemed to have been fried and was a little dry. The veggies were a nice compliment to the chicken and helped to offset how flavorful the sauce was. Overall a pretty good dish but not the best that I've had. My friend got unadon which was one of their specials and although I usually like eel, I was not a fan of how this one was made. It was similar to the chicken in my don but had a slight fishy taste. While I was there I noticed that they had a lot of large tables and not a lot of small ones which limits their flexibility when seating people. As a result, sometimes multiple couples will share a table but they always ask the relevant parties if it would be okay. They were also super nice about splitting the check. We each ordered a dish and wanted to split the appetizer three ways and they accommodated us. Five stars for service but three stars for food.
(4)
Ruki R.
I was on my way to Calo's (okay but won't be going back) to dine with friends and passed by Sunshine. I went the next day. It was so enjoyable and comfortable. The owner was very friendly and it seems to be a family run place with the older folks cooking. The only dish I remember having was Katsudon and it was very good. If you're looking for some trendy looking sushi place, this is not for you. It's relaxing, a neighborhood diner type place with good home style cooking. If I lived in Chicago I'd eat here at least twice a week.
(4)
DC G.
Good food. Casual Dining. Bad Lighting. You're not going to this place for the ambiance, but the food is good. The servers and clientele are all dressed casually (jeans, etc). There's fluorescent lighting and plastic dinner/silverware. The servers are genuinely friendly. I had the Vegetable Udon which I definitely enjoyed. My friend had the Chicken Katsu (I think). We also had a spinach/sesame-oil appetizer and a potato croquette thing. The potato croquette was little too much mush for me and the spinach wanted a little more vegetably resistance when biting in but the flavors are good. I'll probably try to re-create the spinach dish on my own but I'll go back for the Udon. :) Also it's BYOB and I don't think there was a corkage fee. They provided a corkscrew and wineglasses.
(4)
Kyla D.
Home style Japanese cooking like maybe a mom would make. The staff here is A+ and makes you feel warm and welcome each time you stop by. The food has a variety of flavors and profiles --- think everyday Japanese fare that isn't sushi. While the place itself looks a tad shabby, I think that the food, service, and low prices speak for themselves.
(5)
Ben C.
This is a great little cafe. I lived in Japan for a year when I was younger and this definitely takes me back there and reminds me of the food my host family would make. I particularly love the croquettes or "korroke" as the Japanese call it. The sauce that comes with them, also, I want to put it on absolutely everything. Lastly, this is one of the only places in Chicago that I have found Soba!!!!!! I can't stress enough how amazing this is!!! I go as often as I can! You will not regret coming here.
(5)
Horace L.
Solid food and service. It's a family restaurant usually filled with families. The food was good, if a bit light. Good noodles and dumplings.
(4)
Emily H.
pro: great atomosphere, authentic feel. food taste great, nicely presented and very flavourful, wait staff is very knowledgable and nice, BYOB con: portion is a bit on the low side, wasn't too full after a main course udon and 2 appetizers split among 4 people
(4)
Sophia M.
Food was delicious! I had the Udon and the broth was so good I wanted to pick up my bowl and slurp it. I would definitely go back again and I can't wait to take more people there. This place is really casual and BYOB so it's perfect for a chill night.
(5)
Shambavi K.
I was excited to try this place after missing the awesome Japanese cuisine when I lived in NYC. there was still a wait for 2 people even though it was a weeknight. It looked like a good sign. We ordered : Oyako don - slightly below par for me only because it was a bit sweet. the little gravy it had was all absorbed by the large quantity of rice it came with. Maybe i'd ask for for the rice on the side next time. -squid legs - pretty good. simple appetizer...similar to fried calamari -We also ordered some ramen, which I enjoyed more than the oyako don. I would not mind coming back to try the other dishes. I liked that it was small hole in the wall place. though it was the closest reminicent of NYC it was still not as close. I felt the lights were bit too bright to have a meal. Otherwise, i still consider this a solid joint.
(3)
Debra L.
You know a restaurant is good when it's jam-packed on a Tuesday night when the wind chill is 1 degree above zero. I'm not well versed in Japanese cuisine and usually get vegetable tempura. Our server was extremely kind and patient with us as he explained what menu items were, and answered our questions. He was also extremely helpful in helping me chose items that were vegan friendly. I decided on Vegetable Nanban Yaki. Which was a tasty assortment of stir fried vegetables and smooth as silk tofu cubes in a mild teriyaki like sauce. He also brought me a bowl of miso soup. I've never been a fan of miso soup but I decided to try it. It was amazing. It was flavorful, yet mild and less salty than other miso soups I've tried. My friend had a variety of sushi and loved everything she had. From outside this restaurant looks so unassuming, but step in and have dinner. The atmosphere is warm, the service is great and the food is fantastic. Plus it's a BYOB. I'm glad I tried this Andersonville gem.
(5)
Stephanie S.
Came here for a light dinner with my husband on a Sunday night. We ordered the hot soba w/veggies and the tempura udon. Both dishes were solid, but we had a few issues with our meal. Upon being seated, we were told they were out of the eggplant appetizer, 3+ hours prior to closing...perhaps buy more eggplant if you see you're running low? Wasn't too bummed as they weren't out of the potato croquettes, which I was most excited about. Sadly, those never made it to our table as they completely forgot we ordered them. Had to flag someone down to get our tea refilled and they forgot to do that, too. May have been excusable if they were crazy busy, but that was not the case. Solid 4 stars for food, 2 for everything else.
(3)
Samn R.
I'm not a huge fan of Chicago. It's usually cold, and windy... and when it's not, it's hot and humid... for about 2 months in the year. I am. however, a fan of food in Chicago. I am especially a fan of the Sunshine Cafe in Andersonville. This place is the absolute, most delicious, Japanese food place I have ever been to. It's hole-in-wall, family owned feeling/vibe you get when you walk in is precedent of what's to come, food-wise. Everything I ate here was delicious. I highly recommend the salmon, potato croquettes, agedashi tofu and eggplant appetizer. It is all cooked and flavored perfectly.
(5)
Penny L.
Good for the neighborhood. BYOB. Jewel-Osco nearby mix and pick 6 pack for $6.99, craft beers and ciders. Anchor stream beer only paired with "barbecue?" sauce. Wish I opened the Asahi. Arrived on a summer weekday before Independence Day. Available Paid street parking @4pm. Hosts/servers welcoming, attentive and polite. Clean dining room. Seats available to choose. Order came out quick and hot since wasn't busy. Fried food not greasy. Pork tender. Potato croquettes, hot fluffy goodness. Should have ordered more. Only two pieces in an order. Seasoning balanced on tonkatsu and salmon. Miso soup has a signature flavor. Udon noodles good texture and broth. Green tea not bitter. Price point good for family and frequent diners. Worthy of tipping more than 20%. Would go back if in the neighborhood.
(4)
Molly S.
We just had our second holiday party at Sunshine Cafe and I cannot say enough great things about the ambiance (think of your Japanese grandma's basement - don't have a Japanese grandma; this will make you wish you did), food (so deliciously homemade - noodles to die for, simple grilled veggies), and service (so accommodating to large groups of big drinkers). Everyone in our group of 19 was extremely happy and our bill was under $500 which is flabbergasting!
(5)
Daniella S.
I'm not an expert on Japanese cuisine but this place seems pretty authentic. Our waiter explained everything on the menu and recommended some personal favorites, which are now my favorites too. I remember specifically loving the stir fry, udon soup, croquettes and some other delicious plate with fried pork. I look forward to visiting again.
(5)
Cynthia N.
I'm definitely digging this place. I had a party of two and was seated right away on a Friday night (yes I got lucky). I ordered the potato croquette as an appetizer and it was delish! I wished the order came with more. :( I ordered the sukiyaki as my main dish that I shared with my friend, I forgot what she ordered but it was good too. I saw a cute little old lady in the back. I think it was the owners mom? Lol but I really like the whole family owned business thing. I'll definitely be back :)
(4)
Kristina W.
I hate waiting at restaurants that don't take reservations, so I always just eat absurdly early to avoid the crowds. I went at 5:30pm tonight (a Saturday night) and thankfully my group of 5 friends and I were seated right away! Right from the start, the waiters were so friendly - they brought ice water and green tea for each one of us, and also gave us wine glasses for the BYOB wine that we brought. SO MANY beverage options. Onto the food.. between the 6 of us we got to try a few different dishes: the Gyoza, Potato Croquettes, Sukiyaki, Tempura Udon, and Chicken Udon. All of us loved everything we ordered - the homey Japanese food was perfect for the gloomy, rainy day. I think we all agreed that the standouts were the Potato Croquettes and the Sukiyaki - the croquettes were so soft and just melted in my mouth, and the dipping sauce was delicious too. the sukiyaki was one of the best I've had (and I'd had my fair share growing up in California and having visited Japan 4 times), being perfectly sweet and savory. I would highly recommend these 2 dishes! OVERALL: Order the Potato Croquettes & Sukiyaki. BYOB! I will definitely be back, since it's my new favorite authentic Japanese restaurant in the Chicago area!
(5)
Hannah H.
About a 2-2.5: I was ecstatic to find a restaurant in which it was described as a 'no frills authentic Japanese restaurant.' The menu itself had a list of appetizing food - we started off with the 6 pieces of gyozas; they were okay and had the typical filling of pork and vegetables. I also wanted to try out their pickled vegetables, Tsukemono, which is like Oshinko, but they ran out :( so, I ordered the Kinpiri Gobo, which is a braised burdock root - very tasty - crunchy, slightly pickled, and a little sweet! I really enjoyed these. For the entrees, I ordered the Beef and Vegetable Udon - it had tons of vegetables (such as the cabbage slices with its lettuce-like leaves) - the broth itself was okay, but it was more of a sweeter taste. I also ordered the Zaru Soba, which were cold buckwheat noodles topped with shredded nori seaweed that you dip into the soba sauce with sliced scallions (you put in yourself). My husband had the same udon as well with a side of donkatsu - the breaded fried pork cutlet itself was very dry, and the tonkatsu sauce itself was very thin and watery. The service was great, and the Japanese grandmas who serve you were very cute! This seems to be a very popular place and I'm glad I was able to try them out! +Kinpiri Gobo +friendly staff
(3)
Christa Lei S.
I went here on a date, and while the date didn't go well-- the food was great. It's not the best Japanese food I've ever had, but it's supposed to feel like old school Japanese home cooking. I was extremely homesick when I ate here, so it felt like home to me. :) As everyone stated, get the potato croquettes. It comes with dat bull-dog sauce (tonkatsu) that makes it taste so goooood. In any case, I got the sukiyaki. It's not like traditional sukiyaki, as it already comes cooked. They are also super small portions, but I really enjoyed the meal. It's definitely a comfort meal for someone who comes from a place in which Japanese food is readily available and varied. It also comes with a side of rice, which is awesome. I want to come back here because I didn't really get much of a taste of anything else. But I did enjoy coming here, and it's so nice and cozy on a winter's night. It's always crowded, so just be aware of that. :) While it's not the best cooking I've had-- it'll definitely remind you of obachan's cooking.
(4)
Rosa J.
Don't expect this place to be a chic or a trendy sushi spot. This a local mom and pop's place and serves Japanese down home-cooking. I ordered Sukiyaki. It was hearty, though the broth was a little too sweet for my taste. The service was a bit slow but still adequate. The owners' family and friends were there so they spent lots of time with them. It was fine by me since I'm normally self-sufficient as a customer. My husband loves edamame but their edamame was slightly bland and lacked seasoning. I think there are other menu items I will try next time when I'm in Andersonville. It will be a nice, cozy spot to have an udon when we, once again, encounter the unforgiving winter in the Midwest.
(4)
Tina L.
Wow, why did it take me so long to eat here? It's so close to my place. Let me tell you now, I am DEFINITELY coming back for more! It's a small restaurant, so make sure you go early to grab a table. For some reason, they only have large tables, so if you're a party of 2, they'll seat you at whatever table is available, whether it seats 4 or 6 people. I personally think it's not a very efficient use of space, because they could really maximize the space and serve more people... Anyway, one couple was nice enough to offer two seats at their 6-seater table, so we got seated after only 5 minutes of waiting. So all you people reading this review, if I'm ever sitting at a table that could definitely fit another group, especially if you're standing around waiting and hungry, I will gladly offer whatever seats are available at my table. Just don't invade my space or sneeze on me or my food please... They bring over hot green tea AND ice water right away. How awesome is that??!! I love starting off with something hot and then having ice water during / at the end of my meal, so this was perfect. Already off to a great start! Started off with the potato croquette: perfectly crispy on the outside, and hot and steamy on the inside. Careful, they're hot! Tempura udon: the tempura comes out separately, so if you like your tempura crispy, no need to worry about soggy tempura! Altho sometimes I like when the tempura soaks up all the yummy udon broth...but for the most part, I like my tempura fresh out of the fryer. The noodles were perfectly cooked, not too much, not too little. Katsudon: I used to always get this dish at Mitsuwa, but now I only get ramen noodles there. I've definitely missed having a good katsudon bowl! I'm glad I got it here, because it will now be my go-to place for katsudon. This place adds spinach (or something similar), which I've never had before in this dish, but I definitely like that it adds some color and a little extra for the flavor and texture of the meal.
(5)
Tom Z.
Good homely japanese fare. Prices are decent. Ordered Potato Croquettes- delicious, freshly fried, burned my tongue =( -octopus legs (calamari):Nothing too special but was fried well and price was appropriate -Don bowls: Beef and Chicken- Both meats were cooked well, but the proportion of meat to rice was not the best. More meat would have been great but the quality was on point. Came with Miso soup which was great.
(4)
Elaine M.
We have a couple of Mexican "dives" that we like to frequent regularly - they seem to be a dime a dozen. I never thought that I would find a Japanese place that falls into the same category but I am so happy that I have. Sunshine Cafe is warm, cozy and the perfect place to grab a bite when you want casual and comforting food. This place is popular and they don't take reservations so you can plan to wait a bit. Worth it! Decor is nothing to write home about but don't let that deter you. I don't know if it is a family run restaurant but it certainly feels like one! I went here on a Saturday night with my (adult) kids. We began our meal with the Potato Croquette freshly made Japanese-style mashed potatoes lightly breaded, deep-fried and served with a special tangy sauce. YUM! I had never had these before but will again. Then for my meal I had the vegetable and chicken udon. It was piping hot, huge and delicious. Just what I needed on an unseasonably cold November night. The kids both had the Teriyaki salmon which came with miso soup, rice and hot green tea. Both said it was delicious. At the end we all agreed that not only would we come back but we all want one of these in our own neighborhoods!
(5)
Lauren L.
Didn't want to have to pull this card but... I've lived in Japan, this is so much more than the sushi American stereotypical Japanese spot! Visited a friend who suggested this place as 'Japanese comfort food'. Spot on. The ambiance is a little bright... think Sunshine... but the food was unbelievable. We basically ordered a little of everything and brought our own sake, it was an amazing meal. Plus we closed the place down since we had so much food to keep eating. Must tries: - Potato croquettes (will burn your mouth.. caution) - Pork dumplings - Beef udon noodles - Teriyaki chicken - EVERYTHING ELSE! Cannot wait until my next visit specifically for this meal.
(5)
Kevan M.
Nuthin fancy just tasty Japanese comfort food served in a comfortable neighborhood and family-oriented restaurant. Affordable, simply prepared and presented. My wife and I arrived with a nice bottle of wine from a nearby shop and ordered the potato croquettes, cold buckwheat noodles and katsu don. We enjoyed all that we ordered. The buckwheat noodles had strips of nori along with wasabi and fresh green onions. The croquettes were soft and light in the center and crisp on the outside - quite tasty! My wife enjoyed her katsu don. This place seems to be run by a family. The service was adequate and hospitable. Although I felt like just another customer on just another night. The decor could be updated a bit. There's some old wood paneling on the walls and some faded fabric dividers between the kitchen and dining area. It's basic but it works. This is a solid spot for a neighborhood meal.
(4)
Amanda J.
Very good restaurant! Enjoyed the various options and fresh food. Very attentive wait staff.
(4)
Chris G.
Solid home style cooking. But much of it you can make at home just as good. Also the portions are kinda small.
(3)
Adam S.
Easiest 5-star review I've ever written. Very good food and even better service, at a price that'll make you forget you're in Chicago. We ate: - Special grilled eggplant appetizer, with a fantastic bbq/teriyaki/wasabi hybrid-type dipping sauce (more on that later) - Potato croquettes, a can't miss - Tempura udon - Grilled salmon entree w/ miso soup, radish, and pickled cucumber - Green tea included with the meal also Total cost = $29 including tax, $35 after tip Yes, you read that right. Not only was the most delicious meal that I've ever eaten in Chicago for that price, but I fell in love with the bbq/teriyaki/wasabi sauce mentioned above for the eggplant, and after a quick consultation with the kitchen, our waiter brought me a big tub of it to take home (for free). I don't live up in Andersonville so it was me and my wife's first time at this gem, but we'll be back as soon as physically possible. And if you find yourself up in that 'hood, you absolutely CAN'T MISS with this place.
(5)
Avery A.
Very pleased with the sunshine cafe. Great portion sizes and very inexpensive. They have the details down too (complimentary tea and miso soup were fantastic). Sunshine cafe is very much home-cooked Japanese food with a homey feel. I felt like i was eating in someone's house! (I mean this in a good way). I will definitely be coming back.
(4)
Len L.
Honestly, when I heard I was going to a sushi restaurant, the first thing that pops in my mind is specialty rolls. sashimi and loud music - NOT!. To my surprise, it was a pleasant dining experience - we ordered a veggie udon and chicken teriyaki as something simple, I did not see any sushi rolls that they offered but we had plenty when the food arrived. The udon was delicious, almost wanted to order another bowl. The chicken teriyaki was undesirable after eating the noodles. Chicken was dry and uneventful, the side salad that came with the meal was cold, I guess I was expecting the greens to be hot, The service was impeccable, the staff was super friendly, felt like they know you for a very long time. Would I come back, "Yes" for the Udon and the service.
(4)
Cheryl W.
I feel like I am in Japan when I walk in here. This is a no frills authentic Japanese restaurant. I have only had the croquettes and sukiyaki and both were spot on. I can't wait to come back to try the other things on the menu. Service is friendly and prices are reasonable.
This is my absolute favorite place to go in Chicago. It is homestyle Japanese food at it's finest. I am Japanese so I was raised on home cooked Japanese food, this is as good as it gets. They do not offer sushi except for a California roll to feed the masses but homestyle Japanese food restaurants usually do not offer sushi. Their Katsu-Donburi and Oyako-Donburi is delicious. They have their version of calimari that comes with a special coating as well as the best gyoza you will ever taste. Danny is one of the owners and is the nicest person you will ever meet. Once you step foot in this place you are treated like family, I have taken a lot of people here and not one person has ever said it was bad. If there were more stars available I would up the rating.
(5)
dessislava n.
Love this place! All I wish for is more sushi roll choices.
(5)
Gerry T.
The homestyle cooking was fine, we just missed the sushi and uni. However, the service was on target and our food was served quickly, the staff was attentive to our needs.
(3)
scott s.
This is a cozy little neighborhood Japanese restaurant with little to no sushi that appears to be family owned and operated. It is also family friendly, judging by the number of folks with little kids dining in when we visited Saturday night. The special eggplant appetizer we had was nothing special but the eel and trout dinner entrees were excellent with hearty sauces. BYO with no corkage fee. The tiny waiting area gets crowded at peak times since they don't take reservations for small parties.
(3)
Greg K.
Unassuming appearance, but great flavors on the plate. The hot soba soup was delicious.
(4)
Helen S.
I stopped by for dinner on Wednesday night and the place was somewhat packed. I usually never order without consulting Yelp for the best option, but we were in a bit of a rush so I decided to be daring and ordered the hot soba with pork. My bf got the katsudon and a rice ball with ume, plus we split an order of potato croquettes. I've never had Japanese homestyle food so I was curious to see what it was all about, but I learned that I'm not a fan. Do you notice that you're feeling thirsty after eating dinner here? That's because their dishes (or at the least the ones we sampled) are loaded with msg. My soba broth was bland and didn't taste like anything except else salt and msg (adding the chili pepper helped a little I guess), plus the toppings were sparse. There were maybe 4-5 small pieces of bland pork and a few veggies total, and a heaping ton of noodles. The katsudon was relatively more flavorful, but has the same problem with msg and was also way too salty. Food quality was average and would usually warrant 3 stars from me, but I had to drop it to 2 for all the salt and msg. Service was great and the food came out fast, but otherwise it's not my cup of tea.
(2)
Maureen C.
I was craving tempura today so I thought I'd yelp for Japanese food... wanted to go somewhere i've never been before and of course i wanted quality food. Yelp did not fail me. This place is unassuming and very humble inside. But the food is authentic and delivers on taste. The gentleman who greeted us was very nice and we were seated right away. The waiter immediately brought out waters for us, as well as hot green tea (perfect for this dreary winter day). There was a huge party there and the gentleman who seated us told us there may be a little delay for our food due to the huge party (probably a party of 20, a 16th birthday lunch), and we understood, that was no problem. We ordered Gyoza, potato croquette, tempura dinner, and katsu don. Everything was spot on, and I really enjoyed my katsu don! It was a lot of food and it was all so tasty. I was definitely satisfied. Will gladly return here for authentic, delicious Japanese food.
(5)
Corona W.
The food isn't as good as the reviews suggest BUT the service was friendly and the noodles were perfect on a cold day in Chicago. The croquettes were nicely fried and quite tasty. Noodle broth was a little salty but the udon noodles were chewy and delicious. Highlight of the meal was the fried squid leg appetizer. Very tasty.
(4)
Amy M.
My biggest regret with Sunshine Cafe is that I did not find it sooner. How did I survive the long cold winter?! After a long day of paper writing and lamenting the less than June weather we've been experiencing, the boy and I ventured out in search of dinner. With our yelp app set to "highly rated, $, within 5 miles" this was one of the first results to pop up. Japanese comfort food? I'm there. The restaurant is perfectly adorable, in a divey yet comforting sort of way. We were seating and immediately brought water and green tea. I was excited. Pouring over the menu, so many things struck my fancy. I convinced the boy we needed to try the croquettes, and the only disappointment was that the order only had two. Crispy, yet mashy on the inside and the sauce (was that a hint of wasabi?) was delicious. I opted for the Katsu Don, my boyfriend the chicken soba. It came to me steaming and fresh, smelling deliciously of pork, rice, and vegetables. I quickly dug in and savored every bite. The meal was amazing, and just what I needed to revive my spirits. The even better part was that the bowl was so huge, I wound up only eating half and bringing back the other half for the boy to take to work for lunch. I'll have to ask him how it was. His chicken soba was equally delicious, equally filling, and equally reviving. My only regret is not getting an order of green tea ice cream before we made our way home, our bellies full of warm delicious food.
(5)
Jeremy S.
Great prices was hoping for more sushi options. The California maki is good but has like a crab salad instead of stick but very tasty. The katsu don is awesome definitely encourage that. The only real let down was the miso soup the broth was just average...
My family's favorite dinner spot. Great food, nice space, great service. They've been here forever. And often you'll see extended Japanese families having a weekly meal together here. It's not fancy, just good. Danny is awesome. That is all.
(5)
Russ A.
Sunshine Cafe is indeed a home style restaurant. It is very simple and unpretentious. The menu offer delicious home style Japanese selections. The service is good, fast and friendly. The prices are reasonable. We really like this place and will definitely come back.
(5)
Jenny T.
THANK YOU for being the first Japanese place in Chicago that I've been to that isn't all about rolls and teriyaki! I enjoyed the sukiyaki (even though it could use a little more meat and variety of vegetables :P) and my date's oyako don was delicious as well. The potato croquettes were exactly how they tasted in Tokyo (sorry, totally being *that* person). I would love to see Sunshine Cafe diversify their menu to more exciting and harder to find dishes, like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and omuraisu. Maybe even dobinmushi or chawanmushi? That would be phenomenal. Great service, but the overhead fluorescent lighting clashed with the traditional style decor. Not that it matters a whole lot because the food was delicious!
(5)
Aaron C.
Came with a party of six on Friday for dinner. The place was clean and we were seated immediately. Ordered the Sukiyaki, Potato Croquettes, then split an order of Katsudon and Gyoza. Just looking at the decor and menu, I got a really good vibe, so I let myself get carried away and ordered way too much. Prices are really reasonable and you get a lot of food. The quality is good and they definitely understand their flavors. In short: It's good, it's cheap, if you're around, just go. It's BYOB. Have fun.
(4)
C. L.
Pro: good cheap food My friend and I both had Udon dishes. We asked for extra vegetables and they added it for free. The noodles actually weren't thick like Udon, but it still did the trick. I had the tempura udon. The broth wasn't anything special, but it wasn't soy-sauce-msg water (which some restaurants try to do). It was pleasant. The tempura was on a bland side, but you got a wide variety of vegetables and shrimp, and it had the perfect crunch. The bill for both of our udon bowls was $23 including tax...totally worth it.. Con: Limited parking/hole in the wall If you're looking for somewhere trendy or snazzy, this isn't it. It's not well decorated. They only have one unisex single toilet bathroom. Parking was a pain depending on the time of day. My friend got meter parking right across the street. I wasn't so lucky. I had to go a block into the residential area for parking..but at least it was free.
(4)
Jasmine L.
Came here for the first time because of 4.5 star. Nice little Japanese place, cozy, nice staff. However, food is under average. I ordered Udon with beef, it taste like beef and chopped vegi boiled in hot water. The soup has no taste. My friend got hot soba with pork, same thing. Things just didn't taste fresh. My other friend got Unagi don, she said it was ok, not amazing. Maybe because we're Asian we have higher expectation for Asian food. Another thing that I CAN'T stand is their utensils, they're all made with white plastics so you can see all the stains on it. Not coming back.
(2)
Andrew E.
Lots of rave yelp reviews, but I was pretty far from being having my mind blown. Got a donburi and the gf had a grilled fish, and started out with some pickled veggies. The service, value and portions were fine, but I guess maybe we were expecting too much from homestyle food. On the other hand, perhaps we would have done better to order more of the fried items on the menu like some of the other reviewers on here.
(3)
Feb S.
Taste: 3 Location: 3.5 Cleanliness: 3.5 Ambience: 2.5 Value: 3.5 Service: 3.5 OVERALL = 3.25 * Out of a 5-point scale I got Katsu Don, Sukiyaki, and Potato Croquettes. The Sukiyaki was too sweet. The Katsu Don was not too shabby. The Potato Croquettes were pretty good. The complimentary Miso Soup was good. They don't taste like Authentic Japanese Food but I guess if you really miss some Japanese Food, this can be an option. Will I come back? Maybe, but not anytime soon.
(3)
Jackie M.
Simple cooked japanese food. I've been hankering for Japanese food that isn't sushi. In Japan, most people usually eat rice or noodles. I really like their rice. Got the potato croquettes which was like a blend of mashed potatoes covered in panko bread crust and deep fried. Mackeral was seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper cooked to highlight natural flavors of fish with a side of grated daikon and vinegar cucumbers. Nothing mind blowing, just healthy homecooking.
(4)
Joe J.
Not sure what everyone is talking about and why it's rated 4.5 stars, food was average and a little over priced for the quantity and quality. Service was great but restaurant is old and has a old place smell.
(3)
Gee B.
I've been here a few times (including last night) and this place is great! It's a Japanese restaurant but not the kind you would expect- it's not a sushi place, but more of a Japanese home-cooking kinda place. It focuses more on meat & rice or noodle soup dishes. Nothing fancy and intimidating. The waiters make you feel welcome like you're just chilling at someone's house ready to get your eat on. For an appetizer, can't go wrong with the potato croquettes. Just be careful because the inside is HOT (temperature). It's basically a big crispy oval filled with a yummy mashed potato filling. As an entree, I recommend the: - Sukiyaki: flavorful noodle/veggie/meat dish cooked in a little sweet broth - Nanban Yaki: flavorful Japanese stir fry of veggies and meat - Katsu Don (or anything in the Donburi section of menu): yummy meat usually with egg & onion served with a yummy sauce over a bed of rice. The Katsu Don is breaded and crisp, can't remember if the other options are breaded though. You get lots of rice so be hungry. Or I recommend what I got last night- the Ten Zaru Soba. It's a unique dish- cold buckwheat noodles served with a sauce to DIP them in?! They give you wasabi and scallions to put into the sauce which of course, I completely use up. So you mix up whatever you want to put into the sauce, take your noodles, dip them into the liquid, and somehow the liquid gets absorbed just enough into the noodles so that they pick up the wonderful flavor. And THEN it comes with tempura fried shrimp and veggies (you can get the noodles alone, then it's just called Zaru Soba). The tempura is AWESOME and even goes with the noodle sauce if you wanna use it =) I got about two large pieces of shrimp and an assortment of sweet potato, green beans, and eggplant all in crispy tempura glory. Most entrees (except noodle soup dishes) come with miso soup as well, and I think they all come with green tea. I had their udon noodles once- it was good but I was a little disappointed that the noodles weren't as round and fat as the kind I've gotten from Asian grocery stores. I don't know if this is a different style or what. The broth was slightly bland but they do give you a condiment to add so maybe I just didn't put enough in. Anyway, overall the soup was still good and filling so I stand with my 5-star rating. So in conclusion, go to Sunshine Cafe for an affordable, delicious Japanese rice or noodle dish. You'll come out feeling pleasantly plump and happy!
(5)
Jenny Y.
Sunshine Cafe was one of the first places I hit shortly after returning from my first trip to Japan. After that, I've gone back a handful of times trying new things each visit. It's just rare to find Japanese restaurants that offer homestyle cooking in Chicago. The food is simple - like my Japanese friend's mom's cooking. The look and feel make me feel as if I'm in someone's house. Hard to mess up potato croquettes so they are excellent by default! Teriyaki, donburi and sukayaki is sweeter than I'm used to, but they were enjoyable. The grilled fish is served whole just like at home! I don't think there is anything distinguishable about the flavors though - perhaps there's something pleasantly nostalgic about revisiting a cuisine thousands of miles away like it does for me.
(3)
Mira S.
I grabbed some takeout when I was in the area. The place was pretty full on a random weeknight. The steamed shrimp shumai were good, cooked properly, but pretty overpriced for I think 5 pieces of what I expect is frozen dumplings, steamed. I dipped it in some sauce, maybe not the sauce meant for them, but good with it nonetheless, filled with wasabi and tasty. The chicken teriyaki came with soup and salad, but I didn't love the quality of the chicken--some of the meat was grayish, and it came with skin (the latter might be a preference for some). The rice was good, sort of sticky. The food was ready quickly. There's street parking around, paid and unpaid (the latter takes a few minutes, but was doable).
(3)
Jennifer E.
I've been to Sunshine more times than I can count. I always get the Nanban Yaki with tofu and it is always delicious. The cooks always prepare the tofu with just the right consistency and the spice is just right. The staff and service are excellent. I'm a regular and they always greet me warmly like I'm a part of their family. Highly recommend!
(5)
Yuanjia Z.
This is my FAVORITE japanese restaurant in Chicago!! I really loved their food - it absolutely tasted home-made and the atmosphere is very cozy and cute. I would highly recommend their katsudon (the BEST i've had after visiting Japan)! Of course, you won't go wrong ordering anything on the menu. The waitresses and the owners are also super nice and friendly. It is definitely an authentic japanese restaurant that makes you feel like home.
(5)
Anh N.
My boyfriend and I were looking for a place that serves some type of hot soup. We were looking for Pho but we don't like the selection here, so we opted for something new. Sunshine is definitely a good find! The service is great and our server, who we think was probably the owner, was extremely kind and helpful. They serve complimentary green tea with every meal, which is perfect for a cold Chicago day. I would recommend getting the potato croquettes as an appetizer and trying their udon. The pork cutlets are also great. Their portions are quite big, so if you have a small appetite, sharing will probably still be satisfying!
(4)
Cat J.
Go here. It's as good as it sounds. You really won't be disappointed. So I just moved to the hood and after one time going there I already know this is going to be a regular spot for me and my family. I love Japanese food, been eating traditional and/or home made Japanese food for most of my life and I am very particular about Japanese food...and this place not only impressed me, I think their Nanban Yaki with beef was one of the best dishes I have EVER had, and I say that with all seriousness. It's so on point words can't even describe it. We saw a Japanese family eating it when we came in and immediately asked our waitress what it was. I feel this is a restaurant where you should definitely try the udon and noodles, but it's also as equally important to explore other things on their menu. In addition to the Nanban yaki (which is essentially beef and cabbage, sprouts and some other greens stir fried in awesomesauce) we had the tempura udon which was tasty, good tempura. The noodles were as they should be, and the broth was pleasant. Then we had shumai with the ginger sauce. It was fresh and well-made. Though word to the wise take the waiter seriously when they say that the sauce has a kick. More like an immediate slap to the sinus system, but in a you-can't-help-but-go-back way. We also had the tofu salad which was fresh with a mighty yummy dressing. I'm looking forward to trying the hiya yakko. All in all really an exceptional experience, and the wait staff were friendly and attentive. Oh, and did I forget to mention that for three people it was $35. That's what I call a damn good meal.
(5)
Jessica M.
To many Chicagoans Japanese food means raw fish. I'll admit I can count on my hands the number of times I have eaten Japanese that isn't sushi. Sunshine Cafe is a small restaurant with very simple decor. You can easily pass it because there is a tree covering the sign. The word of advice is to look for a window with hanging origami. We were a group of four on a Thursday evening. Here's what we ordered: 1) Gyoza - If you're Asian, you can probably make these dumplings at home. 2) Potato Croquette - These were DELICIOUS! Crispy on the exterior and savory on the interior. 3) Ika Geso - Can never go wrong with calamari! 4) Hot Soba 5) Ten Zaru Soba 6) Saba Shioyaki - I adored the fried and marinated fish skin. The minced radish and cucumber salad were awesome. The salad was very provoking because of its mild sour flavor. 7) Pork Nanban Yaki - The pork was very succulent and tangy. My friend had it served mildly spicy. If you can tolerate more hotness, go beyond that. 8) Green Tea Ice Cream Sunshine Cafe had a pretty decent flow of customers yet the manager was never hesitant in pausing at tables to explain what they were serving and how the dishes should be consumed. The wait staff was very kind and efficient. It's BYOB and we bought two bottles of wine. We were given wine glasses and bottle openers before we even asked. The food is very homey and welcoming. I will definitely return for more!
(5)
Gabrielle S.
Don't judge this book by its cover. It's an unassuming place from the street, and the decor is sparse. This restaurant is clearly about the food. The potato croquettes were light and crispy, the go-mae sweet and tangy. Out favorite entree was the udon soup,a hearty bowl of soup with noodles and veggies. Everything, including the sauces, tasted homemade. We will be back. Soon.
(5)
Eric S.
On my visit to Japan, I was already a bit of an expert on authentic Japanese food thanks to this place. The owner is a very friendly man, and the food is great, particularly the Soba Noodles and the Katsu Don.
(5)
Jennie T.
Ok, udon was pretty amazing. I have to admit that I was a little skeptical that I could get a good bowl of udon in a restaurant so I was pleasantly surprised by this. Some places (even in California!) will only give me freshly julienned cucumbers and carrots as vegetables; they wouldn't even be cooked WITH the broth. This place was different, and I was glad for it. I ordered the chicken udon, and the portion of meat, vegetables, noodles, and soup was very generous. SO GOOD! My friend also ordered some potato croquettes. I like those too. I will definitely come back to try their other items.
(4)
David L.
Food: 2 Decor: 3 Service: 4 I came here with my gf for dinner Wednesday around 7pm. 1. Potato croquettes, 4 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Really good. Best koroke I've had. 2. Rice ball with ume, 3 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Disappointing. Rice ball wasn't that great, and the ume was too sour. 3. Katsudon, 12 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Subpar. Too salty. 4. Soba, 11 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Disappointing. A ton of noodles and not much on top. Gf said it was loaded with MSG.
(2)
Josh M.
Great authentic Japanese food. Don't come here if you're looking for sushi...but authentic Udon, sukiyaki and other Japanese soups. I've Been to Japan before and this is as close as I've seen in the states to matching the cuisine. Get the beef sukiyaki or the Udon with vegetables or tempura. Definitely check out the potato croquettes. Dipping sauce that comes with the croquettes is killer.
(5)
Alex W.
DELICIOUS soup. The service can be slow but it's a fun, homey sort of place.
(4)
Frank B.
I ended up watching a lot of funny Japanese commercials on Youtube and really got a craving for noodles! Ramen, udon, soba etc so I googled "Best Udon in Chicago". Sunshine Cafe came up on the top so decided to go there. Once we arrived the staff was very friendly which is an A+. Reviewing the menu was a bit shocking, I mean $9.00 and up for a bowl of Udon? Ordered the Tempura Udon ($10.50) and all I can say is it was "Ok" For the price it should be the best Udon evaaaaaa but it is not. We did get free green tea ice cream which was the equivalent of $2 so I guess it offset the cost but $23 for 2 bowls of Udon?! C'mon! Bottom Line: Good service, decent food, but very overpriced. This should be a $$ not a $ restaurant
(3)
Mandy B.
I really like this place! The potato croquettes are so interesting and good. Great flavors. All the food is very authentic and tasty. Tempura vegetables are great! Hot soba also very good. Well worth a visit!!
(4)
Andrew G.
Excellent place. Very simple and casual atmosphere with amazing food. It can difficult to find good Japanese restaurants that are not just sushi. Sunshine Cafe has all of the best Japanese dishes executed perfectly. The staff could not be more friendly.
(5)
Claude P.
Super friendly people working here and the food is really comforting. If you think "Japanese" and then think "Sushi" I hope this place changes your mind a little. Not to think sushi sucks, it's great, but to think about other Japanese dishes. Nothing beats a hot bowl of noodles sometimes. Check it out. It's worth it. LISTEN TO ME I'M ON THE INTERNET!
(5)
Heather R.
Really amazing soba, and lovely, friendly service when we came into this tiny storefront to pick up our order. Food was BOILING HOT - too hot to eat right away when we got home - luckily we got some gyoza as well which were terrific. Can't wait for my next noodle craving - planning on trying everything on the menu. Super wonderful foodie find and very near our neighborhood, too. BONUS.
(4)
Jo H.
Fantastically delicious food and an awesome, friendly staff! It's a not-quite-a-secret neighborhood gem.
(5)
Ivy T.
What do you think of when hear Japanese food? I'll bet it's not comfort food. But don't worry. It's not greasy or heavy. It still upholds the simple flavors and lightness that is characteristic of Japanese cuisine. Just to be absolutely clear, you will not get rolls drizzled with cheese or any mayo-based sauces. Their udon was wonderfully soothing and light. The broth was clear and tasty. I had the vegetable udon, which came with a healthy serving of vegetables. We also ordered their cold soba noodles with tempura, and a rice dish with stir-fry tofu and vegetables in some kind of spicy sauce. The soba noodles were delicious and perfect for a summer meal. I loved dipping the noodles in the sauce :) The rice was good but I would probably rank it third out of the three dishes. I still can't believe I gave up Vietnamese food to walk a mile to eat here. But I am glad I did! It was definitely worth the walk from Little Saigon!
(5)
Stella W.
One of my favourite places in Chicago...it's an old school, home style japanese place where they don't usually serve sushi, but just the japanese kitchen food, such as udon, sukiyaki, etc... As much as i love eating anything raw, I love this place, esp, the fact that the chef is this retired japanese woman who just wants to cook up something yummy in the back! Every time I eat here, I felt like I am eating at a grandma's house, comfortable and yummy home cooked food :) BYOB is always a plus ;)
(5)
Mel A.
First time visit with a friend who is a frequent diner. He loves the Mackerel (broiled-includes miso soup, green tea & rice $11.00) and now I love it too. We also had Hot Soba (buckwheat noodles) $9.25 which I highly recommend, potato croquette $4.75 and a small tofu salad $4.50. Of all of this... my only complaint was they use really SOFT tofu for their tofu salad and I forgot to ask if they make their own. The restaurant is very unassuming on the outside but very clean and spacious on the inside with friendly attentive staff. Definitely give this place a try ;)
(4)
Bartholomew S.
Sunshine Cafe has been warming my heart for over fifteen years. Why? The service is friendly and down to earth. The cuisine is traditional Japanese from a grandma's kitchen. So every dish is comforting and plentiful. I swear that Sunshine has the best gyoza and tempura in all of Chicago.
(5)
Yen L.
We usually go for sushi whenever a Japanese craving hits, but sometimes we like to mix it up with hot dishes from the kitchen. I usually find some comfort in a good udon, my boyfriend prefers something over rice. I wasn't feeling sushi, but I was feeling udon. So he found Sunshine Cafe and reported it had good ratings and a single $ sign, so off we went. 'Twas exactly what I needed. The portion of tempura udon was perfect and comforting. We tried the potato croquettes and weren't impressed, at least not for the price we paid and the portion we got. Bf got their special of a whole rainbow trout with a miso dressing and that was cooked well and was delicious. The service was friendly and prompt. We felt comfortable from the moment we walked in to the moment we left. Since I live in Bridgeport, it's not likely we'd be able to go too often, but it's great to know that this little place with comfort food is not too far out of reach.
(4)
Rekha V.
My friend and I were walking down Clark St looking for a place to eat. As we passed Sunshine Cafe I remembered that someone had recommended it to me and the menu looked pretty good, so we headed in. The first thing my friend said was "look, there are Japanese people here. It's probably pretty good." And it was! We were seated right away and given some refreshing green tea while we perused the menu. A few minutes later we got some miso soup, which was pretty delicious. My friend then ordered the sukiyaki and I got a pork dish. We also shared the potato croquettes to start. The croquettes were great, I highly recommend them. And the rest of the food was great as well. It was a wonderful choice for dinner!
(5)
Steven M.
So good, tears of joy burst forth every time I am eating here. The "full" feeling I get after a bowl of udon from Sunshine Cafe is a satisfaction unmatched by most other eating experiences. Excellent gyoza and potato croquettes as well. Danny is a very friendly and attentive host.
(5)
Space Emperor Z.
It's been five years since I gave this place 5 stars, and my rating still stands. I just want to rant about something. The saba shioyaki is, in my opinion, the best thing I've ever eaten. It's $11. It's just two pieces of broiled mackerel, lightly salted, with a side of cucumber pickles, grated daikon, a lemon (which I never use), and a side of perfectly cooked rice. (I spread the daikon over the fish, lay the fish over the bowl of rice, and then break it up so the scant juice flows into the rice.) I don't know why I like it so much, since I didn't grow up on Japanese comfort food and I usually like highly seasoned food. The fish often has bones in it, which makes eating it somewhat challenging. It's not a meal that immediately blows your mind with complex or intense flavors. It's just ... somehow perfect, elemental in its simplicity and balance. I feel enlightened when I eat it.
(5)
Eric L.
japanese homestlye food. I miss this from my childhood days in Japan so this has a soft spot in my heart. they do good, but its what you would get in an average japanese household, so no bonus points. favorite dish: shio saba, broiled mackerel with salt. simple, elegant, delicious, highlights the raw ingredients.
(3)
Amanda M.
This place was super delicious! I docked a star for lackluster decor (update that front window guys, come on!), and the lack of sushi. The skinny: Super authentic. Really fresh, tasty, classic Japanese food. For appetizers I tried the gyoza, which as incredibly satisfying and the sauce (ponzu I think?) was perfect. I was less impressed with the Shumai, but it was still good. I had Sukiyaki with beef that had some of the best most flavorful broth I've had in a while. Rice was perfect of course. My meal came with some very satisfying miso and complimentary green tea. If you aren't a pro at chopsticks, you can get a fork upon request, but it's just so much tastier with chopsticks... Also? SUPER CHEAP. I'll be back :)
(4)
WmTomas S.
My partner and I wanted to try something different while walking around Andersonville thinking about having dinner. We were not disappointed. The menu is simple, the food was fresh and delicious, the staff was attentive without being overbearing, and the price was in line with the neighborhood. You can't go wrong. The decor is "unassuming" but the food is the star here.
(4)
Lisa S.
Sunshine Cafe is definitely a hidden Chicago gem. Having a Japanese mother, it's been difficult to find an authentic Japanese restaurant that cooks like my Obachan in Japan. This place has incredible meals and each time has been a fantastic experience. My favorites thus far on the menu are the mackerel and the Donburi. This is a great spot and it goes way beyond my expectations when craving Japanese home style food!
Located between a 7/11 and a church, Sunshine Cafe is easy to miss. Upon entering, don't expect to be impressed with modern decor or mood lighting. Instead, expect to be greeted by the friendliest staff of all time and a cozy, intimate interior. Sunshine Cafe serves some of the best Japanese food I've had in Chicago. I can barely explain how much I love their Oyako Don. It is the perfect dish for a chilly Fall/Winter day. The combination of rice, chicken, and creamy sauce will cure any cold weather-induced depression. This is always the first place that I recommend to friends who are looking for a bite to eat in Andersonville. Also, don't forget that it is BYOB!
(5)
Ryan L.
As cheesy as it sounds, a meal here makes your day better. Japanese comfort food at its best. There's no sushi here, but it's not necessary. The food here is outstanding. Their udon is one of the best I've had in the city. You can't go wrong with their chicken, beef, or just plain udon. The noodles are awesome with a great texture. The potato croquettes (kinda like deep fried mashed potatoes) are a must appetizer. The sauce they bring out for it is top notch, one of my favorites. We usually order the katsudon, a bowl of sticky rice topped with cut-up breaded pork and a fried egg. Also a must is the sukiyaki. Sometimes they have a beef steak on special, and if they have it I would recommend ordering it. It's flavorful and delicious. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, which combined with the no-frills decor of the dining room gives the impression that we're eating at grandma's house or a church basement. As a huge fan of rice bowls, this is a great place for me. As for feeding my rice addiction, I'll get over it.
(4)
Vince V.
Great food. Nice service. Inside is nothing impressive but then again, not the reason you come here. Everything was fresh, not over seasoned and tasty. Great value too.
(4)
Denise K.
I don't know how I missed writing a review for Sunshine Cafe, the ladies who own this place have known me since I was born. They were long time friends of my dad's when he first came to the U.S. from Japan. Their cooking is almost the only "true" japanese cooking I know, apart from my dancing teacher's and the ladies who used to help her. It's not fancy, the inside/outside might deter some. I don't think you can find much friendlier wait staff. Dan is the best! I can't skip the koroke - potato nut that I am. My comfort foods are her sukiyaki, tempura or curry. Can't beat her tempura - always crisp and the perfect batter. Dad always had the saba shioyaki. Mom likes the yaki soba. Have taken many friends here over the years. I don't get here as often as I would like to. LOVE this place, but I basically grew up on their food!
(5)
Fe T.
I got the potato croquettes and the pork udon. My friend got the curry rice. The pork udon was steamy-hot and totally perfect for a cold day. It tasted fresh and home-y. However, as another yelper mentions, the pork udon has like 3 tiny pieces of pork ... Common'! They charged me $10 for the whole bowl and pork is not expensive. Potato croquettes tasted great, but $5 for 2 pieces is definitely on the pricier side. It's a bit crowded if you go on the weekend - especially if you go in group. I suggest you call beforehand if that's your plan. They offer green tea and free refill. Overall, very homey. If I ever hang out close by, I might com back.
(3)
Diana G.
I really wanted to love this place, but it just didn't do it for me. I came her once before a few years ago and thought it was ok. Went with my 2 girlfriends last week. We ended up getting the potato croquettes, chilled tofu for appetizers. I love potatoes, but I just don't see the hype on this. I'm not a big tofu fan, so it was ok. We ordered the sukiyaki, tonkatsu and shrimp tempura dinner. Sukiyaki - I had it the first time I came and thought it was really good, but this time it seemed to be a bit too sweet. Was a bit disappointed! Tonkatsu - Always wanted to try this and finally did. I gotta say nothing special and the sauce they use is the same as the potato croquette. Definitely taste mustard in that sauce. Shrimp tempura dinner - Nothing special. Think it came with like 4 shrimps, green beans (yum), eggplant and sweet potato. No ambiance, I'm sure it was a chinese restaurant before this. Laid back feel and BYOB! I wouldn't come out of my way to go here, but I wouldn't not come back. I would like to give the other items a try.
(3)
Nicole C.
I've been meaning to try this place for months now & I finally did! It was well-worth the wait. The service was great, atmosphere felt like I was in someone's home, tea warmed me right up, and the food hit the spot. We ordered the potato croquettes as an app...the sauce was perfect for them! Then I had the Katsu Don. I asked the server what their most popular dish was and he pointed this one out. I can definitely see why it's so popular. It was delicious, and I ate every bite. However, the miso soup was not their strong point. It wasn't horrible, but it also was not the best miso I've had either. We stayed until 9:15pm and no one kicked us out or even mentioned that they would be closing at 9pm (It was like chilling in someone's home). I loved my experience there & I cannot wait to go back!
(4)
C N.
You can easily walk past this place without noticing it's one of the best places for Japanese comfort food. Don't be tricked by the decor--the people are really friendly and the food is good. And it's BYOB. What else do you need?
(4)
Green T.
Traditional Japanese food? Sign me up! Wait, this is traditional Japanese food more like your grandma making traditional American food like hot dogs and Kraft mac n' cheese. They were temporarily shut down for health code violations for a little bit after we went which didn't really help my opinion either. If you're looking for something that is like American-style comfort food except Japanese, this will work for you. Unfortunately, that's not my thing.
(2)
Beth S.
Best Mom & Pop Japanese food in town (Chicago). Tempura is light. Gyoza is to die for. Tofu is fresh. A great place for couples or families. Danny is tops. BYOB. This is the standard by which we judge all other Japanese restaurants.
(4)
Maria G.
Great, little spot in Andersonville. Decor leaves something to be desired but you feel welcomed as soon as you walk in. I like the Goyza as an appetizer and usually go with a Tempura dish. Everything taste fresh and delicious and the prices can't be beat!
(4)
Monica G.
Went last night for a birthday dinner. Loved that the place was flexible and able to accommodate a group of 7 of us. Service was extremely friendly, and BYOB is great. They reminded me they had my wine we hadn't drank before we left - thanks guys! Order a variety of small plates: potato croquettes (just as good as they claim), gyoza, shumai, edamame (served cold - ick!). Each person got an individual dish too. I ordered the Sukiyaki, a beef ad tofu noodle dish. It came with Miso soup, which was nice. The Sukiyaki was extremely salty, my tablemate had the same thing and she agreed. We wanted to add water to our broth. Everyone else at the table enjoyed their plates. I'm on the fence between a 3 - 4 for this review. The apps were better than the entrees. However, between the great service/patience (we stayed kinda late), and the cheap, byob, final bill (20 bucks a person!!!), I'll go with 4 stars. Looking forward to coming back and trying a new entree.
(4)
Jeremy M.
Happy New Year! Sunshine Cafe opened tonight, and though prices went up a little, it's still the best everyday Japanese food in Chicago. I'll be back to my regular weekly visits. I should send Charlie P. a copy of Kitchen Confidential. He'll never eat out again!
(5)
Reiahnna J.
I had to come here because I didn't want to go to a typical Japanese restaurant that mostly serves sushi. It was kind of a long walk for me from the red line train, but I found it. I decided to try a Yelp favorite, Katsu Don. I took it home and am eating it right now. Maybe it taste better if you eat right then because it looks like the rice took most of the juice and now the rice is sticky. I was in a rush so I did take-out. I did try the green tea ice cream right away. It was so good and I think the ice cream was so medicinal that I wasn't stiff at the end of the day. Plus, free miso soup with your order.
(5)
Matt M.
I am all for forgoing getting rid of the 1975 wood paneling in the name of competitive pricing for extremely high quality food. I have been really struggling to find any form of asian food around Edgewater that I can say is original, delicious, and affordable. I have to suggest you get the rice ball and have the staff tell you to just pick it up like a donut because "no one cares, go for it" (with a smile). The flavors on their dishes are incredible, the share of rice is appreciable, and the ingredients fresh. Sunshine cafe will be seeing much more of me in the near future.
(5)
Theanne G.
Great Andersonville neighborhood gem. Inexpensive home cooked food. Nicely demonstrates that Japanese cuisine is more than sushi.
(4)
Liv G.
Delicious! We loved everything we ordered. Thought the udon noodles lacked flavor, but the pork and rice dish we ordered was incredible! I would highly recommend this for a cheap night out!
(4)
Michelle N.
One of my absolute favorite places to get comfort food!! Whenever a dish comes out, it feels like it was made by my grandma and makes me super happy! Its a great place to bring your family or friends to relax and have good food with good company. Moreover, you know it's authentic when you see a bunch of old time Japanese Americans and their kids/grandkids come in for a quick bite on Sunday afternoons. I have been eating here as a kid and have literally eaten everything on their menu and love every dish and appetizer. However if I had to choose, the things you absolutely have to try are the potatoes croquettes, ika geso, katsudon and sukiyaki. On cold days the udon or soba really hit the spot! On top of the food being delicious, the service there is also awesome! Everyone is friendly and attentive. They never try to sell you anything and make an effort to get to know you the more you go there! Danny, the manager, is one of THE nicest people ever and he genuinely cares about making sure everyone who comes into the restaurant has the best dining experience they can! It can get busy so it can be a wait but it's worth it! I have recently moved to San Francisco and miss this place constantly. Can't wait to go back there as soon as I come home for Christmas :)
(5)
Annie D.
Sunshine Cafe was our compromise when the fella wanted pho and I was feeling like something new. So we went to this Japanese noodle shop to have something new. If you're looking for friendly service, big portions and udon/soba noodles, this is a good bet. However, I wasn't totally overwhelmed by my tonkatsu (panko fried pork, kinda like Japanese milanesa) or our potstickers (came out a little lukewarm). The seaweed salad was pretty tasty. The tonkatsu sauce was a little sweet for me, and the pork alone just didn't have very much flavor. The pork comes alongside a standard salad, some pickles and white rice. Anyway, not bad but I don't think I'd order this dish again. My dude's food was a little bit better (he got the katsudon). Still, one less than perfect meal does not a bad restaurant make, especially when the service was good and a brothy noodle soup will be just what the doctor ordered come wintertime. I'd definitely come here again and try something else.
(4)
Ivan L.
I'm a little hesitant to give this five stars as I've only been there once but this place definitely deserves five if all of my future visits are just as enjoyable as the first. For appetizers, we ordered the gyoza and potato croquettes, both of which were delicious (albeit a little pricey). My wife had the katsudon (which she says was excellent) while i ordered the saba shioyaki (grilled mackerel) which was amazing. The fish was tender and juicy, a perfect combination of simplicity and flavor. The staff was very friendly and attentive, even going so far as to give us fresh cups of green tea because they worried that our initial tea might've gone cold. We will definitely be going back and trying more items on the menu!
(4)
Andy S.
I've been here a few times over the past 2 years, it fills a craving for Japanese food that isn't sushi. The food is excellent, especially the Tonkatsu, Katsu Don, and Ten Zaru Soba. Sometimes the dishes are a bit on the sweet side. If you prefer the tangy sweet of teriyaki you'll like it any which way but I prefer less sweet. To correct some of the reviews stating the green tea and red bean ice cream is homemade, it ain't. We asked the friendly and often smiling server and he said emphatically "NO!!!!!!! It's Edy's, the white people prefer it than the stronger green tea ice cream". So if you care for green tea ice cream specify which you prefer: gaijin green tea ice cream or heritage green tea ice cream. Both aren't homemade. Nonetheless good food for a great price. You won't be going there all the time, mainly when the craving hits.
(4)
Alex M.
This place is great ! When you sit down they serve you a hot cup of delicious green tea and the service is really good/friendly. The potato croquettes are delicious and the Soba noodles (hot) with tempura is SO good. They are also nice enough to make the tempura all vegetable for me. Also - the portions are great! I would highly recommend going here on a cold night -- the hot soup will definitely cheer you up.
(5)
KELLIE K.
I just got a loving hug from the Japanese grandmother I didn't know I had and it came in the form of sukiyaki. And oh, what a great big hug it was. Finally, after living in the neighborhood all these years, I managed a visit to Sunshine. This. This is just what I needed. Our group shared orders of the potato croquettes and tempura. Both were mighty fine, with the potato croquettes being a smash hit. The sukiyaki completed my quest for good Japanese comfort food In Chicago. The broth was perfectly slightly sweet with just the right tang. All of the ingredients were served together in a hot pan in a beautiful medley of soupy broth. If there is one dish you need to try, this is it. Drink up the green tea, and BYOB, if inclined. Sit back, and enjoy extremely casual dining. This is family joint, even so much that is feels like my [imaginary] Japanese grandmother set up a restaurant in her garage. That's OK, because after you're done eating, you'll feel warm, hugged, and very full. It's going to hard to keep me from going back every week.
(4)
Christine K.
Coming from Southern California, I miss the authentic home-made Japanese delicacies and dishes, especially hand-made noodles. Sunshine Cafe satiates those cravings with their udon and soba. However, the broth is too salty for my taste. Oh, the potato croquettes, though, are something worthy of trying! Light and crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Mind you, each one probably adds 500 calories to your intake. While the sukiyaki was enjoyable, the broth--again--piped in saltiness.
(4)
Sara V.
I came here for dinner a few months ago with a good friend. I'd walked past the place numerous times and it always looked a little odd from the outside, but having been told it gave truth to the idiom "don't judge a book..." I looked forward to some delicious food. Not disappointed. Excellent bowl of noodles (can't remember exactly what I ordered but it had noodles, vegetables and broth if that helps). Remarkably tasty without being overly salted. I was full barely halfway through, which only goes to show just how big a serving it was. BYOB is always convenient and good service even more so. I haven't been back since but I fully intend to rectify that shortly. Possibly when my mother is in town. She does love a good noodle.
(4)
Luciana B.
Delicious! I decided to try this place out (though it's a little far from where I live) since it has such great reviews on yelp. I have to say I was NOT disappointed and will be coming back for more! Although this place doesn't have sushi, their warm dishes are absolutely cooked to perfection. I had the Sukiyaki and my boyfriend had the Chicken Teriyaki, plus some gyoza and potato croquettes for the appetizer. We had EVERYthing! It was so good! The waiter was also very friendly. If you're a fan of japanese food, you must visit this place!
(4)
Erin R.
my friend and I ordered from this place based on all the good reviews. All I have to say is if these people think this place is 4+stars, I need to take you to some places that will blow your mind. You will be asking yelp for 20 stars! First off, what sort of asian restaurant doesn't deliver. Strike 1. We both ordered the udon noodles because it seemed like their specialty. They used weird items we honestly have never seen before in them that looked more like a lisa frank eraser than a vegetable. The rest of the veggies were cheap like lettuce. Strike 2. The broth in and of itself which makes up a big part of udon noodles was flavorless. Strike 3. I will not be back to try anything else after this experience.
(1)
Katy B.
Just go already! Don't even take the time to finish reading my review. Just go. The food here is so wonderful and everyone who works there is super friendly. It's BYOB which is great. But seriously, the food is amazing. Yes the decor with the overhead fluorescent lights leave a little something to be desired, but you'll be too busy scarfing down your dinner to notice.
(5)
Diablo L.
Very good pork dumplings,tempura very good and very tasty sukiyaki, was there on a weeknight around 8pm , very crowded but food came out really quick...
(4)
Bryan S.
Prices have increased to now paying over $8.00 for a bowl of udon noodles. The portion sizes have also decreased. I know it is expensive to run a restaurant in Chicago but...
(3)
Kayu T.
Need I say more? Everything is awesome here- especially their daily specials! The ONLY negative part about this place is its old, kinda gross decors and long wait for dinners. The staffs are very nice, but I think hiring experienced wait staffs would be a good idea.
(4)
Shelami C.
I love going here with my cousins. Their food tastes very authentic Japanese homemade food (not sushi) and the cooked fish they serve to your liking are fresh! This place just brought me back to Sapporo when I visited my friend some time back. I should probably give this place a four-star because they kept running out of homemade green tea and red bean ice cream or maybe it's that good that it disappears by the time I get here. The server is so funny! I like wit-fencing with him. He's always smiling when you enter and makes you feel right at home. He's also very attentive of everyone. I think he has several regular customers or maybe we all end up coming back to become regular customers.
(5)
Katherine M.
I have not been to Japan yet, but the dishes I tried reminded me of what my Japanese friends cook at home. For 3 people, 3 main courses and 4 sides/starters (inclusive of lots of green tea with refills for free) was ~50 so best value for money for Japanese in Chicago by far. It was comfy home environment, wait staff very nice. The food was excellent. I would have sukiyaki every day if I could get up here easier. potato crocquettes great comfort food; salmon nice. This is not a sushi place. a peaceful & green neighborhood you have to find parking on the street.
(5)
Charlie P.
Closed by the Health Department. Nasty, Nasty, Nasty! Do you know how disgusting a kitchen has to be before the Chicago Health Department finally shuts 'em down? The list of unforgivable offenses was about a mile long. These tools clearly don't care about their (former) customers. I'll never, ever, ever walk through their grease coated doors again. Nasty!
(1)
Samson P.
We were craving authentic Japanese food and we heard about this place from our Japanese friend. Once inside you notice it is more of a family-owned home style Japanese restaurant. We ordered: Potato Korokke (Japanese style croquette) - crunchy, savory, I could eat 100 of these Gyoza (Pan fried dumplings that are staple in east asian countries) - good although I have had better Grilled Mackerel - My friend loves mackerel and thought it was tasty. Tempura Udon - perfectly executed, Can't go wrong with this Tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) - This is one of my favorites and was exceptional Later I took my girlfriend here and we ordered the Potato Korokke always crunchy and savory, Seafood Soba -my girlfriend thought it was okay, and Curry Tonkatsu -This is comfort food I normally try making this at home but since its harder to deep fry the cutlet in my kitchen Verdict If you are looking for authentic home-cooked Japanese food, I recommended this place. The family who owns it is really nice and friendly. They make sure you feel at home and the food is reasonably priced and very good.
(4)
James L.
One of my favorite places to go. It have that home style cooking vibe. The rice dishes are always amazing. Really fresh. The Udons are good too. I've been here on and off for about 2 years now and can't believe I forgot to rate this delicious place.
(5)
Nick J.
My rating is based more on cost as compared to your typical or overpriced Japanese place that says its authentic but only serves sushi. I spent my summer on an internship in Japan for 2 1/2 months and I had been craving some decent Japanese food. I'm also a college student, so I'm looking to be cheap. Now, to address the whole health department thing. First of all, I didn't care. If you've traveled abroad before you know the places that don't sparkle actually have some of the best food. Plus, I've thought Americans have an absurdly high expectation for cleanliness. I mean, the Chicago health department stopped my college from having a scoop your own ice cream. Anyways. I tried to get a peak back there and it looked like they had some well polished new equipment. I didn't see much, but from what I could see it looked fine now. I had the ramen with tempura. I also shared some gyoza with friends. The gyoza was good. Wish it could have been a bit more crispy, but its how they make it. The ramen was great and so was the tempura. It was nice that the cost of the green tea was free with a meal. It's far from the best Japanese food I've had (which was in Japan, so that's ok), but it was fantastic for the price. Just as well, the service was quick and super friendly. The owner seated us quickly and it wasn't long till our orders were out. I left Sunshine Cafe stuffed with delicious Japanese food for about $12-13. One thing I loved about the place is that it wasn't trying to be fancy, hip or anything. It was simple and plain. No frills. Just good food for some good prices. Cool thing too, the menu is on foursquare if you wana check it out before going. I'll be back.
(4)
ChiLLWaVEOoOoOo S.
had the udon and gyoza both were just OK. i'm from los angeles and this place would be a total afterthought there, but for chicago i suppose this is near the best you can get
(3)
Eileen Z.
First off this is more of a 4.5 star place for me. Rounded up solely for the fact that this is a great place to be a regular at. Small, cozy, BYOB, inexpensive and hands-down tasty authentic homestyle Japanese food. Can't even count how many times I've been here. It had been suggested by the mom of a friend of a friend years back after being asked of good spots to hit up for authentic Japanese and she highly recommended this place. Here, you will find no sushi rolls or dishes put together to be aesthetically pleasing. It is what it is, homestyle food. Most dishes come in generous portions. Plus, I haven't found a dish I did not like, but there are some that stand out more than others. Example, the gyoza is just okay and nothing I would come looking for, but their potato croquettes are phenomenal. The udon or katsudon are my safe bets if there's nothing else I'm jonesing for. They also have this miso glazed eggplant that's really good, but is included as a special from time to time, not a regular on the menu. And I can't say enough about the staff. Super friendly, which definitely helps if you go during peak hours because there will be a good amount of waiting time. The great service helps get you past the wait, the lack of aesthetics and cramped space. I just like to think when there's a line, there's always a reason.
(5)
Noga S.
Delicious, interesting and inexpensive. They are BYOB too! I have no idea what I ordered, but it was AMAZING!
(5)
Yanyao N.
I tried to make veggie soba last night. I am such a fool. When JN first tried it, I thought I caught a glimpse of a face but he was quick to hide it - what a sweetheart. He, like me and many others, is enamored with the soba noodles from Sunshine Cafe. The perfect savory broth (how do they pack so much flavor in there?! Bonito flakes, I am told), the buckwheat noodles, the napa cabbage and other vegetables, the pieces of soft tofu... mmm, the perfect winter comfort food, and guilt free too! Broth, veggies, tofu, buckwheat noodles do not go to your hips, I promise. I think I'll learn a lesson from last night and not try to replicate anything else from SC. Seriously. This place serves the best Japanese food in Chicago. No swanky lounge music, bizzaro sushi rolls, and dim lighting here. Expect to find plenty of delicious appetizers, noodles, and rice bowls. I highly recommend the katsudon, one of my favorite Japanese dishes to eat as a teenager living in Japan-crazed Hong Kong, and I have to say, the one at SC is better! A bowl full of perfectly cooked sticky white rice, topped with a mixture of cut up breaded pork (think tonkatsu) stir-fried with egg, onions, and soy sauce. Miso soup and green tea come with your meal. The service here is some of the friendliest I have ever encountered. Informative, warm, funny even! The staff here will make you feel at home and make sure you are happy with your meal. Plenty of regulars come here and are remembered, even us! My favorite is Dan, who brought me my first "Japanese Big Mac" aka musubi (get this GIANT sushi rice ball if you are a rice fanatic like me) and on our second visit, promised the next time we came, he would sit us at a different table. I really don't care though. I'd be happy to sit in the corner as long as I get some katsudon. Sunshine Cafe is closed Mondays and only open from 4-9pm the rest of the week. There aren't that many tables, so come early or expect to wait a little while. It is also BYOB, for those of you who are into that. Parking on this stretch of Clark is also reasonably easy.
(5)
Michelle L.
Good family restaurant! Finally tasted something more close then other japanese restaurant in Chicago.
(5)
Andrew K.
Tried this place out tonight was GREAT! reasonable prices and everything we tried was satisfying and TASTY! We had pork udon and sakuyuki both were really good. we also split a rice ball with plum inside as well as gyoza appetizer and potato croquets! Will definitely come back! For 2 to eat till near purging it was about 40$ Not a bad dinner date considering how much we ate! Plus they were on top of the water and even gave some tasty green tea when we sat down!
(4)
Helen H.
Terrific!! A little mix up with the order of people being seated, but the people were so friendly and nice and gave us an appetizer in appreciation!! Gyoza... Yummmm Cold soba noodles wth dipping sauce and wasabi.... To die for!!! Such a special dish, I hardly ever find this dish in restaurants. Fried pork.. Yumm! The cucumbers in vinegar was even better than how my mom makes it!! I also love how they just laid out chopsticks, felt more authentic then those places that give u forks. Althoguh, as soon as I said that my Indian bf dropped his chopsticks on the floor. :) The prices are relatively inexpensive, but the portions are smaller. Even I could finish my dish and an appetizer and I do not eat very much. Decor is cute but nothing crazy, it's an overalll great laid back place!! Def will be back!
(4)
Joey M.
I've been eating at Sunshine Cafe for many , many years and still love the place . I love their appetizers and always make a point of eating too many of them so that only eat a little of my entree and so be sure to have leftovers . That's how I roll . The service is friendly and efficient and I always enjoy seeing the same familiar faces there year after year . Oh , and the potato croquettes . Effing , unfairly , delicious ! Plus Sunshine Cafe is BYOB and close to several liquor stores and the food is a great bargain quality-wise and portion-wise . I highly recommend Sunshine Cafe to anyone interested in authentic Japanese food and charming service .
(4)
Alexis P.
We eat at Sunshine probably once a week - and when we miss a week, we get pretty down. It has become one of our favorite spots. Dan and the rest of the crew are SO friendly and welcoming - they make you feel right at home! If you are looking for some swanky, nightcluby sushi spot... Sunshine is NOT it! If, on the other hand, you are looking for consistent, delicious, affordable Japanese comfort food... you will likely become a Sunshine regular. Highlights that we order all the time: cold edamame, gyoza with great spicy sauce, tempura soba (yummy broth and tempura served on the side so it stays CRISP!), chicken teridon, tonkatsu, nanban yaki,... basically whatever you order will be tasty! We were devastated when we walked by and saw the "license suspended" sign on the door. We're currently trying to figure out if there is some way we can help Sunshine get open again (very selfish desire on our part!). Once they reopen, we will resume our weekly visits. Can't wait!
(5)
George K.
Home away from home, that is what Sunshine Cafe is to Andersonville. One of the greatest restaurants in the city, it possess a quality that cannot be purchased. The first thing my friends and I said when we heard the news of the close was "how can we help?" and we encourage everyone in the neighborhood to do the same.
(5)
Kaman T.
This is as home-cooked Japanese as it can get and they got it RIGHT! Do not expect mayo-filled sushi rolls here. This is a family owned restaurant that focuses on traditional home cooked Japanese dishes. Ones that you'd probably won't encounter unless in a Japanese home. I've been here a few times and am blown away each time. I've had the vegetable soba in hot broth before and the texture of the soba was amazing. Not too soft and it was a nice bouncy chewy texture. The udon is equally delicious. Sukiyaki is deelicious as well, but does not have enough beef imo. Tonkatsu is amazing as well. The meat is not dry at all. It is super tender and easy to chew. The croquettes (fried mash potato balls) are a must-get for appetizer and the grilled eggplant is awesome as well. Comes with a ginger sauce that you glaze on top. They aren't open for a long period of time....I think 5pm-9pm? So expect a LONG wait on weekends. HIGHLY recommend this place!!
(5)
Nick M.
Rule of thumb (or THE FINGER... inside joke) is if Mike K approves then you're good to go. Yes, yes if Mikey likes it... No joke, it really is Japanese comfort food. At the end of the meal you sit back or roll back (pending the amount you've eaten), scratch your belly and say ahhhhh. The service is so good they might even scratch you belly for you. Seriously, the service is excellent! The manager or owner (??) was making jokes about the size of the bowl (it's HUGE) saying "if you need a bigger bowl just let me know and I'll get more". Also, don't let the look of the building or the decor scare you. Being a wussy and not knowing what to order I went with Mike K's suggestions. I got the Korokke (potato croquette) which alone is pretty good but with the spicy sweet sauce they provide, it's a knock out. I also went with the vegetable Udon, which I can only compare it to a hearty soup of maybe even Pho. Tender noodles, awesome rejuvenating broth, and some crisp vegetables, this will easy become my go to place for colds and hangovers. I can't wait to go back and try other things. Nice find and in the hood even. Plus BYOB = Cheap hearty dinner!
(4)
Rowena A.
Can't rate. Just arrived at the front door. Closed. Sign reads "license suspended", posted 12/8/11. Looks like it failed inspection: chicago.everyblock.com/f…
(2)
Joe L.
Great, cheap, affordable. FYI, Sunshine is currently closed due to a City Health Inspection.
(4)
Mikey J.
Too be honest, this place was alright at best. The seating was slow, the service was fairly slow, and the food came out, well, slow. Granted I wolfed down my soba because my hunger was through the roof after the wait, but the noodles were good, not spectacular. It's curious to see how Yelp has one $ for the prices here, because our bill for two small appetizers and a main dish each came to over $15 a person for our party or 6. Not cheap in my books! Oh yeah, don't get the teriyaki chicken
(3)
Anthony J.
Cute enough inside, but slow service. Been there a couple times, still haven't eaten anything I really liked. The worst offender was the yaki soba, which tasted like ketchup.
(2)
Jin L.
Found elderly Japanese people eating here. This can only mean a good thing. My friend and I shared Potato croquette and I had Tempura Udon. The noodles were chewy and the broth was yummy. My friend only had good things to say about this place. The tempura was ok but everything tasted clean. Will definitely be back soon for more. With water, they provided hot green tea (not the tea bag kind) which I liked.
(4)
Nik O.
I recently moved to Chicago from LA and have been dying to find good Japanese food. Found this little gem and was thoroughly impressed. All the staff and customers were happy and cheerful and the Manager was really funny. I had the Sukiyaki and it was extremely filling, not to mention SUPERB!! I didn't read up on it, but they allow you to bring your own booze. There were a lot of customers who brought wine and Sapporo, so do yourself a favor AND BYOB! :D Next time I go I am going to order the Mackeral, which looked and smelled mouth watering.
(5)
Terrence C.
I do not give 5 stars rarely. I'd give 6 if the option was present. Sunshine Cafe is a gift from the heavens. I cannot think of a single negative comment. Friendly jovial staff will make you feel comfortable from the beginning. The decor is simple at best. You may feel like you are in a church basement temporarily. There is a slight glimpse of Japanese-esque design, but let's be honest, the food is the reason to come to Sunshine. No frills dining, the dishes are straight to the point. Katsu Don.. slammin. quite possibly best dish on the menu. Udon.. (all meats) taste like they were hand made moments before they are served. They have a salmon dish that escapes the memory presently, but it is par to none. I absolutely love Sunshine cafe. It is truly a home cooked meal, with friendly service at a great price. A meal for 2 will run you about 20 bucks with an appetizer. Yes, 20 bucks. Go here! Eat well. A diamond in the rough.
(5)
Christina B.
Sunshine is great when you want real homestyle Japanese food, but otherwise, probably not worth it. The service is impeccable, I will admit that much. The guy who usually serves everything up is incredibly kind and solicitous. And look, I'm a thrifty person to whom atmosphere isn't everything, or even anything - but when I walk into your establishment and immediately smell mildew, that's wrong. Food is definitely tasty - but why is a bowl of rice with some chicken, onion, and egg on top over ten bucks? Why would your daily tsukemono be over five bucks? All in all, not usually worth it. Unless you're going for street cred with elderly nisei. Then you will OWN this joint.
(3)
Tammy C.
(See pic) This is a small family Japanese place. Super friendly service that I enjoyed so much. Food wise, the Chilean sea bass, crab cakes, miso soup, Unagi Don were all for less than 30 dollars. Great value for really tasty food!
(4)
Mike K.
You're probably not going to find a better bowl of udon in the city. Maybe you will but I guarantee it won't be as unpretentious as you'll find here at Sunshine Cafe. The place serves Japanese comfort food. There is no sushi bar here. Think hiyayakko (cold tofu), korokke (potato croquette) and katsudon (breaded pork). Their chicken udon is what keeps me coming back. As a noodle soup fan, this is as good as it gets. The portions are amazing. The noodles have a great texture and there is a great mix of soup to noodles, vegetables and chicken. It tastes like a warm hug from your grandmother. BYOB. Four highly enthusiastic stars.
(4)
Chris D.
Love this place! The decor is stripped down simple, clean, very Japanese. If you are looking to dine in a Japanese temple you won't find that here. What you will find is a very nice and helpful front of the house and delicious food. It is all reasonably priced and arrives just on time. Not to quick so that you think it isn't fresh, and not to long that you starve. Once again, I love this place.
(5)
Ryne D.
A Japanese place that isn't about sushi? It almost seems oxymoronic, but seeing as I'm on a "new experiences" kick, I was down for it. Well, OK, I'm pretty familiar with non-sushi Japanese food, but it was still cool to find a place like this. It's pretty small, but we didn't have trouble finding a seat. Like everyone says, you must get the potato croquettes. If you don't, you're pretty much wasting your own time...they alone are worth the trip here. I got the tonkatsu, but for my friend who can't eat pork, they happily suggested she get chicken katsu instead. It's not quite the same as the Hawaiian classic, but it still looked pretty good. My tonkatsu was served in a pretty traditional fashion and I recommend it if you want to try a classic Japanese dish. The guys who work here were really cool, even after my friend vigorously pounded on the front door until she noticed there were two (two!) signs that read "Pull". They cracked jokes with us the whole night and really left an impression on us...almost as big as the impression my friend invariably left on their door frame.
(4)
Helena G.
It was the first time that I tried Japanese comfort food and I really enjoyed the food, the service and the place. It's a good value for money. The portions are very generous. Appetizers: - potato croquettes ***** (try it with the special sauce) - kinpira***** - ika geso (squid tempura) ***** (DELICIOUS) Main dish: - Salmon shioyaki ***** (it comes with delicious and soft pickles, and with white radish... SUCCULENT) The main dish comes with a bowl of rice, a miso soup (yummy) and green tea (very good). I highly recommend this place!
(4)
Kevin S.
I love this place! I had the katsu-don and it was one of the best things I have ever eaten. My girlfriend had some grilled fish and she said it was great. I hear that sometimes they have a hibachi steak on special and that it's to die for. I didn't look at the menu too thoroughly, but if you're looking for a trendy Japanese restaurant that is so popular nowadays, don't come here. The seating area is pretty small and old school, but I like the decor on the wall/windows.. makes it seem like it is outdoors in Japan! The service was great too. Overall this place is a down to earth homestyle Japanese restaurant that doesn't carry the higher price commonly associated with Japanese food. Highly recommended!
(5)
Andy M.
This place is awesome. From the outside it looks like a total hole in the wall. Who am I kidding, the inside looks like a hole in the wall as well. But aesthetics aside, the great food made my tummy quite happy. The Croquette appetizer was awesome and the beef dish (that I can't pronounce) was very tasty. The Beef was marinated with terriyaki sauce and the bottle of special sauce they offer was the perfect blend of sweet and spicy goodness. This was the first time that I ever tried Japanese food, and the Sunshine Cafe has made me a convert. Our server was great. He was laid back, funny and kept our cups filled with the awesome green tea that they serve. This place rocked, and I can't wait for my next visit.
(5)
Bob W.
I give this four stars for one dish that we had, the Sukiyaki. This is a dish most places screw up because it's a delicate balance of savory and sweetness. Here it was just perfect. I don't normally enjoy tofu but in this I snapped it right up. Other than that we ordered small dishes (my wife had a craving for potato croquettes) and so we ordered the croquettes, the gyoza and the shumai. The former were tasty but pricy more than the dumplings despite just being fried potatoes (five dollars). The gyoza were actually on the bad side, I only ate them because I dislike wasting food. Finally, the shumai were decent, but my wife has made better (which may say more about my wife's prowess than their quality). So avoid the gyoza and get the sukiyaki. Other noodle dishes looked good and I will go back to try them even though the prices on the whole seemed a bit steep for dishes that often enough were a few slices of chicken on some rice.
(4)
Jen P.
The owner of Sunshine Cafe has to be the nicest man on earth! And to top it off, the potato croquettes are wonderful, as well as the vegetable udon. LOVE.
(5)
V B.
I used to love coming here. What happened? We ordered the tofu salad and it was drenched with a strong miso dressing. We sent it back and reordered it with the dressing on the side - much better. I ordered one of my usual; sukiyaki, and the broth overly salty! I had to pour some of my water in the broth to dilute it.
(2)
Pinaki S.
This is something you'd probably never even imagined existed: a Japanese hole-in-the-wall. I say that in the most endearing way.You won't find a dragon roll on the menu, but you'll find home style Japanese food-- Udon noodles, Katsu, Unagi, mackerel, etc. And you'll find really friendly staff and terrific food at ridiculous prices. I went on a man-date (cue man-date music) here, we got the potato croquettes, unagi-don, sukiyaki, miso soup and little saki-type shot glasses for our BYOB Asian liquor. Total $32 with tip and tax. I thought that was pretty sweet. Also pretty sweet: the MIDI style music in the background. Really sets the mood for a man-date.
(4)
Christine K.
Oh, Sunshine Cafe. How to do you justice? The food here is authentic and homey. When you walk into its unassuming storefront, it feels like you're entering your Japanese aunt's house and eating her home-cooked food. What more could you ask for? I love everything here, from the potato croquettes to the noodles (soba? ramen? udon? Yes, please.). I would particularly recommend the grilled mackerel. The fish just melts in your mouth. MELTS. It was my first time experiencing fish that is so juicy it literally falls apart on contact with the tongue. Wow. I love coming here for brunch on Sundays. They're not too busy, and they always offer tasty specials.
(5)
Jane M.
If my grandma were Japanese, her food would taste like this. Incidentally, Abuelita is an awesome cook. And at Sunshine Cafe, grandma is literally in the kitchen. It's a family joint, which I love above all the Michelin starred eateries in the universe. Their udon is delightful, but the ramen is made of crack and unicorns. It's not on the menu, you've got to ask for it. Sometimes they don't have it, but when they do, get it. The oyako don is gorgeous, and the sukiyaki to die for. Frankly, I've never had anything that wasn't perfect. Now, if you want fancy ass sushi rolls, you can go down the street. They have one roll here, no sushi, no sashimi. Just home cookin'. The place is tiny and casual, and packed on weekends, so go off hours if you don't want to wait. And super reasonably priced. Which for Andersonville is doubly noteworthy, as you can't even get a coffee in Hipster-landia for less than $5. Go! Go now!
(5)
Guillermo A.
Salty miso soup. Extremely cold Edamame. Only relief was the chicken teri don, but not by much. Maybe it was because we went at 3:00 pm. People who review this place and give it a high score need to visit other places outsides this neighborhood establishment.
(1)
William Y.
Very good family style Japanese food. Loved it.
(4)
Dominic F.
This is what I imagine eating at my Japanese grandma's house would feel like, if I had one. The prices are fair and the portions are large. Give it a try.
(4)
Katie L.
I was just thinking how much I want the udon since I have a cold. This place is great! It's BYOB, short wait times, and delicious food. I like to get the potato croquettes and either the vegetable udon or ten don which is also amazing. The food is fresh and seasoned on the lighter side to let the natural flavors come through. I'm glad that it will soon be fall, so I can bring a six pack and some friends and enjoy a hot bowl of soup and some green tea. They are sometimes closed around the holidays, so you might want to call before you head over. I have had two times that they were closed when I tried to go. What a sad day that was!
(5)
Sarah A.
Just went here for dinner and wow, once again, I was blown away! The staff is sooooo friendly! We got extra potato croquettes on the house because there were 3 of us (2 croquettes split three ways is not enough!!). Totally forgot we get green tea and miso soup so it was just a heap of food! Super affordable AND byob - what more can you ask for?? 3 people + beer + so much food = priceless (but if you had to put a price on it would only be $26 -- 34 with tip) Oh AND I have left overs!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Monica J.
I have eaten here twice. This place certainty reminds me of suburban Tokyo restaurants that had cozy, family recipe-based food. The decor is charming, with the origami and Japanese-style chairs and tables. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes and quick with service. The items I have tried from Sunshine Cafe are the following: Nanban Yaki Ramen (was a special) Katsu Zaru Soba Croquettes I've found all dishes to be reminiscent of the simple, clean Japanese food I've had growing up. They were not culturally washed out whatsoever. I recommend the Nanban Yaki for a hearty, well-seasoned beef dish. The ramen was flavorful as well, although I'm not sure if it was limited only to the period of time where it was a special. The katsu was full of panko goodness, which gave it a great crunch. I was also pleasantly surprised by the croquettes, as they are a simple dish, but they executed this very well with its sauce pairing. The biggest highlight was the soba. It has been difficult for me to find a restaurant that serves cold soba accurately and Sunshine Cafe nailed it! If you try one dish here, give the cold soba a try. Truly Japanese!
(5)Ham B.
A cozy little Japanese diner showcasing home cooking and comfort food. Many dishes come paired with a Miso soup and hot green tea. Most meals are priced at or just below $10 with pretty filling portions- i'm a big guy and always leave stuffed. I've had several soba and udon noodle dishes and most recently a fried pork meal with a cucumber salad and a side of fried eggplant with a ginger dipping sauce. Delicious and filling. The seating is limited and its a cozy space right in the heart of Andersonville- seating can be difficult to come buy during peak meal hours- you've been warned! The only criticism i can come up with is that the waitstaff seemed small- only 2 girls who were working at top speed but were challenged to get drink refills to all tables enough- they just need another server! Anyway, TLDR; a great inexpensive Japanese Diner, thats also BYOB! I'll be back soon
(4)Sharon C.
I've been here before, ordered the udon and LOVED it. On this visit, though, I ordered the sukiyaki - and while the first few bites were amazing, packed with flavor and so delicious, the next few revealed that most the flavor was mostly salt. The entire dish was incredibly salty - I tasted my friend's to make sure it wasn't just mine, and his was incredibly salty, as well. As delicious as it was, I couldn't even come close to finishing it, and even eating most of the bowl of rice it came with wasn't enough. Overall, just really disappointing from a place that I used to love.
(3)Sheila K.
This is one of the places on Clark that I have always wanted to try. I pass by it all the time when I go produce shopping at Edgewater. It was a perfect evening to get some grub because it was quite chilly outside. We came in pretty early around 5ish and had no problem getting a table for two. Upon being seated, we were given the menu and hot tea and water were served without requesting them. That was pretty great! I liked that touch. The have an array of things on the menu, from small appetizers to udon to don and many more. I decided to try the Katsu Don and my other half got the Tempura Udon. In addition, I tried their Misuri Ume. We enjoyed our meals and both very filling. The Katsu Don was very flavorful and the udon hit the right spot for the chilly evening. This is a cute family run business. It has a lot of charm. While we were dining, there were also a lot of people calling in and picking up orders. I think they also just did some remodeling. Overall, we would not hesitate to return in the future.
(4)Yuki Z.
Family style Japanese restaurant. Relatively cheap and authentic Japanese place, tho the location is not prime. Got the una-don. Very decently priced and much cheaper than many restaurants in Evanston. The unagi was fresh, tho the presentation of food looks very different from what I would expect. Also not much veggies. The gyoza are tiny, but still taste good! Should get the potato thing! That is great! Will go back if I have the chance!
(4)J K.
Please don't close!!! This place is the last of the local Japanese American haunts and its closing would signal the end of an era. Please please don't close!
(5)Brian K.
I hope Dan buys it or is given it to run. He is Sunshine Cafe!!! BYK. Food is great, service is superb keep this place running. Japs and all races love it. Work something out because this joint the bomb. BYK
(5)Brian S.
Ever go to a place and see the other patrons enjoying there food so much tou couldnt wait to dig in? 5his is the place. Not only is it a locals spot, its a family spot for all to enjoy. Solid Japanese fare with a cult like almost following. Mmm TASTY noodles. Who Don? I love udon.
(4)Roger M.
Have seen this place for years (1980's) but never went in. I wasted 25 years of my life having denied myself of the best Japanese home cooking in Chicago! So far, everything I had was excellent: Katsudon, Tempura, Salmon Teriyaki, Gyiza and Tonkatsu. Fresh as can be. That's it. Don't want to bore you with the repetitiveness of what's already been said.
(5)Josh M.
Great authentic Japanese food. Don't come here if you're looking for sushi...but authentic Udon, sukiyaki and other Japanese soups. I've Been to Japan before and this is as close as I've seen in the states to matching the cuisine. Get the beef sukiyaki or the Udon with vegetables or tempura. Definitely check out the potato croquettes. Dipping sauce that comes with the croquettes is killer.
(5)Alex W.
DELICIOUS soup. The service can be slow but it's a fun, homey sort of place.
(4)Frank B.
I ended up watching a lot of funny Japanese commercials on Youtube and really got a craving for noodles! Ramen, udon, soba etc so I googled "Best Udon in Chicago". Sunshine Cafe came up on the top so decided to go there. Once we arrived the staff was very friendly which is an A+. Reviewing the menu was a bit shocking, I mean $9.00 and up for a bowl of Udon? Ordered the Tempura Udon ($10.50) and all I can say is it was "Ok" For the price it should be the best Udon evaaaaaa but it is not. We did get free green tea ice cream which was the equivalent of $2 so I guess it offset the cost but $23 for 2 bowls of Udon?! C'mon! Bottom Line: Good service, decent food, but very overpriced. This should be a $$ not a $ restaurant
(3)Mandy B.
I really like this place! The potato croquettes are so interesting and good. Great flavors. All the food is very authentic and tasty. Tempura vegetables are great! Hot soba also very good. Well worth a visit!!
(4)Andrew G.
Excellent place. Very simple and casual atmosphere with amazing food. It can difficult to find good Japanese restaurants that are not just sushi. Sunshine Cafe has all of the best Japanese dishes executed perfectly. The staff could not be more friendly.
(5)Claude P.
Super friendly people working here and the food is really comforting. If you think "Japanese" and then think "Sushi" I hope this place changes your mind a little. Not to think sushi sucks, it's great, but to think about other Japanese dishes. Nothing beats a hot bowl of noodles sometimes. Check it out. It's worth it. LISTEN TO ME I'M ON THE INTERNET!
(5)Heather R.
Really amazing soba, and lovely, friendly service when we came into this tiny storefront to pick up our order. Food was BOILING HOT - too hot to eat right away when we got home - luckily we got some gyoza as well which were terrific. Can't wait for my next noodle craving - planning on trying everything on the menu. Super wonderful foodie find and very near our neighborhood, too. BONUS.
(4)Jo H.
Fantastically delicious food and an awesome, friendly staff! It's a not-quite-a-secret neighborhood gem.
(5)Ivy T.
What do you think of when hear Japanese food? I'll bet it's not comfort food. But don't worry. It's not greasy or heavy. It still upholds the simple flavors and lightness that is characteristic of Japanese cuisine. Just to be absolutely clear, you will not get rolls drizzled with cheese or any mayo-based sauces. Their udon was wonderfully soothing and light. The broth was clear and tasty. I had the vegetable udon, which came with a healthy serving of vegetables. We also ordered their cold soba noodles with tempura, and a rice dish with stir-fry tofu and vegetables in some kind of spicy sauce. The soba noodles were delicious and perfect for a summer meal. I loved dipping the noodles in the sauce :) The rice was good but I would probably rank it third out of the three dishes. I still can't believe I gave up Vietnamese food to walk a mile to eat here. But I am glad I did! It was definitely worth the walk from Little Saigon!
(5)Stella W.
One of my favourite places in Chicago...it's an old school, home style japanese place where they don't usually serve sushi, but just the japanese kitchen food, such as udon, sukiyaki, etc... As much as i love eating anything raw, I love this place, esp, the fact that the chef is this retired japanese woman who just wants to cook up something yummy in the back! Every time I eat here, I felt like I am eating at a grandma's house, comfortable and yummy home cooked food :) BYOB is always a plus ;)
(5)Mel A.
First time visit with a friend who is a frequent diner. He loves the Mackerel (broiled-includes miso soup, green tea & rice $11.00) and now I love it too. We also had Hot Soba (buckwheat noodles) $9.25 which I highly recommend, potato croquette $4.75 and a small tofu salad $4.50. Of all of this... my only complaint was they use really SOFT tofu for their tofu salad and I forgot to ask if they make their own. The restaurant is very unassuming on the outside but very clean and spacious on the inside with friendly attentive staff. Definitely give this place a try ;)
(4)Bartholomew S.
Sunshine Cafe has been warming my heart for over fifteen years. Why? The service is friendly and down to earth. The cuisine is traditional Japanese from a grandma's kitchen. So every dish is comforting and plentiful. I swear that Sunshine has the best gyoza and tempura in all of Chicago.
(5)Yen L.
We usually go for sushi whenever a Japanese craving hits, but sometimes we like to mix it up with hot dishes from the kitchen. I usually find some comfort in a good udon, my boyfriend prefers something over rice. I wasn't feeling sushi, but I was feeling udon. So he found Sunshine Cafe and reported it had good ratings and a single $ sign, so off we went. 'Twas exactly what I needed. The portion of tempura udon was perfect and comforting. We tried the potato croquettes and weren't impressed, at least not for the price we paid and the portion we got. Bf got their special of a whole rainbow trout with a miso dressing and that was cooked well and was delicious. The service was friendly and prompt. We felt comfortable from the moment we walked in to the moment we left. Since I live in Bridgeport, it's not likely we'd be able to go too often, but it's great to know that this little place with comfort food is not too far out of reach.
(4)Rekha V.
My friend and I were walking down Clark St looking for a place to eat. As we passed Sunshine Cafe I remembered that someone had recommended it to me and the menu looked pretty good, so we headed in. The first thing my friend said was "look, there are Japanese people here. It's probably pretty good." And it was! We were seated right away and given some refreshing green tea while we perused the menu. A few minutes later we got some miso soup, which was pretty delicious. My friend then ordered the sukiyaki and I got a pork dish. We also shared the potato croquettes to start. The croquettes were great, I highly recommend them. And the rest of the food was great as well. It was a wonderful choice for dinner!
(5)Steven M.
So good, tears of joy burst forth every time I am eating here. The "full" feeling I get after a bowl of udon from Sunshine Cafe is a satisfaction unmatched by most other eating experiences. Excellent gyoza and potato croquettes as well. Danny is a very friendly and attentive host.
(5)Space Emperor Z.
It's been five years since I gave this place 5 stars, and my rating still stands. I just want to rant about something. The saba shioyaki is, in my opinion, the best thing I've ever eaten. It's $11. It's just two pieces of broiled mackerel, lightly salted, with a side of cucumber pickles, grated daikon, a lemon (which I never use), and a side of perfectly cooked rice. (I spread the daikon over the fish, lay the fish over the bowl of rice, and then break it up so the scant juice flows into the rice.) I don't know why I like it so much, since I didn't grow up on Japanese comfort food and I usually like highly seasoned food. The fish often has bones in it, which makes eating it somewhat challenging. It's not a meal that immediately blows your mind with complex or intense flavors. It's just ... somehow perfect, elemental in its simplicity and balance. I feel enlightened when I eat it.
(5)Eric L.
japanese homestlye food. I miss this from my childhood days in Japan so this has a soft spot in my heart. they do good, but its what you would get in an average japanese household, so no bonus points. favorite dish: shio saba, broiled mackerel with salt. simple, elegant, delicious, highlights the raw ingredients.
(3)Amanda M.
This place was super delicious! I docked a star for lackluster decor (update that front window guys, come on!), and the lack of sushi. The skinny: Super authentic. Really fresh, tasty, classic Japanese food. For appetizers I tried the gyoza, which as incredibly satisfying and the sauce (ponzu I think?) was perfect. I was less impressed with the Shumai, but it was still good. I had Sukiyaki with beef that had some of the best most flavorful broth I've had in a while. Rice was perfect of course. My meal came with some very satisfying miso and complimentary green tea. If you aren't a pro at chopsticks, you can get a fork upon request, but it's just so much tastier with chopsticks... Also? SUPER CHEAP. I'll be back :)
(4)WmTomas S.
My partner and I wanted to try something different while walking around Andersonville thinking about having dinner. We were not disappointed. The menu is simple, the food was fresh and delicious, the staff was attentive without being overbearing, and the price was in line with the neighborhood. You can't go wrong. The decor is "unassuming" but the food is the star here.
(4)Lisa S.
Sunshine Cafe is definitely a hidden Chicago gem. Having a Japanese mother, it's been difficult to find an authentic Japanese restaurant that cooks like my Obachan in Japan. This place has incredible meals and each time has been a fantastic experience. My favorites thus far on the menu are the mackerel and the Donburi. This is a great spot and it goes way beyond my expectations when craving Japanese home style food!
(5)Erik H.
This is kind of the perfect Japanese restaurant. The intimate, cluttered, homey atmosphere makes me feel like I'm in some house/restaurant combination somewhere in the mountains of central Japan. Everything from the green carpeting to the adorable ring on their phone lends itself to this image. On top of that, the food is distinctive and exceptional. The potato croquette was both creamy and crunchy, and dipped into the "tangy" sauce that had just a hint of horseradish it was just gorgeous (as my British friend would exclaim). My main dish, the katsudon, was flavorful and filling. It was crunchy, savory and eggy with just the right amount of sweetness. My fiancées dish, the sukiyaki, was more overtly sweet and yet it was perfectly proportioned amounts of beef, cabbage, onions and sweet sauce, with a side of fluffy white rice. Two old men, probably construction workers in their pre-retirement years, were regulars. I want to be just like them when I grow up.
(5)Mike S.
Located between a 7/11 and a church, Sunshine Cafe is easy to miss. Upon entering, don't expect to be impressed with modern decor or mood lighting. Instead, expect to be greeted by the friendliest staff of all time and a cozy, intimate interior. Sunshine Cafe serves some of the best Japanese food I've had in Chicago. I can barely explain how much I love their Oyako Don. It is the perfect dish for a chilly Fall/Winter day. The combination of rice, chicken, and creamy sauce will cure any cold weather-induced depression. This is always the first place that I recommend to friends who are looking for a bite to eat in Andersonville. Also, don't forget that it is BYOB!
(5)Ryan L.
As cheesy as it sounds, a meal here makes your day better. Japanese comfort food at its best. There's no sushi here, but it's not necessary. The food here is outstanding. Their udon is one of the best I've had in the city. You can't go wrong with their chicken, beef, or just plain udon. The noodles are awesome with a great texture. The potato croquettes (kinda like deep fried mashed potatoes) are a must appetizer. The sauce they bring out for it is top notch, one of my favorites. We usually order the katsudon, a bowl of sticky rice topped with cut-up breaded pork and a fried egg. Also a must is the sukiyaki. Sometimes they have a beef steak on special, and if they have it I would recommend ordering it. It's flavorful and delicious. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, which combined with the no-frills decor of the dining room gives the impression that we're eating at grandma's house or a church basement. As a huge fan of rice bowls, this is a great place for me. As for feeding my rice addiction, I'll get over it.
(4)Vince V.
Great food. Nice service. Inside is nothing impressive but then again, not the reason you come here. Everything was fresh, not over seasoned and tasty. Great value too.
(4)Denise K.
I don't know how I missed writing a review for Sunshine Cafe, the ladies who own this place have known me since I was born. They were long time friends of my dad's when he first came to the U.S. from Japan. Their cooking is almost the only "true" japanese cooking I know, apart from my dancing teacher's and the ladies who used to help her. It's not fancy, the inside/outside might deter some. I don't think you can find much friendlier wait staff. Dan is the best! I can't skip the koroke - potato nut that I am. My comfort foods are her sukiyaki, tempura or curry. Can't beat her tempura - always crisp and the perfect batter. Dad always had the saba shioyaki. Mom likes the yaki soba. Have taken many friends here over the years. I don't get here as often as I would like to. LOVE this place, but I basically grew up on their food!
(5)Fe T.
I got the potato croquettes and the pork udon. My friend got the curry rice. The pork udon was steamy-hot and totally perfect for a cold day. It tasted fresh and home-y. However, as another yelper mentions, the pork udon has like 3 tiny pieces of pork ... Common'! They charged me $10 for the whole bowl and pork is not expensive. Potato croquettes tasted great, but $5 for 2 pieces is definitely on the pricier side. It's a bit crowded if you go on the weekend - especially if you go in group. I suggest you call beforehand if that's your plan. They offer green tea and free refill. Overall, very homey. If I ever hang out close by, I might com back.
(3)Joey M.
I've been eating at Sunshine Cafe for many , many years and still love the place . I love their appetizers and always make a point of eating too many of them so that only eat a little of my entree and so be sure to have leftovers . That's how I roll . The service is friendly and efficient and I always enjoy seeing the same familiar faces there year after year . Oh , and the potato croquettes . Effing , unfairly , delicious ! Plus Sunshine Cafe is BYOB and close to several liquor stores and the food is a great bargain quality-wise and portion-wise . I highly recommend Sunshine Cafe to anyone interested in authentic Japanese food and charming service .
(4)Diana G.
I really wanted to love this place, but it just didn't do it for me. I came her once before a few years ago and thought it was ok. Went with my 2 girlfriends last week. We ended up getting the potato croquettes, chilled tofu for appetizers. I love potatoes, but I just don't see the hype on this. I'm not a big tofu fan, so it was ok. We ordered the sukiyaki, tonkatsu and shrimp tempura dinner. Sukiyaki - I had it the first time I came and thought it was really good, but this time it seemed to be a bit too sweet. Was a bit disappointed! Tonkatsu - Always wanted to try this and finally did. I gotta say nothing special and the sauce they use is the same as the potato croquette. Definitely taste mustard in that sauce. Shrimp tempura dinner - Nothing special. Think it came with like 4 shrimps, green beans (yum), eggplant and sweet potato. No ambiance, I'm sure it was a chinese restaurant before this. Laid back feel and BYOB! I wouldn't come out of my way to go here, but I wouldn't not come back. I would like to give the other items a try.
(3)Nicole C.
I've been meaning to try this place for months now & I finally did! It was well-worth the wait. The service was great, atmosphere felt like I was in someone's home, tea warmed me right up, and the food hit the spot. We ordered the potato croquettes as an app...the sauce was perfect for them! Then I had the Katsu Don. I asked the server what their most popular dish was and he pointed this one out. I can definitely see why it's so popular. It was delicious, and I ate every bite. However, the miso soup was not their strong point. It wasn't horrible, but it also was not the best miso I've had either. We stayed until 9:15pm and no one kicked us out or even mentioned that they would be closing at 9pm (It was like chilling in someone's home). I loved my experience there & I cannot wait to go back!
(4)C N.
You can easily walk past this place without noticing it's one of the best places for Japanese comfort food. Don't be tricked by the decor--the people are really friendly and the food is good. And it's BYOB. What else do you need?
(4)Green T.
Traditional Japanese food? Sign me up! Wait, this is traditional Japanese food more like your grandma making traditional American food like hot dogs and Kraft mac n' cheese. They were temporarily shut down for health code violations for a little bit after we went which didn't really help my opinion either. If you're looking for something that is like American-style comfort food except Japanese, this will work for you. Unfortunately, that's not my thing.
(2)Beth S.
Best Mom & Pop Japanese food in town (Chicago). Tempura is light. Gyoza is to die for. Tofu is fresh. A great place for couples or families. Danny is tops. BYOB. This is the standard by which we judge all other Japanese restaurants.
(4)Maria G.
Great, little spot in Andersonville. Decor leaves something to be desired but you feel welcomed as soon as you walk in. I like the Goyza as an appetizer and usually go with a Tempura dish. Everything taste fresh and delicious and the prices can't be beat!
(4)Monica G.
Went last night for a birthday dinner. Loved that the place was flexible and able to accommodate a group of 7 of us. Service was extremely friendly, and BYOB is great. They reminded me they had my wine we hadn't drank before we left - thanks guys! Order a variety of small plates: potato croquettes (just as good as they claim), gyoza, shumai, edamame (served cold - ick!). Each person got an individual dish too. I ordered the Sukiyaki, a beef ad tofu noodle dish. It came with Miso soup, which was nice. The Sukiyaki was extremely salty, my tablemate had the same thing and she agreed. We wanted to add water to our broth. Everyone else at the table enjoyed their plates. I'm on the fence between a 3 - 4 for this review. The apps were better than the entrees. However, between the great service/patience (we stayed kinda late), and the cheap, byob, final bill (20 bucks a person!!!), I'll go with 4 stars. Looking forward to coming back and trying a new entree.
(4)Jeremy M.
Happy New Year! Sunshine Cafe opened tonight, and though prices went up a little, it's still the best everyday Japanese food in Chicago. I'll be back to my regular weekly visits. I should send Charlie P. a copy of Kitchen Confidential. He'll never eat out again!
(5)Reiahnna J.
I had to come here because I didn't want to go to a typical Japanese restaurant that mostly serves sushi. It was kind of a long walk for me from the red line train, but I found it. I decided to try a Yelp favorite, Katsu Don. I took it home and am eating it right now. Maybe it taste better if you eat right then because it looks like the rice took most of the juice and now the rice is sticky. I was in a rush so I did take-out. I did try the green tea ice cream right away. It was so good and I think the ice cream was so medicinal that I wasn't stiff at the end of the day. Plus, free miso soup with your order.
(5)Matt M.
I am all for forgoing getting rid of the 1975 wood paneling in the name of competitive pricing for extremely high quality food. I have been really struggling to find any form of asian food around Edgewater that I can say is original, delicious, and affordable. I have to suggest you get the rice ball and have the staff tell you to just pick it up like a donut because "no one cares, go for it" (with a smile). The flavors on their dishes are incredible, the share of rice is appreciable, and the ingredients fresh. Sunshine cafe will be seeing much more of me in the near future.
(5)Theanne G.
Great Andersonville neighborhood gem. Inexpensive home cooked food. Nicely demonstrates that Japanese cuisine is more than sushi.
(4)Liv G.
Delicious! We loved everything we ordered. Thought the udon noodles lacked flavor, but the pork and rice dish we ordered was incredible! I would highly recommend this for a cheap night out!
(4)Michelle N.
One of my absolute favorite places to get comfort food!! Whenever a dish comes out, it feels like it was made by my grandma and makes me super happy! Its a great place to bring your family or friends to relax and have good food with good company. Moreover, you know it's authentic when you see a bunch of old time Japanese Americans and their kids/grandkids come in for a quick bite on Sunday afternoons. I have been eating here as a kid and have literally eaten everything on their menu and love every dish and appetizer. However if I had to choose, the things you absolutely have to try are the potatoes croquettes, ika geso, katsudon and sukiyaki. On cold days the udon or soba really hit the spot! On top of the food being delicious, the service there is also awesome! Everyone is friendly and attentive. They never try to sell you anything and make an effort to get to know you the more you go there! Danny, the manager, is one of THE nicest people ever and he genuinely cares about making sure everyone who comes into the restaurant has the best dining experience they can! It can get busy so it can be a wait but it's worth it! I have recently moved to San Francisco and miss this place constantly. Can't wait to go back there as soon as I come home for Christmas :)
(5)Annie D.
Sunshine Cafe was our compromise when the fella wanted pho and I was feeling like something new. So we went to this Japanese noodle shop to have something new. If you're looking for friendly service, big portions and udon/soba noodles, this is a good bet. However, I wasn't totally overwhelmed by my tonkatsu (panko fried pork, kinda like Japanese milanesa) or our potstickers (came out a little lukewarm). The seaweed salad was pretty tasty. The tonkatsu sauce was a little sweet for me, and the pork alone just didn't have very much flavor. The pork comes alongside a standard salad, some pickles and white rice. Anyway, not bad but I don't think I'd order this dish again. My dude's food was a little bit better (he got the katsudon). Still, one less than perfect meal does not a bad restaurant make, especially when the service was good and a brothy noodle soup will be just what the doctor ordered come wintertime. I'd definitely come here again and try something else.
(4)Ivan L.
I'm a little hesitant to give this five stars as I've only been there once but this place definitely deserves five if all of my future visits are just as enjoyable as the first. For appetizers, we ordered the gyoza and potato croquettes, both of which were delicious (albeit a little pricey). My wife had the katsudon (which she says was excellent) while i ordered the saba shioyaki (grilled mackerel) which was amazing. The fish was tender and juicy, a perfect combination of simplicity and flavor. The staff was very friendly and attentive, even going so far as to give us fresh cups of green tea because they worried that our initial tea might've gone cold. We will definitely be going back and trying more items on the menu!
(4)Andy S.
I've been here a few times over the past 2 years, it fills a craving for Japanese food that isn't sushi. The food is excellent, especially the Tonkatsu, Katsu Don, and Ten Zaru Soba. Sometimes the dishes are a bit on the sweet side. If you prefer the tangy sweet of teriyaki you'll like it any which way but I prefer less sweet. To correct some of the reviews stating the green tea and red bean ice cream is homemade, it ain't. We asked the friendly and often smiling server and he said emphatically "NO!!!!!!! It's Edy's, the white people prefer it than the stronger green tea ice cream". So if you care for green tea ice cream specify which you prefer: gaijin green tea ice cream or heritage green tea ice cream. Both aren't homemade. Nonetheless good food for a great price. You won't be going there all the time, mainly when the craving hits.
(4)Alex M.
This place is great ! When you sit down they serve you a hot cup of delicious green tea and the service is really good/friendly. The potato croquettes are delicious and the Soba noodles (hot) with tempura is SO good. They are also nice enough to make the tempura all vegetable for me. Also - the portions are great! I would highly recommend going here on a cold night -- the hot soup will definitely cheer you up.
(5)KELLIE K.
I just got a loving hug from the Japanese grandmother I didn't know I had and it came in the form of sukiyaki. And oh, what a great big hug it was. Finally, after living in the neighborhood all these years, I managed a visit to Sunshine. This. This is just what I needed. Our group shared orders of the potato croquettes and tempura. Both were mighty fine, with the potato croquettes being a smash hit. The sukiyaki completed my quest for good Japanese comfort food In Chicago. The broth was perfectly slightly sweet with just the right tang. All of the ingredients were served together in a hot pan in a beautiful medley of soupy broth. If there is one dish you need to try, this is it. Drink up the green tea, and BYOB, if inclined. Sit back, and enjoy extremely casual dining. This is family joint, even so much that is feels like my [imaginary] Japanese grandmother set up a restaurant in her garage. That's OK, because after you're done eating, you'll feel warm, hugged, and very full. It's going to hard to keep me from going back every week.
(4)Christine K.
Coming from Southern California, I miss the authentic home-made Japanese delicacies and dishes, especially hand-made noodles. Sunshine Cafe satiates those cravings with their udon and soba. However, the broth is too salty for my taste. Oh, the potato croquettes, though, are something worthy of trying! Light and crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Mind you, each one probably adds 500 calories to your intake. While the sukiyaki was enjoyable, the broth--again--piped in saltiness.
(4)Sara V.
I came here for dinner a few months ago with a good friend. I'd walked past the place numerous times and it always looked a little odd from the outside, but having been told it gave truth to the idiom "don't judge a book..." I looked forward to some delicious food. Not disappointed. Excellent bowl of noodles (can't remember exactly what I ordered but it had noodles, vegetables and broth if that helps). Remarkably tasty without being overly salted. I was full barely halfway through, which only goes to show just how big a serving it was. BYOB is always convenient and good service even more so. I haven't been back since but I fully intend to rectify that shortly. Possibly when my mother is in town. She does love a good noodle.
(4)Luciana B.
Delicious! I decided to try this place out (though it's a little far from where I live) since it has such great reviews on yelp. I have to say I was NOT disappointed and will be coming back for more! Although this place doesn't have sushi, their warm dishes are absolutely cooked to perfection. I had the Sukiyaki and my boyfriend had the Chicken Teriyaki, plus some gyoza and potato croquettes for the appetizer. We had EVERYthing! It was so good! The waiter was also very friendly. If you're a fan of japanese food, you must visit this place!
(4)Erin R.
my friend and I ordered from this place based on all the good reviews. All I have to say is if these people think this place is 4+stars, I need to take you to some places that will blow your mind. You will be asking yelp for 20 stars! First off, what sort of asian restaurant doesn't deliver. Strike 1. We both ordered the udon noodles because it seemed like their specialty. They used weird items we honestly have never seen before in them that looked more like a lisa frank eraser than a vegetable. The rest of the veggies were cheap like lettuce. Strike 2. The broth in and of itself which makes up a big part of udon noodles was flavorless. Strike 3. I will not be back to try anything else after this experience.
(1)Katy B.
Just go already! Don't even take the time to finish reading my review. Just go. The food here is so wonderful and everyone who works there is super friendly. It's BYOB which is great. But seriously, the food is amazing. Yes the decor with the overhead fluorescent lights leave a little something to be desired, but you'll be too busy scarfing down your dinner to notice.
(5)Diablo L.
Very good pork dumplings,tempura very good and very tasty sukiyaki, was there on a weeknight around 8pm , very crowded but food came out really quick...
(4)Bryan S.
Prices have increased to now paying over $8.00 for a bowl of udon noodles. The portion sizes have also decreased. I know it is expensive to run a restaurant in Chicago but...
(3)Kayu T.
Need I say more? Everything is awesome here- especially their daily specials! The ONLY negative part about this place is its old, kinda gross decors and long wait for dinners. The staffs are very nice, but I think hiring experienced wait staffs would be a good idea.
(4)Shelami C.
I love going here with my cousins. Their food tastes very authentic Japanese homemade food (not sushi) and the cooked fish they serve to your liking are fresh! This place just brought me back to Sapporo when I visited my friend some time back. I should probably give this place a four-star because they kept running out of homemade green tea and red bean ice cream or maybe it's that good that it disappears by the time I get here. The server is so funny! I like wit-fencing with him. He's always smiling when you enter and makes you feel right at home. He's also very attentive of everyone. I think he has several regular customers or maybe we all end up coming back to become regular customers.
(5)Katherine M.
I have not been to Japan yet, but the dishes I tried reminded me of what my Japanese friends cook at home. For 3 people, 3 main courses and 4 sides/starters (inclusive of lots of green tea with refills for free) was ~50 so best value for money for Japanese in Chicago by far. It was comfy home environment, wait staff very nice. The food was excellent. I would have sukiyaki every day if I could get up here easier. potato crocquettes great comfort food; salmon nice. This is not a sushi place. a peaceful & green neighborhood you have to find parking on the street.
(5)Charlie P.
Closed by the Health Department. Nasty, Nasty, Nasty! Do you know how disgusting a kitchen has to be before the Chicago Health Department finally shuts 'em down? The list of unforgivable offenses was about a mile long. These tools clearly don't care about their (former) customers. I'll never, ever, ever walk through their grease coated doors again. Nasty!
(1)Samson P.
We were craving authentic Japanese food and we heard about this place from our Japanese friend. Once inside you notice it is more of a family-owned home style Japanese restaurant. We ordered: Potato Korokke (Japanese style croquette) - crunchy, savory, I could eat 100 of these Gyoza (Pan fried dumplings that are staple in east asian countries) - good although I have had better Grilled Mackerel - My friend loves mackerel and thought it was tasty. Tempura Udon - perfectly executed, Can't go wrong with this Tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) - This is one of my favorites and was exceptional Later I took my girlfriend here and we ordered the Potato Korokke always crunchy and savory, Seafood Soba -my girlfriend thought it was okay, and Curry Tonkatsu -This is comfort food I normally try making this at home but since its harder to deep fry the cutlet in my kitchen Verdict If you are looking for authentic home-cooked Japanese food, I recommended this place. The family who owns it is really nice and friendly. They make sure you feel at home and the food is reasonably priced and very good.
(4)James L.
One of my favorite places to go. It have that home style cooking vibe. The rice dishes are always amazing. Really fresh. The Udons are good too. I've been here on and off for about 2 years now and can't believe I forgot to rate this delicious place.
(5)Nick J.
My rating is based more on cost as compared to your typical or overpriced Japanese place that says its authentic but only serves sushi. I spent my summer on an internship in Japan for 2 1/2 months and I had been craving some decent Japanese food. I'm also a college student, so I'm looking to be cheap. Now, to address the whole health department thing. First of all, I didn't care. If you've traveled abroad before you know the places that don't sparkle actually have some of the best food. Plus, I've thought Americans have an absurdly high expectation for cleanliness. I mean, the Chicago health department stopped my college from having a scoop your own ice cream. Anyways. I tried to get a peak back there and it looked like they had some well polished new equipment. I didn't see much, but from what I could see it looked fine now. I had the ramen with tempura. I also shared some gyoza with friends. The gyoza was good. Wish it could have been a bit more crispy, but its how they make it. The ramen was great and so was the tempura. It was nice that the cost of the green tea was free with a meal. It's far from the best Japanese food I've had (which was in Japan, so that's ok), but it was fantastic for the price. Just as well, the service was quick and super friendly. The owner seated us quickly and it wasn't long till our orders were out. I left Sunshine Cafe stuffed with delicious Japanese food for about $12-13. One thing I loved about the place is that it wasn't trying to be fancy, hip or anything. It was simple and plain. No frills. Just good food for some good prices. Cool thing too, the menu is on foursquare if you wana check it out before going. I'll be back.
(4)ChiLLWaVEOoOoOo S.
had the udon and gyoza both were just OK. i'm from los angeles and this place would be a total afterthought there, but for chicago i suppose this is near the best you can get
(3)Eileen Z.
First off this is more of a 4.5 star place for me. Rounded up solely for the fact that this is a great place to be a regular at. Small, cozy, BYOB, inexpensive and hands-down tasty authentic homestyle Japanese food. Can't even count how many times I've been here. It had been suggested by the mom of a friend of a friend years back after being asked of good spots to hit up for authentic Japanese and she highly recommended this place. Here, you will find no sushi rolls or dishes put together to be aesthetically pleasing. It is what it is, homestyle food. Most dishes come in generous portions. Plus, I haven't found a dish I did not like, but there are some that stand out more than others. Example, the gyoza is just okay and nothing I would come looking for, but their potato croquettes are phenomenal. The udon or katsudon are my safe bets if there's nothing else I'm jonesing for. They also have this miso glazed eggplant that's really good, but is included as a special from time to time, not a regular on the menu. And I can't say enough about the staff. Super friendly, which definitely helps if you go during peak hours because there will be a good amount of waiting time. The great service helps get you past the wait, the lack of aesthetics and cramped space. I just like to think when there's a line, there's always a reason.
(5)Noga S.
Delicious, interesting and inexpensive. They are BYOB too! I have no idea what I ordered, but it was AMAZING!
(5)Yanyao N.
I tried to make veggie soba last night. I am such a fool. When JN first tried it, I thought I caught a glimpse of a face but he was quick to hide it - what a sweetheart. He, like me and many others, is enamored with the soba noodles from Sunshine Cafe. The perfect savory broth (how do they pack so much flavor in there?! Bonito flakes, I am told), the buckwheat noodles, the napa cabbage and other vegetables, the pieces of soft tofu... mmm, the perfect winter comfort food, and guilt free too! Broth, veggies, tofu, buckwheat noodles do not go to your hips, I promise. I think I'll learn a lesson from last night and not try to replicate anything else from SC. Seriously. This place serves the best Japanese food in Chicago. No swanky lounge music, bizzaro sushi rolls, and dim lighting here. Expect to find plenty of delicious appetizers, noodles, and rice bowls. I highly recommend the katsudon, one of my favorite Japanese dishes to eat as a teenager living in Japan-crazed Hong Kong, and I have to say, the one at SC is better! A bowl full of perfectly cooked sticky white rice, topped with a mixture of cut up breaded pork (think tonkatsu) stir-fried with egg, onions, and soy sauce. Miso soup and green tea come with your meal. The service here is some of the friendliest I have ever encountered. Informative, warm, funny even! The staff here will make you feel at home and make sure you are happy with your meal. Plenty of regulars come here and are remembered, even us! My favorite is Dan, who brought me my first "Japanese Big Mac" aka musubi (get this GIANT sushi rice ball if you are a rice fanatic like me) and on our second visit, promised the next time we came, he would sit us at a different table. I really don't care though. I'd be happy to sit in the corner as long as I get some katsudon. Sunshine Cafe is closed Mondays and only open from 4-9pm the rest of the week. There aren't that many tables, so come early or expect to wait a little while. It is also BYOB, for those of you who are into that. Parking on this stretch of Clark is also reasonably easy.
(5)Michelle L.
Good family restaurant! Finally tasted something more close then other japanese restaurant in Chicago.
(5)Andrew K.
Tried this place out tonight was GREAT! reasonable prices and everything we tried was satisfying and TASTY! We had pork udon and sakuyuki both were really good. we also split a rice ball with plum inside as well as gyoza appetizer and potato croquets! Will definitely come back! For 2 to eat till near purging it was about 40$ Not a bad dinner date considering how much we ate! Plus they were on top of the water and even gave some tasty green tea when we sat down!
(4)Helen H.
Terrific!! A little mix up with the order of people being seated, but the people were so friendly and nice and gave us an appetizer in appreciation!! Gyoza... Yummmm Cold soba noodles wth dipping sauce and wasabi.... To die for!!! Such a special dish, I hardly ever find this dish in restaurants. Fried pork.. Yumm! The cucumbers in vinegar was even better than how my mom makes it!! I also love how they just laid out chopsticks, felt more authentic then those places that give u forks. Althoguh, as soon as I said that my Indian bf dropped his chopsticks on the floor. :) The prices are relatively inexpensive, but the portions are smaller. Even I could finish my dish and an appetizer and I do not eat very much. Decor is cute but nothing crazy, it's an overalll great laid back place!! Def will be back!
(4)Alexis P.
We eat at Sunshine probably once a week - and when we miss a week, we get pretty down. It has become one of our favorite spots. Dan and the rest of the crew are SO friendly and welcoming - they make you feel right at home! If you are looking for some swanky, nightcluby sushi spot... Sunshine is NOT it! If, on the other hand, you are looking for consistent, delicious, affordable Japanese comfort food... you will likely become a Sunshine regular. Highlights that we order all the time: cold edamame, gyoza with great spicy sauce, tempura soba (yummy broth and tempura served on the side so it stays CRISP!), chicken teridon, tonkatsu, nanban yaki,... basically whatever you order will be tasty! We were devastated when we walked by and saw the "license suspended" sign on the door. We're currently trying to figure out if there is some way we can help Sunshine get open again (very selfish desire on our part!). Once they reopen, we will resume our weekly visits. Can't wait!
(5)George K.
Home away from home, that is what Sunshine Cafe is to Andersonville. One of the greatest restaurants in the city, it possess a quality that cannot be purchased. The first thing my friends and I said when we heard the news of the close was "how can we help?" and we encourage everyone in the neighborhood to do the same.
(5)Kaman T.
This is as home-cooked Japanese as it can get and they got it RIGHT! Do not expect mayo-filled sushi rolls here. This is a family owned restaurant that focuses on traditional home cooked Japanese dishes. Ones that you'd probably won't encounter unless in a Japanese home. I've been here a few times and am blown away each time. I've had the vegetable soba in hot broth before and the texture of the soba was amazing. Not too soft and it was a nice bouncy chewy texture. The udon is equally delicious. Sukiyaki is deelicious as well, but does not have enough beef imo. Tonkatsu is amazing as well. The meat is not dry at all. It is super tender and easy to chew. The croquettes (fried mash potato balls) are a must-get for appetizer and the grilled eggplant is awesome as well. Comes with a ginger sauce that you glaze on top. They aren't open for a long period of time....I think 5pm-9pm? So expect a LONG wait on weekends. HIGHLY recommend this place!!
(5)Nick M.
Rule of thumb (or THE FINGER... inside joke) is if Mike K approves then you're good to go. Yes, yes if Mikey likes it... No joke, it really is Japanese comfort food. At the end of the meal you sit back or roll back (pending the amount you've eaten), scratch your belly and say ahhhhh. The service is so good they might even scratch you belly for you. Seriously, the service is excellent! The manager or owner (??) was making jokes about the size of the bowl (it's HUGE) saying "if you need a bigger bowl just let me know and I'll get more". Also, don't let the look of the building or the decor scare you. Being a wussy and not knowing what to order I went with Mike K's suggestions. I got the Korokke (potato croquette) which alone is pretty good but with the spicy sweet sauce they provide, it's a knock out. I also went with the vegetable Udon, which I can only compare it to a hearty soup of maybe even Pho. Tender noodles, awesome rejuvenating broth, and some crisp vegetables, this will easy become my go to place for colds and hangovers. I can't wait to go back and try other things. Nice find and in the hood even. Plus BYOB = Cheap hearty dinner!
(4)Rowena A.
Can't rate. Just arrived at the front door. Closed. Sign reads "license suspended", posted 12/8/11. Looks like it failed inspection: chicago.everyblock.com/f…
(2)Joe L.
Great, cheap, affordable. FYI, Sunshine is currently closed due to a City Health Inspection.
(4)Chris D.
Love this place! The decor is stripped down simple, clean, very Japanese. If you are looking to dine in a Japanese temple you won't find that here. What you will find is a very nice and helpful front of the house and delicious food. It is all reasonably priced and arrives just on time. Not to quick so that you think it isn't fresh, and not to long that you starve. Once again, I love this place.
(5)Theresa S.
It's cold and rainy. I'm pregnant, he's grumpy. No one's cooking tonight. To Sunshine Cafe we go. 1.) BYOB - helps his mood. 2.) Hot green tea - helps mine. 3.) The food: Potato croquettes Shumai Ten don Hot soba with pork Green tea ice cream Everything was perfect! The wasabi mixture that comes with the shumai knocked my socks off initially, but I just needed to do a smaller dip. And the sauce that comes in those stock 50's diner syrup containers...well, it was half empty (half full?) by the time we left the table. It's delicious on everything! The potato croquettes and tempura weren't greasy at all - as is the tendency of deep fried foods - and honestly, we have no complaints. We had even warmed up so much we shared ice cream at the end of the meal. 4.) The staff: SO NICE. Made us feel so welcome. No complaints - try it out!
(5)Steve S.
Good Japanese food, friendly staff. I haven't had food like this since I lived in Japan! It is, however, a bit overpriced, and the decor needs a lot of work - but the food is deliciously authentic.
(4)Janet W.
Affordable, delicious Japanese comfort food. Which, as I discovered, is any kind of Japanese food that I could think of excluding sushi. This place has the best katsu I've ever had. The noodle soups are pretty good. I haven't had anything quite like their potato croquettes before, but they were scrumptious. The service was okay. I've been here a couple of times and was serviced by the same waiter. It's a very casual place and the waiter tried to engage us in conversation. Friendly folks. Good place to go with close friends and be comforted.
(5)Mikey J.
Too be honest, this place was alright at best. The seating was slow, the service was fairly slow, and the food came out, well, slow. Granted I wolfed down my soba because my hunger was through the roof after the wait, but the noodles were good, not spectacular. It's curious to see how Yelp has one $ for the prices here, because our bill for two small appetizers and a main dish each came to over $15 a person for our party or 6. Not cheap in my books! Oh yeah, don't get the teriyaki chicken
(3)Anthony J.
Cute enough inside, but slow service. Been there a couple times, still haven't eaten anything I really liked. The worst offender was the yaki soba, which tasted like ketchup.
(2)Hannah E.
This place smells like the seventies and it kinda freaks me out, but holy comfort food, Batman! For some reason, despite the fact that I am entirely northern European genetically, my body has decided that when it is depressed it wants to eat agedashi, tonkatsu donburi bowls, and buckwheat noodles with wasabi and scallions. So this should be the perfect place for me. And admittedly it is pretty good. What it's best at is everything without fish. The katsu don and the tonkatsu dinner are both hearty - and the fill-up is not all in the rice. There are tons of pieces of juicy, lightly breaded pork, and onions and green vegetables popping up everywhere. The potato croquettes are a delight - like pure deep fried mashed potatoes. And the zaru soba is cooked exactly how it should be, with a nice deep well of dipping sauce for dipping and slurping and splattering sauce everywhere. However, both times I've had seafood here I haven't been impressed. The tempura shrimp that came with the ten zaru soba tasted like chlorine bleach - Dan spit his out and I, stupidly, ate mine. (To no ill effect, but still: nasty.) The calamari was fried in old oil and it certainly tasted like it - stale rubber. So stick to the simple stuff, stay away from the seafood, banter with the insanely friendly servers, and enjoy.
(3)Lynn D.
Sunshine had reopened when we ate dinner there Feb. 3 and it was one of the best dining experiences I've had in Chicago. It is truly homestyle Japanese cooking -- like sitting in your mama's kitchen. If you've ever experienced real Japanese meals as eaten by real Japanese people, this will make you weep with joy. I had the salmon (lightly salted as traditionally prepared) and it was a big piece for a very affordable price. The tsukemono is crispy without being too vinegary or tart, the musubi is big enough to eat as a meal by itself, and the gyoza sauce is to die for; someone snagged the leftovers and poured it over their rice. The miso soup is like homemade. If you love sushi and want sleek ambiance, don't come here. (There's only one sushi entree and why would you order it anyway with all the other fantastic choices?) Sunshine is not for you if you need to impress by paying a big bill in a fancy joint. But if you've lived in Japan, grown up in a Japanese family, or want to sample what everyday Japanese folks eat in their own homes, definitely make time for Sunshine. Although they don't have a liquor license, they're incredibly accommodating by bringing you wine or beer glasses and bottle openers. The staff are all lovely people and earnestly try to please. As an out-of-towner, I will make it a point to eat at Sunshine every time I'm in Chicago.
(5)Minna A.
I'm still new the the neighborhood, I had no idea near nothing was open on Sunday afternoons! I stumbled onto Clark with my friend, hoping to find a semi-decent place for cheap to have dinner. Thank you yelp app (and the monocle function!) for making my life complete, for we came across the lovely sunshine cafe. FIRST of all, the waitress here is so incredibly nice. I would come back just for the awesome service! Prices are really great, and food seems really authentic! I wish we had gotten the potato croquettes, b/c they sound awesome! My friend ordered the tempura udon. Apparently they were good because he refused to share and finished every last drop! I had the sukiyaki, which was awesome. Being Korean, I love eating hot soupy foods (especially spicy ones!) in the summer. Sounds strange but hot broth in hot weather is actually a winning combo :) This place is awesome, and I can't wait to come back and try the other things on their menu! (Katsu Don, i'm headed your way....)
(5)Jin L.
Found elderly Japanese people eating here. This can only mean a good thing. My friend and I shared Potato croquette and I had Tempura Udon. The noodles were chewy and the broth was yummy. My friend only had good things to say about this place. The tempura was ok but everything tasted clean. Will definitely be back soon for more. With water, they provided hot green tea (not the tea bag kind) which I liked.
(4)Terrence C.
I do not give 5 stars rarely. I'd give 6 if the option was present. Sunshine Cafe is a gift from the heavens. I cannot think of a single negative comment. Friendly jovial staff will make you feel comfortable from the beginning. The decor is simple at best. You may feel like you are in a church basement temporarily. There is a slight glimpse of Japanese-esque design, but let's be honest, the food is the reason to come to Sunshine. No frills dining, the dishes are straight to the point. Katsu Don.. slammin. quite possibly best dish on the menu. Udon.. (all meats) taste like they were hand made moments before they are served. They have a salmon dish that escapes the memory presently, but it is par to none. I absolutely love Sunshine cafe. It is truly a home cooked meal, with friendly service at a great price. A meal for 2 will run you about 20 bucks with an appetizer. Yes, 20 bucks. Go here! Eat well. A diamond in the rough.
(5)Christina B.
Sunshine is great when you want real homestyle Japanese food, but otherwise, probably not worth it. The service is impeccable, I will admit that much. The guy who usually serves everything up is incredibly kind and solicitous. And look, I'm a thrifty person to whom atmosphere isn't everything, or even anything - but when I walk into your establishment and immediately smell mildew, that's wrong. Food is definitely tasty - but why is a bowl of rice with some chicken, onion, and egg on top over ten bucks? Why would your daily tsukemono be over five bucks? All in all, not usually worth it. Unless you're going for street cred with elderly nisei. Then you will OWN this joint.
(3)Tammy C.
(See pic) This is a small family Japanese place. Super friendly service that I enjoyed so much. Food wise, the Chilean sea bass, crab cakes, miso soup, Unagi Don were all for less than 30 dollars. Great value for really tasty food!
(4)Mike K.
You're probably not going to find a better bowl of udon in the city. Maybe you will but I guarantee it won't be as unpretentious as you'll find here at Sunshine Cafe. The place serves Japanese comfort food. There is no sushi bar here. Think hiyayakko (cold tofu), korokke (potato croquette) and katsudon (breaded pork). Their chicken udon is what keeps me coming back. As a noodle soup fan, this is as good as it gets. The portions are amazing. The noodles have a great texture and there is a great mix of soup to noodles, vegetables and chicken. It tastes like a warm hug from your grandmother. BYOB. Four highly enthusiastic stars.
(4)Ryne D.
A Japanese place that isn't about sushi? It almost seems oxymoronic, but seeing as I'm on a "new experiences" kick, I was down for it. Well, OK, I'm pretty familiar with non-sushi Japanese food, but it was still cool to find a place like this. It's pretty small, but we didn't have trouble finding a seat. Like everyone says, you must get the potato croquettes. If you don't, you're pretty much wasting your own time...they alone are worth the trip here. I got the tonkatsu, but for my friend who can't eat pork, they happily suggested she get chicken katsu instead. It's not quite the same as the Hawaiian classic, but it still looked pretty good. My tonkatsu was served in a pretty traditional fashion and I recommend it if you want to try a classic Japanese dish. The guys who work here were really cool, even after my friend vigorously pounded on the front door until she noticed there were two (two!) signs that read "Pull". They cracked jokes with us the whole night and really left an impression on us...almost as big as the impression my friend invariably left on their door frame.
(4)Helena G.
It was the first time that I tried Japanese comfort food and I really enjoyed the food, the service and the place. It's a good value for money. The portions are very generous. Appetizers: - potato croquettes ***** (try it with the special sauce) - kinpira***** - ika geso (squid tempura) ***** (DELICIOUS) Main dish: - Salmon shioyaki ***** (it comes with delicious and soft pickles, and with white radish... SUCCULENT) The main dish comes with a bowl of rice, a miso soup (yummy) and green tea (very good). I highly recommend this place!
(4)Kevin S.
I love this place! I had the katsu-don and it was one of the best things I have ever eaten. My girlfriend had some grilled fish and she said it was great. I hear that sometimes they have a hibachi steak on special and that it's to die for. I didn't look at the menu too thoroughly, but if you're looking for a trendy Japanese restaurant that is so popular nowadays, don't come here. The seating area is pretty small and old school, but I like the decor on the wall/windows.. makes it seem like it is outdoors in Japan! The service was great too. Overall this place is a down to earth homestyle Japanese restaurant that doesn't carry the higher price commonly associated with Japanese food. Highly recommended!
(5)Andy M.
This place is awesome. From the outside it looks like a total hole in the wall. Who am I kidding, the inside looks like a hole in the wall as well. But aesthetics aside, the great food made my tummy quite happy. The Croquette appetizer was awesome and the beef dish (that I can't pronounce) was very tasty. The Beef was marinated with terriyaki sauce and the bottle of special sauce they offer was the perfect blend of sweet and spicy goodness. This was the first time that I ever tried Japanese food, and the Sunshine Cafe has made me a convert. Our server was great. He was laid back, funny and kept our cups filled with the awesome green tea that they serve. This place rocked, and I can't wait for my next visit.
(5)Nik O.
I recently moved to Chicago from LA and have been dying to find good Japanese food. Found this little gem and was thoroughly impressed. All the staff and customers were happy and cheerful and the Manager was really funny. I had the Sukiyaki and it was extremely filling, not to mention SUPERB!! I didn't read up on it, but they allow you to bring your own booze. There were a lot of customers who brought wine and Sapporo, so do yourself a favor AND BYOB! :D Next time I go I am going to order the Mackeral, which looked and smelled mouth watering.
(5)Bob W.
I give this four stars for one dish that we had, the Sukiyaki. This is a dish most places screw up because it's a delicate balance of savory and sweetness. Here it was just perfect. I don't normally enjoy tofu but in this I snapped it right up. Other than that we ordered small dishes (my wife had a craving for potato croquettes) and so we ordered the croquettes, the gyoza and the shumai. The former were tasty but pricy more than the dumplings despite just being fried potatoes (five dollars). The gyoza were actually on the bad side, I only ate them because I dislike wasting food. Finally, the shumai were decent, but my wife has made better (which may say more about my wife's prowess than their quality). So avoid the gyoza and get the sukiyaki. Other noodle dishes looked good and I will go back to try them even though the prices on the whole seemed a bit steep for dishes that often enough were a few slices of chicken on some rice.
(4)Jen P.
The owner of Sunshine Cafe has to be the nicest man on earth! And to top it off, the potato croquettes are wonderful, as well as the vegetable udon. LOVE.
(5)V B.
I used to love coming here. What happened? We ordered the tofu salad and it was drenched with a strong miso dressing. We sent it back and reordered it with the dressing on the side - much better. I ordered one of my usual; sukiyaki, and the broth overly salty! I had to pour some of my water in the broth to dilute it.
(2)Pinaki S.
This is something you'd probably never even imagined existed: a Japanese hole-in-the-wall. I say that in the most endearing way.You won't find a dragon roll on the menu, but you'll find home style Japanese food-- Udon noodles, Katsu, Unagi, mackerel, etc. And you'll find really friendly staff and terrific food at ridiculous prices. I went on a man-date (cue man-date music) here, we got the potato croquettes, unagi-don, sukiyaki, miso soup and little saki-type shot glasses for our BYOB Asian liquor. Total $32 with tip and tax. I thought that was pretty sweet. Also pretty sweet: the MIDI style music in the background. Really sets the mood for a man-date.
(4)Christine K.
Oh, Sunshine Cafe. How to do you justice? The food here is authentic and homey. When you walk into its unassuming storefront, it feels like you're entering your Japanese aunt's house and eating her home-cooked food. What more could you ask for? I love everything here, from the potato croquettes to the noodles (soba? ramen? udon? Yes, please.). I would particularly recommend the grilled mackerel. The fish just melts in your mouth. MELTS. It was my first time experiencing fish that is so juicy it literally falls apart on contact with the tongue. Wow. I love coming here for brunch on Sundays. They're not too busy, and they always offer tasty specials.
(5)Jane M.
If my grandma were Japanese, her food would taste like this. Incidentally, Abuelita is an awesome cook. And at Sunshine Cafe, grandma is literally in the kitchen. It's a family joint, which I love above all the Michelin starred eateries in the universe. Their udon is delightful, but the ramen is made of crack and unicorns. It's not on the menu, you've got to ask for it. Sometimes they don't have it, but when they do, get it. The oyako don is gorgeous, and the sukiyaki to die for. Frankly, I've never had anything that wasn't perfect. Now, if you want fancy ass sushi rolls, you can go down the street. They have one roll here, no sushi, no sashimi. Just home cookin'. The place is tiny and casual, and packed on weekends, so go off hours if you don't want to wait. And super reasonably priced. Which for Andersonville is doubly noteworthy, as you can't even get a coffee in Hipster-landia for less than $5. Go! Go now!
(5)Guillermo A.
Salty miso soup. Extremely cold Edamame. Only relief was the chicken teri don, but not by much. Maybe it was because we went at 3:00 pm. People who review this place and give it a high score need to visit other places outsides this neighborhood establishment.
(1)William Y.
Very good family style Japanese food. Loved it.
(4)Dominic F.
This is what I imagine eating at my Japanese grandma's house would feel like, if I had one. The prices are fair and the portions are large. Give it a try.
(4)Katie L.
I was just thinking how much I want the udon since I have a cold. This place is great! It's BYOB, short wait times, and delicious food. I like to get the potato croquettes and either the vegetable udon or ten don which is also amazing. The food is fresh and seasoned on the lighter side to let the natural flavors come through. I'm glad that it will soon be fall, so I can bring a six pack and some friends and enjoy a hot bowl of soup and some green tea. They are sometimes closed around the holidays, so you might want to call before you head over. I have had two times that they were closed when I tried to go. What a sad day that was!
(5)Sarah A.
Just went here for dinner and wow, once again, I was blown away! The staff is sooooo friendly! We got extra potato croquettes on the house because there were 3 of us (2 croquettes split three ways is not enough!!). Totally forgot we get green tea and miso soup so it was just a heap of food! Super affordable AND byob - what more can you ask for?? 3 people + beer + so much food = priceless (but if you had to put a price on it would only be $26 -- 34 with tip) Oh AND I have left overs!
(5)Joe T.
Before leaving Chicago, my GF wanted us to dine somewhere inexpensive and unique. I wanted to avoid congestion downtown and find a gem tucked away in a cozy Northside neighborhood where we could park for a couple of dollars right in front of our eatery. Sunshine Cafe was a check on all counts, as it's uncommon Japanese homestyle restaurant between the Andersonville and Edgewater neighborhoods. It is a modest place, minimal decor - yet cozy and welcoming in its humility. The service was excellent - though the manager and waiter were the only 2 employees on the floor of this small, casual Japanese diner, we felt like they were always there when we needed them. They had such a friendly, serving attitude, and were ready to give their recommendations on what to try as newcomers. Also, being a free BYOB venue with no corking fee was awesome. We enjoyed our own bottle of wine, with house provided wine glasses & corker. I absolutely heart BYOB in Chicago. We need that in metro Detroit. If you're American and you think of Japanese food, you think Japanese steakhouse and Sushi first. This is neither. These guys serve up hot, traditional everyday dishes like Sukiyaki. My GF and I both ordered potato croquettes to appetize, think hot potato pancakes, crispy breaded on the outside, soft potato on the inside, not greasy - in the shape of a big cutlet. A nice miso-type soup with a thick broth and good amount of tofu came out before our dinners, as well as hot tea. For dinner, we ordered the classic Sukiyaki with beef, and it came out piping hot and fresh, with plenty of rice noodles, tender cooked tofu pieces, vegetables (cabbage, spinach, etc.), and a rather modest portion of about 4 oz. of thinly sliced, flavorful beef - all in the same hot metal dish it was made in. The broth was rather sweet, but paired well with some Sriracha to make a spicy-sweet broth. While there was plenty of broth, I would not call this dish a soup. This was a healthy, palate cleansing type meal. There was really nothing bad for you in it, and it left me satisfied without feeling heavy at all. Overall, an awesome experience of traditional, homestyle Japanese food. I highly recommend this place in the winter. You can warm up with some BYOB vino, hot tea, soup, and piping hot dishes like Sukiyaki. I seriously felt less of the biting chill of the Windy City after walking outta here! A cozy, healthy, and inexpensive place for a truly unique cuisine. The bill came out to about just $50 for 4 of us. My only gripe, enough to reduce a single star, is the modest FDA-recommended 4oz. portion of beef in the dish. At $10.50 I would hope for a plus size of at least 6 oz. This may not bug most people, but I have been (and always will be) a stickler for meat portions in my food, especially at independent owned corner spots like this. Luckily, the plentiful tofu alleviated some of my disappointment in the lack of beef protein.
(4)John C.
Various teriyaki dinner options which are all really good. I usually get the chicken teriyaki, my wife loves their beef teriyaki, and the shrimp/vegetable tempura is pretty good as well. You will get great friendly service, the dining area is small but we have not waited longer than 20 minutes, and I have been coming here for the last 10 years. Good food with reasonable prices.
(4)Andy K.
Sushi is certainly delicious, but there's more to Japanese food then raw fish! Sunshine Cafe IS the place to go for authentic Japanese home cookin. And there's no other place in the city that comes even close. You can see the adorable Japanese grandmas in the small back kitchen as proof this is food made with love! Sunshine's cuisine captures what IMO is the beauty of Japanese food -- beautiful minimalistic, artistically nuanced and a perfect harmony of flavors. You probably have experienced this with well-made, fresh sushi, but at Sunshine you can experience it with hearty, homestyle dishes like Sukiyaki (my favorite on the menu: sweet beef with tofu and vegetables) and Soba Noodles, cold buckwheat noodles in a wasabi dipping sauce. And I'm not a big fan of Udon noodles in general, but I will eat Sunshine's, the broth is fantastic. The potato croquettes, as many reviewers noted, are fantastic and be on the look out for the occasional grilled egg plant special -- it is fresh and tasty. And icing on the cake (or should I say the dipping sauce on the potato croquette) is that Sunshine is very inexpensive, entrees being around 10 bucks. For big eaters like me, the portions are not huge but I can honestly say that after eating there somewhere around 10 times, I've never left dissatisfied. Remember Sunshine is BYOB so take be sure to advantage with a cold glass of Sapporo or bottle of Sake. And please make sure you say hello to Dan, who is honest-to-God one of the nicest fellas I've ever met at a restaurant, and I've been to many. Sunshine Cafe has been a gathering place for the Japanese American community in Chicago for decades with its deliciously authentic food and attentive service. Don't you want to experience that for yourself?
(5)Tyrell C.
For traditional Japanese comfort food in Chicago, look no further! Sunshine Cafe is the perfect place for a bad day. You know those days, where work sucks, you can't find a seat on the CTA, and winter is in full effect? You will feel much better after enjoying a some potato croquettes followed by a big order of Sukiyaki. The quality of your life will improve exponentially as you digest these, the most tastey of hot Japanese dishes. All items are delicious (particularly the ton katsu or udon), but you could eat only the Sukiyaki and Croquettes on every visit and never get tired of it. Seriously, the sauce they serve with the Croquettes is like some type of drug. To top it all off, they are extremely friendly and usually getting a seat is not impossible. Journey north on Clark to this homey joint and you'll thank me later.
(4)Edward A.
We having been going to Sunshine for around seven years. I was delighted with the simple and excellent home-style cooking, and commented to my wife that this was "Grandma cooking". I got an odd look from the young man who managed the place. He came by later and explained that, in fact, his grandmother DID supervise the kitchen! We later had the pleasure of meeting this tiny, smiling lady on an evening when the waitstaff was short handed. May she live one hundred years!
(5)A G.
Perfect at what it does. Delicious Japanese home cooking. Inexpensive, casual, and nice service. Will definitely go back.
(5)Dave D.
fantastic Japanese home style cooking. Like Japanede food was before air freight brought sushi to Chicago
(5)Kevin A.
OKAERINASAI (WELCOME HOME) That's exactly how I feel when I walk into Sunshine Cafe, like I've just returned home from a long journey and that my obaachan has prepared a home-cooked meal of all my favorite dishes just for me. Completely absent are the ultra-lounge vibe and the obscene mishmash of Pier 1 faux-Asian pseudo-cultural artifacts. In its place, dated yet strangely comforting wood paneling, smiling faces, and quite simply THE BEST home style Japanese food in the city. I recently took a friend here who had just returned from five years of teaching in Japan and was suffering from Japan withdrawal and reverse culture shock. When she took her first bite of kimpira gobo, she was instantly transported back to the country she had grown to love and for a moment I thought she was going to cry. It even made me a little homesick for the Japanese restaurants in Hawaii, at which point our server, upon learning of my homeland, put on some Israel Kamakawiwo'ole on the stereo. He even brought the owner out so we could converse with her in Japanese. How cool is that? Such is the power of food, especially food prepared and served with love. Everything here is just as it was meant to be. Miso soup with homemade dashi, simmering sukiyaki with a cool raw egg (upon request), and the always comforting katsudon. Sunshine Cafe is an absolute treasure.
(5)Laila C.
I love grilled mackerel! I love grilled mackerel at Sunshine!! Yum yum yum! Super crispy and flavorful outside. A very generous portion with rice! The grilled salmon is also delicious, although a little fattier. They don't serve sushi, but their california roll is actually quite delicious-very different from generic ones everywhere else. The eel dinner is also delicious, also VERY generous, huge portions of eel. But if you go to Sunshine, you HAVE to try the mackerel!!! Everyone that works there is super nice and so polite! It's a great quiet place to have a relaxing and soul satisfying dinner. Also the fact that it's super affordable Japanese food is just a miracle!
(5)Yvonne Y.
Wow, we came on a Sunday evening and if you don't arrive by 5pm, you'll have to wait for a table. Excellent potato croquettes, grilled eggplantwith freshly grated ginger and special sauce, katsu donburi and saba shioyaki. Flavor is just right and you're supposed to use just a bit of any sauce that comes with it. Will definitely be back. The owner is very friendly!
(5)Marlon V.
Good food at a reasonable price. It's close to home & staff was super friendly. Very cosy looking spot. Walked in to the restaurant & it had a home-y feel & I sense it was going to be good. Potato croquettes w/ the special sauce was good. The chicken udon was good. I loved the mackerel, if I had some nori wrap on the side with the rice - it would be over. Delicious food & can't wait to go back.
(4)Joyce C.
I love the food here. It really is like home cooked food. The decor is totally like my mom's basement from the 70's though, with the paneling and everything. We've been here twice and I think our second experience was better. The first time went we had the calamari legs to start and those were a little overcooked but had a good breading and good taste. I had the sukiyaki and my husband had the katsu. Both were good, with generous portions. The second time we came, it was a chilly fall night. We had the squid again and also the gyoza. The gyoza was definitely home made and the sauce that comes with it is super spicy. My husband had the pork udon, while I had the broiled mackerel. I don't usually like mackerel because I think it's stinky, but I guess I was in the mood for some super oily stinky salty fish because this TOTALLY hit the mark for me. YUM!! Only downside of this dish is that it did come with some bones, but I knew that going in so I looked out for them. My husband's udon had a good broth, but the noodles were cooked a little past al dente toward the mushy side. However, both of us ended up getting exactly what we wanted, and it was a tasty meal homey meal for a cold night. And two apps with two entrees = $30!! I will be back soon!!
(4)Patrick S.
You know a place is fucking prime when it gets closed down by the health department and it still has a 4.5 a half star average Yelp review.
(5)Cynthia N.
The food was good and hearty, the service was exceptional! We ordered potato croquettes (crispy Panko breaded, inside fluffy mashed potatoes--what's not to love?!) edamame for our son, sukiyaki for me and tempura udon for my husband. It was all delicious. Nothing fancy, just homey, comforting food. The owner brought some complimentary tofu for my son, just to be nice. It's gestures like that that make me remember a restaurant and bring my friends. We'll be back.
(4)Amanda A.
Solid. Soothing. Steaming. Shall I continue? I've been here so many times, but never bothered with writing a review. (Does anyone else find that they never actually _think_ to Yelp about the places that became a routine part of their being long before this site existed?) On my last visit, the standard: vegetable udon + shrimp shumai. I don't know why I continue to order shumai at any establishment, as I find my delight only in the texture, but rarely in the taste. Same here, but it was perfectly passable. Per usual, the udon broth was well-balanced, tofu satisfying and just firm enough...lots of vegetables swimming happily about.
(4)Jocelynne G.
The food here is great! I loved how tender and crunchy the pork cutlet was, my friend ordered sukiyaki and it was delicious. Why is the tempura 13$ though? Oh well... I wasn't going to order it anyway. I can't wait to come back. This place is so cozy!
(5)Kenny T.
After living in Lakeview, I'm always hesitant to try any kind of Asian place on a whim lest they be 'fusion'-y, over priced, dirty, or too obsessed with frills. But this place said 'Homestyle Japanese food' and when my gf and I were looking at the menu a family came out and the father told us he recommended it. The kids laughed and nodded so we went in. I am so glad we did. It's got a cute, unassuming interior and the waitstaff was probably the nicest I've ever had in the city. We tried the potato croquettes and they were amazing. The sauce was totally delicious and they gave you a perfect serving. I ordered the udon and my gf got the veggie soba and when they were brought, it was in two giant steaming bowls. They were so good and filling. Just simple and unlike other udon I've had- not greasy or overly watery. This place is worth a try- yummy, simple, tasty Japanese food that is good any time, any day and at a really decent price. Our main course was only 8 bucks! To top it off, they serve hot fresh green tea and their green tea ice cream was amazing. We will be back for sure. The only downside is that they are closed on Monday.
(5)Maxwell C.
So, have you ever had a day at work where your boss yells at you? You print something and the printer decides that you need 100x more than you printed and everyone in the office is calling you an environmental disaster? And you just want to have a great home cooked meal from your asian mom but then you realized she's not here... and that you're not asian? If so, then this is the place for you! This is a great mom and pop shop that cooks up authentic Japanese home food. You won't find your shitty Lincoln Park sushi stuff here. Go away LP sushi. You'll find soba, udon, katsudon, and gyoza. Everything I have ordered there is great, but hands down, they have the best Katsudon in Chicago. And if you don't know what Katsudon is, you best get yourself there right now and order one. It is heaven... in a bowl. I can't say enough about how much I love this place. You'll feel like you're transported to Japan.
(5)Patrick R.
I've lived off Clark Street for three years and haven't yet ventured in Sunshine. Friends have sung its praises for at least as long, so my wife and I dined there earlier this week. During the walk through the snowy sidewalks, I had visions of ordering up a mug of green tea to enjoy before my meal. Imagine my surprise when we sat down and were greeted by a waiter bearing water AND green tea, without us even having to ask. I warmed up with green tea and ordered the beef curry special, and my wife had the chicken teri don (huge bowl of chicken chunks over rice and lettuce). Our meal was hot, simple and filling --exactly what I'd heard from friends who had dined here. I had the leftovers for lunch today. One sidenote: our waiter was very helpful in explaining what each dish consisted of, as well as how to mix the various ingredients together. In fact, he seemed to default to a "these folks probably have more questions than answers" mode when he approached us, which was really refreshing. He made little jokes about the menu, suggested items, advised us on what was spicy --all with very little encouraging or questioning from us.
(4)Ryan R.
The absolute best bowl of udon in the city. Everything I have tried at this restaurant is really tasty. I am aware that this place was recently closed by the health department. While I appreciate some of the other commentors concerns I have a few comments of my own. I have owned restaurants before. None of my restaurants were ever closed by the health department but I know other owners who were closed. It is true that it often takes an egregious offense to draw the health departments sanction. However, Sometimes it is as simple as an equipment failure that was discovered during an inspection. Other times it is as simple as an infestation that has migrated from another neighboring storefront or from the alley. While this may sound gross it really happens all the time. In my restaurants, I used to pay for extermination in the neighboring storefronts just to be sure I didnt get a migrating infestation. Point is, take some of these negative comments with a grain of salt. The restaurant was only closed for a week or so. I seriously doubt the offense was dangerous. Furthermore, it is very difficult to reopen after a sanction. The fact that they were allowed to reopen should speak for itself. And no. I do not know the owners. I just enjoy the food. And will continue to go back.
(5)Jiyoun B.
Authentic Japanese home cooking. Even the decor matches the food. It feels like going to one of your old aunt's house with the back-then fashionable (were they ever fashionable?) wood paneling. They have the best potato croquettes (ko-ro-ke) ever! Creamy, smooth filling matched with crunchy outside... kinda like deep fried mashed potatoes. I guess that's what they are essentially. They sometimes have perfectly seasoned kimpira~ a root veggie that you don't find easily at a restaurant anymore. Don't go here for any raw fish cuz they won't have any. Do go here for any udon or donburi (so good). Things maybe a little too sweet or salty but that's Japanese food for ya! People who work here are pretty friendly and more than willing to explain their dish. I've passed by this place thousands of times and it's unpredictable when they are open. But that's okay, I'll catch them when they do open! You'll find lots of older Japanese patrons here but I'd take that as a good sign. Not much of a date place unless you go to restaurants for quality of food and for not ambiance.
(5)Boon K.
I love the family feel of this place and it is very traditional. Great service and very friendly. Good price point. The udon noodle soup is good and the chicken Katsu. This is my to-go place for my japanese comfort warm meal.
(4)Elleb K.
5 stars for the serivce. Very friendly, fast service. Comfortable setting. 3 stars for the food. We ordered the potatoe dish, katsu don, suki yaki dish. The food wasn't something to rave about. I've had better in Japan. But since we are in Chicago, It was a mere OK. My american counter parts loved it. The menu selection wasn't as grand, small, sweet , simple.
(3)Aurore L.
So for a little while yesterday I entertained the illusion that I was Japanese. Yes it requires a little bit of imagination...... I've got plenty. Thank you very much. Sunshine Cafe. Perfect place to spend the end of the only sunny afternoon we had since the beginning of the year (or so it seems). Perfect place to warm up your body and soul. Perfect place to escape the sound and fury of National Football Day. (A more southern location would definitely add the finishing touch to the perfection. But it's not only their fault is we are 107 blocks apart....I have my share of responsibility.) When we enter the place at 4 we are with family. Some are reading the news, others are watching TV. A lively discussion is going on. The place looks non-assuming, plain and old-fashioned. No frills, no fuss, no dainty decor or cute little details. We are in your Japanese grandma (big) dining room, and she is stuck in the past. You don't really care because you love your grandma; not her furniture. And you love your grandma because she kicks ass in the kitchen. Your grandpa agrees. His first love?!?!? Potato croquettes. Everybody is talking about them with reason: these are comfort food if there has been any. Crunchy-melty, they are succulent topped with the accompanying sauce (reminiscent of a sweet mustard...SO good) They come in pair and you really have to struggle hard not to order another one. You can get instead inari sushi: sushi rice stuffed in small pouches of deep fried tofu. Sweet and delicious. Yum, nom, gulp. The katsudon is another shining star for sure. A balmy bowl of satisfaction, zen style (even Mike Jagger would calm down and stop his hip undulations to sit down and eat). Sticky rice, breaded pork, egg, onions - stir-fried in soy sauce happiness. The result is beyond good; the saltiness is so pleasant that you cannot stop eating, even if you are already full. That's the magic. I sat there, eating, drinking matcha tea, listening to soothing traditional music, chatting with the lovely waitress about the differences between football, soccer and rugby. Should have talked about sumos and baseball.... Next time.
(4)Christine L.
This is my favorite home-style Japanese restaurant in Chicago! Pork udon is the ultimate comfort food. I lived in Asia, and this restaurant always makes me homesick.
(5)Reuben H.
The restaurant industry today has been trending towards going back to basics. It amazes me how hyped up people get over relatively simple dishes, flavors and ingredients (myself included). If one had to analyze what this says about society one could draw up various conclusions. Still the fact remains- people want to feel comfortable with what they eat and have some sense of familiarity with the food or the dining experience. The latest trend that has now become its own genre is "new-American" and is based around a revamping of traditional, home-style dishes that come from the somewhat short history of the great melting pot most of us call home. Couple that tradition with a sense of "fine dining" spin in plating and presentation, while usually involving seasonal, fresh ingredients. That fancy plating and presentation technique brings you classic favorites like mac 'n cheese in cylindrical form, with a healthy does of organic butternut squash and artisinal cheese and silken tofu (locally produced of course) laced in as an example. It has us feasting with our eyes before it even hits our sense of smell, taste and touch (texture people!). The all-American hamburger is another example of this simple sandwich that has been revived (as if it were dying in the first place) in all areas of the restaurant world and with incredibly refined results in many cases. This revived look at American dining (Chicago being one of the leading markets for this concept) brought me to wonder whether the same concept is happening at "ethnic" restaurants. That is where I realized that what we typically associate with "Japanese" food is raw fish-based. To think that an overwhelming majority of Japanese only eat raw fish for just about every meal is absurd. Yet if you go around to the overwhelming majority of Japanese restaurants here in Chicago, and that is exactly what you will find for an overwhelming majority of the menu items. This is precisely why you NEED to come to places like Sunshine Cafe which has a small menu, yet a representation of what is probably more "real" about Japanese cuisine. Good old-fashioned, down home, mama's in the kitchen type of cooking. Yet, this is where the disconnect with the new-American style joint that is happening all around us (and one that I am a big fan of) begins. Not only because Japanese food is, well- Japanese and therefore different from American, because that is obvious; but because the plating isn't going to be anything special. What you get: a bowl of food. Simple, and yet complex, because like the awesome old-school flavors being served up in a lot of the new-American places: they are bold, comforting, and somehow familiar. Two must-get items: potato croquettes (doesn't sound very Japanese, but they are glorious- fried panko-encased mashed potatoes pillows) and ketsudon (fried pork medallions mixed in with caramelized onions, wilted spinach, sauce all served on a bed of sticky rice). We also tried the beef udon. Good, but not the best in Chicago (which so far, oddly enough, the best we have had is out in the suburbs). Still, a bowl of those noodles in that benito broth is enough to turn a drab day into a cozy one. Here you are bound to get a carb-laced, hearty meal. Absolutely perfect for a cold winter's day! Rich flavors, in an old-world style dining room amongst family. Warm, welcoming and most importantly- familiar. So while the hippest of the new-age restaurants follow through on the latest trend, or try to highlight the fresh seasonal ingredient of the week or month, try to remember that these restaurants and their dishes need to be able to stand the test of time to truly be rated appropriately. After all, it is the flavor and the level of satisfaction the dining experience gives you that really matters, right? Sunshine Cafe's dishes are a terrific litmus test for any of these new-American restaurants. In the end, the food has got to be right!
(4)Jim S.
The squid appetizer was amazing. Delicious, perfectly fried. Sukiyaki was tasty, homey, and practically licked the plate clean. Tonkatsu was tender and just plain yummy. Pork Udon shined... I'd happily eat any and all again and again. Even the tea was great. It isn't haute cuisine, this is comfort food... and would be an excellent place to visit for a first timer. The owner and servers were incredibly friendly.
(5)Jessica G.
Wonderful little restaurant. The food is simple and delicious - Japanese comfort food at it's best. My friend, Lindsay J., swears by the potato croquettes. My favourites are the Unagi Don (delectable!), the salmon teriyaki (phenomenal!), and the sukiyaki (outstanding!). I was a little less fond of the Pork Katsu, mostly because I was expecting a lighter breading instead of the heavy, deep fried nuggets of meat. Very tasty, but I'd order it again as a table dish to split - it's too heavy and rich for my entire meal. I love this place. Friendly, honest, delicious food.
(5)Annie W.
Ooof. I'm still full and it's already been a couple of hours. Small menu (makes decisions easy!) and the items are actually really simple but tasty. Portions are great and service is super friendly! Seeing how it was Easter today, at the end of our meal, the waitress plopped down a big basket full of pastel color-wrapped candies! Cute! Anyway, things are a bit on the salty side but the sukiyaki sure hit the spot! Plentiful shabu-style beef, napa cabbage, onions, glass noodles, tofu all in that nice sweet and salty broth with perfectly cooked rice to pair. (My favorite rice is always found in Japanese joints!). While three of us ordered the sukiyaki, one other friend got the katsu don and he remarked that while it was initally good, it got increasingly more and more salty so....watch out for that one! Yes, we shared orders of the potato croquette (crunchy on the outside, smooth inside) and the ika (calamari legs). The ika was fried well but could've been a tad less bland. All in all, not bad in a homey place. I wouldn't necessarily crave it like I would with ramen but finally after a couple of years of eyeing this place, my curiosity's been satiated!
(3)KuangYou C.
I've been to several Japanese restaurants in Chicago. I can't say they have the best food but I think the food and the price are pretty decent. My friend and I order one appetizer (ginger, green onion with tofu, not sure the exact name) , eel rice and sukiyaki. The tofu is just average, I think. The sukiyaki is good. The downside is they don't have a heater to keep the pot warm. The eel is good as well and they give you the definitely enough rice to eat with. The service is great. Overall, I'm willing to go there again.
(4)Kelly Z.
Unlike what it seems from the outside, it is very very bright inside! Ha! They built a strip of Japanese roof on the side of the restaurant. So you feel like sitting in the courtyard. It's been a while since I've seen children at a restaurant. Although the restaurant doesn't take reservation, we only waited about ten minutes to get a seat. I like the potato croquette. For some reason, it is quite similar to a Peruvian dish I had last week. Don't remember exactly what the saying is. Somehow we may be all connected. I had sukiyaki. I don't usually like to order meat dish at Asian restaurants because most often they turned out to be overcooked. The one I had was tender and fresh. The item my friend ordered seems interesting as well. The menu seems to be very simple but healthy. Mostly meat or fish over rise or noodle. But they all come in with good balance of protein and carbohydrate. Best of all, most dishes are under $10. The architecture element reminds me of Suzhou, a city in China. I have been wanting to come here for a long time but a friend who I wanted to be here with moved away. So, there is a touch of sadness about this. Melancholy maybe for times gone by.
(4)Rachel O.
Amazing udon noodles! Especially great for fighting off a cold. The service for carry out was excellent and fast. Definitely will be back!
(5)Paul M.
I have been going to the Sunshine Cafe for several years now, and I must say, it is a place that can be overlooked or otherwise taken for granted. Rediscovery is a great thing. Unassuming in its decor, a great value for the price. I enjoy the Goma-ae spinach -- with crushed peanuts instead of a heavy peanut sauce. The udon and soba soups are just the thing for a cold or to enjoy a tasty preventative. The crowd varies: just imagine anyone who would want reasonably priced, well prepared Japanese food in a byob setting. They also provide take-away service.
(5)Cynthia E.
Beautifully prepared food from scratch, outstanding friendly service, the best tonkatsu sauce we've had... All at a fair price and 10 minutes from home! The wilted spinach appetizer was lightly dressed and tasty, the potato croquettes were the only thing near mediocre, but they were piping hot and served quickly. The miso soup served with entrees was very hit and a good-sized portion. My husband had Katsu, which was the best we've had, and made even tastier with their housemade sauce. I had yakisoba, the special, and it was the right blend of chewy to crispy noodles, with chicken and a good amount of vegetables. Can't believe it took us this long to find the Sunshine!
(5)Tracy K.
Having dinner here felt like having dinner at someone's house. And I mean that in the best way possible. The owner made us feel very welcome, had a sense of humor, and basically, provided some of the best restaurant service I have ever experienced. Our table of seven had way more food than necessary and the (BYOB) alcohols flowed freely. I didn't love the food, but I would come back because of the warm, friendly atmosphere.
(4)Began T.
Never eat here! Trust me, your stomach will thank you. I had been excited to try this place after reading all the great reviews and I love Japanese food! I even described it to my girlfriend while driving there as the "ace up my sleeve" thinking it couldn't be bad with such a high score on yelp. My god was I wrong. This is authentic Japanese food in that if you opened up a garbage can in Japan you might find something similar. We went to the restaurant at 5:00 PM, it is now 4 am and my stomach still has not forgiven me and i didn't even eat that much! Things that we ordered: Gyoza (not that bad, not that good) potato croquette (ok if you don't use the rancid dipping sauce) beef vegetable udon (worst udon ever...noodles were terrible, beef was worse) Katsudon (breaded pork tenderloin was soggy and disgusting) All in all this is just horrible food. The free green tea tasted and smelled like seaweed and lint. The miso soup that came with the Katsudon was the aberrant unacceptable no miso at all just flavorless broth with some thin scallions and a few pieces of tofu. I make my own miso and udon at home and have eaten at many Japonese restaurants in Chicago, the best being Akai Hanna and Japonaise(obviously a more expensive one). The Yelpers are sorely mistaken with this one, do yourself a favor and skip it!
(1)Adam F.
Crazy decor (wood paneling combined with a faux traditional Japanese exterior structure), super affordable and friendly staff. Love the Katsu Don, Japanese Curry, Sukiyaki and potato croquettes.
(5)Annie R.
A homey restaurant with great authentic Japanese food! Only way they can be even better is a bigger place or a bigger menu! Because of the smaller size of the restaurant and limited staff, there may be a bit of a wait. But, it's BYOB so maybe that will be good during the wait. I ordered the Chicken Katsu and was very happy with a great combination of flavor and texture of the Chicken. Pairing it with rice and the soupy egg was extra delish! My friend who recently visited Japan attested to the pretty much authentic Japanese food, and she loves it! We will definitely visit again, especially with such great prices!
(5)Matthew G.
For my 100th review, I am delighted to endorse Sunshine Café! I have lived in Andersonville for over 10 years (with the exception of 2004 when I lived in Tokyo). The Sunshine Café is just down the alley and around the corner from my place, yet I've never managed to visit. The other night, I had a serious craving for udon, so it was logical to finally give Sunshine Café a try. All I can say is that I've totally been missing out! Sunshine Café is FABULOUS! Believe me, I am still kicking myself for not visiting sooner. This Japanese jewel of deliciousness has been there the whole time - what a dolt I've been! At any rate, it just a great place. The food is just perfect! It's a family run place and the owners treat their customers like family. It reminds me of little places I used to go to in Japan, so the nostalgia is also very appealing. It doesn't look like much from the outside and the interior is very simple and overly bright (much like my fave places in Tokyo), but don't be fooled. A friendly welcome, a steaming cup of green tea and some amazing eats are waiting for you! For appetizers, we had seaweed salad, calamari and gyoza. All three were wonderful, but I was especially impressed with the calamari. Forget about calamari rings, these are LEGS - long, tender and tasty! A squeeze of lemon was all that was needed to compliment those babies! The seaweed salad was just what I expected (very satisfying) and the gyoza had a nice spicy kick to them. My steaming bowl of beef udon was everything I'd hoped it would be. The portion was huge, but I slurped it all up. In a word - YUM! I had been craving udon all day, and I was not disappointed! I could (and plan to) eat it at least once a week. In fact, I'm salivating for it now. My partner's katsu don looked very tasty and he gobbled it up with no complaints. I kinda wanted to try it, but I was immersed in the udon utopia. Maybe I'll give it a try later, but I fear that it will always be udon for me! The service is great - swift, yet friendly. The staff really cares about your enjoyment. The place is small and frequently packed, so there will likely be a wait, but it's totally worth it (and I generally hate waiting at restaurants). On our recent visit, all of the tables were full, so we sat down to wait. It was only 10 minutes, but several of the staff apologized (quite a few times) about the wait. It was no problem at all (10 minutes is a short wait anyway), but I really appreciated that the staff wanted us to be completely happy. Also, the prices are very reasonable for the quality and quantity you receive. We left completely stuffed after 3 shared appetizers and 2 entrees, yet the bill was just over $30. Such a great value! It's also BYOB, so you can easily and afforadably get your drink on, Sunshine Café, you have my undying love and devotion! Thank you for a wonderful first visit. I promise there will be MANY more!
(5)Ashley D.
MY NEW FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT. Seriously, the staff at this place is amazing. I am a vegetarian and went here with a group of friends (who were all relatively unfamiliar to Japanese cuisine) and our waiter was so helpful in guiding each of our individual tastes and even made some really crazy substitutions for us. The food was just as great as the service (get the potato croquettes -- UNREAL.) I will absolutely be back!
(5)Rinko E.
I would like to say TADAIMA~!!!!!! (I'm home!) when I come here. I have been to Sunshine Cafe twice, and this place is the complete package: cheap, home-style, uncomplicated Japanese comfort food, friendly staff, and BYOB. Tendon (Tempuras and sauce over a bowl of rice) and potato croquettes are my favorite, but my friends love Tempura Udon noodles and Sukiyaki. Seems like this place has been in business forever, and I hope they stay open for many many many more years to come. It's good to have a Japanese "home" when you are miles away from your family.
(5)Tara R.
Delicious food, wonderful service, BYOB and great company make dinner at the Sunshine Cafe a joyous experience. We waited all of five minutes for a table. Yeah, we saw that there were a few empty ones but the restaurant seemed to get busy right when we walked in and there were just a couple servers. The manager apologized several times for the wait and then took care of us the rest of our visit. After immediately bringing hot green tea, he promptly took our appetizer order. We had just enough time to run across the street for a bottle of wine before he brought the pickled vegetables and the potato croquette. Oh, that croquette. It was like a deep fried potato cloud. Chopsticks cut those babies like butter, yet they were strong enough to be dipped again and again in the spicy brown sauce accompaniment. I ordered broiled salmon, which came with miso soup and rice - pretty great deal for nine-fitty in the city! The salmon was perfectly cooked. Crispy skin, tender flesh, minimally spiced but perfectly satisfying on its own. But it was even more delicious with the shredded white radish garnish and a squirt of lemon (much thanks to our awesome waiter for that tip). Speaking of our awesome waiter, he brought us a second order of potato croquette on the house, as well as some freebie green tea ice cream. That was the best service experience in a long time. Next time I visit my friends in that neighborhood, I will definitely be going back.
(5)Chris C.
This place is great. The perfect place to check out on a cold winter night. That atmosphere may displease some, but I like the simplicity of it. It adds to the homey atmosphere. Really good Japanese comfort food. I've been three times now and I always have inner struggle on what to order. So many good options. Seeing other peoples food going by only makes it more difficult. So there is only one solution... keep going until I've had everything! Go check it out, but don't take the last table, in case I need it.
(5)Katie T.
We came here for my dad's birthday and it was a wonderful experience. First of all, BYOB and no cork fee which was great. The waiter (named Daniel) was the sweetest guy ever, gave us extra fried calamari because we were a family of five and one order wasn't enough. For food, we got a bunch of stuff from the menu: my sister and I had the udon which was pretty standard, my mom the soba which was less fresh than she would have liked, my brother the katsu don which was delicious! Highly recommend. And then my dad, birthday boy got the special noodles on the menu that came with rice; the broth was amazing. If it wasn't so far north, I would definitely come to this place all the time. Very homey and comfortable!
(4)Aaron K.
I was taken here Sunday by a friend and left feeling stupid for not eating here sooner! Sunshine Cafe serves wonderful home-style Japanese food prepared at the highest level. Looking around, this place was packed for 8:30 on a Sunday night (my party of 2 was seated at a table for 6) and yet rather quiet. The simple and obvious explanation came from the food. Now I could gush about the pork or smelt or unagi, but the real star of the show is the rice. Perfect rice, or as I call is chopstick rice, is so elusive. Light, fluffy, and sticky enough to pick up large balls with chopsticks without being gluey, fuzzy and glutinous, the rice here has it all. In fact, I would come back for a bowl of rice alone. Amazing. My friend, who comes here often, says this is always the case. Wow....even with a rice cooker I can't manage this level of perfection time-in and time-out. Sunshine Cafe is a steal with dishes in the $10-15 range. You could easily spend 2-3 times the price without finding this level of dedication to consistently excellent food.
(5)Aaron L.
Gyoza 4.5* Potato Croquette 4* Ika Geso 3* Miso Soup 2.5* Sukiyaki 3.5*
(3)Julie B.
This is my new favorite noodle place!!! It's an intimate restaurant, bare essentials and no real decor, they know that you are coming for the best japanese food around! The food is fresh and delicious. Be prepared to wait and definiately no attitudes here. The staff just warmly greets you as you walk in, I highly recommend ordering the Potatoe Croquettes to start - I had dreams about those stuffed pockets all week-end. I ordered the veggie and beef udon - sooo good! Slurped and enjoyed the meal tremendously! I will be back and probably will become a regular!
(5)Joanna S.
After I came back from Japan it was very very difficult to find anywhere that cooks home style Japanese food instead of the usual sushi. This place is family owned, reasonably priced, great authentic food, and good service. I love the specials and they occasionally have japanese curry which is hard to find in a restaurant. I also love the atmosphere... especially the grandmother who comes around and serves the green tea. You can always tell a good asian place when people from that country eat there, and there are always japanese conversations to join in on at Sunshine.
(4)Christine F.
Oh my God. I can't believe I live a few blocks from this place. I live in the neighborhood of magical food. Anyway, me and my husband dashed to get here asap, since it's small and lines form early. We waited around 20-30 minutes to be seated, and were immediately treated to some hot green tea. We opened our bottle of wine and feasted our eyes on the menu. The udon seemed appealing to me, though it was unseasonably warm out (60's in November!) so I decided on the tempura, and my husband got the beef udon. We also ordered shrimp shumai and potato croquettes. The potato croquettes are basically, deep fried mashed potatoes with a panko breading...the potatoes are smooth and velvety and soo good. It came with a sweet sauce that left a slight bite on the nose at the end. The shrimp shumai came with a VERY hot mustard sauce, and were also delicious. The main courses didn't disappoint. My tempura consisted of shrimp, acorn squash, eggplant, sweet potato, and green bean. It was delicious and had a light, soy based sauce for dipping. My husband loved his beef udon, as well. When it's colder, I am for sure getting the udon, it looked delicious. Our waiter was also very nice and got our food out to us surprisingly fast. Yeah, it's a hole in the wall. Yeah, there's waits. But the food is absolutely phenomenal, and it's perfect comfort food for long Chicago winters.
(5)Nicole C.
You sit down, you're poured some freshly brewed green tea, and handed a menu of unique but unpretentious selections. We started with the burdock and carrot salad (delicious, though a bit overly sweet for my taste), a standard wakame seaweed salad, and the potato croquette that everyone raves about. Said croquette was good, though not as orgasmic (for me) as some have described it here, though definitely enhanced when dipped into the accompanying sauce; a sweet, soy, horseradish concoction. We then had some miso soup, rich and satisfying, which is served with all non-soup entrees. I really liked the miso, definitely gave you that umami factor you want. For an entree I had the unagi (eel) don. The pieces of unagi were tender and delicious, grilled in a teriyaki sauce and served over a mountain of rice. At first I thought, I'll save half the rice to bring home, but, I couldn't bring myself to put the chopsticks down. I will say that again, this dish (both the marinade and rice) was a bit sweet for my liking. (I'm the sugar police.). My fellow diners were all very pleased with their dishes: sukiyaki, udon soup, and vegetables with tofu (the latter of which sounds so plain, but was done really well.). Service was great and our waiter, a Sox fan, rightly sassed my Cubs-fan friend. I appreciate the casual, neighborhood feel to this place so much more than the faux-hip stylings of many sushi restaurants in the city. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Lori Taylor R.
Let's get straight to the point. 5 stars for Sukiyaki with beef. A MUST try. Unfortunately, the friendly staff was a bit inattentive. However, we won't let that hold us back from visiting again!
(4)Timtim H.
its very authentic and cheap!!!!!!!!!!!! even though the ramen noodles are not the best ones I ever had in Chicago........
(4)Catherine S.
We are new to the neighborhood and tried this on recommendation of a friend. The decor is nothing special, but it's not as bad as some of the reviews make it sound--it's cozy and simple. The place was filled with local families and the service was SO nice. Maybe we're just not used to the midwest yet, but the two servers who waited on us were very attentive and sweet despite the fact that the place was packed. On to the food. We started with the potato croquettes, which were so delicious. We're not normally huge fried food fans, but others had mentioned them so we tried them out: light, not greasy in the slightest, and served with a pleasantly sweet dipping sauce. We both had udon--one veggie and one chicken. They were huge portions--neither one of us could finish them--simple and delicious. The veggie broth had nice flavor, which is often lacking in not as good udon. Furthermore, it was cheap, which is important for us! You can get a nice big entree for $10 or under. We didn't bring our own alcohol, but it's good to note for the future that it is BYOB. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)ZZ K.
Based on all the great reviews we decided to go and try this little mom and pop establishment in Edgewater. I do agree with many of the reviews.... - great, friendly staff - BYOB with Jewel/Osco right around the corner - homey vibe, like eating in grandma's kitchen - simple and tasty food - cafeteriaesk look and feel...yes, you don't come here for the ambiance, however you immediately feel very welcome. :) But, I think for our taste...not that we are these ultimate food snobs or anything, it was just a bit too simple all around. What did we have you ask? 1. Goyza 2.sukiyaki 3. udon with vegetables and chicken (this was the best) 4. a dish with cold buckwheat noodles with nori, wasabi, green onions and tempura I guess we are more into unique tastes and combinations....things we would find difficult to make ourselves. I hate to say this, but even the goyza tasted exactly like the ones I buy frozen at the store, no difference what so ever. So overall this place is not bad, but we just won't be back...
(3)Joseph A.
What can I add that hasn't already been said: Japanese food that isn't based on sushi, very affordable, friendly service, cozy little restaurant. Just wanted to add to the recommendations. The guy who answered the phone on a Friday night said we could bring our own Saki with no cork fee if we poured him a cup (jokingly). I can't confirm this is the case since I parked far away in dreadfully cold weather and forgot the bottle in the car.
(5)James B.
Japanese Pub Food. Simple. No Frills. BYOB. Delicious.
(4)Susan L.
Cute, cheap, satisfying. Go for the noodles, not for the ambiance.
(4)Andy S.
Now this is the place to have Japanese food! Authentic, tasty, and huge portions. They have have Musubi (Rice balls)! The prices are extremely cheap. $23 dollars for two huge meals, and sides of miso soup and musubi. The waiters and host are extremely nice and friendly. I didn't feel rushed and hell, i even felt wanted there. Which is exactly what a restaurant is supposed to make you feel like. The only issue is that its not near the south side. Which, really isn't a issue. Its worth the travel. Why are you reading this review? Go out there and see how awesome it is! Oh, for the drinkers, it is BYOB. I don't believe they have sushi (or very limited selection). Its all homemade style Japanese cooking. Can't go wrong with that at all.
(5)Juanita G.
I love this place! It has been my go to place all winter for a big warm meal. I love the home style Japanese cooking. I love the sukiyaki style beef lightly sweet broth with the glass noodles but also love the big bowl of udon when I want a big bowl of noodles. My niece loves the Unagi don. Very good unagi over rice. We always loved the unagi on sushi not we can just get the unagi over rice in a entree sized portion.
(5)Gayle G.
How did I miss this little gem? I didn't find it until moving OUT of Andersonville. Boo. A great find in a ramshakle setting. It ain't glamorous. If it's a first date, you might scare your date. The horrible fluorescent lighting isn't flattering to anyone's skin tone. And yet, once I open a beer (BYOB) and the menu, I was alright! Tonkatsu, please! It was delicious! Everything that everyone ordered was really tasty, but I liked mine the best. The potato croquettes yummy and light! I mean, how can mashed potatoes that are coated in panko and deep fried be bad? We also had an app special of pickled burdock root that was great! Service was attentive and relaxed. The bill for 4 entrees and 2 apps was about $55 before tip. Cheap! Yum! Go! Now!
(4)Dan D.
My newest "favorite place to eat" in Chicago and a new 5-star review! While the outside and inside are modest at best, the food is stellar and the price cannot be beat. Sunshine excels in customer service - super friendly service which recommends food and specializes orders. Also, prices that are unbelievable for what you get. I ordered the salmon terriyaki for just $9.50. A whole giant filet of grilled salmon, served with terriyaki sauce on the side, a nice salad, overflowing bowl of rice, and miso soup for just that great price! Wowsers. My buddy ordered the unagi don - freshwater eel served terriyaki over a bowl of rice and salad for just $10.50 (also miso soup). Talk about a filling meal and a great experience. This is Japanese cooking to be proud about. Even though Sunshine Cafe is located in trendy Andersonville, Sunshine Cafe has great prices for awesome food. Note: Do not come here for sushi as this is NOT a sushi restaurant. They ONLY have California rolls and sometimes spicy tuna rolls. This is a Japanese Cooking place - not quite raw food. That being said, it is one of THE BEST in chicago, and your wallet is gonna be happy.
(5)Carolynne M.
Would you trade expensive, intricate, ambiant lighting for awesomely fresh, delicious food that costs virtually nothing? Would you trade a fancy interior, complete with a tinkling waterfall, leather chairs and gold rimmed china for service that is highly attentive, super friendly and very knowledgeable but never pushy? Would you trade a swanky Gold Coast locale with doormen and valet for a place that seems more like you are dining in someones home? If you said yes to any of these, then you need to get your butt over to Sunshine. Seriously, as much as I like my fancy places, Sunshine manages to out-shine (ha! get it) all of that frivolity with amazing service, incredible food and cheap to boot. We went on Friday around 5:30, to a room about half full. I had a piece of salmon that rivaled any seafood place on the East Coast, plus everything from the miso soup to the croquettes (which seemed to be out of place in a Japanese restaurant, but my friend Alice assures me they are the real deal, actually called kuroke) were excellently prepared and presented. Plus, Andy M was a little concerned at first when he saw there were only chopsticks on the table and tried to practice with them a little, but our waiter saw him and brought a fork with the explanation "I thought you might want this, we do close at 9 after all." Which almost caused me to snort in my green tea it was too funny.
(5)Stacey P.
It feels like you're in Hawaii when you eat at sunshine cafe... .. that is, if you're like me, and when you go to hawaii you eat at a ton of japanese restaurants owned by Nisei and greater japanese-americans. BUT- Just like Hawaii, the food is GOOD. My initial plan was to go there and get a bunch of small dishes, do it izakaya style. However, my plan was somewhat foiled when I saw the limited appetizer menu. Ah well. We ordered Kimpira, Inari Zushi, and Gyoza for apps. Kimpira: dai sukina kimpira EVER!!!! (that was my favorite kimpira EVER) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was soft and sweet and not grainy. When I've made it, it's been grainy. Even when I've had it at other restaurants, it's been grainy. This kimpira was awesome and it now happily sits in my tum tum. Inari Zushi: Well, how do you really go wrong with this? I used to make it from canned wrappers in my dorm room. But yep, it was good. Gyoza: Meh. The one thing I will not give a very good review. I've had better, I've made better. For a main dish, I got tempura udon. Those noodles were AWESOME. I never finish soups, but I ate EVERY LAST NOODLE in this tempura udon. The tempura and the broth were alright, I would say I've had better in udon shops in Hawaii. But again...NOOOOOOOODLESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. burp. My friend got the Nanban yaki which she thought was very good! My main complaint is the small menu. I was hoping for curry udon, yaki onigiri, more musubi/onigiri options, more flavors of croquettes, more appetizers, some miso cod, eggplant, etc... stuff I'm used to at homestyle japanese places... If they expanded the menu, I'd be there every day. I'll still be there often :)
(4)Ricardo B.
As good as it gets for home style Japanese food.
(5)Robin C.
I fell in love with Sunshine Cafe tonight and felt the urge to document that with a review. Instant love. I've been living down the street from this lovely restaurant for years and went for the first time tonight. Thank God I did. I walked into this unassuming little restaurant PACKED on a Sunday night with regulars and my roommate and I both commented on how it felt like we just walked into a cozy movie set. The Japanese waitress we had was so adorable and friendly AND had great recommendations. We had the pickled veggies, potato croquettes and fried squid legs as appetizers. Only suggestion next time would be to get more orders of all of those items, because we gobbled them down in approximately 2 seconds flat. Our waitress suggested I get the mackerel, which wast broiled and lightly salted. Simple and delicious. Apparently, you can choose between broiled or teriyaki and the broiled gave you a crispy delicious skin which was perfect. My roommate got a TROUGH of udon noodles. Both were lip smackingly delicious and after eating for what seemed like an hour, it looked like we hadn't made a dent. Come here for Japanese comfort food (read: no sushi), and I can only see it getting better as the months get colder. One meal here is not only likely under 15 bucks, it will likely be your dinner the next night. They'll make you feel like an instant regular and anywhere I can get unlimited cups of green tea is grrrreat in my book.
(5)Joe C.
I posted the news article from a prominent Chicago paper, about how the Chicago Health Department closed it down. I guess people werent interested in hearing about the dirt, and filth, and things that may or may not affect your health..... Yelp pulled the review down.... Maybe this place paid them enough and the pulled the review.....
(1)Alf O.
Nothing not to like here. The food is fantastic, and varied, so you're sure to be able to find something appealing. Every dish I've tried there could have been the restaurant's signature dish. Also, who doesn't love the owners of this place? I think this restaurant may be my all time pleasant surprise finds.
(5)Zach W.
This is absolutely, bar none, one of my favorite restaurants in all of Chicago. It goes to show that you don't need fancy decor and the perfect ambiance to produce amazing food. If you've never been to Japan, the other Japanese restaurants in Chicago are probably really good--they were to me before I went. They get the general concept right and taste really good. But after visiting Japan I found myself craving that authentic flavor that I only had overseas. Sunshine Cafe does that--it recreates authentic Japanese flavor. This is the first place I take people when they tell me they haven't had Japanese before, because you will get foods you can't get at most other Japanese places (which mostly fill their menu with 75% sushi). This place reeks of COMFORT. You go in and you feel like you're taking a place at someone's house and they're going to take care of you like their own kin. I go here whenever I warm warm fuzzy feelings. The prices are great--you can eat a full meal for under $10. Be prepared to wait 20 minutes on a busy night, since this is a small place relative to the number of people who want to eat there.
(5)Kin L.
On my familiarity trip to Chicago, I made Sunshine Cafe one of my destinations. The menu might seem run-of-the-mill, but don't let that fool you. The Japanese Chef has perfected the craft of Japanese home-style cooking. The food is simple, yet wholesome and delicious. I'm a sucker for handmade dumplings, so I had to order the pan-fried gyozas. The spicy dipping sauce that came with it really made the dish harmonious. This one's a win. Next up were the potato croquettes. Perfectly shaped and fried, there's no better way to eat a potato. They paired nicely with the tonkatsu sauce. I would come back to the cafe just for those babies. Finally, the tonkatsu made it's way to the table. Perfectly breaded and not greasy, this was a real treat. In fact, I savored it. By the end, I was too full to move, even breathing was a bit difficult. The food was served by a little old Asian lady in an apron. She reminded me of my grandmother, except my grandmother just sits on the couch and watches Chinese dramas all day long. Sunshine Cafe has been around for 15 years. The owner used to have a sushi restaurant in the area, but she got tired of it and decided to do home-style cooking instead. Good move I say! I took a 40 minute train ride from the Gold Coast neighborhood and walked almost 3/4 of a mile just to get to this place. Actually, probably almost a mile as I was walking the wrong way for a bit after I left the station. A little ridiculous, but I'm glad I made the journey.
(4)Choco Flan C.
This is the place to go if you like homestyle Japanese food. Anyone lucky enough to have eaten home cooked food in a Japanese American home will feel like you're visiting again. I was going through a period where I could not have gluten, and as anyone who needs to avoid this knows, Asian foods and gluten tend to go together. The waiter suggested the saba (mackeral) done shiyoyaki style, which is basically just salted and broiled. It was delicious, too! There's nothing trendy about this place - it provides good, authentic Japanese cooking and a solid meal. The prices are great, too, and you won't break the bank trying to feed a family there.
(5)Yaeko M.
Certainly, friendly service, cozy atmosphere, family oriented place. We ordered and tasted gyoza, shumai, potato croquettes, tsukemono, kinpira gobo, miso soup. They are o-k. I can do better. Katsudon, it's too strong shoyu - salty. again I can do better....
(3)Monica W.
Yum! If you want some Japanese homestyle food (not sushi), this place is just a big ball of sunshine. Best Udon soup in Chicago. Its not a fancy place and prices are fair.
(5)Jims L.
The sukiyaki as shown in the pictures here is even more delicious than it appears. Their katsu sauce is so amazing - I wanted to dip everything in it. I do think it's not as cheap as everyone (here) has voted it to be. I was surprised at their prices, and it's definitely not a "$," under $10 meal. Also, NOTE THEIR HOURS!
(4)Bethany L.
More than one person has told me how great Sunshine Cafe is in the last few weeks, so a few friends & I hit it up on Saturday night. Got there around 7 and there were still a few tables left, but it got busier as the evening went on. They scored a lot of points before we even got there for being BYOB. Our server took a few minutes to greet us (and took awhile to take orders, pick up plates, etc.), but was very friendly. We ordered two appetizers: the shumai, served with a tasty wasabi mustard sauce; and the seaweed salad. The shumai was good, not great; the seaweed salad was delicious and big enough to be shared amongst the three of us. I got the vegetable udon, which was really great. A HUGE bowl of tasty broth with fresh cabbage, carrots, and other succulent veggies, plus big long buckwheat noodles. We never did get our green tea as promised with our entrees, but that was corrected once we brought it up at the end of the meal. I got a cup of green tea ice cream for dessert, which was obviously freshly made with lots of matcha. Yum. For three entrees, two appetizers, and a dessert, we paid $45, which is amazing for this part of town. I wish the service had been a bit quicker, but I'll still be back.
(4)Laura S.
Good Japanese noodles. Sorry I don't have more to say - I wish I did. It was just some gyoza and a bowl of udon with a friend. I would almost equate it to like, a japanese diner, if that makes sense. A perfectly respectable three stars. I'm not compelled to return tomorrow or anything, but it's definitely on the neighborhood hit list.
(3)Jeff A.
Just did it again! speechless! Not really, just read my last review of this spot... It is all still true.... This is with out any apology or explanation simply one of the best restaurants in the country! I will just keep going back again and again! I don't do that at many spots, as you can probably tell I like variety... This place makes me want to throw variety out the window and just dine here!
(5)Lawrence Y.
Stopped by with a friend for dinner last Friday, based on the positive yelp reviews. The restaurant is kinda simple, but don't let that sway your opinions. The service we had was above and beyond great! It's very mom and pop (homestyle food), and the two servers we had were polite and funny. We started off with the potato croquettes, which came out hot! It burned the roof of my tongue actually. But it was good nonetheless. I had the chicken teriyaki (came with a small side of sunomono, salad... sort of, and miso) and it was really good. Still not dark teriyaki (which I have been looking for ever since I moved to Chicago) but it was probably the yummiest teriyaki I've had here since.
(4)Charlie B.
I kept meaning to try this place that is just a couple blocks away from me. Finally! I went here and couldn't be happier. Friendly service, a short-on-frills environment and amazing food make this an exceptional find. Cheap Japanese comfort food and the BYO situation make this one you can't miss. We had salmon, katsudon, croquettes and gyoza...and all were just wonderful.
(5)scott s.
This is a cozy little neighborhood Japanese restaurant with little to no sushi that appears to be family owned and operated. It is also family friendly, judging by the number of folks with little kids dining in when we visited Saturday night. The special eggplant appetizer we had was nothing special but the eel and trout dinner entrees were excellent with hearty sauces. BYO with no corkage fee. The tiny waiting area gets crowded at peak times since they don't take reservations for small parties.
(3)Greg K.
Unassuming appearance, but great flavors on the plate. The hot soba soup was delicious.
(4)Helen S.
I stopped by for dinner on Wednesday night and the place was somewhat packed. I usually never order without consulting Yelp for the best option, but we were in a bit of a rush so I decided to be daring and ordered the hot soba with pork. My bf got the katsudon and a rice ball with ume, plus we split an order of potato croquettes. I've never had Japanese homestyle food so I was curious to see what it was all about, but I learned that I'm not a fan. Do you notice that you're feeling thirsty after eating dinner here? That's because their dishes (or at the least the ones we sampled) are loaded with msg. My soba broth was bland and didn't taste like anything except else salt and msg (adding the chili pepper helped a little I guess), plus the toppings were sparse. There were maybe 4-5 small pieces of bland pork and a few veggies total, and a heaping ton of noodles. The katsudon was relatively more flavorful, but has the same problem with msg and was also way too salty. Food quality was average and would usually warrant 3 stars from me, but I had to drop it to 2 for all the salt and msg. Service was great and the food came out fast, but otherwise it's not my cup of tea.
(2)Maureen C.
I was craving tempura today so I thought I'd yelp for Japanese food... wanted to go somewhere i've never been before and of course i wanted quality food. Yelp did not fail me. This place is unassuming and very humble inside. But the food is authentic and delivers on taste. The gentleman who greeted us was very nice and we were seated right away. The waiter immediately brought out waters for us, as well as hot green tea (perfect for this dreary winter day). There was a huge party there and the gentleman who seated us told us there may be a little delay for our food due to the huge party (probably a party of 20, a 16th birthday lunch), and we understood, that was no problem. We ordered Gyoza, potato croquette, tempura dinner, and katsu don. Everything was spot on, and I really enjoyed my katsu don! It was a lot of food and it was all so tasty. I was definitely satisfied. Will gladly return here for authentic, delicious Japanese food.
(5)Corona W.
The food isn't as good as the reviews suggest BUT the service was friendly and the noodles were perfect on a cold day in Chicago. The croquettes were nicely fried and quite tasty. Noodle broth was a little salty but the udon noodles were chewy and delicious. Highlight of the meal was the fried squid leg appetizer. Very tasty.
(4)Amy M.
My biggest regret with Sunshine Cafe is that I did not find it sooner. How did I survive the long cold winter?! After a long day of paper writing and lamenting the less than June weather we've been experiencing, the boy and I ventured out in search of dinner. With our yelp app set to "highly rated, $, within 5 miles" this was one of the first results to pop up. Japanese comfort food? I'm there. The restaurant is perfectly adorable, in a divey yet comforting sort of way. We were seating and immediately brought water and green tea. I was excited. Pouring over the menu, so many things struck my fancy. I convinced the boy we needed to try the croquettes, and the only disappointment was that the order only had two. Crispy, yet mashy on the inside and the sauce (was that a hint of wasabi?) was delicious. I opted for the Katsu Don, my boyfriend the chicken soba. It came to me steaming and fresh, smelling deliciously of pork, rice, and vegetables. I quickly dug in and savored every bite. The meal was amazing, and just what I needed to revive my spirits. The even better part was that the bowl was so huge, I wound up only eating half and bringing back the other half for the boy to take to work for lunch. I'll have to ask him how it was. His chicken soba was equally delicious, equally filling, and equally reviving. My only regret is not getting an order of green tea ice cream before we made our way home, our bellies full of warm delicious food.
(5)Jeremy S.
Great prices was hoping for more sushi options. The California maki is good but has like a crab salad instead of stick but very tasty. The katsu don is awesome definitely encourage that. The only real let down was the miso soup the broth was just average...
(4)Cynthia N.
I'm definitely digging this place. I had a party of two and was seated right away on a Friday night (yes I got lucky). I ordered the potato croquette as an appetizer and it was delish! I wished the order came with more. :( I ordered the sukiyaki as my main dish that I shared with my friend, I forgot what she ordered but it was good too. I saw a cute little old lady in the back. I think it was the owners mom? Lol but I really like the whole family owned business thing. I'll definitely be back :)
(4)Yuanjia Z.
This is my FAVORITE japanese restaurant in Chicago!! I really loved their food - it absolutely tasted home-made and the atmosphere is very cozy and cute. I would highly recommend their katsudon (the BEST i've had after visiting Japan)! Of course, you won't go wrong ordering anything on the menu. The waitresses and the owners are also super nice and friendly. It is definitely an authentic japanese restaurant that makes you feel like home.
(5)Anh N.
My boyfriend and I were looking for a place that serves some type of hot soup. We were looking for Pho but we don't like the selection here, so we opted for something new. Sunshine is definitely a good find! The service is great and our server, who we think was probably the owner, was extremely kind and helpful. They serve complimentary green tea with every meal, which is perfect for a cold Chicago day. I would recommend getting the potato croquettes as an appetizer and trying their udon. The pork cutlets are also great. Their portions are quite big, so if you have a small appetite, sharing will probably still be satisfying!
(4)Valerie W.
Sunshine Café has been on my list of places to try for quite some time now, so when I found out that we would be celebrating a family birthday there last week, I got SUPER excited. I perused the menu, and decided, I had NO idea how I would choose between all of the delicious (and inexpensive) things to pick. Sunshine Café is BYOB. They have a refrigerator that they will let you stick beer and wine in to keep cold. The décor is pretty minimal and the restaurant itself is small (less than 10 tables.) Even though it is small, it is still handicapped accessible, which is helpful. This is an independent, family owned and operated establishment, and it shows in the food and service. We ordered several appetizers across the table, including: - Tofu Salad: fresh cold tofu tossed with a seasonal garden salad and flavored with a house dressing. Tofu: perfect consistency. Salad: iceberg, but held up well to the Dressing: a sesame vinaigrette. - Gyoza: clearly handmade, homemade, every day. Served with spicy vinegar sauce, perfect for dipping. - Edamame: standard, but served very cold. I usually prefer them warm or room temp. For my entrée, I ordered the salmon teriyaki, which is served with rice and pickled cucumbers. I also ordered a side of Nanban Yaki vegetables to round out the meal. The portion was out of control huge, but so delicious! The cut on the salmon is a little odd (must be a Japanese style cut of filet - be on the lookout for bones!) The flavors on everything were beyond delicious, the rice, veggies, and fish were all perfectly cooked. I am excited to return to Sunshine Cafe to try everything else on the menu!
(4)Henry M.
My family's favorite dinner spot. Great food, nice space, great service. They've been here forever. And often you'll see extended Japanese families having a weekly meal together here. It's not fancy, just good. Danny is awesome. That is all.
(5)Russ A.
Sunshine Cafe is indeed a home style restaurant. It is very simple and unpretentious. The menu offer delicious home style Japanese selections. The service is good, fast and friendly. The prices are reasonable. We really like this place and will definitely come back.
(5)Jenny T.
THANK YOU for being the first Japanese place in Chicago that I've been to that isn't all about rolls and teriyaki! I enjoyed the sukiyaki (even though it could use a little more meat and variety of vegetables :P) and my date's oyako don was delicious as well. The potato croquettes were exactly how they tasted in Tokyo (sorry, totally being *that* person). I would love to see Sunshine Cafe diversify their menu to more exciting and harder to find dishes, like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and omuraisu. Maybe even dobinmushi or chawanmushi? That would be phenomenal. Great service, but the overhead fluorescent lighting clashed with the traditional style decor. Not that it matters a whole lot because the food was delicious!
(5)Aaron C.
Came with a party of six on Friday for dinner. The place was clean and we were seated immediately. Ordered the Sukiyaki, Potato Croquettes, then split an order of Katsudon and Gyoza. Just looking at the decor and menu, I got a really good vibe, so I let myself get carried away and ordered way too much. Prices are really reasonable and you get a lot of food. The quality is good and they definitely understand their flavors. In short: It's good, it's cheap, if you're around, just go. It's BYOB. Have fun.
(4)Michelle B.
Ahh Sunshine Cafe, how I love thee! Let me count the ways! I survived three long winters in Chicago and one of the bright spots during those cold nights was Sunshine Cafe! As a Filipino-American, I'm super picky about my Asian food and part of how I judge a place is to see if that particular ethnic group is eating there! Sunshine Cafe passes that part of the test! Then, I want to see how authentic it is. Well, the potato croquette is the best I have ever tested in my entire my life! And what in the world do they out in that crack sauce, I want to steal the bottle. It the Filipino Catholic guilt won't let me! Hehe...even though I no longer live in Chi-town I visit every year or every other year (scheduled to be there Easter 2013) and I don't have location itineraries when I visit towns I've lived in but I have food itineraries! Sunshine Cafe is on top of my list, even before Giordano's deep dish pizza (which when I lived there I ordered so much they have me a calendar with coupons-so embarrassing!). Their udon noodles made me close my eyes and just breathe in the broth. It tastes like someone's Momma made it, which unless something happened it's a sweet Japanese lady that makes the food. Her specials can vary depending on her mood and what is fresh. Plus even the waiter remembers me which is funny! My friend laughs that she goes there all the time and here I am living away and be remembers me and not her! I can be quite loud for a demure looking Asian lady (my friends are laughing that I said demure! Hehe). I miss you Sunshine cafe and will be back soon! Sending my love, your friend always, Michelle. :)
(5)Brian M.
I'm definitely digging this place. It's small, cozy and there isn't a whole lot in the way of decor. A kind of divey looking place but that's what makes it charming. They don't take reservations and there isn't much of a waiting area, so we got really lucky getting in here on a Saturday night without a wait. We tried the Potato Croquette and Gyoza appetizers. Gyoza was excellent, but I had trouble enjoying the Potato Croquette even though it was highly recommended in other reviews we read. It's literally just mashed potatoes with a light breading on the outside. My entree was Katsu Don, a breaded pork tenderloin which I promptly devoured. Served with a little Miso soup and topped off with with some green tea post meal, I was in heaven. I can't wait to come back here again.
(5)Amanda C.
First impression: Beautiful, charming decor and friendly greeting. It smells amazing as soon as you walk in. Food: I had the miso soup and sukiyaki. My partner had the shrimp tempura udon, and we shared dumplings. Miso soup is flavorful and plentiful in tofu and scallions, but not much seaweed (Wouldn't have minded more, but no complaints here). The sukiyaki was delicious and perfect for chilly Chicago weather. Meat was flavorful and tender, very reminiscent of bulgogi at kbbq places. Noodles were perfectly cooked, same with the cabbage, which soaked up the tasty broth really nicely. No complaint from my partner about the udon, besides not having a big enough stomach! Service: Our waiter was super sweet and very friendly. We were given water and free green tea immediately. Service was very attentive throughout the meal but never pushy. I'm hesitant to give a place 5 stars based off of one visit, but we had no complaints (a rarity from a couple of picky foodies) and the price value is great for getting tasty, filling food and excellent service. The next time I'm in Chicago, this will be one of the first places I return to, and I can't wait!
(5)Cat J.
Go here. It's as good as it sounds. You really won't be disappointed. So I just moved to the hood and after one time going there I already know this is going to be a regular spot for me and my family. I love Japanese food, been eating traditional and/or home made Japanese food for most of my life and I am very particular about Japanese food...and this place not only impressed me, I think their Nanban Yaki with beef was one of the best dishes I have EVER had, and I say that with all seriousness. It's so on point words can't even describe it. We saw a Japanese family eating it when we came in and immediately asked our waitress what it was. I feel this is a restaurant where you should definitely try the udon and noodles, but it's also as equally important to explore other things on their menu. In addition to the Nanban yaki (which is essentially beef and cabbage, sprouts and some other greens stir fried in awesomesauce) we had the tempura udon which was tasty, good tempura. The noodles were as they should be, and the broth was pleasant. Then we had shumai with the ginger sauce. It was fresh and well-made. Though word to the wise take the waiter seriously when they say that the sauce has a kick. More like an immediate slap to the sinus system, but in a you-can't-help-but-go-back way. We also had the tofu salad which was fresh with a mighty yummy dressing. I'm looking forward to trying the hiya yakko. All in all really an exceptional experience, and the wait staff were friendly and attentive. Oh, and did I forget to mention that for three people it was $35. That's what I call a damn good meal.
(5)Jessica M.
To many Chicagoans Japanese food means raw fish. I'll admit I can count on my hands the number of times I have eaten Japanese that isn't sushi. Sunshine Cafe is a small restaurant with very simple decor. You can easily pass it because there is a tree covering the sign. The word of advice is to look for a window with hanging origami. We were a group of four on a Thursday evening. Here's what we ordered: 1) Gyoza - If you're Asian, you can probably make these dumplings at home. 2) Potato Croquette - These were DELICIOUS! Crispy on the exterior and savory on the interior. 3) Ika Geso - Can never go wrong with calamari! 4) Hot Soba 5) Ten Zaru Soba 6) Saba Shioyaki - I adored the fried and marinated fish skin. The minced radish and cucumber salad were awesome. The salad was very provoking because of its mild sour flavor. 7) Pork Nanban Yaki - The pork was very succulent and tangy. My friend had it served mildly spicy. If you can tolerate more hotness, go beyond that. 8) Green Tea Ice Cream Sunshine Cafe had a pretty decent flow of customers yet the manager was never hesitant in pausing at tables to explain what they were serving and how the dishes should be consumed. The wait staff was very kind and efficient. It's BYOB and we bought two bottles of wine. We were given wine glasses and bottle openers before we even asked. The food is very homey and welcoming. I will definitely return for more!
(5)Gabrielle S.
Don't judge this book by its cover. It's an unassuming place from the street, and the decor is sparse. This restaurant is clearly about the food. The potato croquettes were light and crispy, the go-mae sweet and tangy. Out favorite entree was the udon soup,a hearty bowl of soup with noodles and veggies. Everything, including the sauces, tasted homemade. We will be back. Soon.
(5)Eric S.
On my visit to Japan, I was already a bit of an expert on authentic Japanese food thanks to this place. The owner is a very friendly man, and the food is great, particularly the Soba Noodles and the Katsu Don.
(5)Jennie T.
Ok, udon was pretty amazing. I have to admit that I was a little skeptical that I could get a good bowl of udon in a restaurant so I was pleasantly surprised by this. Some places (even in California!) will only give me freshly julienned cucumbers and carrots as vegetables; they wouldn't even be cooked WITH the broth. This place was different, and I was glad for it. I ordered the chicken udon, and the portion of meat, vegetables, noodles, and soup was very generous. SO GOOD! My friend also ordered some potato croquettes. I like those too. I will definitely come back to try their other items.
(4)David L.
Food: 2 Decor: 3 Service: 4 I came here with my gf for dinner Wednesday around 7pm. 1. Potato croquettes, 4 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Really good. Best koroke I've had. 2. Rice ball with ume, 3 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Disappointing. Rice ball wasn't that great, and the ume was too sour. 3. Katsudon, 12 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Subpar. Too salty. 4. Soba, 11 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Disappointing. A ton of noodles and not much on top. Gf said it was loaded with MSG.
(2)Agnes F.
reasonable good homestyle Japanese cooking we came in on a sunday night, shared the calamari appetizer (nice, deep fried lightly breaded calamari), i had the grilled mackerel and bf had the unagi don i really liked my mackerel and his unagi don is not bad either we had so much food, had to bring half of that home love the attentive, friendly service
(4)Dejan B.
Good place. Good service and great food. That said, I do not think it was the nicest place in the world inside. Yes, it was homey but it could have been better. It was relatively roomy inside and seemed very popular but we still got a seat very quickly. The food was delish but the portions were small. Overall, a good place for a quick dinner or lunch.
(4)iddells E.
Delicious, authentic, Japanese home-style cooking. I LOVE Sunshine Cafe. I have been here a while ago, but decided to revisit to let my boyfriend experience this wonderful little restaurant. First of all, the staff is very friendly, making you feel right at home. The tea is perfect and so is the miso soup. My boyfriend ordered the udon with beef and vegetables...he loved it. I tried something different (I always order katsu don) and ordered the mackarel and it was delicious. The waiter explained to me the different ways to eat the mackerel, and I thought that was very helpful! I love that this restaurant is just 3 blocks away from me! The prices are also great, they're not expensive at all!
(5)James D.
Place is amazing. Its completely unique, deff wont find another place like this. I have been going here since I was a little kid, most of the time its been owned and run by Joni an amazing lady. Its a favorite haunt for the post WW2 Japanese community for a long time. Which is strong evidence of the quality of food. It is as close to my grandmothers cooking as I could get, without going to see her. While alot of people looking for Japanese food, immediately think sushi as the first and only option. Sunshine proves you don't even need sushi on the menu @ a Japanese restaurant to be the best in the city. SO basically Sunshine is the legit home cooking japanese place in chicago(maybe in the states, according to some people i've talked to from California). And its BYOB, and very reasonably priced. P.S. the Salmon Shio/Teriyaki is out of this world. The Fish is super fresh, and picked out by the owners them selves for quality. The Nanban-yaki is also to die for, vegetable Nanban is my fav. and Tonkatsu is the old stand by for the "Mikey" kids (adults) who won't eat anything. OISHISOOUU!!!
(5)T M.
I am going to have to come back here, so I'll just say a few things about some of the things I tried: 1. Potato croquettes- These things are stupendous. Now, I like Cuban-style ham croquettes which, I grant, some people might find absolutely disgusting. But consider the two basic ideas present in there, which are the crispy outside and the hot, creamy, and savory filling. Substitute panko for regular bread crumbs and potato for (cheap and gristly) ham, then cook it like you give a damn about quality, and you have the potato croquettes. 2. Vegetable nanban yaki- It's a whole lot of really well cooked tofu and assorted vegetables (mostly bean sprouts, onions, and cabbage) separated into two very large piles, both atop a sauce. The sauce is clearly the star of the show. This is not to say that the whole thing wasn't prepared perfectly or that the vegetables weren't crispy and flavorful. But the sauce, damn. What a perfect combination of spicy, sweet, and sublime (as in, it exceeds all bounds of your imagination in its magnitude, allowing you to represent to yourself your infinite vocation). It also came with some rice! The whole meal was far too cheap. I don't care what the place looks like inside, at least it's not like an interior designer threw up their ego all over the walls. You can't just wipe that up.
(4)trieu n.
it was love at first bite. i've been here a few times, and i've always been greeted warmly and seated promptly. everything that i've tried off the menu is excellent, but i highly suggest the tonkatsu and the potato croquettes. the tonkatsu is a wonderfully deep-fried pork loin that is both crisp and juicy. the croquettes are literally breaded and fried mashed potatoes which are perfectly light and delicious. sunshine cafe is also very reasonably priced, which is not something that can be said for many japanese restaurants in the city. entrees range from the $9-14 range, and the portions are nicely sized. the service has always been spot-on, even with a full restaurant. they also accept reservations for parties of 8 or more, so call ahead!
(5)Sarah T.
For the price, location (in my neighborhood), friendly service, and food, I love this place. I search for japanese restaurants that have good food besides sushi, it reminds me of the food my grandfather used to cook for us. It is japanese comfort food. I had wonderful service, everyone there is so nice and couldn't be happier with the choices. I got the Katsu Don, for I am a tonkatsu freak! They have a great homemade sauce, mmm. I look forward to going back there and trying something else.
(5)Brian D.
delicious food. great prices, service was great, and the owner is extremely kind. I recommend their eel. Fantastic.
(5)Carly O.
There is no place I'd rather go for a meal. Perhaps you're doubting my sanity or wondering if I've dined at other restaurants in Chicago. Trust me, I have. Sure, maybe I love the place because it's in my neighborhood, or because I'm JA or because Japanese food is my favorite. So what? Sunshine Cafe fulfills every craving I have. There is nothing pretentious about the place. No, I don't go for the interesting decor or the oustanding service. In most cases, this would be important to me, but not with Sunshine. Everything is good. I tend to go for the beef teridon, tempura, udon or the tonkatsu. All of the appetizers are great, including the simple but elusive tofu salad, the potato croquettes and their calamari special. For a lovely, down home, simply prepared Japanese meal, this is THE only place to go.
(5)Joshua N.
If noodles are your comfort food, then this is like a trip to grandma's. I had the vegetable soba (hot) and was really impressed with how much flavor made it into the broth. It is a small and cozy restaurant with a decent crowd and one or two really friendly people running around taking orders and then disappearing behind some Japanese paper walls. Great value and a nice change from the sushi places. Five stars for being authentic, delicious, and particularly for having food that is much more inviting on a Chicago winter night than a cold piece of raw fish.
(5)Inspector G.
This is a great little secret that's so authentic, it probably scares a lot of people away. Forget the typical coy ponds and pan flutes... plastic food samples and pictures of the menu items are more typical in Japan. Wood paneled walls, industrial carpeting and flat fluorescent lighting cap off an ambiance that can only be described as "well, at least the food better be good." It usually is great. Come, BYO and leave your prejudices at the door. This place is special.
(4)Amy H.
YAY SUNSHINE CAFE! Authentic sukiyaki, fantastic service, my date and I had a perfect dining experience. Definitely going back. It reminded me of my vacation in Japan many years ago - plastic food in the windows, ftw! Prices were excellent, food was excellent, I love it here. Don't go looking for sushi or trendy food, that's not the point. The point is grandma's cooking, Japan-style. Seventeen thumbs up.
(5)Lisa M.
I heart Sunshine Cafe! It's a wonderful, family-run Japanese restaurant serving authentic homestyle Japanese food. I love it for its simplicity, its great food at good prices, and its warm and welcoming staff. It's the kind of restaurant you go back to again and again because it starts feeling like home. Thank you, Sunshine Cafe!
(5)jake b.
Imagine your incredibly nice and friendly Japanese friend in high school invited you over to his house for dinner with the family. And then that dinner was delicious. This should give you an idea of what Sunshine Cafe feels like. The staff is so nice, I wish they were my friends in high school. The ambiance and food feel very homey - and that is perfect for this place.
(5)Kimberly B.
If your idea of Japanese is sushi, this place is not for you. They rarely have more than a California roll and when they do it is a special. Having said that, this is one of the best places in town. It's a small place, very down to earth -- nothing special about the decor, if they are super busy you might stand around the entrance for a bit. After that they'll direct you to any of the open, size appropriate tables. Honestly, I've never had a dish that went wrong here. I've had about half of the main courses, but my favorite is the sukiyaki. It's so delicious and perfect for cool weather. My boyfriend makes us go at least once every two weeks for their fish. After having fish here, he won't eat it anywhere else (or if he does there is lots of griping about how it could have been more like Sunshine's fish). It's been said before, but the potato croquettes are delicious and make a great appetizer. The green tea ice cream is some of the best I've had. It comes with two scoops, but they'll happily give you half an order or split your order between you and a friend.
(5)Deez N.
Such a friendly staff and great tasty food. Not a fine dining restaurant by any means, but this is one of those places you can go to for a meal any day of the week. Price is pretty moderate. My picks here would be the tofu salad and the katsu don rice bowl. But to be honest, every dish we shared here was quite tasty. Oh yeah, the cold soba noodles were fantastic too. Just wish this place was walking distance to my apt, cuz if so, id def be a regular here.
(5)B S.
This place is the best home style Japanese restaurant. The appetizers are awesome. Potato croquette, Gyoza (Pot Sticker) and Kimpira-Gobo are highly recommended. Especially, Potato Croquette is just like my Mom made at home.
(5)Sierra R.
Victor is right, we love this place! Everything is so fresh and yummy. The fish is awesome and the staff too! Very homey food. I also love that it's BYOB.
(5)Simone C.
Best home-style Japanese food in Chicago. Katsudon is the best. Sunshine is one of my favorite restaurants of all time. I take everyone here and they all love it.
(5)Cary S.
This is my favorite Japanese restaurant in Chicago and has been since it opened in the 90s. If you're looking for a trendy Japanese dining experience with mood lighting, cool electronic music, and fancy food presentation, this place is not for you. If you're looking for simple but excellent Japanese cooking at a very affordable cost, this place is for you. Plus, they have my favorite miso soup in town.
(5)Kerri C.
I've walked by this place so many times, and finally went in to experience the great things I heard about Sunshine for myself. I really loved the food. My companion had the Udon Noodles (delicious) with vegetables and I ordered the Nanban Yaki (vegetable stir-fry). We tried the potato croquettes as suggested by other reviewers and they were quite good. I loved the sauce that they came with. Service was very welcoming and friendly. I think this is a great place for traditional Japanese.
(4)Mike C.
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE ... Love this place to death. There is nothing bad on the menu. It's all prepared with love and deliciousness. My fave is Oyako Don ... chicken strips sauteed in a slightly sweet sauce with egg and onions over rice. Sooooooo comforting. Try the fish too. Shioyaki style is so much more interesting than Teriyaki and especially good with makerel (saba).
(5)E M.
Addictive potato croquettes, plus great katsu don and nanban yaki, and most importantly, awesome owners.
(5)Jess H.
I thoroughly enjoyed this homestyle establishment in a super cute neighborhood. The miso soup was delicious, the unagi was perfect, and I *think* it's BYOB - gotta love that!
(4)Paul H.
I've been hearing about this place for months now and finally had the chance to go last night. It was great! I started out with the tofu salad and an order of gyoza that had a surprisingly spicy dipping sauce. Both were simple and well executed dishes. I followed that up with the broiled makarel (Saba Shioyaki) it was recommended to me and didn't disappoint. It was perfectly cooked, light and flakey - I only wish there was more as I inhaled it along with the rice and cucumber salad. One more thing - this place is BYOB and doesn't have a corkage fee. For the price, this place is definitely worth the trip. I'm looking forward to heading there when the weather is cold - those udon noodles looked excellent too!
(5)Lil G.
I knew this place was good when I felt like I was eating my grandma's japanese home cooking -- and i'm not even Japanese! That's just what it is: great japanese home cooking. No frills. I've been to Tokyo a few times and this place reminded me of some of the small dives I went to in Japan, where the locals go for a good warm meal. I've had the udon and the pork katsu and they were both very good. I can't wait to come back here for the udon when it's freezing cold out. The perfect meal. I will be back a lot. Edit: Been back there few more times and have not been dissappointed. You must try the mackerel and salmon both shioyaki style. They are godly.
(5)Barry J.
Welcome back Sunshine Cafe! They were closed for 3 months over the summer but now they're back. I have nothing substantial to add that hasn't been said, I just want to pile my five stars onto the count. I used to come here for lunch but it's dinner only these days. We had a nice early dinner there on a Friday night. It's a single storefront, kinda small. Every perimeter table was taken with older japanese familes, all obviously regular customers. The staff was giving everyone a warm and sincere welcome. It was very pleasant and friendly. We had their special seaweed salad appetizer with squid, very tasty. Had their trusty Oyako don for my main. It's a bowl of stir-fried chicken with onions over white rice. The sauce is a little sweet and savory and it's very delicious. I eat the pork version in the winter (katsu don.) This is a casual unpretentious place that doesn't really need any hype or exaggerated praise. Excellent food, good value, friendly service.
(5)Mark T.
Outstanding. Just outstanding. Since returning from a 3 week trip to Japan, my partner and I have been searching for something in Chicago to bring back memories. This is the place! We both had a bowl of soba, one with tofu and one with pork. Subtle, savory, delicious! Just like it should be. The service was friendly, the atmosphere was delightfully cafe-like and the origami in the window was a nice touch.
(5)Jon J.
I am so happy that Sunshine Cafe has finally reopened. I have been waiting to try it out, since I first learned about it right before they closed last October. It's good, homecooked Japanese comfort food. No sushi - just the deliciousness of sukiyaki, tonkatsu, udon, etc. Not a huge menu, just the basics - which they do extremely well. Friendly staff, but they close a bit early - 9pm, even on Fridays!
(4)Ben H.
This place is amazing,. I went there, got seated with my date, and we just ate... i got the saba shioyaki, and it was delicious. It was so good, that neither of us spoke during dinner. Its really grandma's cooking, so no sushi and such that you find at those other fancy restaurants. Prices are great and food even better. I am pretty much excited for the next visit. (they used to open for lunch, but not anymore)
(5)Kurt B.
It's run by a kindly family and according to my Japanese friend it's about as close to authentic 'homestyle' Japanese cooking as you'll find on the North Side. No sushi! But their tempura is amazing. Their una-don is amazing. Their buckwheat soba soups are amazing. Portions are extra large and prices are extremely moderate. Sunshine is no secret, everyone in the neighborhood loves it. Places like this have all but disappeared, so do make sure to eat here if nearby. Plus, its BYOB.
(5)Duncan S.
Great old school, home-style Japanese cooking. It is nice to find a place that is no frills, hole in the wall and NOT a sushi place. Gyoza were delicious. The tonkatsu was really good, with maybe the pork a little dry. Soba noodles were solid. The place gets really busy, so get in early or late. BYOB is a real plus and the service is friendly.
(3)L T.
I love love love this place! Omgosh. I cannot say enough good things. I have been here twice. Nothing is really bad and its authentic Japanese. There's definitely a nice homely feel to it and the staff is incredibly sweet. The potato croquettes are so delicious. The outside is very crispy and the inside is like mash potato heaven. The sauce is very complementary- a bit tangy and slightly bbq-esque. I got the shrimp tempura udon both times I came here and it never lets me down. The flavor is just perfect and I like that the noodles taste fresh. It is smaller than the normal sized udon and kind of skinnier; i have never seen this size udon before and i like it! The portion of each plate is really good for the price. My boyfriend is a huge fan of fish and the first time we came, he ordered the salmon. Second time, he had mackerel. He really enjoyed them both very much! Like I said earlier, the staff is very kind. I remember seeing them eating watermelon in the back the second time I was at the restaurant and I made a comment to my bf that that would be an excellent dessert after our meal. He actually asked our server if it was possible to have a bowl of sliced watermelon and that we would pay for it. He came back with a huge bowl, more than we expected and he didnt charge us!!! GREAT Japanese food and GREAT service.. what's not to like?!
(5)Jon G.
It's like going into a Japanese family's house and having a casual dinner. Don't expect anything fancy. Just simply really good food at really reasonable prices. The Unagi Don and Udon soups are outstanding.
(5)Brad C.
Because so much of the Chicago restaurant scene is artifice, is so concept-driven, sometimes the real is revelation. Such is the case with Sunshine: it still looks like the stage set of some trivial play on 1970s post-marriage sexual politics (you know, like, the "Ice Storm" and such?), and it still serves the most honest menu in town, a concise collection of Japanese home cooking landmarks. Get a fish, by all means--I'm partial to a recent special, a grilled whole (well, headless) trout with ginger, miso, or teriyaki (we went with miso); the broiled mackeral is also a classic, served with radish snow, pickled cucumbers, and a lemon slice. I love their bright vegetable and seawood preps: we had the pickled burdock root and carrot mix, which had a nice salty tang from the sesame dressing. They're also very quietly serving up some of the best soups in town: the house miso is spectacularly balanced, presumably curative; noodles in the udon and soba are toothsome and unctuous, though what makes the mind reel are the broths, which are beguiling in their simple symmetry of dashi, mirin, and soy. Add a smidge of schichimi and you're golden. This was all $30, by the way. Quoth the neon sign above the neighboring Philadelphia Church: "Jesus saves."
(5)M L.
My mom and stepdad drove down from Milwaukee on Mother's Day and this is one of the places we stopped. I had the potato croquettes (heaven!) and goma-ai. My mother had goma-ai, crab rolls, and a little pickle salad. I don't remember what my stepdad got aside from croquettes. But, my oh my, was this food amazing! It was definite comfort food and anyone who knows me well knows how stressful the last few weeks of a semester can be! I will definitely drop by there again this week just to get some of those tasty potato croquettes...
(5)Nam V.
First off the service is 5 star they are good people but that's not gonna save them from this review... I am so furious by my meal that I'm writing this in the restaurant as we speak... I order a Katsu-don I swear I got a huge bowel of rice and 4 to 5 pieces of .5 in by .5 in pieces of katsu... I mean what the heck it's not even a full chicken breast... I don't know if it's a hit or miss with this restaurant or what, because some other reviewer said there were tons of meat in their katsu don... I must have happen to miss it by a long shot....It's like I order a giant bowel of rice.... If I wanted strictly rice I would take the container of rice out of my rice cooker and pour sweet soy sauce over it because that's what I am eating right now! I will not be returning to this place or at least not ordering the same meal.
(1)Jon B.
Very friendly and homey, but the food is very Americanized, which in this case is a bad thing. The tonkatsu, which I foolishly try everywhere, was too thin and was a bit dry, didn't come with mustard, and came with soggy shredded iceberg lettuce instead of crisp shredded cabbage. The kinpira was too sweet for my taste, but not bad otherwise. Reminded me of a bad restaurant in a beach town in winter: you eat there only because you have no choice.
(2)Andrew M.
Absolutely superb. The mackerel shioyaki was delectable, reminded me of home cooked breakfast in a Tokyo inn. Service was attentive, they even threw in an extra portion of potato croquettes for free because there were three in our party. Prices are extremely reasonable. A real treasure.
(5)Sherry N.
I'm on my way now to pick up Katsu Don at Sunshine Cafe, and just had to do a quick shout-out. Excellent quality home-style Japanese comfort food, perfect for a winter Sunday evening take out. Our perfect neighborhood jewel. The service rocks, too - three cheers especially for Danny. Don't forget to try the potato croquettes and the amazing mystical sauce. I heart Sunshine.
(5)Kino M.
The food is simply perfect and the stuff is really nice. They would give you the perfect advise for the food you want to have
(5)Kathy C.
Tempura, croquettes, gyoza, inari (highly recommend), calamari, tonkatsu, katsudon, udon... I've had most of the items on the menu and never once regretted any of it. Their specials could be a sashimi platter or a whole cooked fish.
(4)Bill G.
This is one of my favorite comfort food spots. Not only is the food stellar, the restaurant is family owned and operated, and is very popular with the Japanese American (Nissei) community. (Always a good sign :-) I always feel at home there, and always leave happy.
(5)Rachel K.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago, and I go there at least once a week. It's hard to find really great, traditional Japanese food - and Sunshine really delivers. It's BYOB, so this is a really cool place to just relax with friends, have drinks and enjoy really good food. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the service is great. I feel lucky I only live 10 minutes away.
(5)Eric V.
There are no frills when it comes to Sunshine Cafe. The prices are cheap, and I rather enjoyed the relaxed, comforting atmosphere. Unfortunately the food just didn't hold up its end of the bargain. Our fried squid appetizer was overcooked and somewhat rubbery, and my fiancee's salmon teriyaki had several large bones. I really wanted to like this place, especially with so many positive reviews. Maybe I came at an off night so I won't completely write them off just yet.
(3)Alexis B.
A delicious dining experience in an intimate homey setting with great service. You don't want to miss this hidden gem! My favorite is the Oyako Don. I've been going there for years and can't get enough!
(4)jaime m.
I'm listening to 101.1 FM, and they just stayed this place was shut down due to rust shelving, dirty cooking utensil and grease all over the place. No telling what else they didn't mention...ugh
(1)Sara M.
RIP SUNSHINE CAFE, I will leave this review up as a tribute to your greatness: If you are ever feeling blue, or like your personal health has taken a nosedive, go to Sunshine Cafe. Order my favorite meal. Have a sip of green tea and then start with the Gomae. Be amazed that cooked spinach could taste like that. Procede to a gentle cup of miso (on a cold day drink it from the bowl and warm your hands at the same time), then eat the Norwiegan Salmon. Notice how the skin is UNBELIEVABLY crispy, marvel at the moistness of the fish. Pay the bill, note how it is less than $15. Feel smarter than all the people paying the same price or more for crapy food at chain outlets. Remark to yourself how it only took 35 minutes to treat yourself to something delicious. Think of me. Your guru.
(5)Matt D.
After reading so many great reviews i was not pleasantly surprised with my dinner. I had a friend in town from San Fran who is quite the foodie so i was hoping Sunshine would prove to be the diamond in the rough it was reviewed as. It unfortunately was not. First of all i must say i was pleased with the appetizers, calamari, tofu, and the pork dumplings were all great. The main course was a different story however. I ordered a fried pork tenderloin and was surprised to find a piece of meat resembling a wiener schnitzel. I guess i was expecting more of a light coating instead of the deep, deep fried meat that i got. I also had a sample of some other dinners and was not impressed by any. Overall i was very disappointed and will not be returning soon.
(2)Ted F.
Is there such a thing as Japanese soul food? Knowing this place is around is making me dread winter slightly less.
(4)Anjali B.
A friend of mine said this was his favorite place EVER, so I needed to try it ASAP being that it's right in the neighborhood. While I'm more sushi-focused as a whole, I know that Japanese homestyle can be delicious, so I wanted to try it out here. It's a simple but homey atmosphere, and the waitstaff was attentive and very friendly. We ordered a few appetizers, including the california roll, potato croquettes, pickled veggies, and gyoza. You could tell it was all fresh, homemade, and used great ingredients. I got the chicken teriyaki meal and so did my friend. The miso soup that came with the meal was good too, with big pieces of tofu, and a savory broth (not just warm saltwater like at some places, meh). The chicken teriyaki was delicious. The outside of the meat was almost crispy and firm, and the inside was tender and juicy. The sauce wasn't gelatinous or "corn-syrupy" as my friend put it, but just pure, perfect flavor. My boyfriend got the sukiyaki and I just about screamed when I grabbed a bite from his plate. So savory and delicious, with tender bits of beef, noodles, onions, and a flavorful beefy broth. Real comfort food. Not too expensive at all for what it has to offer. Great place :) EDIT! Still 5 stars, but the Ika Geso and the Ten Zaru Soba are AMAZING!
(5)Nastassia J.
Deelish. Fresh, homey food. No complaints at all. I don't have much to add that other reviewers have no covered, but I did overhear another guest ask for a raw egg on the Sukiyaki....they said they don't do that anymore for health reasons.
(5)Jay B.
Simply Love this place. Sunshine is one of my favorite restaurants on the Andersonville North Clark strip. It's affordable and the food is really good. It was closed for a while, I belive to family stuff, but as of last weekend, the open sign is back. All is good in the world.
(5)Yan H.
Ironically I came here on a very rainy day earlier this year. It is still clear in my memory....on a dark rainy day after driving around looking for food, that my friends and I ended up here.... thanks yelp! The place is family run so it has a friendly laid back atmosphere, and matching service. The food here is homestyle japanese .. so it's very rustic and unpretentious. There is a very unique flavor in the dishes I ordered here compared to other similar japanese restaurants. Particularly the katsudon, had a special distinctsweetness...mmmmm. What puts this over the top for me is the great value, most of the food was cheap, and good sized portions. (You can come here again and again.) Which is what makes sunshine cafe charming, it's not the fancy place you go to take a date once in awhile, it's that favorite neighborhood place to visit with friends.
(5)Herminia I.
So i'm not sure what came over me, but since i wrote my last review I had tried several other dishes--Yes i tried something new, and I was not disappointed. I have since had the tempura (my favorite is just the shrimp and sweet potatoes), the tonkatsu (panko crusted pork tenderloin) and chicken tonkatsu (same thing but with chicken breast). I recommend anything that comes out of that kitchen! Next on my list, is to raise enough courage to order the teriyaki salmon (it may not sound too shocking, but for someone with the palate of a 6 yr old...). Now that day will be sure to shock Paul and Dan (the super-cool dudes who run the place), who i'm pretty sure put my "usual" request into the kitchen when they see me coming.
(5)David S.
Having grown up and lived in Japan for a good 10 years, it goes without saying that I'm constantly on the prowl for some down home, authentic Japanese food. Don't let the mild slant in my eyes and the high cheek bones fool you; despite my genetic coding I'm completely and utterly opposed to sushi as a dietary choice. When it comes to Japanese food, I want the food my mom put on the table when I was a kid. I found it here! If Sunshine Cafe spoke with a mild accent and insisted on wearing Tweety Bird sweatshirts at all times I'd actually confuse it with my mother. The decor leaves a lot to be desired (for a second I thought I'd taken a wrong step and gone into a currency exchange), but in all honesty I'd probably be happy eating on a bus bench if the food was good enough. We started off with some sliced tofu with bonito flakes, green onion, and ginger. Simple food that mom used to throw on the table to get our appetites going. It's pretty hard to screw this dish up, and they didn't. My boyfriend ordered the tempura udon, which I took a quick bite of and deemed to be adequate, but not stellar. My katsudon came out as a complete mess in terms of presentation, but after one bit all my huffiness melted away as the pork cutlet massaged my ego into submission. Not as good as Mom's, but good enough for me to save the $20 in gas it would cost me to get it at home. First time visit, but I thought it pretty much rocked. Service was "meh" but to be honest they seemed really understaffed and if I had to run around explaining to everyone eating there that, yes, this really IS Japanese food even though it's not wrapped in seaweed, I might be a little grumpy, too. I'll be back. And I'll be bringing my appetite, too!
(4)Dan B.
I went here for the first time last night due to yelpers raving reviews, and I must say I agree. Plus it didn't hurt that its a few blocks from my apartment. Yes it is wood paneled and a bit flourescent, but I actually liked the atmosphere, it was lively, warm, and friendly. The service was good, especially since one guy seemed to be waiting on the entire restaurant. I have the Tempura Udon which was awesome, especially after adding some of the red pepper he brought out. I was pratically licking the bottom of the bowl for the last bits of that broth. The tempura was perfect, and heavy on green beans which is my favorite tempura vegetable. There were many other menu items that loooked tempting, and that I would like to try, but that udon was good enough I might not be able to stray. The only thing that I disagree with most other reviews on are the appetizers. We had the potato croquettes and calamari per reccomendations, and I found neither overly exciting. The potatoes were simply that, mashed potatos, and the calamari while tasty was a bit chewy for my taste. All in all though I will definitely return. Probably very soon, especially if this cold weather keeps up.
(4)n l.
So my friend was so chatty we passed up a sushi restaurant we wanted to try. Using my Yelp application on my phone, I found this place. The interior looks like a... mom and pop's Japanese restaurant, but there wasn't a single asian client seated.. (hmm..).. We normally would have turned around, but we were tired of walking. The hostess and waiter greeted us almost immediately and were both very friendly. We ordered potato croquettes, a pork udon bowl, and some beef noodle dish.. which were ALL delicious! I'm usually satisfied with any asian restaurant, but I have to say this was heaveeennn. We ate everything and considered ordering more to go.. I will more than likely be back. :)
(5)Rebecca N.
I have never had Japanese food as good as this, and I use to live in Hawaii (and ate a lot of Japanese food). Looking at the cafe from the outside, you wouldn't think you are about to eat anything that would be memorable, but once you walk in and see how busy it is, you know you're in for a treat. I went last night and had to wait about 10-15 minutes for a table, but when we sat down, we were offered 2 free appetizers for waiting! I have worked in plenty of restaurants, and you RARELY see managers offer a table anything for free because they had to wait a measly 15 minutes. Bottom line, the food was excellent (I got the Chicken Udon - delicious) and the service was definitely above and beyond. I highly recommend Sunshine!
(5)AJ M.
What can I say about this place that has not already been said? This place has simple and delicious food with good service. Try the udon, you won't be disappointed. It has a great texture and an appropriate firmness for a noodle. Couple that with the broth/veggies/etc. in the soup and it's great. The grilled fish is nicely prepared and is one of my favorite things to get.
(4)Jessica G.
So from the outside, this place doesn't look like much. Again, this is an instance of looks being deceiving. All around, this place is fantastic. Service is super friendly to the point where you feel like you're hanging out with cousins or an old family friend. Great recommendations and the gentleman who helped us was kind enough to bring out an extra croquette so we had three since there were three of us in our party. Everything came out quickly - the afore-mentioned croquettes were soft and crispy at the same time and just delicious. Yay for the sauce it came with, even if it was just tonkatus sauce. We also had the special egg-plant appetizer and normally I am not a fan of eggplant because it's so ashy-tasting and bitter was this was so nicely grilled and a little bit sweet. We were even given tips on how to mix the sauce it came with for the best flavor. I had the vegetable soba and since it was pretty cold today, it was a great choice - the perfect thing for warding off a chilly day. Lots of veggies and broth and just the right amount of noodles. As someone who does not normally go and search out the tofu in anything, I will say that I really liked the tofu in this. I was very glad that the food was not overly salted and seasoned to death - I could taste each item as it is supposed to be, which was a very good thing. My dining partners, who both lived in Japan for two years, were similarly happy with their meals, to the point that we are contemplating going back tomorrow, Sunday, for their lunch. Apparently there are more specials on that day - definitely something we'd want to give a try. Portions are good for the money and the service and food are wonderful - Sunshine Cafe is fantastic!
(5)Kyle J.
Right to the point here... Sushi is great but sometimes you'd think the only thing the Japanese eat is sushi based on the places out there. This is the Japan I visited. Good yummy food, no pretension, friendly people. Oh and lets not forget the wonderful fried dishes! You can't go wrong with fried food!
(5)Tina R.
I love this place. It is very casual, clean and good food. The decor is not so pretty but the food and service is worth it. We are there at least once a week:)
(5)Stephen M.
This place is great for cheap and cheerful Japanese food. The menu is limited but what they do, they do well. Try the squid appetizer and the Katsu don. Yummers.
(5)Jeanus T.
When you walk in this place, you'd feel like you walk in to a local diner in Japan. It's not fancy but cozy! They serve very simple and everyday Japanese style dinners (no sushi) but everything from the tea (free) they serve, the miso soup (pretty much come with everything) to your entree and steamed rice. Everything's perfectly prepared!! It's BYOB if you want to crack a bottle. Otherwise, the green tea that they serve is just as satisfying! Food tastes so well yet very simple and healthy! And it's cheap!!! I can eat at this place for dinner every night and would not break my bank! I highly highly recommend this for simple everyday Japanese style dinners.
(5)Eric P.
Wooooooo, a japanese restaurant without sushi? huh? really? What are we going to eat??? Traditional japanese food thats what. This place is fantastic, has a very modern feel to the restaurant and plus great food and service. Our waiter was great, very talkative, helpful, and joked around with us. Very chill and laid back. But more importantly he was attentive and friendly. The chef was also very helpful. And more important they were both Japanese or asian, which is a very good sign of good authentic food. So the food was excellent, I had the sakiyuki which was good. A sweet savory noodle dish with tofu, thinly sliced beef, and veggies. It was delightful though for a non-sweets guy I couldn't handle it too much so be warned. But I got to switch with a friend and thus the other food was amazing. I forgot what it was called but its the last dish on the menu and its a beef stir fry with veggies. The beef had a subtle sweet and salty flavor that was delicious and the veggies. Wow I don't know why the veggies tasted so good but it was garlic stir fryed and thus amazing. And got to try my friends katsu (breaded pork) and it was delicious, subtle sweetness with baked (tastes like grilled onions) with it. Simply tasty. And did I mentioned I had the potato croquette which is basically deep fried mash potato! It was fried perfectly, crispy exterior with a piping hot creamy mash potato inside as you dip it in a sauce that can only be described as sweet japanese sauce. good stuff But the service was amazing because they gave my friends, a total of 9 of us, enough gyoza for all of us on the house! Those things were crispy tasty morsels, smoky flavor. So overall it was amazing experience, and definitely will come back soon. You won't regret it!
(4)yakuza e.
well, i was there last saturday thinking i could get some good japanese food. the waiter told me about their special - a rainbow trout - i thought it should be fresh since you cant go wrong ordering seafood at a japanese restaurant. what did i know? the fish was not fresh at all and they simply grilled the fish (burned a bit) without any seasoning (well, i guess this is zen's way of grilling?) with 2 sides (pickled cucumber and raddish) and a bowl of white rice. i can deal with the simple meal concept except that the fish (special of the day) was NOT fresh at all. the service was not great either. at the end, the waiter (a young one) just literally THREW me the bill on the table without saying anything (no thank-you or here is your bill, etc, all i saw was a piece of paper flew out from his hand and landed on my table, and he just walked away... i was like, WT***)... what a horrible service!!! i looked at myself -- i had my shoes, clothes, and took a shower that morning and shaved; it must be my look!! I AM CROSSING OUT THIS RESTAURANT FROM MY LIST NOW. it used to be good but, not anymore. there are better japanese restaurants elsewhere in chicago with comparable prices and better food and services.
(1)Frederica B.
Liked: Authentic Japanese homecookin', low prices and free green tea and miso soup with your meal. The nice waitress who seemed to know what she was doing. Disliked:The somewhat sneering waiter who was inflexible and could not accommodate a non-pork diet. ( What were the gyoza frozen or something and that's why you couldn't put something else in them?) And the wooden plank put up by the bathroom. It looked totally out of place. 4 stars, but it was more like 3 and half.
(4)Brian R.
A couple of good friends of mine took me to this place last week. They live just right down the street from it and have raved how godo the food was. It was closed for awhile, but with one phone call it was confirmed they were open for business! The place a small and very quaint. The owner and staff were very pleasant. My friends have been to this place previous times. The menu is not overwhelming for a Japanese place. Which I enjoyed. But overall the food at this place is inexpensive and fantastic! Will definitely be back to this cute little place.
(5)Jasmine C.
God, I love this place. I recommend: gyoza, potato croquettes, sukiyaki (you can ask them to throw an egg in so it's a little more authentic), and the tempura udon. The dining area is small and the restaurant is unpretentious. The food? Homey, affordable and very, very satisfying. I'm a fan.
(5)Amy L.
If there's such a thing as Japanese comfort food, that's what it felt like I ate here. Went here with 3 others. It was not busy at all. Even saw my wedding florist and her husband eating there. She is native Japanese and lives/works not too far from there so I supposed it'd be good. It was tasty food. Still not as good as Renga-tei but pretty good and cheap too. Only open for dinner. Helpful service. Street meter parking may be hard to find.
(3)lauren p.
This is one of those reviews where I have very little to add to what the other reviewers have said. There's very little to disagree with. I just had such a wonderful dinner last night that I want to give Sunshine a shout-out, even if it does get lost in the myriad of 4- and 5-star reviews below. Here is what you need to know about Sunshine: -it's kind of a dump. And I mean that in the nicest way possible. You do get the feel of eating in your grandmother's home, if your grandmother lives in a VFW hall. Decor is clearly not a priority here, which is fine, because you really don't want them thinking about anything but your delicious meal. - the menu is sort of vague. My companions and I had no real knowledge of Japanese food, so we asked a few questions, and the waiter patiently answered them. Sort of. - the food is CHEAP. For the 3 of us, we split an order of gyoza (delicious) and the tsukemono (pickled vegetables). I had the Kastu don, one friend had the Tonkatsu, and other friend had (I think) Beef Teridon. The Katsu don was delicious- panko-crusted pork deep fried to perfection and served with an amazingly sweet sauce, with a side of rice, some 'salad' and pickled cucumber. It was great, but the Tonkatsu, which was very similar, took it to another level. The Tonkatsu had the same pork, but with the addition of egg and onion, served over the rice, with a sweet broth. Fan-freaking-tastic. We BYO'd, and I think the total bill was $38. It seems like a lot of people take home leftovers, but while the portions were hearty, the food was so tasty I couldn't imagine not eating every single bite immediately. Go, before someone gets it on Check Please and it's impossible to get in.
(4)Ron H.
I don't recommend getting there "specials" for the day because it isn't good. I got the Katsu curry and the cut of the meat is poor and too chewy with limited good meat. The curry tends to be on the very light side and a price tag of $13 was not worth it at all. Many better restaurants along the street looks much better then this place!
(1)Daniel C.
Sunshine Cafe is a pretty low key restaurant with sort of a rundown store front. Before I read about this place, I used to walk by it thinking that it was a shady business. After I read some good reviews about this place, I decided to give it a try. Sunshine serves home style Japanese dishes such as don. If you want sushi, look elsewhere, because you won't find it here. I've tried the tonkatsu, which is fried pork cutlet, as well as the oyako don, which is rice with chicken and egg, and both were pretty good. If you are looking for a simple, fairly affordable dinner, this is your place! Being located in Andersonville, parking can be a pain, so beware.
(4)Johnathan W.
This place is very unassuming from the outside. The exterior makes it seem like a little bit of a dump. The inside is nothing special (gotta love wood paneling) and lends itself to be quite a relaxing lunch place. I went here last night and was greeted by a very friendly server. I was surprised to find out that this restaurant had some delicious-sounding specials. I, thanks to the recommendations of several yelpers, started with the potato croquettes. They were fairly moist and a little bit bland, but good overall. I then ordered Hot Chicken Soba (buckwheat noodles in a bowl with broth, veggies, and chicken) and my lady ordered Chicken Teriyaki. The verdict? Not too bad. I hope to go here again to try a few more things out. The food all tasted pretty decent, and was filling, nothing really blew me away though. The chicken teriyaki was a little bit heavy on the teriyaki. The soba was quite delicious and I couldn't finish it (because of the large portions).
(4)Erica S.
My friend and I decided to try Sunshine cafe last night and boy do I wish we had discovered it sooner. The inside is somewhat small and there are old school wood paneled walls. The restaurant was packed and among the diners there were many older Japanese folks, which to me was a good indicator of authenticity. There were so many tasty Japanese classics on the menu it was hard to decide what to eat and my friend was so excited when he found out his favorite Japanese dish, katsu curry, was a special that night. I had katsu don, a humble bowl of rice, breaded pork cutlet, eggs, and onions with a savory brown sauce. Sure the ingredients are simple, but that is what great comfort food is about and it was truly comforting after a long day. The impressiveness of Sunshine Cafe is in the details: At one point, he held out a morsel to me on his fork, "You can taste how slowly this has been simmering" he said. And boy was he right, It was possibly the most tender piece of beef I have eaten in my life. This is a great weeknight place to go for a satisfying meal. The entrees were about $10 and since its BYO you can really keep costs down. Why haven't you eaten there yet? Get going!
(5)Elysia L.
Please stop coming here! I love this place and it's getting too crowded these days. In all seriousness, I can't keep Sunshine to myself. My husband & I love this place. It's one of our favorites and we're there at least 2 or 3 times a month. I haven't had a thing on the menu that I didn't like. Even if you're not a fan of noodle soups, try the tempura udon with a healthy dose of the spicy chili powder. It's the best I've ever had. I will say that due to the size, this place is much better suited for couples & double-dates than it is for a group. The last time we were there they had 2 large parties and it really threw them off.
(5)Jim K.
Thanks fellow Yelps! This new find was fantastic. It almost looks like a bakery from the outside. The interior is plain to say the least. Now the food is awesome. We had a tuna sashimi appetizer and the unagi and teriyaki salmon for the main courses. Very well prepared and incredibly reasonable. We're going here again and again.
(5)Liz S.
If you're looking for Japanese home-style cooking that will leave you full and happy - this is the place to go! The best authentic and delicious COOKED Japanese food that I have had in the Chicago-land area. Ever since I moved back to the states from Asia, I've been craving a greater variety of Japanese food since most restaurants around here seem to only cater to the population that strictly eats only sushi & sashimi. Sunshine Cafe has a wonderful variety of cooked Japanese foods ranging from fish to meats. The quality of their food is great and I have never been disappointed! If you are craving udon or soba, this is also the place to go! I usually get an appetizer, side of pickled vegetables, a grilled saba or eel dish (with rice and miso) and a drink and the bill usually comes out around $15. They are so reasonable, and the wait staff are incredibly sweet and personable. I know it may look a little dingy from the outside but you should absolutely give it a try.
(4)Alvin d.
This would be a 'Check, Please!' - type recommendation for me Yes, they're keeping it simple stupid, all about the food. Tasty, no frills, comfy, reasonable food served in a friendly efficient manner. I particularly like the the soup selection. It does feel like eating in the extension of the church community room next door (with a Japanese flair of course), but I guess I'll just file this one under cute, interesting, and clean restaurant space. Want a break from sushi, but craving Japanese food? This is the place.
(4)Manda J.
I heart Sunshine Café. I like sushi, but Sunshine Café taught me that more traditional Japanese food is great too. It's a pretty a casual and relaxed restaurant and certainly doesn't look like much from the outside, but the food is outstanding and service is pretty efficient. I had a short wait for a table once, but it was worth it :)
(5)Miharu H.
I have been eating at this place for years. Thought I could keep it a secret but seems like the word is out. Since it's become more popular, I tend to go on Wed or Thurs to avoid the line that I've seen on the weekends during dinner. Otherwise i sneak in early around 5pm-6pm, before the dinner rush. I know everyone loves their potato croquette but I would highly recommend their gyoza...really good. For mains, I love the Katsu Don. Sunshine basically embodies everything I love about mom-and-pop style restaurants that are laid back and have an inviting atmosphere.
(5)Luan N.
I was ecstatic to find such a hidden gem in close by Andersonville! Although I preferred the saba shioyaki over the salmon shioyaki, I thought they were both amazing. When we ordered, the waiter told us how he liked to prepare the saba. "Turn it over, squeeze some lemon, add the daikon oroshi with soy sauce on top" So he was very helpful, polite, and seemed like he had lots of pride in the restaurant. The saba has just the right amount of oil, firm, charred to perfection so that I could savor the skin. It brought back fond memories when my grandma would cook me some shioyaki in Japan. Portions were just right and made me want to go back for more. Although they can improve upon the decor, with these prices and great home cookin, I'm not going to care. Actually I take that back, I think the atmosphere is just right. If this place had design like Sushi Samba or Japonais, it just wouldn't fit with the homestyle cookin. Almost all the customers knew the waiter by name. I'll definitely be a return customer very soon.
(4)Sam Y.
We salvaged our anniversary at this place. Tried going to a fancier place but couldn't find a baby sitter last minute. Ended up here without expecting too much. Actually, the wife was disappointed because the decor of this place is pretty sub-par. But the food was near perfection. The soba noodles and the warm noodle soup was just perfect. We also ordered teriyaki chicken over rice... it tasted like exactly what we thought it would taste like (nothing special there). We wipe the plates clean! I mean, they literally just had to rinse cuz there was nothing to clean off the plates... except maybe our saliva.
(5)Cindi C.
ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY. The food is to die for and the atmosphere is one of the greatest things I have ever seen. What a hidden gem!
(5)Yanni N.
You can't believe how good this food is! Ok. so it's not some super chic Andersonville lounge and cafe - but if you are looking for the best AUTHENTIC Japanese food in the city - head on over to the Sunshine Cafe. The best part: This place has figured out how to serve high quality food at extremely low prices -- that's magic!!!!
(5)Barb L.
Everything you've read here is true. This place has good service, a pleasant host, great value and tasty food. What more can you ask for?
(5)Freddie S.
Coming from LA I think I've had some really great Japanese food. When I lived in Chicago, however, most Japanese places focused on sushi. There's so much more and I found it at Sunshine Cafe. The atmosphere is homey and comfortable. I don't know for sure but it seems like a family-run business. The food is great and the prices are very reasonable. I just wish it had longer hours so I could go whenever I want.
(5)Heather K.
Potato Croquettes! Sukiyaki! So freaking good. When all is said and done, homestyle cooking, no matter what the culture or country of origin, simply cannot be beat. Sunshine Cafe is no exception. Wish I lived closer! Also wish I had a Japanese grandmother who could cook this stuff for me on a regular basis.
(5)Carrie R.
Mmmm... last night was cold and rainy, we missed our bus to meet a friend for dinner and stood in the rain for 20 minutes while we watched several 22's run the other direction, but none on our side, and when we finally got to Sunshine our friend had been waiting for almost 45 minutes, hogging a table in the crowded restaurant, and we were freezing and wet. The perfect way to fix that situation? A cozy heartwarming dinner at Sunshine Cafe. Not only were the staff never unfriendly about the horrible waiting situation, they were funny and super helpful when we finally arrived. And the food. The gyoza were smoky and the sauce spicy and the combo delish. The sukiyaki was sweet and savory and hot and perfect for my cold and wet body. My companions ordered udon varieties and raved as well. And the portions were huge and the prices cheap, what more can you ask for?
(4)Annie L.
I went with my sister after reading all these reviews but I was a bit disappointed. The selection of food was ok but NOTHING like WOW that's great! They put so much MSG in the food, I feel so thirsty before I left the restaurant.
(2)Jia M.
I've eaten here twice and each time the food has been great and the service has been prompt and friendly. I have tried the shumai, the tonkatsu, the beef teri don, oyako don, the potato croquettes, and the beef teri don. I enjoyed all of these dishes (but I would choose the tonkatsu if forced), although my acquaintance noted that the oyako don was too salty. Prices are very reasonable. The one niggle I have is that while the owner is very friendly and prompt, sometimes you feel as though he is watching you as you eat. Maybe I'm just paranoid.
(4)Chris m.
Just my favorite Japanese place in the city. Not the kind of place where they fly in fresh fish daily for sushi, etc. blah blah blah and the chef is making this or that. I don't eat raw fish anyway. No offense if you do! Leave that to Sushi Smushi. But I do like fresh fish cooked and prepared well! This is just the kind of comfort Japanese food I love. Super nice family staff. Really first-rate sukiyaki and excellent salmon teriyaki, etc. They also offer a traditional salt-glazed version which is, well, salty but great. Their mackerel is excellent as well. Great basics. Wonderful appetizers, which shared can amount to a meal (which you should share here). Nothing fancy, but just perfect! The people are always super nice and accommodating. Always a nice experience, including the patrons who are a chill, hip, non-pretense group. Not uncommon to strike up a conversation with people next to you and chat about food choices, etc.
(5)Jesster A.
Chicago Tribune (10/20/06) gave it top billing with a 4 Forks review today in it's CHEAP EATS column ( AT PLAY Section) - so look out for crowds and a possible (if temporary) downturn in quality and service. The reviewer pretty much LOVED everything about this place and everything on the menu as well (he just wishes the Oyako Duburi "had been made with chicken thigh" instead of breast meat. Note that 4 Forks is their highest rating and they almost never give it!
(4)Ayaka H.
What is not to like about this kind of place? It is not pretentious. Good food and good people serving it. Complimentary green tea is a keystone of a good japanese restaurant. Who charges for green tea?!! I took my bf there last night and I arrived as hungry as a horse. We started off with the hiya yakko- cold tofu with an assortment of toppings: grated ginger, bonito flakes, and thinly slices green onion. You top your tofu with all of that goodness and pour a little soy sauce over the whole thing. Delicious. Such simple ingredients that delivers such an amazing complexity of flavors. Now I said I was hungry so we also ordered gyoza (done perfectly as any good japanese gyoza is....heavy on the vegetable mixture, must be pork filling and served with ponzu with a little spicy chili oil). They were piping hot and inspired me to make my own batch. Then on a whim, I tried the fried smelt appetizer. for 4.50 you get about 10 fried smelt. Prettty tasy morsels. For our main meal, I had the saba shioyaki served with a heaping mound of grated daikon. SOOOO Good. My bf had the Katsu Don and I think he even purposely saved a bit so he can take it to lunch today. Too cute that boy. For all that food, the bill came out to 32 dollars.....what a deal. For the price, the quality is amazing. The decor is nothing to call home about, but the main star is the food.
(5)Jennifer Y.
I'm asian (as you can tell) and I'm not saying that I have better taste buds, BUT ... I'm asian. For better or for worse. I love this place. I recommend the mackerel over the salmon. Potato croquettes are great -- the sauce they come with is delicious-yum-yum. Highly recommended to anyone who likes hole-in-the-wall restaurants and authentic Asian food.
(5)Rachelle G.
Honestly, I've never had Japanese food outside of the extras you can find at sushi restaurants. I decided to come here and figure out what Japanese cuisine was like other than sushi. First impressions (and I had read about this in other reviews), don't expect to be welcomed upon entering. You can of just wait until they come talk to you, they don't really acknowledge your arrival regardless if they see you or not. The space itself kind of reminds me of eating in your grandmother's house, you know in that, nothing is really modern way yet it feels ok bc it's cozy. Upon being seated, we were given two menus, the regular and their specials. Nothing really jumped out at me. I decided to go with something I was familiar with, tempura udon. I also tried the special calamari appetizer as others have commented that if it's available, get it. The udon was fairly standard, nothing special. The calamari was basically the tentacles which the server did note in his description, it was just lightly floured. Nothing special. I also tried some of my friend's gyoza, I didn't really care for it much. They pretty much fell apart once you lifted it up. Overall, the tastes were very delicate and I think my taste buds are used to being shocked here and there. Overall, a good bargain but I didn't leave wanting more.
(3)Jim W.
Honestly I wish I could rate this place higher, esp b/c I love Japanese home cooking at a very reasonable price. Perhaps b/c I've been discussing a lot with friends recently that food, particularly ethnic food, in Chicago just isn't on par with the coasts. Part of it is the expectation I suppose after reading all the glowing reviews here, but really Sunshine Cafe, while doing the cooked dishes better than all of downtown Chicago, was pretty plain. I ordered the potato croquettes on everyone's recommendation - which was solid. They had a special of squid calamari that evening which was slightly battered, but not entirely fried and that was decent. For my entree I settled upon the sukiyaki - awesome that there was this option, but again, it was good but not great. My friend tried their chicken teriyaki (yea, I know, I know). Something about the texture of the chicken was different in a good way, but it wasn't like melt-in-my-mouth delicious. I think in the end what Sunshine Cafe offers is diversity from your typical Chicago Japanese restaurant. It is homely and a mom and pop shop - although my friend claims she saw that the chef was Mexican (not being racist, just an observation for Japanese purists) - but it wins you over by default b/c these options just don't exist downtown.
(3)Claire S.
I had passed Sunshine Cafe before and not really noticed it. But my boyfriend has been coming here for years and brought me in for dinner several weeks ago. We're both fans of homestyle Japanese cooking and having visited Japan, we both look for spots in the city where we can satisfy our craving for all things Japanese. Sunshine Cafe is one of these spots. Authentic, modest and comforting food is what you'll find (try the potato croquettes and tempura udon). Hot green tea is complimentary. Sunshine is a family-owned and operated gem of a restaurant where you can relax and briefly escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
(5)matt b.
Only thing better than the food was the friendly, welcoming personality of the staff. Only wish i had discovered this place a long time ago.
(4)Nick B.
This is place isn't your normal japanese place. 1st of all there is no sushi (well there is one califonia roll..). If your ok with not having sushi (which you should be because the resto of japanese cuisne is amazing you will love this place. The sukiakee is great, the soups are amazing, the teriakee salmon/chicken is very good. In fact i can say ive had almost everything on the menu and never been disapointed. I would definitly go to this place and recomend it to anyone. BYOB by the way. And cheap as well
(5)Rob K.
I just wanted to update my review and say that Sunshine Cafe reopened and all is right with the world. It is my favorite restaurant in the entire city, and it can never close again, ever. NEVER EVER. There is no problem a bowl of udon from Sunshine Cafe can't solve, or at least make seem less daunting. The best homestyle Japanese cooking in the city, bar none.
(5)Char Y.
Ok, so we went back for more of the delicious home cooking today, and got eggplants, marinated spicy carrots and burdock, potato coquettes, pork curry katsu rice, and sukiyaki. Everything was either too salty, sweet or spicy. I was disappointed at the quality of the food we were served. They seemed TOO home made.
(2)Barbara L.
Dear Chicago Vegetarians, Don't be scared of the Sunshine Cafe! Like me, you probably dread the prospect of eating at authentic Asian restaurants. It only takes a few fishy tasting "vegetarian" sauces to make you swear off the cuisine entirely. In this regard, eating at the Sunshine cafe was an extraordinarily pleasant surprise. The waiter (whom I'm told works there almost all of the time) not only knew what it meant to be vegetarian, but actually went through the menu and explained what my options were. In terms of the food itself, it was pretty damn good. I ain't going to lie, Japanese food probably isn't the tastiest vegetarian choice (at least in my opinion) but it is really nice to be able to escort meat-eaters to this very popular place.
(4)Jane K.
Must get croquettes and anything on the menu. It's all good. No sushi, just homestyle Japanese. Delicious flavors but a bit on the salt heavy side.
(4)Stacey H.
Yum! Very good Udon, and they had a great whole miso glazed rainbow trout special the day I was there. Very friendly server too!
(4)Grace L.
Oy-shi. As written and warned...this is not a sushi place. This is definitely Japanese comfort food. all cooked and comfortable. My in-laws who love Japanese food came here with a lot of skepticism, but left enjoying the food and the ambiance. We had the ten don, beef teri don, katsu don and the salmon. All of them under or around 10 bucks. No complaints there. The portions are amazing and unlike some fusion places, the sauces aren't too saucy or sweet. The service was absolutely delightful, helpful and patient. Although we came in the middle of summer, I know that this food will be even more comforting on a winter evening. Can't wait until I come back.
(5)Robyn F.
This place is great for the burbs! The homestyle cooking is very comforting. The appetizers are especially good. I usually get the soba noodles or the donburi.
(4)Kimberly E.
AMAZING! I literally did not want to stop eating! It may look like a hole in the wall, but this place is incredible and one of the best meals I've ever had. The soba is delicious and perfect for a cold day (though next time I want to try the pork instead of the shrimp tempura), and the chicken-onions-eggs is unreal -- get it!! Service was also great, really friendly and comfortable. The only thing that could make it better is not being so far north!
(5)Jacob K.
Sunshine cafe is a good place for country style Japanese food. The ambiance is lacking but the food is good and the people are friendly. Don't pass up the tekadon- I had something else that was good but not that good.
(3)Kendrah R.
I love this place. Totally down to earth and great food. Since there are few good jewish deli's in this town, I have made sunshine my new home cooking fix when I'm sick. Their chicken udon soup rival's my grandma's matzo ball soup. Though they are not a sushi place, I think they have the best california rolls in town.
(5)Christine J.
The best part about my meal at Sunshine Cafe was that it was cheap. The two of us left satisfied and only dropped $28 for three dishes. Nothing really inventive though, everything on the menu you can pretty much get at other Japanese restaurants, even some sushi ones.
(3)Justin R.
This place was great. The food reminded me of Tokyo. Nice. Homey. Not too expensive. The service was outstandingly friendly and the place is BYOB. If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, other than sushi, you cannot do wrong at Sunshine Cafe. I will definitely be going back, but will it be soon enough to keep me happy?
(5)super t.
Such a cute, casual place eat. The staff is very friendly and warm, and I like it when you can be a on a first-name basis with the owner. I like their katsudon, seaweed salad and tempura udon (make sure to ask for tempura sauce if they don't give it to you -- it's has freshly grated ginger, mm).
(5)Erin K.
Sunshine= love. I've been going here for years, and I've never had anything off the menu that was less than delicious. I almost cried when they closed, and when they didn't make tempura shrimp because the lady who has the recipe was out of town for a while. Their tempura udon is some of the best I've ever eaten. The shrimp is great quality and the broth is sososososo good. However, I always order sukiyaki. It's gotten to the point where Paul just laughs at me when I say that's what I'm getting. But hey, if it's good, why get anything else! It's served with rice and misoshiro, so you definitely walk away from your meal feeling full. And content. The only problem is that I'm pretty sure they put MSG in the food. And I always forget to ask them to exclude it, so I usually get a bit of a stomachache. Oh well, it's always worth it. BTdubs, I'm Japanese, so I feel like it's necessary to mention that their food tastes just like the food my grandma makes. Que authentico!
(5)Darlene R.
This place is extremely good and very reasonable. I would highly suggest the fried calamari tentacles if they have it. The ambience was nothing special, but the food made up for it. One of the reasons i didn't give this place 5 stars is because there was no sushi. also the beef teriyaki wasn't closer to korean bulgogi than beef teriyaki. however, since it was only 8.50 i'm not overly offended. the tonkatsu ($10.50)was wonderful. the sukiyaki was great and the tempura dinner ($13.50)was huge! overall very pleased and i will be back.
(4)Made N.
My first experience with Japanese food was a good one. I had the Vegetable Udon - incredibly deliscious noodles! My partner had a teriyaki beef dish of some sort which was served with lettuce and rice. good, but not as good as my gargantuan bowl of udon! We shared a seaweed salad, yummyliscious! and also got some Miso soup, which was very tasty as well. The green tea was plentiful and yummy. it was all perfect warmth for a chilly day. the ambiance, however, leaves something to be desired - wood paneling everywhere. Odd place in terms of looks, but definitely good food. For the look of the place, I feel like the food should be even cheaper really, like an excellent hole-in-the wall food find, but still it's cheaper than many other places, so I'd probably go back because the food really is excellent.
(4)Tasty K.
Yummy! Just when I had decided good Japanese food had to expensive I stumbled upon this here joint. My big toe was sore but my belly, my big fat belly, was full. Imagine a big bowl of unadon for about what you'd expect to pay for a single piece of unagi at a fancy pants sushi restaurant. I don't have to. I've lived the dream! Marry me Sunshine Cafe! It won't just be because I can't keep my lips off your eel. I love you for your gomae, too! xoxo
(5)rachel p.
our first time at sunshine cafe and nowhere to sit. :( no worries... the lovely couple in the corner would like to share their table with us. :) our first time with a japanese homecookin' menu and we're not sure what to order. :( no worries... the lovely couple who happen to be regulars would like to give you some suggestions. :) you can't decide between the salmon teriyaki and the salmon shioyaki. :( no worries... the waiter suggests the shioyaki w/ a side of teriyaki sauce so you can try both :) the food was straight forward, simple flavors beautifully executed. we shared the gyoza, and i had the chicken udon. everything was delicious and my soup was large enough for two people. i also really liked that they brought the spicy stuff on the side so you could season to your likening. for a place that looks like a backroom diner, they sure cook up some tasty food! thanks to fern and norm for their suggestions :)
(5)Brandon S.
Amazing food, amazing and friendly service, and really cheap prizes! Focuses more on general Japanese cuisine (which I love) than sushi (which I also love). Just a great, great place, and I'm almost afraid to rate it b/c I want it to kind of stay a secret and not busy... ^_^
(5)Keri M.
I tried this adorable little place a few weeks ago with some girlfriends and it was so good! It's not fancy or trendy - it's just really good food and nice people bring it to you. Yum!
(4)Dan J.
What a super cute place! It was recommended by a friend, so I kind of knew what to expect, but it was just as good as she said! Incredibly friendly and helpful staff; they apologized for the wait (all of 5 minutes) and double checked that our table was okay. The food was delicious and extremely reasonably priced. Plus BYOB and it is perfect for tight budgets! I will definitely be going back! Thank you, Sunshine Cafe!
(4)Soo S.
One of my Chicago favorites! My best friend told me about this place a long time ago, and since I always make an effort to go there. The food is just GREAT. Its Japanese home cooking. The owners are really nice and waiters and waitresses are always sweet. The Tonkatsu is my favorite, the meat they use is of high quality. The udon is out of this world.
(5)Tony R.
This is by far the most lovely place to eat in Chicagoland; I left feeling absolutely serene. In fact, I got depressed when I left, I just wanted to go back and chill with Rob(I think that's the guy's name). It has a very homey atmosphere with the Japanese grandmas serving food and clearly, most of the customers are die-hard regulars. The ambiance from the outside isn't too indicative of the wonders that lie inside, which is simply decorated with some nice back music. I have never felt so satisfied and pleased with any other place I've dined at in this city. I seriously cannot emphasize this enough. Anyway, now for the meat of the business...the food was quite delectable. I mean, this is wonderful Japanese comfort food that makes Chicago considerably less miserable. I had the unagi don and my dining compatriots had the chicken teriyaki and sukiyaki, which were absolutely delicious. I plan to go back for the soba and udon which from what I eye look like they'd be very tasty. As an aside, I was given some Japanese pepper for my unagi and the cute grandma carefully explained " you might think this tastes weird, but I really like it, so you should try it." Hhahahaha, I almost died, it was hilarious. I plan to come here often this summer for much food and hugs from the grandmas. The feeling of serenity and being so absolutely full of amazing delicious awesomeness cannot be emphasized enough.
(5)Julian C.
Sunshine Cafe was a complete let down given all the hype on Yelp. The sad excuse for udon consisted of instant noodles w/ broth tasted like soy sauce mixed with hot water. Not tasty. Not authentic. Decor is shabby. And, hey waiter guy don't touch your customers okay? Creepy.
(1)Anna H.
I really enjoy this restaurant. It's cozy and comfortable - I feel like I'm eating at home! The dishes are all "homestyle Japanese". They have Katsu-Don, Tonkastu, fish dishes, good appetizers - all at very affordable prices. Also, if you're nice, they'll usually give you some homecooked little cookie crisps that are a great ending to a healthy, comforting meal! It's a small restaurant with only 10-12 tables, so it's likely that you'll have to wait 10-15 minutes if you go at dinner time, even on a weekday. However, once you're seated, the service is fast and attentive, so don't let the wait deter you!
(4)Ken H.
There is everything to like about this place... Friendly service, great prices, good portions, and excellent food. This is not haute fusion cuisine, and it's not a sushi bar,so if that's what you crave it's 3 blocks down. Sunshine is about comfort and awesome laid back deliciousness. It's like eating at the kids table at your grandma's.
(5)Joan D.
We had edamame and potato croquettes as appetizers, and the unagi don and the oyako donburi for dinner. The food was excellent and the service was even better! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful.
(5)Yas M.
Homestyle Japanese comfort food, slow and steady. There are no gimmicks here. Zero pretense. Sunshine is not Tokyo-modern. Unless you got a ma or grandma or aunties with roots in the pre-modern Japanese countryside, this may be about the only spot left in Chicago to taste this type of atmosphere and flavor. No liquor served, but you may bring your own bottle.
(5)Tristin M.
Still my favorite place!
(5)nunov y.
Fantastic! This place is quite small, and I'm sure it gets very busy. Wow...this is an incredible value. One of the best meals I've had in recent memory, and I think 3 of us walked out for under $40. We ordered the California Rolls, and although sushi isn't their specialty, they were very good. I had the pork cutlet with special sauce...it was kind of a tangy hoisin sauce but very good. It came with a salad which had a very interesting dressing, definitely worth trying. My wife had a steak stirfry, and it had flavor unlike any other food I've ever tried. This was truly an original eating experience, the food is incredibly inexpensive and it'll be like nothing you've ever tasted. I recommend this place 100% They even will recommend places near to buy beer, since they have a BYOB policy. Too bad I don't live in the area, or I would become part of the furniture in this place. Check out my picture of the new glass ledge in Sears Tower, how cool! theholstory.blogspot.com
(5)Heather I.
Yum! Great food, good prices in a unpretentious setting. Hooray!
(5)Linda C.
A friend recommended this place. She said it's one of her favorite restaurants, and I understand why. This place is on the small side. It's a simple atmosphere, but the food is home cooking. It's so good. Everything I've had on the menu has been so satisfying, and the place is surprisingly affordable. You can get really great food, for reasonable prices here. It's become one of my new favorites. And the 70 blocks that separate us, doesn't keep me from wondering over there whenever possible.
(4)Alexander T.
Great Restaurant, great waiter. returned there several times with friends.
(5)Mark B.
This place has been a neighborhood favorite of mine for at least 8-10 years. During long study sessions, Chicken Teridon was my comfort food, along with some yummy Shumai. I'm only sorry that I don't live a couple of blocks away anymore. The service is very friendly, the prices are better than reasonable, and I've never been disappointed by any of the food that I've ordered there.
(5)Joel S.
I kind of wish that I could speak to the authenticity of this place, because it would make me seem that much cooler or somehow make my white skin seem less pasty. Alas, all I can say is that my wife and I had a huge meal of potato croquettes, udon and nanban yaki for about 20 bucks, it was all really delicious, and I hope to eat here more often this coming year. Usually I am all about the BYO, but in this case I am glad I skipped, as a warm complimentary cup of green tea on a cold Chicago night is just what the Dr. ordered.
(4)Zach H.
I can't say enough about this place. I would call it my favorite place to eat in the city. Delicious, savory homestyle food. It feels like Japanese comfort food. It was an especially great experience going there this past winter, warming up with some green tea and tender tempura pork cutlet over sticky rice of the perfect consistency. The room is simple, small, and welcoming. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)Melinda L.
I love this place!!! We were first recommended this place by a friend who called it Japanese home cooking. There is nothing fancy about Sunshine Cafe, nothing pretentious, no push for sushi (though great if you do have it), just a warm staff, and fabulous food. The pork tenderloin is something I crave constantly! I have not tried one poor dish yet. Every dish gets better and better. I cannot say enough about this place. If you're looking for really home style comfort and just very well prepared great food, you have got to stop by this place! After all their great reviews, they better not go changing!
(5)Jacob R.
So, what's not to like? 1. The music they play here will put you to sleep. 2. The seating/decor could use a little bit of help. I mean, just a little bit!
(5)jerry c.
Japanese comfort food! Delicate, savory gyoza. Wonderful salmon shiyo. I love this warm, homey place!
(5)olivia p.
4.5 stars. i was gonna give it 4 for the food, but the service was so good i had to bump it up to 4.5 i asked dan, the nicest server ever, about the potato croquettes and the gyoza. he said to get the croquettes. when i was hemming and hawing about getting the gyoza too, he said he'd bring some out so i could try it. after which he brought gyoza for our party of 9 on the house! the gyoza were really good and on top of that, the potato croquettes were perfect. light and crispy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside. not oily at all. i could eat those all day. was thinkin about the udon, but decided on the saba shioyaki - fresh mackerel, lightly salted and broiled, to get something a little more interesting. the fish was well cooked, broiled just to a crisp and tasty with white radish, lemon and a little soy sauce. it got a little oily for me in the end, but i'm not used to oily things. it was very good, but didn't knock my socks off. next time i wanna try their udon. my friends got the nanban yaki, hot soba and some other stuff i can't remember and really liked them. my bro thought his chicken teriyaki was a little dry. all in all a great place with excellent service. nicest people ever.
(4)Sheena C.
The food is good (we ordered the udon, tilapia, and potatoe croquette), but the croquette is overrated. The chicken in the udon wasn't very good (I should have ordered the vegetable udon instead). I'm an udon nazi and I was very hesitant about this place at first, but the udon was cooked perfectly. However, the broth was only okay. It seems as if most of the customers are returning customers as everyone who came in hugged the owner and whatnot. This isn't the best Japanese food I've had but the prices are decent and the owner is nice.
(3)A M C.
If I crave a steaming bowl of tempura udon, I can walk there and have it in front of me in a few minutes, provided there isn't a wait. (Sometimes there is.) There isn't anything fancy here (and sometimes I wish they would give it a facelift), but the soup is tasty, and the staff is friendly, and that's all I need when I come here. If you're looking for a sleek, modern Japanese restaurant with a full sushi bar, this isn't the place. This is comfy, homestyle cooking.
(4)Mia F.
Very good home style japanese food.
(5)John S.
The Sunshine Cafe is a family owned and operated restaurant which offers home-style Japanese food in a cozy / kitchy setting. If you are looking for a trendy sushi restaurant, this is not it. The food is always warm and tasty and the service - friendly. It is a great place to take a friend for a nice quiet meal and a good conversation.
(4)Josh L.
Great food... everything I've had there is tasty, cheap, and the owner is super nice. Good place to go for low-key eats.
(4)Juice R.
Awesome, on the cheap, homestyle japanese comfort food, quintessential japanese meal for not so demanding people. warning - they don't serve sushi, nigiri, sashimi, raw fish stuffs of any kind. once in a blue moon with a slight purple tint, you might run into a 'special' but don't count on it. the place is no frills, clean, nicer hole in the wall but won't creep you out on cleanliness like some korean/chinese places. I don't think the food stands out head and shoulder above the average home cooked japanese meal. To be completely honest, it's on par w decent japanese mall/street food (think mistuwa) and I can probably make them almost as good, except for their gomae (steamed spinach w sweet sesame sauce, which is fantastic). however, they still get 5 stars cause the family run place is friendly and down to earth (one of the guys can use some sarcasm, fyi) yet priced very reasonably as long as you don't go nuts on appetizers. Also, considering how many places in chicago, just don't get it right on these simple japanese stuffs, I think 5 is justifiable. Expect a wait if your group is huge. Bring some japanese beer, it's BYOB. there are no outdoor seating. parking can be tight but jewel lot is close. the place is open, well lit and music volume is on the low and don't have booths - don't expect to be sharing ur intimate conversations if you dare.
(5)Karen L.
This is a small Japanese restaurant in Andersonville that offers homestyle Japanese cooking. I ordered the beef udon soup and it was big, flavorful and satisfying! If you are looking for sushi, this is not the place to go. They don't have raw fish and only have one kind of roll. They have the dishes like udon soup, tonkatsu, and rice dishes. The food is fresh and well-prepared. The decor is lacking, but it is the food that have the loyal customers coming back here. It is BYOB and the prices are reasonable.
(4)Robert G.
Sunshine is one of my favorite restaurants on the Andersonville strip. It's affordable and the food is really good. Most of all, the staff is extremely friendly, adding to the place's cozy, homey feel. Some of the best plastic food wrapped in Saran wrap you'll ever see displayed in a window too.
(5)Linda S.
One of the cutest Japanese family-run restaurant in Chicago. We love their udon dishes, the tonkatsu, and their enormous rice balls filled with pickled plums. The menu is quite limited but everything is homestyle, there's always a group of family members/friends hanging out at the restaurant. Check out the multiple "Be careful! Watch your step!" signs taped to the door before you exit.
(4)Rose C.
i just tried this place tonight after meaning to go for years... my friend used to work here and would help out cooking massive amounts of chicken teriyaki at the annual cultural bash the japanese american community throws for chicago----so i knew the owners of the cafe must be cool reach-out-to-the-community types. anyway, i love the fact that this cozy and warm cafe has a distinctive home-cookin' feel which is so difficult to find in most chicago japanese restaurants. i say the place is warm because as soon as you walk in, you get the sense that it's a comfortable, kick-back place for many folks. we arrived at 8:15PM, 45 minutes before the place was supposed to close, to a surprisingly busy dining room on a thursday night... it seemed like many were regulars from the neighborhood, a place to gather with friends. the food was just as genuine and comforting. as soon as we sat down, menus were before us and just seconds after that, hot green tea and ice water. our server, roxanne, a down-to-earth 3rd-generation japanese american with a southern twang, was wonderfully patient as we inquired about the specials and went back and forth about what to order. we had 2 of the specials: the appetizer of grilled eggplant which we had with grated ginger and miso dressing on the side (her suggestion that we try both types of seasonings) and the chilean sea bass with miso sauce. and we had to order a chicken teriyaki! all were great! the slices of eggplant was deliciously rich and grilled just perfectly! the ginger really brought out the flavors and the miso dressing was a happy break when the ginger got a little much. the sea bass was oh-so-tender....i ate most of it even though it was my boyfriend's meal (which i'm sure he fully expected once he saw my face after my first bite). chicken teriyaki wasn't terribly tender but they broil it with the skin on one side which helps to flavor much of the meat and the chicken develops this rugged texture which i could only describe as uniquely authentic. the sauce wasn't overly sweet or salty like it is at other places. it came with salad topped with miso dressing. both dinner entrees included the veggie of the day, a little dish of green beans covered in a tangy, sesame sauce....scrumptious! i also need to say that the service/timing was impeccable...appetizer came out within minutes of our order and almost immediately after we scarfed down the eggplant, we had steaming bowls of miso soup arrive to entertain us til the entrees. as if they could read our stomachs and knew we were ravenous. especially as we could hear the sizzling coming from the kitchen which was nearly visible (i think they had a curtain). total bill came out to around $25 for two. loved chatting with roxanne, too. so friendly! she was happy to take a few minutes and tell us about the interesting history of her family. go on a cold evening to warm up with some hearty and authentic japanese food---you won't find a place with more heart behind their cooking or service!
(5)Jonathan Y.
Sunshine Cafe looks and feels exactly like what it is: A small family owned restaurant. Their dishes are simple and made very well. The balance of the flavors of the food continually surprises me. I'm a sucker for pickled food and I especially like the tsukemono appetizer and other pickled vegetables that come with some entrees. I haven't tried any of the noodle dishes yet, but I'll definitely rectify that soon.
(4)Cristin M.
I finally made my way into this hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant after years of wondering about it. It's pretty small, but the staff is attentive and very friendly. The only complaint I had was that the owner/waiter attended to other tables first, although we had been waiting longer, but I wasn't in a hurry, so I wasn't too upset. We ordered two appetizers and two entrees and our bill only came to $21!! It's a great deal for the amount of food. We had the shumai, potato croquettes, miso soup, chicken teri don, and katsu don. They were all out of gyoza that night, which was a little disappointing, but the potato croquettes were very good. They were surprisingly light and served with a tasty sauce. My katsu don was a little on the salty side, but everything else was really good. Great portion sizes too. If you're looking for some home-style Japanese food on the cheap, this is the place to go. They seem to have a loyal base of customers, and also offer carry-out.
(4)Davin B.
just moved away from andersonville and this is going to be the thing i miss the most. mildly dumpy interior gives way to the best Japanese food in the city. the food is not froo froo sushi Japanese or crazy hibachi Japanese, but a style i had never experienced until this restaurant. all of the noodle soups are incredible on a cold chicago night and the calimari app is amazing. also BYOB so that is a big bonus for me.
(5)Stephanie M.
This is a very homestyle joint. Don't expect trendy maki rolls, but if you want some good sukiyaki or udon, this is the place.
(4)k s.
the sunshine restaurant has the sensibility of a neighborhood spot. everyone knew each other and there was quite a bit of japanese being spoken. i thought the food was tasty and the staff very accomodating.
(4)Nathan A.
"You are my sunshine." Sunshine Cafe always makes me happy when skies are grey. Actually, Sunshine Cafe makes me happy. Period. A great spot for authentic home style Japanese food. Actually, it might just be the best spot. Wonderfully charming, exceptionally delicious, great service, and impeccable experience. As many others have said, the potato croquettes are delicious. I have yet to order less than 2-3 orders every time I go. And the sauce that goes along with it...it's the most deliciously addicting sauce. Other great dishes: Udon noodles, ten zaru soba, soba, tempura, and tonkatsu. Portions are not huge, but every meal is incredibly satisfying. If you get the chance to get to know Dan, do so. By far, he is one of the most friendly and wonderful employees of a restaurant I have ever met. Visit often. You won't be sorry.
(5)Noam S.
Here's the thing: though the food is good, the ambience is pretty bad. We were impressed by the home style family Japanese cuisine, and the service was very pleasant. However, the location isn't amazing, and the interior decoration is pretty bad, not just uninspiring but kinda nasty.. I would happily return if the owners put some love into the space, not just the food.
(3)C. L.
Pro: good cheap food My friend and I both had Udon dishes. We asked for extra vegetables and they added it for free. The noodles actually weren't thick like Udon, but it still did the trick. I had the tempura udon. The broth wasn't anything special, but it wasn't soy-sauce-msg water (which some restaurants try to do). It was pleasant. The tempura was on a bland side, but you got a wide variety of vegetables and shrimp, and it had the perfect crunch. The bill for both of our udon bowls was $23 including tax...totally worth it.. Con: Limited parking/hole in the wall If you're looking for somewhere trendy or snazzy, this isn't it. It's not well decorated. They only have one unisex single toilet bathroom. Parking was a pain depending on the time of day. My friend got meter parking right across the street. I wasn't so lucky. I had to go a block into the residential area for parking..but at least it was free.
(4)Jasmine L.
Came here for the first time because of 4.5 star. Nice little Japanese place, cozy, nice staff. However, food is under average. I ordered Udon with beef, it taste like beef and chopped vegi boiled in hot water. The soup has no taste. My friend got hot soba with pork, same thing. Things just didn't taste fresh. My other friend got Unagi don, she said it was ok, not amazing. Maybe because we're Asian we have higher expectation for Asian food. Another thing that I CAN'T stand is their utensils, they're all made with white plastics so you can see all the stains on it. Not coming back.
(2)Andrew E.
Lots of rave yelp reviews, but I was pretty far from being having my mind blown. Got a donburi and the gf had a grilled fish, and started out with some pickled veggies. The service, value and portions were fine, but I guess maybe we were expecting too much from homestyle food. On the other hand, perhaps we would have done better to order more of the fried items on the menu like some of the other reviewers on here.
(3)Feb S.
Taste: 3 Location: 3.5 Cleanliness: 3.5 Ambience: 2.5 Value: 3.5 Service: 3.5 OVERALL = 3.25 * Out of a 5-point scale I got Katsu Don, Sukiyaki, and Potato Croquettes. The Sukiyaki was too sweet. The Katsu Don was not too shabby. The Potato Croquettes were pretty good. The complimentary Miso Soup was good. They don't taste like Authentic Japanese Food but I guess if you really miss some Japanese Food, this can be an option. Will I come back? Maybe, but not anytime soon.
(3)Jackie M.
Simple cooked japanese food. I've been hankering for Japanese food that isn't sushi. In Japan, most people usually eat rice or noodles. I really like their rice. Got the potato croquettes which was like a blend of mashed potatoes covered in panko bread crust and deep fried. Mackeral was seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper cooked to highlight natural flavors of fish with a side of grated daikon and vinegar cucumbers. Nothing mind blowing, just healthy homecooking.
(4)Joe J.
Not sure what everyone is talking about and why it's rated 4.5 stars, food was average and a little over priced for the quantity and quality. Service was great but restaurant is old and has a old place smell.
(3)Gee B.
I've been here a few times (including last night) and this place is great! It's a Japanese restaurant but not the kind you would expect- it's not a sushi place, but more of a Japanese home-cooking kinda place. It focuses more on meat & rice or noodle soup dishes. Nothing fancy and intimidating. The waiters make you feel welcome like you're just chilling at someone's house ready to get your eat on. For an appetizer, can't go wrong with the potato croquettes. Just be careful because the inside is HOT (temperature). It's basically a big crispy oval filled with a yummy mashed potato filling. As an entree, I recommend the: - Sukiyaki: flavorful noodle/veggie/meat dish cooked in a little sweet broth - Nanban Yaki: flavorful Japanese stir fry of veggies and meat - Katsu Don (or anything in the Donburi section of menu): yummy meat usually with egg & onion served with a yummy sauce over a bed of rice. The Katsu Don is breaded and crisp, can't remember if the other options are breaded though. You get lots of rice so be hungry. Or I recommend what I got last night- the Ten Zaru Soba. It's a unique dish- cold buckwheat noodles served with a sauce to DIP them in?! They give you wasabi and scallions to put into the sauce which of course, I completely use up. So you mix up whatever you want to put into the sauce, take your noodles, dip them into the liquid, and somehow the liquid gets absorbed just enough into the noodles so that they pick up the wonderful flavor. And THEN it comes with tempura fried shrimp and veggies (you can get the noodles alone, then it's just called Zaru Soba). The tempura is AWESOME and even goes with the noodle sauce if you wanna use it =) I got about two large pieces of shrimp and an assortment of sweet potato, green beans, and eggplant all in crispy tempura glory. Most entrees (except noodle soup dishes) come with miso soup as well, and I think they all come with green tea. I had their udon noodles once- it was good but I was a little disappointed that the noodles weren't as round and fat as the kind I've gotten from Asian grocery stores. I don't know if this is a different style or what. The broth was slightly bland but they do give you a condiment to add so maybe I just didn't put enough in. Anyway, overall the soup was still good and filling so I stand with my 5-star rating. So in conclusion, go to Sunshine Cafe for an affordable, delicious Japanese rice or noodle dish. You'll come out feeling pleasantly plump and happy!
(5)Jenny Y.
Sunshine Cafe was one of the first places I hit shortly after returning from my first trip to Japan. After that, I've gone back a handful of times trying new things each visit. It's just rare to find Japanese restaurants that offer homestyle cooking in Chicago. The food is simple - like my Japanese friend's mom's cooking. The look and feel make me feel as if I'm in someone's house. Hard to mess up potato croquettes so they are excellent by default! Teriyaki, donburi and sukayaki is sweeter than I'm used to, but they were enjoyable. The grilled fish is served whole just like at home! I don't think there is anything distinguishable about the flavors though - perhaps there's something pleasantly nostalgic about revisiting a cuisine thousands of miles away like it does for me.
(3)Mira S.
I grabbed some takeout when I was in the area. The place was pretty full on a random weeknight. The steamed shrimp shumai were good, cooked properly, but pretty overpriced for I think 5 pieces of what I expect is frozen dumplings, steamed. I dipped it in some sauce, maybe not the sauce meant for them, but good with it nonetheless, filled with wasabi and tasty. The chicken teriyaki came with soup and salad, but I didn't love the quality of the chicken--some of the meat was grayish, and it came with skin (the latter might be a preference for some). The rice was good, sort of sticky. The food was ready quickly. There's street parking around, paid and unpaid (the latter takes a few minutes, but was doable).
(3)Jennifer E.
I've been to Sunshine more times than I can count. I always get the Nanban Yaki with tofu and it is always delicious. The cooks always prepare the tofu with just the right consistency and the spice is just right. The staff and service are excellent. I'm a regular and they always greet me warmly like I'm a part of their family. Highly recommend!
(5)Katie M.
Stopped here for carryout after seeing the great reviews. I agree that ambiance is not the reason for coming here! But their udon definitely is! It was delicious! I live a half hour away and sped home nervous that my tempura would get soggy. I was delighted to see they packed the tempura separately. So thoughtful! Staff was friendly and helpful. Would definitely make the trip back down for the udon again.
(4)Terry N.
If you're looking for authentic, home-style Japanese cooking you need to go to Sunshine. It's the place where Japanese-Americans go to get great Tempura, Tonkatsu, Sukiyaki, Udon or Yaki-soba. If you're looking for the latest or craziest made-up sushi you're in the wrong place. In fact, you can only get California maki if you want sushi. But like Renga-Tei in Lincolnwood, Sunshine is owned and run by Japanese-Americans so everything you order is like eating at our house.
(5)Justin B.
The miso soup was the best thing I had last night, but if I go back I will stick to the things that my other friends thought were incredible (the udon, the pork, the beef). As is, the veggie tempura rice bowl (ten don?) was very plain, but the rice was tasty. The soup was strangely incredible; to say "I would go back for the miso" is weird, but accurate given what I tasted last night. A big thanks to the Sunshine staff for accommodating my group of nine adults and a baby. It was a little rowdy, but we tipped well. BYO means that you can pick up a King Cobra at the Jewel nearby...and you know what? King Cobra isn't as terrible as I remember from college.
(3)Jim W.
Excellent food. Great service. Everyone is always friendly and polite. The only area for improvement is in the lighting. Harsh / overly bright fluorescent bulbs cut into the dining experience.
(4)Travis P.
Great Japanese restaurant tucked away on the north side of chicago. The inari was a great start to the meal, the pickled ginger was also really good. The tankatsu was delicious, a great lean piece of pork. Great little place to take someone who hasn't had Japanese food and even better for someone who does love it! Had the cold soba noodles on a previous stop and that was really good as well. Plan on going back to try the hot soba soup. Caution, the spicy mustard has a serious horseradish style kick to it.
(4)Laura T.
This is the spot for Japanese comfort food at a reasonable price. I don't think there's anything on the menu more than $13 and most items clock in around $8. It's a bargain. The exterior is a little scary in that Japanese kitsch way. The dusty hello kitty dolls beg your brain to lower your expectations and for god's sake, don't order raw fish. But once inside, you realize this is...authentic. The menu is focused. Primarily noodle dishes and apps. But wow. Each one of them are standout. Nothing much more to say. Super cheap. Super fresh. And the service is fairly quick. Just what you would want at this price point. The take out food is well packaged. No worries about your food being limp by the time you get it home. Tempura, etc. all arrived in fine shape.
(5)Yvonne H.
This is THE place to go when you're not in the mood for sushi. What's great about Japanese homestyle cooking is that it's simple, yet delicious. My Japanese friends that have been here have said that this place reminds them of home. What I normally order: -Sukiyaki: Rather than a huge pot for everyone to share, this is a one person sukiyaki that really hits the spot during colder days. The broth is properly light and sweet here. I sometimes ask for extra noodles to go into my sukiyaki, and an extra bowl of rice too. See if you can get a raw egg to use as dip! -Katsudon: They give a huge piece of tonkatsu, cut up and covered in egg sauce, over soft short grain rice. They serve other great donburi's too, like the beef teri don. -Tendon/tempura/ten zaru soba: They give a good amount of tempura to go with/on your rice bowl or soba. If you get the soba, you're served a mentsuyu sauce to dip the noodles in. Make sure to mix the scallions and wasabi in! Great dish for the summer. -Potato croquettes: Basically balls (oval shaped) of mashed potato and fried. Use that sauce they give you. You can also ask for yakisoba (not on the menu), since they have the ingredients. They'll gladly make it for you, and it's pretty good too. The service is great. The owner's son will happily explain dishes to you and converse with you. Sometimes, my friends and I get extra rice or scoops of green tea ice cream on the house!
(5)Annette Q.
I've now been here twice & this place does not disappoint! I've had the sukiyaki & now udon tempura. Delicious! I didn't even miss not having sushi. I'll definitely return again & again!
(5)June K.
This is my favorite Japanese restaurant in Chicago. Family owned and amazing homestyle cuisine. Great prices and amazing staff. Not a sushi place. And if you think that's the only kind of Japanese food there is, you are seriously missing out.
(5)Tina Z.
Pretty good food and excellent service. When we came we were able to choose a seat from any of the available tables. Then they quickly brought cups of water and hot tea which was really nice since it was freezing cold outside. I ordered the chicken teri don which is teriyaki chicken and medley of greens on a bed of rice. I had expected grilled chicken in teriyaki sauce but instead the chicken seemed to have been fried and was a little dry. The veggies were a nice compliment to the chicken and helped to offset how flavorful the sauce was. Overall a pretty good dish but not the best that I've had. My friend got unadon which was one of their specials and although I usually like eel, I was not a fan of how this one was made. It was similar to the chicken in my don but had a slight fishy taste. While I was there I noticed that they had a lot of large tables and not a lot of small ones which limits their flexibility when seating people. As a result, sometimes multiple couples will share a table but they always ask the relevant parties if it would be okay. They were also super nice about splitting the check. We each ordered a dish and wanted to split the appetizer three ways and they accommodated us. Five stars for service but three stars for food.
(4)Ruki R.
I was on my way to Calo's (okay but won't be going back) to dine with friends and passed by Sunshine. I went the next day. It was so enjoyable and comfortable. The owner was very friendly and it seems to be a family run place with the older folks cooking. The only dish I remember having was Katsudon and it was very good. If you're looking for some trendy looking sushi place, this is not for you. It's relaxing, a neighborhood diner type place with good home style cooking. If I lived in Chicago I'd eat here at least twice a week.
(4)DC G.
Good food. Casual Dining. Bad Lighting. You're not going to this place for the ambiance, but the food is good. The servers and clientele are all dressed casually (jeans, etc). There's fluorescent lighting and plastic dinner/silverware. The servers are genuinely friendly. I had the Vegetable Udon which I definitely enjoyed. My friend had the Chicken Katsu (I think). We also had a spinach/sesame-oil appetizer and a potato croquette thing. The potato croquette was little too much mush for me and the spinach wanted a little more vegetably resistance when biting in but the flavors are good. I'll probably try to re-create the spinach dish on my own but I'll go back for the Udon. :) Also it's BYOB and I don't think there was a corkage fee. They provided a corkscrew and wineglasses.
(4)Kyla D.
Home style Japanese cooking like maybe a mom would make. The staff here is A+ and makes you feel warm and welcome each time you stop by. The food has a variety of flavors and profiles --- think everyday Japanese fare that isn't sushi. While the place itself looks a tad shabby, I think that the food, service, and low prices speak for themselves.
(5)Ben C.
This is a great little cafe. I lived in Japan for a year when I was younger and this definitely takes me back there and reminds me of the food my host family would make. I particularly love the croquettes or "korroke" as the Japanese call it. The sauce that comes with them, also, I want to put it on absolutely everything. Lastly, this is one of the only places in Chicago that I have found Soba!!!!!! I can't stress enough how amazing this is!!! I go as often as I can! You will not regret coming here.
(5)Horace L.
Solid food and service. It's a family restaurant usually filled with families. The food was good, if a bit light. Good noodles and dumplings.
(4)Emily H.
pro: great atomosphere, authentic feel. food taste great, nicely presented and very flavourful, wait staff is very knowledgable and nice, BYOB con: portion is a bit on the low side, wasn't too full after a main course udon and 2 appetizers split among 4 people
(4)Sophia M.
Food was delicious! I had the Udon and the broth was so good I wanted to pick up my bowl and slurp it. I would definitely go back again and I can't wait to take more people there. This place is really casual and BYOB so it's perfect for a chill night.
(5)Shambavi K.
I was excited to try this place after missing the awesome Japanese cuisine when I lived in NYC. there was still a wait for 2 people even though it was a weeknight. It looked like a good sign. We ordered : Oyako don - slightly below par for me only because it was a bit sweet. the little gravy it had was all absorbed by the large quantity of rice it came with. Maybe i'd ask for for the rice on the side next time. -squid legs - pretty good. simple appetizer...similar to fried calamari -We also ordered some ramen, which I enjoyed more than the oyako don. I would not mind coming back to try the other dishes. I liked that it was small hole in the wall place. though it was the closest reminicent of NYC it was still not as close. I felt the lights were bit too bright to have a meal. Otherwise, i still consider this a solid joint.
(3)Debra L.
You know a restaurant is good when it's jam-packed on a Tuesday night when the wind chill is 1 degree above zero. I'm not well versed in Japanese cuisine and usually get vegetable tempura. Our server was extremely kind and patient with us as he explained what menu items were, and answered our questions. He was also extremely helpful in helping me chose items that were vegan friendly. I decided on Vegetable Nanban Yaki. Which was a tasty assortment of stir fried vegetables and smooth as silk tofu cubes in a mild teriyaki like sauce. He also brought me a bowl of miso soup. I've never been a fan of miso soup but I decided to try it. It was amazing. It was flavorful, yet mild and less salty than other miso soups I've tried. My friend had a variety of sushi and loved everything she had. From outside this restaurant looks so unassuming, but step in and have dinner. The atmosphere is warm, the service is great and the food is fantastic. Plus it's a BYOB. I'm glad I tried this Andersonville gem.
(5)Stephanie S.
Came here for a light dinner with my husband on a Sunday night. We ordered the hot soba w/veggies and the tempura udon. Both dishes were solid, but we had a few issues with our meal. Upon being seated, we were told they were out of the eggplant appetizer, 3+ hours prior to closing...perhaps buy more eggplant if you see you're running low? Wasn't too bummed as they weren't out of the potato croquettes, which I was most excited about. Sadly, those never made it to our table as they completely forgot we ordered them. Had to flag someone down to get our tea refilled and they forgot to do that, too. May have been excusable if they were crazy busy, but that was not the case. Solid 4 stars for food, 2 for everything else.
(3)Samn R.
I'm not a huge fan of Chicago. It's usually cold, and windy... and when it's not, it's hot and humid... for about 2 months in the year. I am. however, a fan of food in Chicago. I am especially a fan of the Sunshine Cafe in Andersonville. This place is the absolute, most delicious, Japanese food place I have ever been to. It's hole-in-wall, family owned feeling/vibe you get when you walk in is precedent of what's to come, food-wise. Everything I ate here was delicious. I highly recommend the salmon, potato croquettes, agedashi tofu and eggplant appetizer. It is all cooked and flavored perfectly.
(5)Penny L.
Good for the neighborhood. BYOB. Jewel-Osco nearby mix and pick 6 pack for $6.99, craft beers and ciders. Anchor stream beer only paired with "barbecue?" sauce. Wish I opened the Asahi. Arrived on a summer weekday before Independence Day. Available Paid street parking @4pm. Hosts/servers welcoming, attentive and polite. Clean dining room. Seats available to choose. Order came out quick and hot since wasn't busy. Fried food not greasy. Pork tender. Potato croquettes, hot fluffy goodness. Should have ordered more. Only two pieces in an order. Seasoning balanced on tonkatsu and salmon. Miso soup has a signature flavor. Udon noodles good texture and broth. Green tea not bitter. Price point good for family and frequent diners. Worthy of tipping more than 20%. Would go back if in the neighborhood.
(4)Molly S.
We just had our second holiday party at Sunshine Cafe and I cannot say enough great things about the ambiance (think of your Japanese grandma's basement - don't have a Japanese grandma; this will make you wish you did), food (so deliciously homemade - noodles to die for, simple grilled veggies), and service (so accommodating to large groups of big drinkers). Everyone in our group of 19 was extremely happy and our bill was under $500 which is flabbergasting!
(5)Daniella S.
I'm not an expert on Japanese cuisine but this place seems pretty authentic. Our waiter explained everything on the menu and recommended some personal favorites, which are now my favorites too. I remember specifically loving the stir fry, udon soup, croquettes and some other delicious plate with fried pork. I look forward to visiting again.
(5)Kristina W.
I hate waiting at restaurants that don't take reservations, so I always just eat absurdly early to avoid the crowds. I went at 5:30pm tonight (a Saturday night) and thankfully my group of 5 friends and I were seated right away! Right from the start, the waiters were so friendly - they brought ice water and green tea for each one of us, and also gave us wine glasses for the BYOB wine that we brought. SO MANY beverage options. Onto the food.. between the 6 of us we got to try a few different dishes: the Gyoza, Potato Croquettes, Sukiyaki, Tempura Udon, and Chicken Udon. All of us loved everything we ordered - the homey Japanese food was perfect for the gloomy, rainy day. I think we all agreed that the standouts were the Potato Croquettes and the Sukiyaki - the croquettes were so soft and just melted in my mouth, and the dipping sauce was delicious too. the sukiyaki was one of the best I've had (and I'd had my fair share growing up in California and having visited Japan 4 times), being perfectly sweet and savory. I would highly recommend these 2 dishes! OVERALL: Order the Potato Croquettes & Sukiyaki. BYOB! I will definitely be back, since it's my new favorite authentic Japanese restaurant in the Chicago area!
(5)Hannah H.
About a 2-2.5: I was ecstatic to find a restaurant in which it was described as a 'no frills authentic Japanese restaurant.' The menu itself had a list of appetizing food - we started off with the 6 pieces of gyozas; they were okay and had the typical filling of pork and vegetables. I also wanted to try out their pickled vegetables, Tsukemono, which is like Oshinko, but they ran out :( so, I ordered the Kinpiri Gobo, which is a braised burdock root - very tasty - crunchy, slightly pickled, and a little sweet! I really enjoyed these. For the entrees, I ordered the Beef and Vegetable Udon - it had tons of vegetables (such as the cabbage slices with its lettuce-like leaves) - the broth itself was okay, but it was more of a sweeter taste. I also ordered the Zaru Soba, which were cold buckwheat noodles topped with shredded nori seaweed that you dip into the soba sauce with sliced scallions (you put in yourself). My husband had the same udon as well with a side of donkatsu - the breaded fried pork cutlet itself was very dry, and the tonkatsu sauce itself was very thin and watery. The service was great, and the Japanese grandmas who serve you were very cute! This seems to be a very popular place and I'm glad I was able to try them out! +Kinpiri Gobo +friendly staff
(3)Christa Lei S.
I went here on a date, and while the date didn't go well-- the food was great. It's not the best Japanese food I've ever had, but it's supposed to feel like old school Japanese home cooking. I was extremely homesick when I ate here, so it felt like home to me. :) As everyone stated, get the potato croquettes. It comes with dat bull-dog sauce (tonkatsu) that makes it taste so goooood. In any case, I got the sukiyaki. It's not like traditional sukiyaki, as it already comes cooked. They are also super small portions, but I really enjoyed the meal. It's definitely a comfort meal for someone who comes from a place in which Japanese food is readily available and varied. It also comes with a side of rice, which is awesome. I want to come back here because I didn't really get much of a taste of anything else. But I did enjoy coming here, and it's so nice and cozy on a winter's night. It's always crowded, so just be aware of that. :) While it's not the best cooking I've had-- it'll definitely remind you of obachan's cooking.
(4)Rosa J.
Don't expect this place to be a chic or a trendy sushi spot. This a local mom and pop's place and serves Japanese down home-cooking. I ordered Sukiyaki. It was hearty, though the broth was a little too sweet for my taste. The service was a bit slow but still adequate. The owners' family and friends were there so they spent lots of time with them. It was fine by me since I'm normally self-sufficient as a customer. My husband loves edamame but their edamame was slightly bland and lacked seasoning. I think there are other menu items I will try next time when I'm in Andersonville. It will be a nice, cozy spot to have an udon when we, once again, encounter the unforgiving winter in the Midwest.
(4)Tina L.
Wow, why did it take me so long to eat here? It's so close to my place. Let me tell you now, I am DEFINITELY coming back for more! It's a small restaurant, so make sure you go early to grab a table. For some reason, they only have large tables, so if you're a party of 2, they'll seat you at whatever table is available, whether it seats 4 or 6 people. I personally think it's not a very efficient use of space, because they could really maximize the space and serve more people... Anyway, one couple was nice enough to offer two seats at their 6-seater table, so we got seated after only 5 minutes of waiting. So all you people reading this review, if I'm ever sitting at a table that could definitely fit another group, especially if you're standing around waiting and hungry, I will gladly offer whatever seats are available at my table. Just don't invade my space or sneeze on me or my food please... They bring over hot green tea AND ice water right away. How awesome is that??!! I love starting off with something hot and then having ice water during / at the end of my meal, so this was perfect. Already off to a great start! Started off with the potato croquette: perfectly crispy on the outside, and hot and steamy on the inside. Careful, they're hot! Tempura udon: the tempura comes out separately, so if you like your tempura crispy, no need to worry about soggy tempura! Altho sometimes I like when the tempura soaks up all the yummy udon broth...but for the most part, I like my tempura fresh out of the fryer. The noodles were perfectly cooked, not too much, not too little. Katsudon: I used to always get this dish at Mitsuwa, but now I only get ramen noodles there. I've definitely missed having a good katsudon bowl! I'm glad I got it here, because it will now be my go-to place for katsudon. This place adds spinach (or something similar), which I've never had before in this dish, but I definitely like that it adds some color and a little extra for the flavor and texture of the meal.
(5)Tom Z.
Good homely japanese fare. Prices are decent. Ordered Potato Croquettes- delicious, freshly fried, burned my tongue =( -octopus legs (calamari):Nothing too special but was fried well and price was appropriate -Don bowls: Beef and Chicken- Both meats were cooked well, but the proportion of meat to rice was not the best. More meat would have been great but the quality was on point. Came with Miso soup which was great.
(4)Elaine M.
We have a couple of Mexican "dives" that we like to frequent regularly - they seem to be a dime a dozen. I never thought that I would find a Japanese place that falls into the same category but I am so happy that I have. Sunshine Cafe is warm, cozy and the perfect place to grab a bite when you want casual and comforting food. This place is popular and they don't take reservations so you can plan to wait a bit. Worth it! Decor is nothing to write home about but don't let that deter you. I don't know if it is a family run restaurant but it certainly feels like one! I went here on a Saturday night with my (adult) kids. We began our meal with the Potato Croquette freshly made Japanese-style mashed potatoes lightly breaded, deep-fried and served with a special tangy sauce. YUM! I had never had these before but will again. Then for my meal I had the vegetable and chicken udon. It was piping hot, huge and delicious. Just what I needed on an unseasonably cold November night. The kids both had the Teriyaki salmon which came with miso soup, rice and hot green tea. Both said it was delicious. At the end we all agreed that not only would we come back but we all want one of these in our own neighborhoods!
(5)Lauren L.
Didn't want to have to pull this card but... I've lived in Japan, this is so much more than the sushi American stereotypical Japanese spot! Visited a friend who suggested this place as 'Japanese comfort food'. Spot on. The ambiance is a little bright... think Sunshine... but the food was unbelievable. We basically ordered a little of everything and brought our own sake, it was an amazing meal. Plus we closed the place down since we had so much food to keep eating. Must tries: - Potato croquettes (will burn your mouth.. caution) - Pork dumplings - Beef udon noodles - Teriyaki chicken - EVERYTHING ELSE! Cannot wait until my next visit specifically for this meal.
(5)Kevan M.
Nuthin fancy just tasty Japanese comfort food served in a comfortable neighborhood and family-oriented restaurant. Affordable, simply prepared and presented. My wife and I arrived with a nice bottle of wine from a nearby shop and ordered the potato croquettes, cold buckwheat noodles and katsu don. We enjoyed all that we ordered. The buckwheat noodles had strips of nori along with wasabi and fresh green onions. The croquettes were soft and light in the center and crisp on the outside - quite tasty! My wife enjoyed her katsu don. This place seems to be run by a family. The service was adequate and hospitable. Although I felt like just another customer on just another night. The decor could be updated a bit. There's some old wood paneling on the walls and some faded fabric dividers between the kitchen and dining area. It's basic but it works. This is a solid spot for a neighborhood meal.
(4)Amanda J.
Very good restaurant! Enjoyed the various options and fresh food. Very attentive wait staff.
(4)Chris G.
Solid home style cooking. But much of it you can make at home just as good. Also the portions are kinda small.
(3)Adam S.
Easiest 5-star review I've ever written. Very good food and even better service, at a price that'll make you forget you're in Chicago. We ate: - Special grilled eggplant appetizer, with a fantastic bbq/teriyaki/wasabi hybrid-type dipping sauce (more on that later) - Potato croquettes, a can't miss - Tempura udon - Grilled salmon entree w/ miso soup, radish, and pickled cucumber - Green tea included with the meal also Total cost = $29 including tax, $35 after tip Yes, you read that right. Not only was the most delicious meal that I've ever eaten in Chicago for that price, but I fell in love with the bbq/teriyaki/wasabi sauce mentioned above for the eggplant, and after a quick consultation with the kitchen, our waiter brought me a big tub of it to take home (for free). I don't live up in Andersonville so it was me and my wife's first time at this gem, but we'll be back as soon as physically possible. And if you find yourself up in that 'hood, you absolutely CAN'T MISS with this place.
(5)Avery A.
Very pleased with the sunshine cafe. Great portion sizes and very inexpensive. They have the details down too (complimentary tea and miso soup were fantastic). Sunshine cafe is very much home-cooked Japanese food with a homey feel. I felt like i was eating in someone's house! (I mean this in a good way). I will definitely be coming back.
(4)Len L.
Honestly, when I heard I was going to a sushi restaurant, the first thing that pops in my mind is specialty rolls. sashimi and loud music - NOT!. To my surprise, it was a pleasant dining experience - we ordered a veggie udon and chicken teriyaki as something simple, I did not see any sushi rolls that they offered but we had plenty when the food arrived. The udon was delicious, almost wanted to order another bowl. The chicken teriyaki was undesirable after eating the noodles. Chicken was dry and uneventful, the side salad that came with the meal was cold, I guess I was expecting the greens to be hot, The service was impeccable, the staff was super friendly, felt like they know you for a very long time. Would I come back, "Yes" for the Udon and the service.
(4)Cheryl W.
I feel like I am in Japan when I walk in here. This is a no frills authentic Japanese restaurant. I have only had the croquettes and sukiyaki and both were spot on. I can't wait to come back to try the other things on the menu. Service is friendly and prices are reasonable.
(4)Monika S.
I came to Sunshine Café with my amazing friends for our usual get together. My friend Eve loves this place, which is why she wanted all of us to experience this place. It was on a Sunday when we came here, which is why they have a wide variety of delicious and authentic Japanese food available. To be honest, I feel dumb not known the names of those delicious Japanese dishes. The only name I remember was the tempura, which was really memorable because it was crispy and delectable. It was SO GREAT! The only complaint I have is their customer service. It wouldn't hurt if our waitress could have smiled. I know she might have a reason but smiling at your customers is a require thing in this service. Disregarding that, the entire experience was VERY positive.
(4)Jared G.
This is my absolute favorite place to go in Chicago. It is homestyle Japanese food at it's finest. I am Japanese so I was raised on home cooked Japanese food, this is as good as it gets. They do not offer sushi except for a California roll to feed the masses but homestyle Japanese food restaurants usually do not offer sushi. Their Katsu-Donburi and Oyako-Donburi is delicious. They have their version of calimari that comes with a special coating as well as the best gyoza you will ever taste. Danny is one of the owners and is the nicest person you will ever meet. Once you step foot in this place you are treated like family, I have taken a lot of people here and not one person has ever said it was bad. If there were more stars available I would up the rating.
(5)dessislava n.
Love this place! All I wish for is more sushi roll choices.
(5)Gerry T.
The homestyle cooking was fine, we just missed the sushi and uni. However, the service was on target and our food was served quickly, the staff was attentive to our needs.
(3)Yvonne O.
My father was friends with the owners of this place - as far back as when they used to run Cho Cho San, so I have grown up on Joni's cooking. I absolutely feel like this is one of the only places in the City that you can get authentic, country-style Japanese cooking. Like some of the other reviewers have pointed-out, Japanese food is so much more than sushi and chicekn teriyaki - so much so that people who are used to those offerings don't know what to make of the real stuff. I am so glad that the community has kept this place busy - it fills a much needed void in Japanese cooking out there! Definitely get the koroke if they are available - and the tempura (love that you can get chrysanthemum leaf in the tempura here) donburi if available. I also loved the seki-han that they made, although I don't know if it is on the menu now!
(5)Scout A.
Sunshine, you are the jewel of Andersonville. Amazing food, wonderful staff... but please, please, please change your lighting. Even when I just walk by the fluorescent fixtures make me cringe. You have such a wonderful thing going. Just needs a slight makeover. Home Depot to the rescue?
(4)Keesh C.
I have lived down the street from here for MOST of my life and never thought to stop in. After all, its indistinct exterior doesn't exactly scream "Come in! We have yummy, authentic Japanese food!" The interior is just as simple, but the food and service are definitely the stars of the show. For my first visit, I had Udon with Beef and Vegetables. It was VERY good. The broth had a sweet, comforting aroma and the vegetables were very hearty. I was hoping for a little bit more beef, but it was still really good. The service was friendly and very prompt. On a later visit, I had Saba Shioyaki- a broiled, salted Mackerel that comes with a small cucumber salad, rice, soy sauce and radish. I was even told how to eat it! Sweet! Again, great service and great food. Based on these reviews, I will try the Potato Croquettes next time.
(5)Rex M.
Dan and the family at Sunshine-----hang in there! I'm waiting for your re-opening. I know the city can be picky about one thing or another, and I'm sure this MINOR reason will be worked out in no time at all. I miss my Chicken Teriyaki! Open up soon...... HURRY!!
(5)Colin B.
An exercise in purity and restraint, truly japanese. The sukiyaki is absurdley good and I suspect they might make the broth with an organ meat or two. The soba cold is very good, and though the dressing of the noodles was well done I've had better quality noodles themselves, albeit not by much. Although not tried this time around I also recommend the eel and any whole fish.
(4)Troy K.
Sushi does not make you a Japanese restaraunt. Sunshine is home cooking done right. My better half is from Nagasaki. Not a sushi fan. The owners are very welcoming and the food is better than we make it home. I am looking forward to going there again.
(3)Michelle L.
Amazing homestyle eats. GREAT saba shio, salmon, and udon. Fresh, quality ingredients cooked to perfection. All homemade with love. Like having the obachan you never had make you dinner. I have been trying to find a similar place in Los Angeles, but nothing has come close thus far. I miss Sunshine Cafe!
(5)Dan F.
Fifty reviews. Well son of a gun. It's been a long hard road, and I'm more than glad Sunshine Cafe could be my half century mark review. I have been reading about this place and walking by for so long, glad I finally got to make the trip. My fiancee and I went on a weekday, early. I always think this is a good time to go. It gives you an idea of the ebb and flow of the 'regular' dinner rush without compromising the service you receive. When we arrived, the only other diners were some elderly women who spent most of their meal trying to pronounce 'Hugh Jackman.' Charming, really. The food was, as advertised, filling and very comforting. We had the potato croquettes for a starter and I got the Katsu Don for my entree, swine flu be damned. The mix of breaded and fried pork cutlets, lightly cooked eggs, and perfectly steamed rice hit me right in the sweet spot. Whether they use MSG or not, I could give a hoot. This stuff left me with that rich protein buzz I crave from time to time. I was also supremely entertained by my fiancee's futile struggles with chop sticks. At one point (after the miso soup, before the entree), I thought she might snap the damn things in half and storm out. Luckily it was my birthday, and she had to follow MY orders. The service was prompt, but not too hovering. I kept hearing the guy running the place talking to the servers about doing it like they do "in real restaurants." I'm not sure how they used to do it, but I have a feeling it's the Japanese comfort food putting butts in the seats, not the attentive service. Sunshine Cafe, you have not seen the last of me. P.S. BYOB! Booya.
(4)Matthew W.
This was the third time we had eaten at Sunshine Cafe. The first two were great. The food is good, prices are reasonable. The Katsu Don is very good. There are only 2 people who work here. The cook, who is a nice older Japanese lady, who gives you cookies (not fortune or almond cookies, but freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookies) and what I assume is, her son. Her son, who when my girlfriend asked if she "could have some more water when he had a chance", replied "Ugh, WHEN I GET AROUND TO IT!". Look, I realize that you are busy, but if it's too much to handle, HIRE ANOTHER SERVER. Here's a tip. No matter how good your food is, if you treat people like sh*t, they won't be coming back.
(2)C C.
This place is like eating at home. The staff make you feel like you've always been there for years. The food is amazing--especially the famous potato croquettes and the secret sauce. We've eaten just about everything on the menu and they are all delicious.
(5)Heather I.
Yum! Great food, good prices in a unpretentious setting. Hooray!
(5)Joe T.
Before leaving Chicago, my GF wanted us to dine somewhere inexpensive and unique. I wanted to avoid congestion downtown and find a gem tucked away in a cozy Northside neighborhood where we could park for a couple of dollars right in front of our eatery. Sunshine Cafe was a check on all counts, as it's uncommon Japanese homestyle restaurant between the Andersonville and Edgewater neighborhoods. It is a modest place, minimal decor - yet cozy and welcoming in its humility. The service was excellent - though the manager and waiter were the only 2 employees on the floor of this small, casual Japanese diner, we felt like they were always there when we needed them. They had such a friendly, serving attitude, and were ready to give their recommendations on what to try as newcomers. Also, being a free BYOB venue with no corking fee was awesome. We enjoyed our own bottle of wine, with house provided wine glasses & corker. I absolutely heart BYOB in Chicago. We need that in metro Detroit. If you're American and you think of Japanese food, you think Japanese steakhouse and Sushi first. This is neither. These guys serve up hot, traditional everyday dishes like Sukiyaki. My GF and I both ordered potato croquettes to appetize, think hot potato pancakes, crispy breaded on the outside, soft potato on the inside, not greasy - in the shape of a big cutlet. A nice miso-type soup with a thick broth and good amount of tofu came out before our dinners, as well as hot tea. For dinner, we ordered the classic Sukiyaki with beef, and it came out piping hot and fresh, with plenty of rice noodles, tender cooked tofu pieces, vegetables (cabbage, spinach, etc.), and a rather modest portion of about 4 oz. of thinly sliced, flavorful beef - all in the same hot metal dish it was made in. The broth was rather sweet, but paired well with some Sriracha to make a spicy-sweet broth. While there was plenty of broth, I would not call this dish a soup. This was a healthy, palate cleansing type meal. There was really nothing bad for you in it, and it left me satisfied without feeling heavy at all. Overall, an awesome experience of traditional, homestyle Japanese food. I highly recommend this place in the winter. You can warm up with some BYOB vino, hot tea, soup, and piping hot dishes like Sukiyaki. I seriously felt less of the biting chill of the Windy City after walking outta here! A cozy, healthy, and inexpensive place for a truly unique cuisine. The bill came out to about just $50 for 4 of us. My only gripe, enough to reduce a single star, is the modest FDA-recommended 4oz. portion of beef in the dish. At $10.50 I would hope for a plus size of at least 6 oz. This may not bug most people, but I have been (and always will be) a stickler for meat portions in my food, especially at independent owned corner spots like this. Luckily, the plentiful tofu alleviated some of my disappointment in the lack of beef protein.
(4)John C.
Various teriyaki dinner options which are all really good. I usually get the chicken teriyaki, my wife loves their beef teriyaki, and the shrimp/vegetable tempura is pretty good as well. You will get great friendly service, the dining area is small but we have not waited longer than 20 minutes, and I have been coming here for the last 10 years. Good food with reasonable prices.
(4)Andy K.
Sushi is certainly delicious, but there's more to Japanese food then raw fish! Sunshine Cafe IS the place to go for authentic Japanese home cookin. And there's no other place in the city that comes even close. You can see the adorable Japanese grandmas in the small back kitchen as proof this is food made with love! Sunshine's cuisine captures what IMO is the beauty of Japanese food -- beautiful minimalistic, artistically nuanced and a perfect harmony of flavors. You probably have experienced this with well-made, fresh sushi, but at Sunshine you can experience it with hearty, homestyle dishes like Sukiyaki (my favorite on the menu: sweet beef with tofu and vegetables) and Soba Noodles, cold buckwheat noodles in a wasabi dipping sauce. And I'm not a big fan of Udon noodles in general, but I will eat Sunshine's, the broth is fantastic. The potato croquettes, as many reviewers noted, are fantastic and be on the look out for the occasional grilled egg plant special -- it is fresh and tasty. And icing on the cake (or should I say the dipping sauce on the potato croquette) is that Sunshine is very inexpensive, entrees being around 10 bucks. For big eaters like me, the portions are not huge but I can honestly say that after eating there somewhere around 10 times, I've never left dissatisfied. Remember Sunshine is BYOB so take be sure to advantage with a cold glass of Sapporo or bottle of Sake. And please make sure you say hello to Dan, who is honest-to-God one of the nicest fellas I've ever met at a restaurant, and I've been to many. Sunshine Cafe has been a gathering place for the Japanese American community in Chicago for decades with its deliciously authentic food and attentive service. Don't you want to experience that for yourself?
(5)Tyrell C.
For traditional Japanese comfort food in Chicago, look no further! Sunshine Cafe is the perfect place for a bad day. You know those days, where work sucks, you can't find a seat on the CTA, and winter is in full effect? You will feel much better after enjoying a some potato croquettes followed by a big order of Sukiyaki. The quality of your life will improve exponentially as you digest these, the most tastey of hot Japanese dishes. All items are delicious (particularly the ton katsu or udon), but you could eat only the Sukiyaki and Croquettes on every visit and never get tired of it. Seriously, the sauce they serve with the Croquettes is like some type of drug. To top it all off, they are extremely friendly and usually getting a seat is not impossible. Journey north on Clark to this homey joint and you'll thank me later.
(4)Edward A.
We having been going to Sunshine for around seven years. I was delighted with the simple and excellent home-style cooking, and commented to my wife that this was "Grandma cooking". I got an odd look from the young man who managed the place. He came by later and explained that, in fact, his grandmother DID supervise the kitchen! We later had the pleasure of meeting this tiny, smiling lady on an evening when the waitstaff was short handed. May she live one hundred years!
(5)A G.
Perfect at what it does. Delicious Japanese home cooking. Inexpensive, casual, and nice service. Will definitely go back.
(5)Dave D.
fantastic Japanese home style cooking. Like Japanede food was before air freight brought sushi to Chicago
(5)Kevin A.
OKAERINASAI (WELCOME HOME) That's exactly how I feel when I walk into Sunshine Cafe, like I've just returned home from a long journey and that my obaachan has prepared a home-cooked meal of all my favorite dishes just for me. Completely absent are the ultra-lounge vibe and the obscene mishmash of Pier 1 faux-Asian pseudo-cultural artifacts. In its place, dated yet strangely comforting wood paneling, smiling faces, and quite simply THE BEST home style Japanese food in the city. I recently took a friend here who had just returned from five years of teaching in Japan and was suffering from Japan withdrawal and reverse culture shock. When she took her first bite of kimpira gobo, she was instantly transported back to the country she had grown to love and for a moment I thought she was going to cry. It even made me a little homesick for the Japanese restaurants in Hawaii, at which point our server, upon learning of my homeland, put on some Israel Kamakawiwo'ole on the stereo. He even brought the owner out so we could converse with her in Japanese. How cool is that? Such is the power of food, especially food prepared and served with love. Everything here is just as it was meant to be. Miso soup with homemade dashi, simmering sukiyaki with a cool raw egg (upon request), and the always comforting katsudon. Sunshine Cafe is an absolute treasure.
(5)Laila C.
I love grilled mackerel! I love grilled mackerel at Sunshine!! Yum yum yum! Super crispy and flavorful outside. A very generous portion with rice! The grilled salmon is also delicious, although a little fattier. They don't serve sushi, but their california roll is actually quite delicious-very different from generic ones everywhere else. The eel dinner is also delicious, also VERY generous, huge portions of eel. But if you go to Sunshine, you HAVE to try the mackerel!!! Everyone that works there is super nice and so polite! It's a great quiet place to have a relaxing and soul satisfying dinner. Also the fact that it's super affordable Japanese food is just a miracle!
(5)Yvonne Y.
Wow, we came on a Sunday evening and if you don't arrive by 5pm, you'll have to wait for a table. Excellent potato croquettes, grilled eggplantwith freshly grated ginger and special sauce, katsu donburi and saba shioyaki. Flavor is just right and you're supposed to use just a bit of any sauce that comes with it. Will definitely be back. The owner is very friendly!
(5)Marlon V.
Good food at a reasonable price. It's close to home & staff was super friendly. Very cosy looking spot. Walked in to the restaurant & it had a home-y feel & I sense it was going to be good. Potato croquettes w/ the special sauce was good. The chicken udon was good. I loved the mackerel, if I had some nori wrap on the side with the rice - it would be over. Delicious food & can't wait to go back.
(4)Joyce C.
I love the food here. It really is like home cooked food. The decor is totally like my mom's basement from the 70's though, with the paneling and everything. We've been here twice and I think our second experience was better. The first time went we had the calamari legs to start and those were a little overcooked but had a good breading and good taste. I had the sukiyaki and my husband had the katsu. Both were good, with generous portions. The second time we came, it was a chilly fall night. We had the squid again and also the gyoza. The gyoza was definitely home made and the sauce that comes with it is super spicy. My husband had the pork udon, while I had the broiled mackerel. I don't usually like mackerel because I think it's stinky, but I guess I was in the mood for some super oily stinky salty fish because this TOTALLY hit the mark for me. YUM!! Only downside of this dish is that it did come with some bones, but I knew that going in so I looked out for them. My husband's udon had a good broth, but the noodles were cooked a little past al dente toward the mushy side. However, both of us ended up getting exactly what we wanted, and it was a tasty meal homey meal for a cold night. And two apps with two entrees = $30!! I will be back soon!!
(4)Patrick S.
You know a place is fucking prime when it gets closed down by the health department and it still has a 4.5 a half star average Yelp review.
(5)Cynthia N.
The food was good and hearty, the service was exceptional! We ordered potato croquettes (crispy Panko breaded, inside fluffy mashed potatoes--what's not to love?!) edamame for our son, sukiyaki for me and tempura udon for my husband. It was all delicious. Nothing fancy, just homey, comforting food. The owner brought some complimentary tofu for my son, just to be nice. It's gestures like that that make me remember a restaurant and bring my friends. We'll be back.
(4)Amanda A.
Solid. Soothing. Steaming. Shall I continue? I've been here so many times, but never bothered with writing a review. (Does anyone else find that they never actually _think_ to Yelp about the places that became a routine part of their being long before this site existed?) On my last visit, the standard: vegetable udon + shrimp shumai. I don't know why I continue to order shumai at any establishment, as I find my delight only in the texture, but rarely in the taste. Same here, but it was perfectly passable. Per usual, the udon broth was well-balanced, tofu satisfying and just firm enough...lots of vegetables swimming happily about.
(4)Jocelynne G.
The food here is great! I loved how tender and crunchy the pork cutlet was, my friend ordered sukiyaki and it was delicious. Why is the tempura 13$ though? Oh well... I wasn't going to order it anyway. I can't wait to come back. This place is so cozy!
(5)Kenny T.
After living in Lakeview, I'm always hesitant to try any kind of Asian place on a whim lest they be 'fusion'-y, over priced, dirty, or too obsessed with frills. But this place said 'Homestyle Japanese food' and when my gf and I were looking at the menu a family came out and the father told us he recommended it. The kids laughed and nodded so we went in. I am so glad we did. It's got a cute, unassuming interior and the waitstaff was probably the nicest I've ever had in the city. We tried the potato croquettes and they were amazing. The sauce was totally delicious and they gave you a perfect serving. I ordered the udon and my gf got the veggie soba and when they were brought, it was in two giant steaming bowls. They were so good and filling. Just simple and unlike other udon I've had- not greasy or overly watery. This place is worth a try- yummy, simple, tasty Japanese food that is good any time, any day and at a really decent price. Our main course was only 8 bucks! To top it off, they serve hot fresh green tea and their green tea ice cream was amazing. We will be back for sure. The only downside is that they are closed on Monday.
(5)Maxwell C.
So, have you ever had a day at work where your boss yells at you? You print something and the printer decides that you need 100x more than you printed and everyone in the office is calling you an environmental disaster? And you just want to have a great home cooked meal from your asian mom but then you realized she's not here... and that you're not asian? If so, then this is the place for you! This is a great mom and pop shop that cooks up authentic Japanese home food. You won't find your shitty Lincoln Park sushi stuff here. Go away LP sushi. You'll find soba, udon, katsudon, and gyoza. Everything I have ordered there is great, but hands down, they have the best Katsudon in Chicago. And if you don't know what Katsudon is, you best get yourself there right now and order one. It is heaven... in a bowl. I can't say enough about how much I love this place. You'll feel like you're transported to Japan.
(5)Patrick R.
I've lived off Clark Street for three years and haven't yet ventured in Sunshine. Friends have sung its praises for at least as long, so my wife and I dined there earlier this week. During the walk through the snowy sidewalks, I had visions of ordering up a mug of green tea to enjoy before my meal. Imagine my surprise when we sat down and were greeted by a waiter bearing water AND green tea, without us even having to ask. I warmed up with green tea and ordered the beef curry special, and my wife had the chicken teri don (huge bowl of chicken chunks over rice and lettuce). Our meal was hot, simple and filling --exactly what I'd heard from friends who had dined here. I had the leftovers for lunch today. One sidenote: our waiter was very helpful in explaining what each dish consisted of, as well as how to mix the various ingredients together. In fact, he seemed to default to a "these folks probably have more questions than answers" mode when he approached us, which was really refreshing. He made little jokes about the menu, suggested items, advised us on what was spicy --all with very little encouraging or questioning from us.
(4)Ryan R.
The absolute best bowl of udon in the city. Everything I have tried at this restaurant is really tasty. I am aware that this place was recently closed by the health department. While I appreciate some of the other commentors concerns I have a few comments of my own. I have owned restaurants before. None of my restaurants were ever closed by the health department but I know other owners who were closed. It is true that it often takes an egregious offense to draw the health departments sanction. However, Sometimes it is as simple as an equipment failure that was discovered during an inspection. Other times it is as simple as an infestation that has migrated from another neighboring storefront or from the alley. While this may sound gross it really happens all the time. In my restaurants, I used to pay for extermination in the neighboring storefronts just to be sure I didnt get a migrating infestation. Point is, take some of these negative comments with a grain of salt. The restaurant was only closed for a week or so. I seriously doubt the offense was dangerous. Furthermore, it is very difficult to reopen after a sanction. The fact that they were allowed to reopen should speak for itself. And no. I do not know the owners. I just enjoy the food. And will continue to go back.
(5)Jiyoun B.
Authentic Japanese home cooking. Even the decor matches the food. It feels like going to one of your old aunt's house with the back-then fashionable (were they ever fashionable?) wood paneling. They have the best potato croquettes (ko-ro-ke) ever! Creamy, smooth filling matched with crunchy outside... kinda like deep fried mashed potatoes. I guess that's what they are essentially. They sometimes have perfectly seasoned kimpira~ a root veggie that you don't find easily at a restaurant anymore. Don't go here for any raw fish cuz they won't have any. Do go here for any udon or donburi (so good). Things maybe a little too sweet or salty but that's Japanese food for ya! People who work here are pretty friendly and more than willing to explain their dish. I've passed by this place thousands of times and it's unpredictable when they are open. But that's okay, I'll catch them when they do open! You'll find lots of older Japanese patrons here but I'd take that as a good sign. Not much of a date place unless you go to restaurants for quality of food and for not ambiance.
(5)Boon K.
I love the family feel of this place and it is very traditional. Great service and very friendly. Good price point. The udon noodle soup is good and the chicken Katsu. This is my to-go place for my japanese comfort warm meal.
(4)Rinko E.
I would like to say TADAIMA~!!!!!! (I'm home!) when I come here. I have been to Sunshine Cafe twice, and this place is the complete package: cheap, home-style, uncomplicated Japanese comfort food, friendly staff, and BYOB. Tendon (Tempuras and sauce over a bowl of rice) and potato croquettes are my favorite, but my friends love Tempura Udon noodles and Sukiyaki. Seems like this place has been in business forever, and I hope they stay open for many many many more years to come. It's good to have a Japanese "home" when you are miles away from your family.
(5)Aurore L.
So for a little while yesterday I entertained the illusion that I was Japanese. Yes it requires a little bit of imagination...... I've got plenty. Thank you very much. Sunshine Cafe. Perfect place to spend the end of the only sunny afternoon we had since the beginning of the year (or so it seems). Perfect place to warm up your body and soul. Perfect place to escape the sound and fury of National Football Day. (A more southern location would definitely add the finishing touch to the perfection. But it's not only their fault is we are 107 blocks apart....I have my share of responsibility.) When we enter the place at 4 we are with family. Some are reading the news, others are watching TV. A lively discussion is going on. The place looks non-assuming, plain and old-fashioned. No frills, no fuss, no dainty decor or cute little details. We are in your Japanese grandma (big) dining room, and she is stuck in the past. You don't really care because you love your grandma; not her furniture. And you love your grandma because she kicks ass in the kitchen. Your grandpa agrees. His first love?!?!? Potato croquettes. Everybody is talking about them with reason: these are comfort food if there has been any. Crunchy-melty, they are succulent topped with the accompanying sauce (reminiscent of a sweet mustard...SO good) They come in pair and you really have to struggle hard not to order another one. You can get instead inari sushi: sushi rice stuffed in small pouches of deep fried tofu. Sweet and delicious. Yum, nom, gulp. The katsudon is another shining star for sure. A balmy bowl of satisfaction, zen style (even Mike Jagger would calm down and stop his hip undulations to sit down and eat). Sticky rice, breaded pork, egg, onions - stir-fried in soy sauce happiness. The result is beyond good; the saltiness is so pleasant that you cannot stop eating, even if you are already full. That's the magic. I sat there, eating, drinking matcha tea, listening to soothing traditional music, chatting with the lovely waitress about the differences between football, soccer and rugby. Should have talked about sumos and baseball.... Next time.
(4)Christine L.
This is my favorite home-style Japanese restaurant in Chicago! Pork udon is the ultimate comfort food. I lived in Asia, and this restaurant always makes me homesick.
(5)Reuben H.
The restaurant industry today has been trending towards going back to basics. It amazes me how hyped up people get over relatively simple dishes, flavors and ingredients (myself included). If one had to analyze what this says about society one could draw up various conclusions. Still the fact remains- people want to feel comfortable with what they eat and have some sense of familiarity with the food or the dining experience. The latest trend that has now become its own genre is "new-American" and is based around a revamping of traditional, home-style dishes that come from the somewhat short history of the great melting pot most of us call home. Couple that tradition with a sense of "fine dining" spin in plating and presentation, while usually involving seasonal, fresh ingredients. That fancy plating and presentation technique brings you classic favorites like mac 'n cheese in cylindrical form, with a healthy does of organic butternut squash and artisinal cheese and silken tofu (locally produced of course) laced in as an example. It has us feasting with our eyes before it even hits our sense of smell, taste and touch (texture people!). The all-American hamburger is another example of this simple sandwich that has been revived (as if it were dying in the first place) in all areas of the restaurant world and with incredibly refined results in many cases. This revived look at American dining (Chicago being one of the leading markets for this concept) brought me to wonder whether the same concept is happening at "ethnic" restaurants. That is where I realized that what we typically associate with "Japanese" food is raw fish-based. To think that an overwhelming majority of Japanese only eat raw fish for just about every meal is absurd. Yet if you go around to the overwhelming majority of Japanese restaurants here in Chicago, and that is exactly what you will find for an overwhelming majority of the menu items. This is precisely why you NEED to come to places like Sunshine Cafe which has a small menu, yet a representation of what is probably more "real" about Japanese cuisine. Good old-fashioned, down home, mama's in the kitchen type of cooking. Yet, this is where the disconnect with the new-American style joint that is happening all around us (and one that I am a big fan of) begins. Not only because Japanese food is, well- Japanese and therefore different from American, because that is obvious; but because the plating isn't going to be anything special. What you get: a bowl of food. Simple, and yet complex, because like the awesome old-school flavors being served up in a lot of the new-American places: they are bold, comforting, and somehow familiar. Two must-get items: potato croquettes (doesn't sound very Japanese, but they are glorious- fried panko-encased mashed potatoes pillows) and ketsudon (fried pork medallions mixed in with caramelized onions, wilted spinach, sauce all served on a bed of sticky rice). We also tried the beef udon. Good, but not the best in Chicago (which so far, oddly enough, the best we have had is out in the suburbs). Still, a bowl of those noodles in that benito broth is enough to turn a drab day into a cozy one. Here you are bound to get a carb-laced, hearty meal. Absolutely perfect for a cold winter's day! Rich flavors, in an old-world style dining room amongst family. Warm, welcoming and most importantly- familiar. So while the hippest of the new-age restaurants follow through on the latest trend, or try to highlight the fresh seasonal ingredient of the week or month, try to remember that these restaurants and their dishes need to be able to stand the test of time to truly be rated appropriately. After all, it is the flavor and the level of satisfaction the dining experience gives you that really matters, right? Sunshine Cafe's dishes are a terrific litmus test for any of these new-American restaurants. In the end, the food has got to be right!
(4)Jim S.
The squid appetizer was amazing. Delicious, perfectly fried. Sukiyaki was tasty, homey, and practically licked the plate clean. Tonkatsu was tender and just plain yummy. Pork Udon shined... I'd happily eat any and all again and again. Even the tea was great. It isn't haute cuisine, this is comfort food... and would be an excellent place to visit for a first timer. The owner and servers were incredibly friendly.
(5)Jessica G.
Wonderful little restaurant. The food is simple and delicious - Japanese comfort food at it's best. My friend, Lindsay J., swears by the potato croquettes. My favourites are the Unagi Don (delectable!), the salmon teriyaki (phenomenal!), and the sukiyaki (outstanding!). I was a little less fond of the Pork Katsu, mostly because I was expecting a lighter breading instead of the heavy, deep fried nuggets of meat. Very tasty, but I'd order it again as a table dish to split - it's too heavy and rich for my entire meal. I love this place. Friendly, honest, delicious food.
(5)Theresa S.
It's cold and rainy. I'm pregnant, he's grumpy. No one's cooking tonight. To Sunshine Cafe we go. 1.) BYOB - helps his mood. 2.) Hot green tea - helps mine. 3.) The food: Potato croquettes Shumai Ten don Hot soba with pork Green tea ice cream Everything was perfect! The wasabi mixture that comes with the shumai knocked my socks off initially, but I just needed to do a smaller dip. And the sauce that comes in those stock 50's diner syrup containers...well, it was half empty (half full?) by the time we left the table. It's delicious on everything! The potato croquettes and tempura weren't greasy at all - as is the tendency of deep fried foods - and honestly, we have no complaints. We had even warmed up so much we shared ice cream at the end of the meal. 4.) The staff: SO NICE. Made us feel so welcome. No complaints - try it out!
(5)Steve S.
Good Japanese food, friendly staff. I haven't had food like this since I lived in Japan! It is, however, a bit overpriced, and the decor needs a lot of work - but the food is deliciously authentic.
(4)Janet W.
Affordable, delicious Japanese comfort food. Which, as I discovered, is any kind of Japanese food that I could think of excluding sushi. This place has the best katsu I've ever had. The noodle soups are pretty good. I haven't had anything quite like their potato croquettes before, but they were scrumptious. The service was okay. I've been here a couple of times and was serviced by the same waiter. It's a very casual place and the waiter tried to engage us in conversation. Friendly folks. Good place to go with close friends and be comforted.
(5)Hannah E.
This place smells like the seventies and it kinda freaks me out, but holy comfort food, Batman! For some reason, despite the fact that I am entirely northern European genetically, my body has decided that when it is depressed it wants to eat agedashi, tonkatsu donburi bowls, and buckwheat noodles with wasabi and scallions. So this should be the perfect place for me. And admittedly it is pretty good. What it's best at is everything without fish. The katsu don and the tonkatsu dinner are both hearty - and the fill-up is not all in the rice. There are tons of pieces of juicy, lightly breaded pork, and onions and green vegetables popping up everywhere. The potato croquettes are a delight - like pure deep fried mashed potatoes. And the zaru soba is cooked exactly how it should be, with a nice deep well of dipping sauce for dipping and slurping and splattering sauce everywhere. However, both times I've had seafood here I haven't been impressed. The tempura shrimp that came with the ten zaru soba tasted like chlorine bleach - Dan spit his out and I, stupidly, ate mine. (To no ill effect, but still: nasty.) The calamari was fried in old oil and it certainly tasted like it - stale rubber. So stick to the simple stuff, stay away from the seafood, banter with the insanely friendly servers, and enjoy.
(3)Lynn D.
Sunshine had reopened when we ate dinner there Feb. 3 and it was one of the best dining experiences I've had in Chicago. It is truly homestyle Japanese cooking -- like sitting in your mama's kitchen. If you've ever experienced real Japanese meals as eaten by real Japanese people, this will make you weep with joy. I had the salmon (lightly salted as traditionally prepared) and it was a big piece for a very affordable price. The tsukemono is crispy without being too vinegary or tart, the musubi is big enough to eat as a meal by itself, and the gyoza sauce is to die for; someone snagged the leftovers and poured it over their rice. The miso soup is like homemade. If you love sushi and want sleek ambiance, don't come here. (There's only one sushi entree and why would you order it anyway with all the other fantastic choices?) Sunshine is not for you if you need to impress by paying a big bill in a fancy joint. But if you've lived in Japan, grown up in a Japanese family, or want to sample what everyday Japanese folks eat in their own homes, definitely make time for Sunshine. Although they don't have a liquor license, they're incredibly accommodating by bringing you wine or beer glasses and bottle openers. The staff are all lovely people and earnestly try to please. As an out-of-towner, I will make it a point to eat at Sunshine every time I'm in Chicago.
(5)Minna A.
I'm still new the the neighborhood, I had no idea near nothing was open on Sunday afternoons! I stumbled onto Clark with my friend, hoping to find a semi-decent place for cheap to have dinner. Thank you yelp app (and the monocle function!) for making my life complete, for we came across the lovely sunshine cafe. FIRST of all, the waitress here is so incredibly nice. I would come back just for the awesome service! Prices are really great, and food seems really authentic! I wish we had gotten the potato croquettes, b/c they sound awesome! My friend ordered the tempura udon. Apparently they were good because he refused to share and finished every last drop! I had the sukiyaki, which was awesome. Being Korean, I love eating hot soupy foods (especially spicy ones!) in the summer. Sounds strange but hot broth in hot weather is actually a winning combo :) This place is awesome, and I can't wait to come back and try the other things on their menu! (Katsu Don, i'm headed your way....)
(5)Annie R.
A homey restaurant with great authentic Japanese food! Only way they can be even better is a bigger place or a bigger menu! Because of the smaller size of the restaurant and limited staff, there may be a bit of a wait. But, it's BYOB so maybe that will be good during the wait. I ordered the Chicken Katsu and was very happy with a great combination of flavor and texture of the Chicken. Pairing it with rice and the soupy egg was extra delish! My friend who recently visited Japan attested to the pretty much authentic Japanese food, and she loves it! We will definitely visit again, especially with such great prices!
(5)Matthew G.
For my 100th review, I am delighted to endorse Sunshine Café! I have lived in Andersonville for over 10 years (with the exception of 2004 when I lived in Tokyo). The Sunshine Café is just down the alley and around the corner from my place, yet I've never managed to visit. The other night, I had a serious craving for udon, so it was logical to finally give Sunshine Café a try. All I can say is that I've totally been missing out! Sunshine Café is FABULOUS! Believe me, I am still kicking myself for not visiting sooner. This Japanese jewel of deliciousness has been there the whole time - what a dolt I've been! At any rate, it just a great place. The food is just perfect! It's a family run place and the owners treat their customers like family. It reminds me of little places I used to go to in Japan, so the nostalgia is also very appealing. It doesn't look like much from the outside and the interior is very simple and overly bright (much like my fave places in Tokyo), but don't be fooled. A friendly welcome, a steaming cup of green tea and some amazing eats are waiting for you! For appetizers, we had seaweed salad, calamari and gyoza. All three were wonderful, but I was especially impressed with the calamari. Forget about calamari rings, these are LEGS - long, tender and tasty! A squeeze of lemon was all that was needed to compliment those babies! The seaweed salad was just what I expected (very satisfying) and the gyoza had a nice spicy kick to them. My steaming bowl of beef udon was everything I'd hoped it would be. The portion was huge, but I slurped it all up. In a word - YUM! I had been craving udon all day, and I was not disappointed! I could (and plan to) eat it at least once a week. In fact, I'm salivating for it now. My partner's katsu don looked very tasty and he gobbled it up with no complaints. I kinda wanted to try it, but I was immersed in the udon utopia. Maybe I'll give it a try later, but I fear that it will always be udon for me! The service is great - swift, yet friendly. The staff really cares about your enjoyment. The place is small and frequently packed, so there will likely be a wait, but it's totally worth it (and I generally hate waiting at restaurants). On our recent visit, all of the tables were full, so we sat down to wait. It was only 10 minutes, but several of the staff apologized (quite a few times) about the wait. It was no problem at all (10 minutes is a short wait anyway), but I really appreciated that the staff wanted us to be completely happy. Also, the prices are very reasonable for the quality and quantity you receive. We left completely stuffed after 3 shared appetizers and 2 entrees, yet the bill was just over $30. Such a great value! It's also BYOB, so you can easily and afforadably get your drink on, Sunshine Café, you have my undying love and devotion! Thank you for a wonderful first visit. I promise there will be MANY more!
(5)Ashley D.
MY NEW FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT. Seriously, the staff at this place is amazing. I am a vegetarian and went here with a group of friends (who were all relatively unfamiliar to Japanese cuisine) and our waiter was so helpful in guiding each of our individual tastes and even made some really crazy substitutions for us. The food was just as great as the service (get the potato croquettes -- UNREAL.) I will absolutely be back!
(5)Tara R.
Delicious food, wonderful service, BYOB and great company make dinner at the Sunshine Cafe a joyous experience. We waited all of five minutes for a table. Yeah, we saw that there were a few empty ones but the restaurant seemed to get busy right when we walked in and there were just a couple servers. The manager apologized several times for the wait and then took care of us the rest of our visit. After immediately bringing hot green tea, he promptly took our appetizer order. We had just enough time to run across the street for a bottle of wine before he brought the pickled vegetables and the potato croquette. Oh, that croquette. It was like a deep fried potato cloud. Chopsticks cut those babies like butter, yet they were strong enough to be dipped again and again in the spicy brown sauce accompaniment. I ordered broiled salmon, which came with miso soup and rice - pretty great deal for nine-fitty in the city! The salmon was perfectly cooked. Crispy skin, tender flesh, minimally spiced but perfectly satisfying on its own. But it was even more delicious with the shredded white radish garnish and a squirt of lemon (much thanks to our awesome waiter for that tip). Speaking of our awesome waiter, he brought us a second order of potato croquette on the house, as well as some freebie green tea ice cream. That was the best service experience in a long time. Next time I visit my friends in that neighborhood, I will definitely be going back.
(5)Chris C.
This place is great. The perfect place to check out on a cold winter night. That atmosphere may displease some, but I like the simplicity of it. It adds to the homey atmosphere. Really good Japanese comfort food. I've been three times now and I always have inner struggle on what to order. So many good options. Seeing other peoples food going by only makes it more difficult. So there is only one solution... keep going until I've had everything! Go check it out, but don't take the last table, in case I need it.
(5)Katie T.
We came here for my dad's birthday and it was a wonderful experience. First of all, BYOB and no cork fee which was great. The waiter (named Daniel) was the sweetest guy ever, gave us extra fried calamari because we were a family of five and one order wasn't enough. For food, we got a bunch of stuff from the menu: my sister and I had the udon which was pretty standard, my mom the soba which was less fresh than she would have liked, my brother the katsu don which was delicious! Highly recommend. And then my dad, birthday boy got the special noodles on the menu that came with rice; the broth was amazing. If it wasn't so far north, I would definitely come to this place all the time. Very homey and comfortable!
(4)Alf O.
Nothing not to like here. The food is fantastic, and varied, so you're sure to be able to find something appealing. Every dish I've tried there could have been the restaurant's signature dish. Also, who doesn't love the owners of this place? I think this restaurant may be my all time pleasant surprise finds.
(5)Aaron K.
I was taken here Sunday by a friend and left feeling stupid for not eating here sooner! Sunshine Cafe serves wonderful home-style Japanese food prepared at the highest level. Looking around, this place was packed for 8:30 on a Sunday night (my party of 2 was seated at a table for 6) and yet rather quiet. The simple and obvious explanation came from the food. Now I could gush about the pork or smelt or unagi, but the real star of the show is the rice. Perfect rice, or as I call is chopstick rice, is so elusive. Light, fluffy, and sticky enough to pick up large balls with chopsticks without being gluey, fuzzy and glutinous, the rice here has it all. In fact, I would come back for a bowl of rice alone. Amazing. My friend, who comes here often, says this is always the case. Wow....even with a rice cooker I can't manage this level of perfection time-in and time-out. Sunshine Cafe is a steal with dishes in the $10-15 range. You could easily spend 2-3 times the price without finding this level of dedication to consistently excellent food.
(5)Aaron L.
Gyoza 4.5* Potato Croquette 4* Ika Geso 3* Miso Soup 2.5* Sukiyaki 3.5*
(3)Julie B.
This is my new favorite noodle place!!! It's an intimate restaurant, bare essentials and no real decor, they know that you are coming for the best japanese food around! The food is fresh and delicious. Be prepared to wait and definiately no attitudes here. The staff just warmly greets you as you walk in, I highly recommend ordering the Potatoe Croquettes to start - I had dreams about those stuffed pockets all week-end. I ordered the veggie and beef udon - sooo good! Slurped and enjoyed the meal tremendously! I will be back and probably will become a regular!
(5)Christine F.
Oh my God. I can't believe I live a few blocks from this place. I live in the neighborhood of magical food. Anyway, me and my husband dashed to get here asap, since it's small and lines form early. We waited around 20-30 minutes to be seated, and were immediately treated to some hot green tea. We opened our bottle of wine and feasted our eyes on the menu. The udon seemed appealing to me, though it was unseasonably warm out (60's in November!) so I decided on the tempura, and my husband got the beef udon. We also ordered shrimp shumai and potato croquettes. The potato croquettes are basically, deep fried mashed potatoes with a panko breading...the potatoes are smooth and velvety and soo good. It came with a sweet sauce that left a slight bite on the nose at the end. The shrimp shumai came with a VERY hot mustard sauce, and were also delicious. The main courses didn't disappoint. My tempura consisted of shrimp, acorn squash, eggplant, sweet potato, and green bean. It was delicious and had a light, soy based sauce for dipping. My husband loved his beef udon, as well. When it's colder, I am for sure getting the udon, it looked delicious. Our waiter was also very nice and got our food out to us surprisingly fast. Yeah, it's a hole in the wall. Yeah, there's waits. But the food is absolutely phenomenal, and it's perfect comfort food for long Chicago winters.
(5)Nicole C.
You sit down, you're poured some freshly brewed green tea, and handed a menu of unique but unpretentious selections. We started with the burdock and carrot salad (delicious, though a bit overly sweet for my taste), a standard wakame seaweed salad, and the potato croquette that everyone raves about. Said croquette was good, though not as orgasmic (for me) as some have described it here, though definitely enhanced when dipped into the accompanying sauce; a sweet, soy, horseradish concoction. We then had some miso soup, rich and satisfying, which is served with all non-soup entrees. I really liked the miso, definitely gave you that umami factor you want. For an entree I had the unagi (eel) don. The pieces of unagi were tender and delicious, grilled in a teriyaki sauce and served over a mountain of rice. At first I thought, I'll save half the rice to bring home, but, I couldn't bring myself to put the chopsticks down. I will say that again, this dish (both the marinade and rice) was a bit sweet for my liking. (I'm the sugar police.). My fellow diners were all very pleased with their dishes: sukiyaki, udon soup, and vegetables with tofu (the latter of which sounds so plain, but was done really well.). Service was great and our waiter, a Sox fan, rightly sassed my Cubs-fan friend. I appreciate the casual, neighborhood feel to this place so much more than the faux-hip stylings of many sushi restaurants in the city. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Lori Taylor R.
Let's get straight to the point. 5 stars for Sukiyaki with beef. A MUST try. Unfortunately, the friendly staff was a bit inattentive. However, we won't let that hold us back from visiting again!
(4)Timtim H.
its very authentic and cheap!!!!!!!!!!!! even though the ramen noodles are not the best ones I ever had in Chicago........
(4)Catherine S.
We are new to the neighborhood and tried this on recommendation of a friend. The decor is nothing special, but it's not as bad as some of the reviews make it sound--it's cozy and simple. The place was filled with local families and the service was SO nice. Maybe we're just not used to the midwest yet, but the two servers who waited on us were very attentive and sweet despite the fact that the place was packed. On to the food. We started with the potato croquettes, which were so delicious. We're not normally huge fried food fans, but others had mentioned them so we tried them out: light, not greasy in the slightest, and served with a pleasantly sweet dipping sauce. We both had udon--one veggie and one chicken. They were huge portions--neither one of us could finish them--simple and delicious. The veggie broth had nice flavor, which is often lacking in not as good udon. Furthermore, it was cheap, which is important for us! You can get a nice big entree for $10 or under. We didn't bring our own alcohol, but it's good to note for the future that it is BYOB. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)ZZ K.
Based on all the great reviews we decided to go and try this little mom and pop establishment in Edgewater. I do agree with many of the reviews.... - great, friendly staff - BYOB with Jewel/Osco right around the corner - homey vibe, like eating in grandma's kitchen - simple and tasty food - cafeteriaesk look and feel...yes, you don't come here for the ambiance, however you immediately feel very welcome. :) But, I think for our taste...not that we are these ultimate food snobs or anything, it was just a bit too simple all around. What did we have you ask? 1. Goyza 2.sukiyaki 3. udon with vegetables and chicken (this was the best) 4. a dish with cold buckwheat noodles with nori, wasabi, green onions and tempura I guess we are more into unique tastes and combinations....things we would find difficult to make ourselves. I hate to say this, but even the goyza tasted exactly like the ones I buy frozen at the store, no difference what so ever. So overall this place is not bad, but we just won't be back...
(3)Joseph A.
What can I add that hasn't already been said: Japanese food that isn't based on sushi, very affordable, friendly service, cozy little restaurant. Just wanted to add to the recommendations. The guy who answered the phone on a Friday night said we could bring our own Saki with no cork fee if we poured him a cup (jokingly). I can't confirm this is the case since I parked far away in dreadfully cold weather and forgot the bottle in the car.
(5)James B.
Japanese Pub Food. Simple. No Frills. BYOB. Delicious.
(4)Susan L.
Cute, cheap, satisfying. Go for the noodles, not for the ambiance.
(4)Andy S.
Now this is the place to have Japanese food! Authentic, tasty, and huge portions. They have have Musubi (Rice balls)! The prices are extremely cheap. $23 dollars for two huge meals, and sides of miso soup and musubi. The waiters and host are extremely nice and friendly. I didn't feel rushed and hell, i even felt wanted there. Which is exactly what a restaurant is supposed to make you feel like. The only issue is that its not near the south side. Which, really isn't a issue. Its worth the travel. Why are you reading this review? Go out there and see how awesome it is! Oh, for the drinkers, it is BYOB. I don't believe they have sushi (or very limited selection). Its all homemade style Japanese cooking. Can't go wrong with that at all.
(5)Juanita G.
I love this place! It has been my go to place all winter for a big warm meal. I love the home style Japanese cooking. I love the sukiyaki style beef lightly sweet broth with the glass noodles but also love the big bowl of udon when I want a big bowl of noodles. My niece loves the Unagi don. Very good unagi over rice. We always loved the unagi on sushi not we can just get the unagi over rice in a entree sized portion.
(5)Gayle G.
How did I miss this little gem? I didn't find it until moving OUT of Andersonville. Boo. A great find in a ramshakle setting. It ain't glamorous. If it's a first date, you might scare your date. The horrible fluorescent lighting isn't flattering to anyone's skin tone. And yet, once I open a beer (BYOB) and the menu, I was alright! Tonkatsu, please! It was delicious! Everything that everyone ordered was really tasty, but I liked mine the best. The potato croquettes yummy and light! I mean, how can mashed potatoes that are coated in panko and deep fried be bad? We also had an app special of pickled burdock root that was great! Service was attentive and relaxed. The bill for 4 entrees and 2 apps was about $55 before tip. Cheap! Yum! Go! Now!
(4)Dan D.
My newest "favorite place to eat" in Chicago and a new 5-star review! While the outside and inside are modest at best, the food is stellar and the price cannot be beat. Sunshine excels in customer service - super friendly service which recommends food and specializes orders. Also, prices that are unbelievable for what you get. I ordered the salmon terriyaki for just $9.50. A whole giant filet of grilled salmon, served with terriyaki sauce on the side, a nice salad, overflowing bowl of rice, and miso soup for just that great price! Wowsers. My buddy ordered the unagi don - freshwater eel served terriyaki over a bowl of rice and salad for just $10.50 (also miso soup). Talk about a filling meal and a great experience. This is Japanese cooking to be proud about. Even though Sunshine Cafe is located in trendy Andersonville, Sunshine Cafe has great prices for awesome food. Note: Do not come here for sushi as this is NOT a sushi restaurant. They ONLY have California rolls and sometimes spicy tuna rolls. This is a Japanese Cooking place - not quite raw food. That being said, it is one of THE BEST in chicago, and your wallet is gonna be happy.
(5)Carolynne M.
Would you trade expensive, intricate, ambiant lighting for awesomely fresh, delicious food that costs virtually nothing? Would you trade a fancy interior, complete with a tinkling waterfall, leather chairs and gold rimmed china for service that is highly attentive, super friendly and very knowledgeable but never pushy? Would you trade a swanky Gold Coast locale with doormen and valet for a place that seems more like you are dining in someones home? If you said yes to any of these, then you need to get your butt over to Sunshine. Seriously, as much as I like my fancy places, Sunshine manages to out-shine (ha! get it) all of that frivolity with amazing service, incredible food and cheap to boot. We went on Friday around 5:30, to a room about half full. I had a piece of salmon that rivaled any seafood place on the East Coast, plus everything from the miso soup to the croquettes (which seemed to be out of place in a Japanese restaurant, but my friend Alice assures me they are the real deal, actually called kuroke) were excellently prepared and presented. Plus, Andy M was a little concerned at first when he saw there were only chopsticks on the table and tried to practice with them a little, but our waiter saw him and brought a fork with the explanation "I thought you might want this, we do close at 9 after all." Which almost caused me to snort in my green tea it was too funny.
(5)Stacey P.
It feels like you're in Hawaii when you eat at sunshine cafe... .. that is, if you're like me, and when you go to hawaii you eat at a ton of japanese restaurants owned by Nisei and greater japanese-americans. BUT- Just like Hawaii, the food is GOOD. My initial plan was to go there and get a bunch of small dishes, do it izakaya style. However, my plan was somewhat foiled when I saw the limited appetizer menu. Ah well. We ordered Kimpira, Inari Zushi, and Gyoza for apps. Kimpira: dai sukina kimpira EVER!!!! (that was my favorite kimpira EVER) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was soft and sweet and not grainy. When I've made it, it's been grainy. Even when I've had it at other restaurants, it's been grainy. This kimpira was awesome and it now happily sits in my tum tum. Inari Zushi: Well, how do you really go wrong with this? I used to make it from canned wrappers in my dorm room. But yep, it was good. Gyoza: Meh. The one thing I will not give a very good review. I've had better, I've made better. For a main dish, I got tempura udon. Those noodles were AWESOME. I never finish soups, but I ate EVERY LAST NOODLE in this tempura udon. The tempura and the broth were alright, I would say I've had better in udon shops in Hawaii. But again...NOOOOOOOODLESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. burp. My friend got the Nanban yaki which she thought was very good! My main complaint is the small menu. I was hoping for curry udon, yaki onigiri, more musubi/onigiri options, more flavors of croquettes, more appetizers, some miso cod, eggplant, etc... stuff I'm used to at homestyle japanese places... If they expanded the menu, I'd be there every day. I'll still be there often :)
(4)Ricardo B.
As good as it gets for home style Japanese food.
(5)Robin C.
I fell in love with Sunshine Cafe tonight and felt the urge to document that with a review. Instant love. I've been living down the street from this lovely restaurant for years and went for the first time tonight. Thank God I did. I walked into this unassuming little restaurant PACKED on a Sunday night with regulars and my roommate and I both commented on how it felt like we just walked into a cozy movie set. The Japanese waitress we had was so adorable and friendly AND had great recommendations. We had the pickled veggies, potato croquettes and fried squid legs as appetizers. Only suggestion next time would be to get more orders of all of those items, because we gobbled them down in approximately 2 seconds flat. Our waitress suggested I get the mackerel, which wast broiled and lightly salted. Simple and delicious. Apparently, you can choose between broiled or teriyaki and the broiled gave you a crispy delicious skin which was perfect. My roommate got a TROUGH of udon noodles. Both were lip smackingly delicious and after eating for what seemed like an hour, it looked like we hadn't made a dent. Come here for Japanese comfort food (read: no sushi), and I can only see it getting better as the months get colder. One meal here is not only likely under 15 bucks, it will likely be your dinner the next night. They'll make you feel like an instant regular and anywhere I can get unlimited cups of green tea is grrrreat in my book.
(5)Joe C.
I posted the news article from a prominent Chicago paper, about how the Chicago Health Department closed it down. I guess people werent interested in hearing about the dirt, and filth, and things that may or may not affect your health..... Yelp pulled the review down.... Maybe this place paid them enough and the pulled the review.....
(1)Zach W.
This is absolutely, bar none, one of my favorite restaurants in all of Chicago. It goes to show that you don't need fancy decor and the perfect ambiance to produce amazing food. If you've never been to Japan, the other Japanese restaurants in Chicago are probably really good--they were to me before I went. They get the general concept right and taste really good. But after visiting Japan I found myself craving that authentic flavor that I only had overseas. Sunshine Cafe does that--it recreates authentic Japanese flavor. This is the first place I take people when they tell me they haven't had Japanese before, because you will get foods you can't get at most other Japanese places (which mostly fill their menu with 75% sushi). This place reeks of COMFORT. You go in and you feel like you're taking a place at someone's house and they're going to take care of you like their own kin. I go here whenever I warm warm fuzzy feelings. The prices are great--you can eat a full meal for under $10. Be prepared to wait 20 minutes on a busy night, since this is a small place relative to the number of people who want to eat there.
(5)Kin L.
On my familiarity trip to Chicago, I made Sunshine Cafe one of my destinations. The menu might seem run-of-the-mill, but don't let that fool you. The Japanese Chef has perfected the craft of Japanese home-style cooking. The food is simple, yet wholesome and delicious. I'm a sucker for handmade dumplings, so I had to order the pan-fried gyozas. The spicy dipping sauce that came with it really made the dish harmonious. This one's a win. Next up were the potato croquettes. Perfectly shaped and fried, there's no better way to eat a potato. They paired nicely with the tonkatsu sauce. I would come back to the cafe just for those babies. Finally, the tonkatsu made it's way to the table. Perfectly breaded and not greasy, this was a real treat. In fact, I savored it. By the end, I was too full to move, even breathing was a bit difficult. The food was served by a little old Asian lady in an apron. She reminded me of my grandmother, except my grandmother just sits on the couch and watches Chinese dramas all day long. Sunshine Cafe has been around for 15 years. The owner used to have a sushi restaurant in the area, but she got tired of it and decided to do home-style cooking instead. Good move I say! I took a 40 minute train ride from the Gold Coast neighborhood and walked almost 3/4 of a mile just to get to this place. Actually, probably almost a mile as I was walking the wrong way for a bit after I left the station. A little ridiculous, but I'm glad I made the journey.
(4)Choco Flan C.
This is the place to go if you like homestyle Japanese food. Anyone lucky enough to have eaten home cooked food in a Japanese American home will feel like you're visiting again. I was going through a period where I could not have gluten, and as anyone who needs to avoid this knows, Asian foods and gluten tend to go together. The waiter suggested the saba (mackeral) done shiyoyaki style, which is basically just salted and broiled. It was delicious, too! There's nothing trendy about this place - it provides good, authentic Japanese cooking and a solid meal. The prices are great, too, and you won't break the bank trying to feed a family there.
(5)Yaeko M.
Certainly, friendly service, cozy atmosphere, family oriented place. We ordered and tasted gyoza, shumai, potato croquettes, tsukemono, kinpira gobo, miso soup. They are o-k. I can do better. Katsudon, it's too strong shoyu - salty. again I can do better....
(3)Monica W.
Yum! If you want some Japanese homestyle food (not sushi), this place is just a big ball of sunshine. Best Udon soup in Chicago. Its not a fancy place and prices are fair.
(5)Jims L.
The sukiyaki as shown in the pictures here is even more delicious than it appears. Their katsu sauce is so amazing - I wanted to dip everything in it. I do think it's not as cheap as everyone (here) has voted it to be. I was surprised at their prices, and it's definitely not a "$," under $10 meal. Also, NOTE THEIR HOURS!
(4)Bethany L.
More than one person has told me how great Sunshine Cafe is in the last few weeks, so a few friends & I hit it up on Saturday night. Got there around 7 and there were still a few tables left, but it got busier as the evening went on. They scored a lot of points before we even got there for being BYOB. Our server took a few minutes to greet us (and took awhile to take orders, pick up plates, etc.), but was very friendly. We ordered two appetizers: the shumai, served with a tasty wasabi mustard sauce; and the seaweed salad. The shumai was good, not great; the seaweed salad was delicious and big enough to be shared amongst the three of us. I got the vegetable udon, which was really great. A HUGE bowl of tasty broth with fresh cabbage, carrots, and other succulent veggies, plus big long buckwheat noodles. We never did get our green tea as promised with our entrees, but that was corrected once we brought it up at the end of the meal. I got a cup of green tea ice cream for dessert, which was obviously freshly made with lots of matcha. Yum. For three entrees, two appetizers, and a dessert, we paid $45, which is amazing for this part of town. I wish the service had been a bit quicker, but I'll still be back.
(4)Laura S.
Good Japanese noodles. Sorry I don't have more to say - I wish I did. It was just some gyoza and a bowl of udon with a friend. I would almost equate it to like, a japanese diner, if that makes sense. A perfectly respectable three stars. I'm not compelled to return tomorrow or anything, but it's definitely on the neighborhood hit list.
(3)Jeff A.
Just did it again! speechless! Not really, just read my last review of this spot... It is all still true.... This is with out any apology or explanation simply one of the best restaurants in the country! I will just keep going back again and again! I don't do that at many spots, as you can probably tell I like variety... This place makes me want to throw variety out the window and just dine here!
(5)Lawrence Y.
Stopped by with a friend for dinner last Friday, based on the positive yelp reviews. The restaurant is kinda simple, but don't let that sway your opinions. The service we had was above and beyond great! It's very mom and pop (homestyle food), and the two servers we had were polite and funny. We started off with the potato croquettes, which came out hot! It burned the roof of my tongue actually. But it was good nonetheless. I had the chicken teriyaki (came with a small side of sunomono, salad... sort of, and miso) and it was really good. Still not dark teriyaki (which I have been looking for ever since I moved to Chicago) but it was probably the yummiest teriyaki I've had here since.
(4)Charlie B.
I kept meaning to try this place that is just a couple blocks away from me. Finally! I went here and couldn't be happier. Friendly service, a short-on-frills environment and amazing food make this an exceptional find. Cheap Japanese comfort food and the BYO situation make this one you can't miss. We had salmon, katsudon, croquettes and gyoza...and all were just wonderful.
(5)Joanna S.
After I came back from Japan it was very very difficult to find anywhere that cooks home style Japanese food instead of the usual sushi. This place is family owned, reasonably priced, great authentic food, and good service. I love the specials and they occasionally have japanese curry which is hard to find in a restaurant. I also love the atmosphere... especially the grandmother who comes around and serves the green tea. You can always tell a good asian place when people from that country eat there, and there are always japanese conversations to join in on at Sunshine.
(4)Yvonne O.
My father was friends with the owners of this place - as far back as when they used to run Cho Cho San, so I have grown up on Joni's cooking. I absolutely feel like this is one of the only places in the City that you can get authentic, country-style Japanese cooking. Like some of the other reviewers have pointed-out, Japanese food is so much more than sushi and chicekn teriyaki - so much so that people who are used to those offerings don't know what to make of the real stuff. I am so glad that the community has kept this place busy - it fills a much needed void in Japanese cooking out there! Definitely get the koroke if they are available - and the tempura (love that you can get chrysanthemum leaf in the tempura here) donburi if available. I also loved the seki-han that they made, although I don't know if it is on the menu now!
(5)Scout A.
Sunshine, you are the jewel of Andersonville. Amazing food, wonderful staff... but please, please, please change your lighting. Even when I just walk by the fluorescent fixtures make me cringe. You have such a wonderful thing going. Just needs a slight makeover. Home Depot to the rescue?
(4)Keesh C.
I have lived down the street from here for MOST of my life and never thought to stop in. After all, its indistinct exterior doesn't exactly scream "Come in! We have yummy, authentic Japanese food!" The interior is just as simple, but the food and service are definitely the stars of the show. For my first visit, I had Udon with Beef and Vegetables. It was VERY good. The broth had a sweet, comforting aroma and the vegetables were very hearty. I was hoping for a little bit more beef, but it was still really good. The service was friendly and very prompt. On a later visit, I had Saba Shioyaki- a broiled, salted Mackerel that comes with a small cucumber salad, rice, soy sauce and radish. I was even told how to eat it! Sweet! Again, great service and great food. Based on these reviews, I will try the Potato Croquettes next time.
(5)Dan F.
Fifty reviews. Well son of a gun. It's been a long hard road, and I'm more than glad Sunshine Cafe could be my half century mark review. I have been reading about this place and walking by for so long, glad I finally got to make the trip. My fiancee and I went on a weekday, early. I always think this is a good time to go. It gives you an idea of the ebb and flow of the 'regular' dinner rush without compromising the service you receive. When we arrived, the only other diners were some elderly women who spent most of their meal trying to pronounce 'Hugh Jackman.' Charming, really. The food was, as advertised, filling and very comforting. We had the potato croquettes for a starter and I got the Katsu Don for my entree, swine flu be damned. The mix of breaded and fried pork cutlets, lightly cooked eggs, and perfectly steamed rice hit me right in the sweet spot. Whether they use MSG or not, I could give a hoot. This stuff left me with that rich protein buzz I crave from time to time. I was also supremely entertained by my fiancee's futile struggles with chop sticks. At one point (after the miso soup, before the entree), I thought she might snap the damn things in half and storm out. Luckily it was my birthday, and she had to follow MY orders. The service was prompt, but not too hovering. I kept hearing the guy running the place talking to the servers about doing it like they do "in real restaurants." I'm not sure how they used to do it, but I have a feeling it's the Japanese comfort food putting butts in the seats, not the attentive service. Sunshine Cafe, you have not seen the last of me. P.S. BYOB! Booya.
(4)Matthew W.
This was the third time we had eaten at Sunshine Cafe. The first two were great. The food is good, prices are reasonable. The Katsu Don is very good. There are only 2 people who work here. The cook, who is a nice older Japanese lady, who gives you cookies (not fortune or almond cookies, but freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookies) and what I assume is, her son. Her son, who when my girlfriend asked if she "could have some more water when he had a chance", replied "Ugh, WHEN I GET AROUND TO IT!". Look, I realize that you are busy, but if it's too much to handle, HIRE ANOTHER SERVER. Here's a tip. No matter how good your food is, if you treat people like sh*t, they won't be coming back.
(2)C C.
This place is like eating at home. The staff make you feel like you've always been there for years. The food is amazing--especially the famous potato croquettes and the secret sauce. We've eaten just about everything on the menu and they are all delicious.
(5)Jay B.
Simply Love this place. Sunshine is one of my favorite restaurants on the Andersonville North Clark strip. It's affordable and the food is really good. It was closed for a while, I belive to family stuff, but as of last weekend, the open sign is back. All is good in the world.
(5)Yan H.
Ironically I came here on a very rainy day earlier this year. It is still clear in my memory....on a dark rainy day after driving around looking for food, that my friends and I ended up here.... thanks yelp! The place is family run so it has a friendly laid back atmosphere, and matching service. The food here is homestyle japanese .. so it's very rustic and unpretentious. There is a very unique flavor in the dishes I ordered here compared to other similar japanese restaurants. Particularly the katsudon, had a special distinctsweetness...mmmmm. What puts this over the top for me is the great value, most of the food was cheap, and good sized portions. (You can come here again and again.) Which is what makes sunshine cafe charming, it's not the fancy place you go to take a date once in awhile, it's that favorite neighborhood place to visit with friends.
(5)Herminia I.
So i'm not sure what came over me, but since i wrote my last review I had tried several other dishes--Yes i tried something new, and I was not disappointed. I have since had the tempura (my favorite is just the shrimp and sweet potatoes), the tonkatsu (panko crusted pork tenderloin) and chicken tonkatsu (same thing but with chicken breast). I recommend anything that comes out of that kitchen! Next on my list, is to raise enough courage to order the teriyaki salmon (it may not sound too shocking, but for someone with the palate of a 6 yr old...). Now that day will be sure to shock Paul and Dan (the super-cool dudes who run the place), who i'm pretty sure put my "usual" request into the kitchen when they see me coming.
(5)Elleb K.
5 stars for the serivce. Very friendly, fast service. Comfortable setting. 3 stars for the food. We ordered the potatoe dish, katsu don, suki yaki dish. The food wasn't something to rave about. I've had better in Japan. But since we are in Chicago, It was a mere OK. My american counter parts loved it. The menu selection wasn't as grand, small, sweet , simple.
(3)Annie W.
Ooof. I'm still full and it's already been a couple of hours. Small menu (makes decisions easy!) and the items are actually really simple but tasty. Portions are great and service is super friendly! Seeing how it was Easter today, at the end of our meal, the waitress plopped down a big basket full of pastel color-wrapped candies! Cute! Anyway, things are a bit on the salty side but the sukiyaki sure hit the spot! Plentiful shabu-style beef, napa cabbage, onions, glass noodles, tofu all in that nice sweet and salty broth with perfectly cooked rice to pair. (My favorite rice is always found in Japanese joints!). While three of us ordered the sukiyaki, one other friend got the katsu don and he remarked that while it was initally good, it got increasingly more and more salty so....watch out for that one! Yes, we shared orders of the potato croquette (crunchy on the outside, smooth inside) and the ika (calamari legs). The ika was fried well but could've been a tad less bland. All in all, not bad in a homey place. I wouldn't necessarily crave it like I would with ramen but finally after a couple of years of eyeing this place, my curiosity's been satiated!
(3)KuangYou C.
I've been to several Japanese restaurants in Chicago. I can't say they have the best food but I think the food and the price are pretty decent. My friend and I order one appetizer (ginger, green onion with tofu, not sure the exact name) , eel rice and sukiyaki. The tofu is just average, I think. The sukiyaki is good. The downside is they don't have a heater to keep the pot warm. The eel is good as well and they give you the definitely enough rice to eat with. The service is great. Overall, I'm willing to go there again.
(4)Kelly Z.
Unlike what it seems from the outside, it is very very bright inside! Ha! They built a strip of Japanese roof on the side of the restaurant. So you feel like sitting in the courtyard. It's been a while since I've seen children at a restaurant. Although the restaurant doesn't take reservation, we only waited about ten minutes to get a seat. I like the potato croquette. For some reason, it is quite similar to a Peruvian dish I had last week. Don't remember exactly what the saying is. Somehow we may be all connected. I had sukiyaki. I don't usually like to order meat dish at Asian restaurants because most often they turned out to be overcooked. The one I had was tender and fresh. The item my friend ordered seems interesting as well. The menu seems to be very simple but healthy. Mostly meat or fish over rise or noodle. But they all come in with good balance of protein and carbohydrate. Best of all, most dishes are under $10. The architecture element reminds me of Suzhou, a city in China. I have been wanting to come here for a long time but a friend who I wanted to be here with moved away. So, there is a touch of sadness about this. Melancholy maybe for times gone by.
(4)Rachel O.
Amazing udon noodles! Especially great for fighting off a cold. The service for carry out was excellent and fast. Definitely will be back!
(5)Paul M.
I have been going to the Sunshine Cafe for several years now, and I must say, it is a place that can be overlooked or otherwise taken for granted. Rediscovery is a great thing. Unassuming in its decor, a great value for the price. I enjoy the Goma-ae spinach -- with crushed peanuts instead of a heavy peanut sauce. The udon and soba soups are just the thing for a cold or to enjoy a tasty preventative. The crowd varies: just imagine anyone who would want reasonably priced, well prepared Japanese food in a byob setting. They also provide take-away service.
(5)Cynthia E.
Beautifully prepared food from scratch, outstanding friendly service, the best tonkatsu sauce we've had... All at a fair price and 10 minutes from home! The wilted spinach appetizer was lightly dressed and tasty, the potato croquettes were the only thing near mediocre, but they were piping hot and served quickly. The miso soup served with entrees was very hit and a good-sized portion. My husband had Katsu, which was the best we've had, and made even tastier with their housemade sauce. I had yakisoba, the special, and it was the right blend of chewy to crispy noodles, with chicken and a good amount of vegetables. Can't believe it took us this long to find the Sunshine!
(5)Tracy K.
Having dinner here felt like having dinner at someone's house. And I mean that in the best way possible. The owner made us feel very welcome, had a sense of humor, and basically, provided some of the best restaurant service I have ever experienced. Our table of seven had way more food than necessary and the (BYOB) alcohols flowed freely. I didn't love the food, but I would come back because of the warm, friendly atmosphere.
(4)Began T.
Never eat here! Trust me, your stomach will thank you. I had been excited to try this place after reading all the great reviews and I love Japanese food! I even described it to my girlfriend while driving there as the "ace up my sleeve" thinking it couldn't be bad with such a high score on yelp. My god was I wrong. This is authentic Japanese food in that if you opened up a garbage can in Japan you might find something similar. We went to the restaurant at 5:00 PM, it is now 4 am and my stomach still has not forgiven me and i didn't even eat that much! Things that we ordered: Gyoza (not that bad, not that good) potato croquette (ok if you don't use the rancid dipping sauce) beef vegetable udon (worst udon ever...noodles were terrible, beef was worse) Katsudon (breaded pork tenderloin was soggy and disgusting) All in all this is just horrible food. The free green tea tasted and smelled like seaweed and lint. The miso soup that came with the Katsudon was the aberrant unacceptable no miso at all just flavorless broth with some thin scallions and a few pieces of tofu. I make my own miso and udon at home and have eaten at many Japonese restaurants in Chicago, the best being Akai Hanna and Japonaise(obviously a more expensive one). The Yelpers are sorely mistaken with this one, do yourself a favor and skip it!
(1)Adam F.
Crazy decor (wood paneling combined with a faux traditional Japanese exterior structure), super affordable and friendly staff. Love the Katsu Don, Japanese Curry, Sukiyaki and potato croquettes.
(5)Rebecca N.
I have never had Japanese food as good as this, and I use to live in Hawaii (and ate a lot of Japanese food). Looking at the cafe from the outside, you wouldn't think you are about to eat anything that would be memorable, but once you walk in and see how busy it is, you know you're in for a treat. I went last night and had to wait about 10-15 minutes for a table, but when we sat down, we were offered 2 free appetizers for waiting! I have worked in plenty of restaurants, and you RARELY see managers offer a table anything for free because they had to wait a measly 15 minutes. Bottom line, the food was excellent (I got the Chicken Udon - delicious) and the service was definitely above and beyond. I highly recommend Sunshine!
(5)AJ M.
What can I say about this place that has not already been said? This place has simple and delicious food with good service. Try the udon, you won't be disappointed. It has a great texture and an appropriate firmness for a noodle. Couple that with the broth/veggies/etc. in the soup and it's great. The grilled fish is nicely prepared and is one of my favorite things to get.
(4)Jessica G.
So from the outside, this place doesn't look like much. Again, this is an instance of looks being deceiving. All around, this place is fantastic. Service is super friendly to the point where you feel like you're hanging out with cousins or an old family friend. Great recommendations and the gentleman who helped us was kind enough to bring out an extra croquette so we had three since there were three of us in our party. Everything came out quickly - the afore-mentioned croquettes were soft and crispy at the same time and just delicious. Yay for the sauce it came with, even if it was just tonkatus sauce. We also had the special egg-plant appetizer and normally I am not a fan of eggplant because it's so ashy-tasting and bitter was this was so nicely grilled and a little bit sweet. We were even given tips on how to mix the sauce it came with for the best flavor. I had the vegetable soba and since it was pretty cold today, it was a great choice - the perfect thing for warding off a chilly day. Lots of veggies and broth and just the right amount of noodles. As someone who does not normally go and search out the tofu in anything, I will say that I really liked the tofu in this. I was very glad that the food was not overly salted and seasoned to death - I could taste each item as it is supposed to be, which was a very good thing. My dining partners, who both lived in Japan for two years, were similarly happy with their meals, to the point that we are contemplating going back tomorrow, Sunday, for their lunch. Apparently there are more specials on that day - definitely something we'd want to give a try. Portions are good for the money and the service and food are wonderful - Sunshine Cafe is fantastic!
(5)Kyle J.
Right to the point here... Sushi is great but sometimes you'd think the only thing the Japanese eat is sushi based on the places out there. This is the Japan I visited. Good yummy food, no pretension, friendly people. Oh and lets not forget the wonderful fried dishes! You can't go wrong with fried food!
(5)Tina R.
I love this place. It is very casual, clean and good food. The decor is not so pretty but the food and service is worth it. We are there at least once a week:)
(5)Stephen M.
This place is great for cheap and cheerful Japanese food. The menu is limited but what they do, they do well. Try the squid appetizer and the Katsu don. Yummers.
(5)Jeanus T.
When you walk in this place, you'd feel like you walk in to a local diner in Japan. It's not fancy but cozy! They serve very simple and everyday Japanese style dinners (no sushi) but everything from the tea (free) they serve, the miso soup (pretty much come with everything) to your entree and steamed rice. Everything's perfectly prepared!! It's BYOB if you want to crack a bottle. Otherwise, the green tea that they serve is just as satisfying! Food tastes so well yet very simple and healthy! And it's cheap!!! I can eat at this place for dinner every night and would not break my bank! I highly highly recommend this for simple everyday Japanese style dinners.
(5)Eric P.
Wooooooo, a japanese restaurant without sushi? huh? really? What are we going to eat??? Traditional japanese food thats what. This place is fantastic, has a very modern feel to the restaurant and plus great food and service. Our waiter was great, very talkative, helpful, and joked around with us. Very chill and laid back. But more importantly he was attentive and friendly. The chef was also very helpful. And more important they were both Japanese or asian, which is a very good sign of good authentic food. So the food was excellent, I had the sakiyuki which was good. A sweet savory noodle dish with tofu, thinly sliced beef, and veggies. It was delightful though for a non-sweets guy I couldn't handle it too much so be warned. But I got to switch with a friend and thus the other food was amazing. I forgot what it was called but its the last dish on the menu and its a beef stir fry with veggies. The beef had a subtle sweet and salty flavor that was delicious and the veggies. Wow I don't know why the veggies tasted so good but it was garlic stir fryed and thus amazing. And got to try my friends katsu (breaded pork) and it was delicious, subtle sweetness with baked (tastes like grilled onions) with it. Simply tasty. And did I mentioned I had the potato croquette which is basically deep fried mash potato! It was fried perfectly, crispy exterior with a piping hot creamy mash potato inside as you dip it in a sauce that can only be described as sweet japanese sauce. good stuff But the service was amazing because they gave my friends, a total of 9 of us, enough gyoza for all of us on the house! Those things were crispy tasty morsels, smoky flavor. So overall it was amazing experience, and definitely will come back soon. You won't regret it!
(4)yakuza e.
well, i was there last saturday thinking i could get some good japanese food. the waiter told me about their special - a rainbow trout - i thought it should be fresh since you cant go wrong ordering seafood at a japanese restaurant. what did i know? the fish was not fresh at all and they simply grilled the fish (burned a bit) without any seasoning (well, i guess this is zen's way of grilling?) with 2 sides (pickled cucumber and raddish) and a bowl of white rice. i can deal with the simple meal concept except that the fish (special of the day) was NOT fresh at all. the service was not great either. at the end, the waiter (a young one) just literally THREW me the bill on the table without saying anything (no thank-you or here is your bill, etc, all i saw was a piece of paper flew out from his hand and landed on my table, and he just walked away... i was like, WT***)... what a horrible service!!! i looked at myself -- i had my shoes, clothes, and took a shower that morning and shaved; it must be my look!! I AM CROSSING OUT THIS RESTAURANT FROM MY LIST NOW. it used to be good but, not anymore. there are better japanese restaurants elsewhere in chicago with comparable prices and better food and services.
(1)Frederica B.
Liked: Authentic Japanese homecookin', low prices and free green tea and miso soup with your meal. The nice waitress who seemed to know what she was doing. Disliked:The somewhat sneering waiter who was inflexible and could not accommodate a non-pork diet. ( What were the gyoza frozen or something and that's why you couldn't put something else in them?) And the wooden plank put up by the bathroom. It looked totally out of place. 4 stars, but it was more like 3 and half.
(4)Rex M.
Dan and the family at Sunshine-----hang in there! I'm waiting for your re-opening. I know the city can be picky about one thing or another, and I'm sure this MINOR reason will be worked out in no time at all. I miss my Chicken Teriyaki! Open up soon...... HURRY!!
(5)Colin B.
An exercise in purity and restraint, truly japanese. The sukiyaki is absurdley good and I suspect they might make the broth with an organ meat or two. The soba cold is very good, and though the dressing of the noodles was well done I've had better quality noodles themselves, albeit not by much. Although not tried this time around I also recommend the eel and any whole fish.
(4)Troy K.
Sushi does not make you a Japanese restaraunt. Sunshine is home cooking done right. My better half is from Nagasaki. Not a sushi fan. The owners are very welcoming and the food is better than we make it home. I am looking forward to going there again.
(3)Michelle L.
Amazing homestyle eats. GREAT saba shio, salmon, and udon. Fresh, quality ingredients cooked to perfection. All homemade with love. Like having the obachan you never had make you dinner. I have been trying to find a similar place in Los Angeles, but nothing has come close thus far. I miss Sunshine Cafe!
(5)Brian R.
A couple of good friends of mine took me to this place last week. They live just right down the street from it and have raved how godo the food was. It was closed for awhile, but with one phone call it was confirmed they were open for business! The place a small and very quaint. The owner and staff were very pleasant. My friends have been to this place previous times. The menu is not overwhelming for a Japanese place. Which I enjoyed. But overall the food at this place is inexpensive and fantastic! Will definitely be back to this cute little place.
(5)Jasmine C.
God, I love this place. I recommend: gyoza, potato croquettes, sukiyaki (you can ask them to throw an egg in so it's a little more authentic), and the tempura udon. The dining area is small and the restaurant is unpretentious. The food? Homey, affordable and very, very satisfying. I'm a fan.
(5)Amy L.
If there's such a thing as Japanese comfort food, that's what it felt like I ate here. Went here with 3 others. It was not busy at all. Even saw my wedding florist and her husband eating there. She is native Japanese and lives/works not too far from there so I supposed it'd be good. It was tasty food. Still not as good as Renga-tei but pretty good and cheap too. Only open for dinner. Helpful service. Street meter parking may be hard to find.
(3)lauren p.
This is one of those reviews where I have very little to add to what the other reviewers have said. There's very little to disagree with. I just had such a wonderful dinner last night that I want to give Sunshine a shout-out, even if it does get lost in the myriad of 4- and 5-star reviews below. Here is what you need to know about Sunshine: -it's kind of a dump. And I mean that in the nicest way possible. You do get the feel of eating in your grandmother's home, if your grandmother lives in a VFW hall. Decor is clearly not a priority here, which is fine, because you really don't want them thinking about anything but your delicious meal. - the menu is sort of vague. My companions and I had no real knowledge of Japanese food, so we asked a few questions, and the waiter patiently answered them. Sort of. - the food is CHEAP. For the 3 of us, we split an order of gyoza (delicious) and the tsukemono (pickled vegetables). I had the Kastu don, one friend had the Tonkatsu, and other friend had (I think) Beef Teridon. The Katsu don was delicious- panko-crusted pork deep fried to perfection and served with an amazingly sweet sauce, with a side of rice, some 'salad' and pickled cucumber. It was great, but the Tonkatsu, which was very similar, took it to another level. The Tonkatsu had the same pork, but with the addition of egg and onion, served over the rice, with a sweet broth. Fan-freaking-tastic. We BYO'd, and I think the total bill was $38. It seems like a lot of people take home leftovers, but while the portions were hearty, the food was so tasty I couldn't imagine not eating every single bite immediately. Go, before someone gets it on Check Please and it's impossible to get in.
(4)Ron H.
I don't recommend getting there "specials" for the day because it isn't good. I got the Katsu curry and the cut of the meat is poor and too chewy with limited good meat. The curry tends to be on the very light side and a price tag of $13 was not worth it at all. Many better restaurants along the street looks much better then this place!
(1)Daniel C.
Sunshine Cafe is a pretty low key restaurant with sort of a rundown store front. Before I read about this place, I used to walk by it thinking that it was a shady business. After I read some good reviews about this place, I decided to give it a try. Sunshine serves home style Japanese dishes such as don. If you want sushi, look elsewhere, because you won't find it here. I've tried the tonkatsu, which is fried pork cutlet, as well as the oyako don, which is rice with chicken and egg, and both were pretty good. If you are looking for a simple, fairly affordable dinner, this is your place! Being located in Andersonville, parking can be a pain, so beware.
(4)Brian D.
delicious food. great prices, service was great, and the owner is extremely kind. I recommend their eel. Fantastic.
(5)Johnathan W.
This place is very unassuming from the outside. The exterior makes it seem like a little bit of a dump. The inside is nothing special (gotta love wood paneling) and lends itself to be quite a relaxing lunch place. I went here last night and was greeted by a very friendly server. I was surprised to find out that this restaurant had some delicious-sounding specials. I, thanks to the recommendations of several yelpers, started with the potato croquettes. They were fairly moist and a little bit bland, but good overall. I then ordered Hot Chicken Soba (buckwheat noodles in a bowl with broth, veggies, and chicken) and my lady ordered Chicken Teriyaki. The verdict? Not too bad. I hope to go here again to try a few more things out. The food all tasted pretty decent, and was filling, nothing really blew me away though. The chicken teriyaki was a little bit heavy on the teriyaki. The soba was quite delicious and I couldn't finish it (because of the large portions).
(4)Erica S.
My friend and I decided to try Sunshine cafe last night and boy do I wish we had discovered it sooner. The inside is somewhat small and there are old school wood paneled walls. The restaurant was packed and among the diners there were many older Japanese folks, which to me was a good indicator of authenticity. There were so many tasty Japanese classics on the menu it was hard to decide what to eat and my friend was so excited when he found out his favorite Japanese dish, katsu curry, was a special that night. I had katsu don, a humble bowl of rice, breaded pork cutlet, eggs, and onions with a savory brown sauce. Sure the ingredients are simple, but that is what great comfort food is about and it was truly comforting after a long day. The impressiveness of Sunshine Cafe is in the details: At one point, he held out a morsel to me on his fork, "You can taste how slowly this has been simmering" he said. And boy was he right, It was possibly the most tender piece of beef I have eaten in my life. This is a great weeknight place to go for a satisfying meal. The entrees were about $10 and since its BYO you can really keep costs down. Why haven't you eaten there yet? Get going!
(5)Elysia L.
Please stop coming here! I love this place and it's getting too crowded these days. In all seriousness, I can't keep Sunshine to myself. My husband & I love this place. It's one of our favorites and we're there at least 2 or 3 times a month. I haven't had a thing on the menu that I didn't like. Even if you're not a fan of noodle soups, try the tempura udon with a healthy dose of the spicy chili powder. It's the best I've ever had. I will say that due to the size, this place is much better suited for couples & double-dates than it is for a group. The last time we were there they had 2 large parties and it really threw them off.
(5)Jim K.
Thanks fellow Yelps! This new find was fantastic. It almost looks like a bakery from the outside. The interior is plain to say the least. Now the food is awesome. We had a tuna sashimi appetizer and the unagi and teriyaki salmon for the main courses. Very well prepared and incredibly reasonable. We're going here again and again.
(5)Liz S.
If you're looking for Japanese home-style cooking that will leave you full and happy - this is the place to go! The best authentic and delicious COOKED Japanese food that I have had in the Chicago-land area. Ever since I moved back to the states from Asia, I've been craving a greater variety of Japanese food since most restaurants around here seem to only cater to the population that strictly eats only sushi & sashimi. Sunshine Cafe has a wonderful variety of cooked Japanese foods ranging from fish to meats. The quality of their food is great and I have never been disappointed! If you are craving udon or soba, this is also the place to go! I usually get an appetizer, side of pickled vegetables, a grilled saba or eel dish (with rice and miso) and a drink and the bill usually comes out around $15. They are so reasonable, and the wait staff are incredibly sweet and personable. I know it may look a little dingy from the outside but you should absolutely give it a try.
(4)Alvin d.
This would be a 'Check, Please!' - type recommendation for me Yes, they're keeping it simple stupid, all about the food. Tasty, no frills, comfy, reasonable food served in a friendly efficient manner. I particularly like the the soup selection. It does feel like eating in the extension of the church community room next door (with a Japanese flair of course), but I guess I'll just file this one under cute, interesting, and clean restaurant space. Want a break from sushi, but craving Japanese food? This is the place.
(4)Manda J.
I heart Sunshine Café. I like sushi, but Sunshine Café taught me that more traditional Japanese food is great too. It's a pretty a casual and relaxed restaurant and certainly doesn't look like much from the outside, but the food is outstanding and service is pretty efficient. I had a short wait for a table once, but it was worth it :)
(5)Miharu H.
I have been eating at this place for years. Thought I could keep it a secret but seems like the word is out. Since it's become more popular, I tend to go on Wed or Thurs to avoid the line that I've seen on the weekends during dinner. Otherwise i sneak in early around 5pm-6pm, before the dinner rush. I know everyone loves their potato croquette but I would highly recommend their gyoza...really good. For mains, I love the Katsu Don. Sunshine basically embodies everything I love about mom-and-pop style restaurants that are laid back and have an inviting atmosphere.
(5)Mike C.
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE ... Love this place to death. There is nothing bad on the menu. It's all prepared with love and deliciousness. My fave is Oyako Don ... chicken strips sauteed in a slightly sweet sauce with egg and onions over rice. Sooooooo comforting. Try the fish too. Shioyaki style is so much more interesting than Teriyaki and especially good with makerel (saba).
(5)E M.
Addictive potato croquettes, plus great katsu don and nanban yaki, and most importantly, awesome owners.
(5)Jess H.
I thoroughly enjoyed this homestyle establishment in a super cute neighborhood. The miso soup was delicious, the unagi was perfect, and I *think* it's BYOB - gotta love that!
(4)Luan N.
I was ecstatic to find such a hidden gem in close by Andersonville! Although I preferred the saba shioyaki over the salmon shioyaki, I thought they were both amazing. When we ordered, the waiter told us how he liked to prepare the saba. "Turn it over, squeeze some lemon, add the daikon oroshi with soy sauce on top" So he was very helpful, polite, and seemed like he had lots of pride in the restaurant. The saba has just the right amount of oil, firm, charred to perfection so that I could savor the skin. It brought back fond memories when my grandma would cook me some shioyaki in Japan. Portions were just right and made me want to go back for more. Although they can improve upon the decor, with these prices and great home cookin, I'm not going to care. Actually I take that back, I think the atmosphere is just right. If this place had design like Sushi Samba or Japonais, it just wouldn't fit with the homestyle cookin. Almost all the customers knew the waiter by name. I'll definitely be a return customer very soon.
(4)Sam Y.
We salvaged our anniversary at this place. Tried going to a fancier place but couldn't find a baby sitter last minute. Ended up here without expecting too much. Actually, the wife was disappointed because the decor of this place is pretty sub-par. But the food was near perfection. The soba noodles and the warm noodle soup was just perfect. We also ordered teriyaki chicken over rice... it tasted like exactly what we thought it would taste like (nothing special there). We wipe the plates clean! I mean, they literally just had to rinse cuz there was nothing to clean off the plates... except maybe our saliva.
(5)Cindi C.
ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY. The food is to die for and the atmosphere is one of the greatest things I have ever seen. What a hidden gem!
(5)Yanni N.
You can't believe how good this food is! Ok. so it's not some super chic Andersonville lounge and cafe - but if you are looking for the best AUTHENTIC Japanese food in the city - head on over to the Sunshine Cafe. The best part: This place has figured out how to serve high quality food at extremely low prices -- that's magic!!!!
(5)Barb L.
Everything you've read here is true. This place has good service, a pleasant host, great value and tasty food. What more can you ask for?
(5)Freddie S.
Coming from LA I think I've had some really great Japanese food. When I lived in Chicago, however, most Japanese places focused on sushi. There's so much more and I found it at Sunshine Cafe. The atmosphere is homey and comfortable. I don't know for sure but it seems like a family-run business. The food is great and the prices are very reasonable. I just wish it had longer hours so I could go whenever I want.
(5)Heather K.
Potato Croquettes! Sukiyaki! So freaking good. When all is said and done, homestyle cooking, no matter what the culture or country of origin, simply cannot be beat. Sunshine Cafe is no exception. Wish I lived closer! Also wish I had a Japanese grandmother who could cook this stuff for me on a regular basis.
(5)Carrie R.
Mmmm... last night was cold and rainy, we missed our bus to meet a friend for dinner and stood in the rain for 20 minutes while we watched several 22's run the other direction, but none on our side, and when we finally got to Sunshine our friend had been waiting for almost 45 minutes, hogging a table in the crowded restaurant, and we were freezing and wet. The perfect way to fix that situation? A cozy heartwarming dinner at Sunshine Cafe. Not only were the staff never unfriendly about the horrible waiting situation, they were funny and super helpful when we finally arrived. And the food. The gyoza were smoky and the sauce spicy and the combo delish. The sukiyaki was sweet and savory and hot and perfect for my cold and wet body. My companions ordered udon varieties and raved as well. And the portions were huge and the prices cheap, what more can you ask for?
(4)Annie L.
I went with my sister after reading all these reviews but I was a bit disappointed. The selection of food was ok but NOTHING like WOW that's great! They put so much MSG in the food, I feel so thirsty before I left the restaurant.
(2)Jia M.
I've eaten here twice and each time the food has been great and the service has been prompt and friendly. I have tried the shumai, the tonkatsu, the beef teri don, oyako don, the potato croquettes, and the beef teri don. I enjoyed all of these dishes (but I would choose the tonkatsu if forced), although my acquaintance noted that the oyako don was too salty. Prices are very reasonable. The one niggle I have is that while the owner is very friendly and prompt, sometimes you feel as though he is watching you as you eat. Maybe I'm just paranoid.
(4)Chris m.
Just my favorite Japanese place in the city. Not the kind of place where they fly in fresh fish daily for sushi, etc. blah blah blah and the chef is making this or that. I don't eat raw fish anyway. No offense if you do! Leave that to Sushi Smushi. But I do like fresh fish cooked and prepared well! This is just the kind of comfort Japanese food I love. Super nice family staff. Really first-rate sukiyaki and excellent salmon teriyaki, etc. They also offer a traditional salt-glazed version which is, well, salty but great. Their mackerel is excellent as well. Great basics. Wonderful appetizers, which shared can amount to a meal (which you should share here). Nothing fancy, but just perfect! The people are always super nice and accommodating. Always a nice experience, including the patrons who are a chill, hip, non-pretense group. Not uncommon to strike up a conversation with people next to you and chat about food choices, etc.
(5)Ben H.
This place is amazing,. I went there, got seated with my date, and we just ate... i got the saba shioyaki, and it was delicious. It was so good, that neither of us spoke during dinner. Its really grandma's cooking, so no sushi and such that you find at those other fancy restaurants. Prices are great and food even better. I am pretty much excited for the next visit. (they used to open for lunch, but not anymore)
(5)Ayaka H.
What is not to like about this kind of place? It is not pretentious. Good food and good people serving it. Complimentary green tea is a keystone of a good japanese restaurant. Who charges for green tea?!! I took my bf there last night and I arrived as hungry as a horse. We started off with the hiya yakko- cold tofu with an assortment of toppings: grated ginger, bonito flakes, and thinly slices green onion. You top your tofu with all of that goodness and pour a little soy sauce over the whole thing. Delicious. Such simple ingredients that delivers such an amazing complexity of flavors. Now I said I was hungry so we also ordered gyoza (done perfectly as any good japanese gyoza is....heavy on the vegetable mixture, must be pork filling and served with ponzu with a little spicy chili oil). They were piping hot and inspired me to make my own batch. Then on a whim, I tried the fried smelt appetizer. for 4.50 you get about 10 fried smelt. Prettty tasy morsels. For our main meal, I had the saba shioyaki served with a heaping mound of grated daikon. SOOOO Good. My bf had the Katsu Don and I think he even purposely saved a bit so he can take it to lunch today. Too cute that boy. For all that food, the bill came out to 32 dollars.....what a deal. For the price, the quality is amazing. The decor is nothing to call home about, but the main star is the food.
(5)David S.
Having grown up and lived in Japan for a good 10 years, it goes without saying that I'm constantly on the prowl for some down home, authentic Japanese food. Don't let the mild slant in my eyes and the high cheek bones fool you; despite my genetic coding I'm completely and utterly opposed to sushi as a dietary choice. When it comes to Japanese food, I want the food my mom put on the table when I was a kid. I found it here! If Sunshine Cafe spoke with a mild accent and insisted on wearing Tweety Bird sweatshirts at all times I'd actually confuse it with my mother. The decor leaves a lot to be desired (for a second I thought I'd taken a wrong step and gone into a currency exchange), but in all honesty I'd probably be happy eating on a bus bench if the food was good enough. We started off with some sliced tofu with bonito flakes, green onion, and ginger. Simple food that mom used to throw on the table to get our appetites going. It's pretty hard to screw this dish up, and they didn't. My boyfriend ordered the tempura udon, which I took a quick bite of and deemed to be adequate, but not stellar. My katsudon came out as a complete mess in terms of presentation, but after one bit all my huffiness melted away as the pork cutlet massaged my ego into submission. Not as good as Mom's, but good enough for me to save the $20 in gas it would cost me to get it at home. First time visit, but I thought it pretty much rocked. Service was "meh" but to be honest they seemed really understaffed and if I had to run around explaining to everyone eating there that, yes, this really IS Japanese food even though it's not wrapped in seaweed, I might be a little grumpy, too. I'll be back. And I'll be bringing my appetite, too!
(4)Dan B.
I went here for the first time last night due to yelpers raving reviews, and I must say I agree. Plus it didn't hurt that its a few blocks from my apartment. Yes it is wood paneled and a bit flourescent, but I actually liked the atmosphere, it was lively, warm, and friendly. The service was good, especially since one guy seemed to be waiting on the entire restaurant. I have the Tempura Udon which was awesome, especially after adding some of the red pepper he brought out. I was pratically licking the bottom of the bowl for the last bits of that broth. The tempura was perfect, and heavy on green beans which is my favorite tempura vegetable. There were many other menu items that loooked tempting, and that I would like to try, but that udon was good enough I might not be able to stray. The only thing that I disagree with most other reviews on are the appetizers. We had the potato croquettes and calamari per reccomendations, and I found neither overly exciting. The potatoes were simply that, mashed potatos, and the calamari while tasty was a bit chewy for my taste. All in all though I will definitely return. Probably very soon, especially if this cold weather keeps up.
(4)n l.
So my friend was so chatty we passed up a sushi restaurant we wanted to try. Using my Yelp application on my phone, I found this place. The interior looks like a... mom and pop's Japanese restaurant, but there wasn't a single asian client seated.. (hmm..).. We normally would have turned around, but we were tired of walking. The hostess and waiter greeted us almost immediately and were both very friendly. We ordered potato croquettes, a pork udon bowl, and some beef noodle dish.. which were ALL delicious! I'm usually satisfied with any asian restaurant, but I have to say this was heaveeennn. We ate everything and considered ordering more to go.. I will more than likely be back. :)
(5)Jennifer Y.
I'm asian (as you can tell) and I'm not saying that I have better taste buds, BUT ... I'm asian. For better or for worse. I love this place. I recommend the mackerel over the salmon. Potato croquettes are great -- the sauce they come with is delicious-yum-yum. Highly recommended to anyone who likes hole-in-the-wall restaurants and authentic Asian food.
(5)Rachelle G.
Honestly, I've never had Japanese food outside of the extras you can find at sushi restaurants. I decided to come here and figure out what Japanese cuisine was like other than sushi. First impressions (and I had read about this in other reviews), don't expect to be welcomed upon entering. You can of just wait until they come talk to you, they don't really acknowledge your arrival regardless if they see you or not. The space itself kind of reminds me of eating in your grandmother's house, you know in that, nothing is really modern way yet it feels ok bc it's cozy. Upon being seated, we were given two menus, the regular and their specials. Nothing really jumped out at me. I decided to go with something I was familiar with, tempura udon. I also tried the special calamari appetizer as others have commented that if it's available, get it. The udon was fairly standard, nothing special. The calamari was basically the tentacles which the server did note in his description, it was just lightly floured. Nothing special. I also tried some of my friend's gyoza, I didn't really care for it much. They pretty much fell apart once you lifted it up. Overall, the tastes were very delicate and I think my taste buds are used to being shocked here and there. Overall, a good bargain but I didn't leave wanting more.
(3)Jim W.
Honestly I wish I could rate this place higher, esp b/c I love Japanese home cooking at a very reasonable price. Perhaps b/c I've been discussing a lot with friends recently that food, particularly ethnic food, in Chicago just isn't on par with the coasts. Part of it is the expectation I suppose after reading all the glowing reviews here, but really Sunshine Cafe, while doing the cooked dishes better than all of downtown Chicago, was pretty plain. I ordered the potato croquettes on everyone's recommendation - which was solid. They had a special of squid calamari that evening which was slightly battered, but not entirely fried and that was decent. For my entree I settled upon the sukiyaki - awesome that there was this option, but again, it was good but not great. My friend tried their chicken teriyaki (yea, I know, I know). Something about the texture of the chicken was different in a good way, but it wasn't like melt-in-my-mouth delicious. I think in the end what Sunshine Cafe offers is diversity from your typical Chicago Japanese restaurant. It is homely and a mom and pop shop - although my friend claims she saw that the chef was Mexican (not being racist, just an observation for Japanese purists) - but it wins you over by default b/c these options just don't exist downtown.
(3)Agnes F.
reasonable good homestyle Japanese cooking we came in on a sunday night, shared the calamari appetizer (nice, deep fried lightly breaded calamari), i had the grilled mackerel and bf had the unagi don i really liked my mackerel and his unagi don is not bad either we had so much food, had to bring half of that home love the attentive, friendly service
(4)Dejan B.
Good place. Good service and great food. That said, I do not think it was the nicest place in the world inside. Yes, it was homey but it could have been better. It was relatively roomy inside and seemed very popular but we still got a seat very quickly. The food was delish but the portions were small. Overall, a good place for a quick dinner or lunch.
(4)iddells E.
Delicious, authentic, Japanese home-style cooking. I LOVE Sunshine Cafe. I have been here a while ago, but decided to revisit to let my boyfriend experience this wonderful little restaurant. First of all, the staff is very friendly, making you feel right at home. The tea is perfect and so is the miso soup. My boyfriend ordered the udon with beef and vegetables...he loved it. I tried something different (I always order katsu don) and ordered the mackarel and it was delicious. The waiter explained to me the different ways to eat the mackerel, and I thought that was very helpful! I love that this restaurant is just 3 blocks away from me! The prices are also great, they're not expensive at all!
(5)Sarah T.
For the price, location (in my neighborhood), friendly service, and food, I love this place. I search for japanese restaurants that have good food besides sushi, it reminds me of the food my grandfather used to cook for us. It is japanese comfort food. I had wonderful service, everyone there is so nice and couldn't be happier with the choices. I got the Katsu Don, for I am a tonkatsu freak! They have a great homemade sauce, mmm. I look forward to going back there and trying something else.
(5)James D.
Place is amazing. Its completely unique, deff wont find another place like this. I have been going here since I was a little kid, most of the time its been owned and run by Joni an amazing lady. Its a favorite haunt for the post WW2 Japanese community for a long time. Which is strong evidence of the quality of food. It is as close to my grandmothers cooking as I could get, without going to see her. While alot of people looking for Japanese food, immediately think sushi as the first and only option. Sunshine proves you don't even need sushi on the menu @ a Japanese restaurant to be the best in the city. SO basically Sunshine is the legit home cooking japanese place in chicago(maybe in the states, according to some people i've talked to from California). And its BYOB, and very reasonably priced. P.S. the Salmon Shio/Teriyaki is out of this world. The Fish is super fresh, and picked out by the owners them selves for quality. The Nanban-yaki is also to die for, vegetable Nanban is my fav. and Tonkatsu is the old stand by for the "Mikey" kids (adults) who won't eat anything. OISHISOOUU!!!
(5)T M.
I am going to have to come back here, so I'll just say a few things about some of the things I tried: 1. Potato croquettes- These things are stupendous. Now, I like Cuban-style ham croquettes which, I grant, some people might find absolutely disgusting. But consider the two basic ideas present in there, which are the crispy outside and the hot, creamy, and savory filling. Substitute panko for regular bread crumbs and potato for (cheap and gristly) ham, then cook it like you give a damn about quality, and you have the potato croquettes. 2. Vegetable nanban yaki- It's a whole lot of really well cooked tofu and assorted vegetables (mostly bean sprouts, onions, and cabbage) separated into two very large piles, both atop a sauce. The sauce is clearly the star of the show. This is not to say that the whole thing wasn't prepared perfectly or that the vegetables weren't crispy and flavorful. But the sauce, damn. What a perfect combination of spicy, sweet, and sublime (as in, it exceeds all bounds of your imagination in its magnitude, allowing you to represent to yourself your infinite vocation). It also came with some rice! The whole meal was far too cheap. I don't care what the place looks like inside, at least it's not like an interior designer threw up their ego all over the walls. You can't just wipe that up.
(4)trieu n.
it was love at first bite. i've been here a few times, and i've always been greeted warmly and seated promptly. everything that i've tried off the menu is excellent, but i highly suggest the tonkatsu and the potato croquettes. the tonkatsu is a wonderfully deep-fried pork loin that is both crisp and juicy. the croquettes are literally breaded and fried mashed potatoes which are perfectly light and delicious. sunshine cafe is also very reasonably priced, which is not something that can be said for many japanese restaurants in the city. entrees range from the $9-14 range, and the portions are nicely sized. the service has always been spot-on, even with a full restaurant. they also accept reservations for parties of 8 or more, so call ahead!
(5)Carly O.
There is no place I'd rather go for a meal. Perhaps you're doubting my sanity or wondering if I've dined at other restaurants in Chicago. Trust me, I have. Sure, maybe I love the place because it's in my neighborhood, or because I'm JA or because Japanese food is my favorite. So what? Sunshine Cafe fulfills every craving I have. There is nothing pretentious about the place. No, I don't go for the interesting decor or the oustanding service. In most cases, this would be important to me, but not with Sunshine. Everything is good. I tend to go for the beef teridon, tempura, udon or the tonkatsu. All of the appetizers are great, including the simple but elusive tofu salad, the potato croquettes and their calamari special. For a lovely, down home, simply prepared Japanese meal, this is THE only place to go.
(5)Joshua N.
If noodles are your comfort food, then this is like a trip to grandma's. I had the vegetable soba (hot) and was really impressed with how much flavor made it into the broth. It is a small and cozy restaurant with a decent crowd and one or two really friendly people running around taking orders and then disappearing behind some Japanese paper walls. Great value and a nice change from the sushi places. Five stars for being authentic, delicious, and particularly for having food that is much more inviting on a Chicago winter night than a cold piece of raw fish.
(5)Inspector G.
This is a great little secret that's so authentic, it probably scares a lot of people away. Forget the typical coy ponds and pan flutes... plastic food samples and pictures of the menu items are more typical in Japan. Wood paneled walls, industrial carpeting and flat fluorescent lighting cap off an ambiance that can only be described as "well, at least the food better be good." It usually is great. Come, BYO and leave your prejudices at the door. This place is special.
(4)Amy H.
YAY SUNSHINE CAFE! Authentic sukiyaki, fantastic service, my date and I had a perfect dining experience. Definitely going back. It reminded me of my vacation in Japan many years ago - plastic food in the windows, ftw! Prices were excellent, food was excellent, I love it here. Don't go looking for sushi or trendy food, that's not the point. The point is grandma's cooking, Japan-style. Seventeen thumbs up.
(5)Lisa M.
I heart Sunshine Cafe! It's a wonderful, family-run Japanese restaurant serving authentic homestyle Japanese food. I love it for its simplicity, its great food at good prices, and its warm and welcoming staff. It's the kind of restaurant you go back to again and again because it starts feeling like home. Thank you, Sunshine Cafe!
(5)jake b.
Imagine your incredibly nice and friendly Japanese friend in high school invited you over to his house for dinner with the family. And then that dinner was delicious. This should give you an idea of what Sunshine Cafe feels like. The staff is so nice, I wish they were my friends in high school. The ambiance and food feel very homey - and that is perfect for this place.
(5)Kimberly B.
If your idea of Japanese is sushi, this place is not for you. They rarely have more than a California roll and when they do it is a special. Having said that, this is one of the best places in town. It's a small place, very down to earth -- nothing special about the decor, if they are super busy you might stand around the entrance for a bit. After that they'll direct you to any of the open, size appropriate tables. Honestly, I've never had a dish that went wrong here. I've had about half of the main courses, but my favorite is the sukiyaki. It's so delicious and perfect for cool weather. My boyfriend makes us go at least once every two weeks for their fish. After having fish here, he won't eat it anywhere else (or if he does there is lots of griping about how it could have been more like Sunshine's fish). It's been said before, but the potato croquettes are delicious and make a great appetizer. The green tea ice cream is some of the best I've had. It comes with two scoops, but they'll happily give you half an order or split your order between you and a friend.
(5)Deez N.
Such a friendly staff and great tasty food. Not a fine dining restaurant by any means, but this is one of those places you can go to for a meal any day of the week. Price is pretty moderate. My picks here would be the tofu salad and the katsu don rice bowl. But to be honest, every dish we shared here was quite tasty. Oh yeah, the cold soba noodles were fantastic too. Just wish this place was walking distance to my apt, cuz if so, id def be a regular here.
(5)B S.
This place is the best home style Japanese restaurant. The appetizers are awesome. Potato croquette, Gyoza (Pot Sticker) and Kimpira-Gobo are highly recommended. Especially, Potato Croquette is just like my Mom made at home.
(5)Sierra R.
Victor is right, we love this place! Everything is so fresh and yummy. The fish is awesome and the staff too! Very homey food. I also love that it's BYOB.
(5)Simone C.
Best home-style Japanese food in Chicago. Katsudon is the best. Sunshine is one of my favorite restaurants of all time. I take everyone here and they all love it.
(5)Cary S.
This is my favorite Japanese restaurant in Chicago and has been since it opened in the 90s. If you're looking for a trendy Japanese dining experience with mood lighting, cool electronic music, and fancy food presentation, this place is not for you. If you're looking for simple but excellent Japanese cooking at a very affordable cost, this place is for you. Plus, they have my favorite miso soup in town.
(5)Kerri C.
I've walked by this place so many times, and finally went in to experience the great things I heard about Sunshine for myself. I really loved the food. My companion had the Udon Noodles (delicious) with vegetables and I ordered the Nanban Yaki (vegetable stir-fry). We tried the potato croquettes as suggested by other reviewers and they were quite good. I loved the sauce that they came with. Service was very welcoming and friendly. I think this is a great place for traditional Japanese.
(4)Paul H.
I've been hearing about this place for months now and finally had the chance to go last night. It was great! I started out with the tofu salad and an order of gyoza that had a surprisingly spicy dipping sauce. Both were simple and well executed dishes. I followed that up with the broiled makarel (Saba Shioyaki) it was recommended to me and didn't disappoint. It was perfectly cooked, light and flakey - I only wish there was more as I inhaled it along with the rice and cucumber salad. One more thing - this place is BYOB and doesn't have a corkage fee. For the price, this place is definitely worth the trip. I'm looking forward to heading there when the weather is cold - those udon noodles looked excellent too!
(5)Lil G.
I knew this place was good when I felt like I was eating my grandma's japanese home cooking -- and i'm not even Japanese! That's just what it is: great japanese home cooking. No frills. I've been to Tokyo a few times and this place reminded me of some of the small dives I went to in Japan, where the locals go for a good warm meal. I've had the udon and the pork katsu and they were both very good. I can't wait to come back here for the udon when it's freezing cold out. The perfect meal. I will be back a lot. Edit: Been back there few more times and have not been dissappointed. You must try the mackerel and salmon both shioyaki style. They are godly.
(5)Barry J.
Welcome back Sunshine Cafe! They were closed for 3 months over the summer but now they're back. I have nothing substantial to add that hasn't been said, I just want to pile my five stars onto the count. I used to come here for lunch but it's dinner only these days. We had a nice early dinner there on a Friday night. It's a single storefront, kinda small. Every perimeter table was taken with older japanese familes, all obviously regular customers. The staff was giving everyone a warm and sincere welcome. It was very pleasant and friendly. We had their special seaweed salad appetizer with squid, very tasty. Had their trusty Oyako don for my main. It's a bowl of stir-fried chicken with onions over white rice. The sauce is a little sweet and savory and it's very delicious. I eat the pork version in the winter (katsu don.) This is a casual unpretentious place that doesn't really need any hype or exaggerated praise. Excellent food, good value, friendly service.
(5)Mark T.
Outstanding. Just outstanding. Since returning from a 3 week trip to Japan, my partner and I have been searching for something in Chicago to bring back memories. This is the place! We both had a bowl of soba, one with tofu and one with pork. Subtle, savory, delicious! Just like it should be. The service was friendly, the atmosphere was delightfully cafe-like and the origami in the window was a nice touch.
(5)Jon J.
I am so happy that Sunshine Cafe has finally reopened. I have been waiting to try it out, since I first learned about it right before they closed last October. It's good, homecooked Japanese comfort food. No sushi - just the deliciousness of sukiyaki, tonkatsu, udon, etc. Not a huge menu, just the basics - which they do extremely well. Friendly staff, but they close a bit early - 9pm, even on Fridays!
(4)L T.
I love love love this place! Omgosh. I cannot say enough good things. I have been here twice. Nothing is really bad and its authentic Japanese. There's definitely a nice homely feel to it and the staff is incredibly sweet. The potato croquettes are so delicious. The outside is very crispy and the inside is like mash potato heaven. The sauce is very complementary- a bit tangy and slightly bbq-esque. I got the shrimp tempura udon both times I came here and it never lets me down. The flavor is just perfect and I like that the noodles taste fresh. It is smaller than the normal sized udon and kind of skinnier; i have never seen this size udon before and i like it! The portion of each plate is really good for the price. My boyfriend is a huge fan of fish and the first time we came, he ordered the salmon. Second time, he had mackerel. He really enjoyed them both very much! Like I said earlier, the staff is very kind. I remember seeing them eating watermelon in the back the second time I was at the restaurant and I made a comment to my bf that that would be an excellent dessert after our meal. He actually asked our server if it was possible to have a bowl of sliced watermelon and that we would pay for it. He came back with a huge bowl, more than we expected and he didnt charge us!!! GREAT Japanese food and GREAT service.. what's not to like?!
(5)Jon G.
It's like going into a Japanese family's house and having a casual dinner. Don't expect anything fancy. Just simply really good food at really reasonable prices. The Unagi Don and Udon soups are outstanding.
(5)Brad C.
Because so much of the Chicago restaurant scene is artifice, is so concept-driven, sometimes the real is revelation. Such is the case with Sunshine: it still looks like the stage set of some trivial play on 1970s post-marriage sexual politics (you know, like, the "Ice Storm" and such?), and it still serves the most honest menu in town, a concise collection of Japanese home cooking landmarks. Get a fish, by all means--I'm partial to a recent special, a grilled whole (well, headless) trout with ginger, miso, or teriyaki (we went with miso); the broiled mackeral is also a classic, served with radish snow, pickled cucumbers, and a lemon slice. I love their bright vegetable and seawood preps: we had the pickled burdock root and carrot mix, which had a nice salty tang from the sesame dressing. They're also very quietly serving up some of the best soups in town: the house miso is spectacularly balanced, presumably curative; noodles in the udon and soba are toothsome and unctuous, though what makes the mind reel are the broths, which are beguiling in their simple symmetry of dashi, mirin, and soy. Add a smidge of schichimi and you're golden. This was all $30, by the way. Quoth the neon sign above the neighboring Philadelphia Church: "Jesus saves."
(5)Alexis B.
A delicious dining experience in an intimate homey setting with great service. You don't want to miss this hidden gem! My favorite is the Oyako Don. I've been going there for years and can't get enough!
(4)jaime m.
I'm listening to 101.1 FM, and they just stayed this place was shut down due to rust shelving, dirty cooking utensil and grease all over the place. No telling what else they didn't mention...ugh
(1)Nam V.
First off the service is 5 star they are good people but that's not gonna save them from this review... I am so furious by my meal that I'm writing this in the restaurant as we speak... I order a Katsu-don I swear I got a huge bowel of rice and 4 to 5 pieces of .5 in by .5 in pieces of katsu... I mean what the heck it's not even a full chicken breast... I don't know if it's a hit or miss with this restaurant or what, because some other reviewer said there were tons of meat in their katsu don... I must have happen to miss it by a long shot....It's like I order a giant bowel of rice.... If I wanted strictly rice I would take the container of rice out of my rice cooker and pour sweet soy sauce over it because that's what I am eating right now! I will not be returning to this place or at least not ordering the same meal.
(1)Jon B.
Very friendly and homey, but the food is very Americanized, which in this case is a bad thing. The tonkatsu, which I foolishly try everywhere, was too thin and was a bit dry, didn't come with mustard, and came with soggy shredded iceberg lettuce instead of crisp shredded cabbage. The kinpira was too sweet for my taste, but not bad otherwise. Reminded me of a bad restaurant in a beach town in winter: you eat there only because you have no choice.
(2)Andrew M.
Absolutely superb. The mackerel shioyaki was delectable, reminded me of home cooked breakfast in a Tokyo inn. Service was attentive, they even threw in an extra portion of potato croquettes for free because there were three in our party. Prices are extremely reasonable. A real treasure.
(5)Sherry N.
I'm on my way now to pick up Katsu Don at Sunshine Cafe, and just had to do a quick shout-out. Excellent quality home-style Japanese comfort food, perfect for a winter Sunday evening take out. Our perfect neighborhood jewel. The service rocks, too - three cheers especially for Danny. Don't forget to try the potato croquettes and the amazing mystical sauce. I heart Sunshine.
(5)Claire S.
I had passed Sunshine Cafe before and not really noticed it. But my boyfriend has been coming here for years and brought me in for dinner several weeks ago. We're both fans of homestyle Japanese cooking and having visited Japan, we both look for spots in the city where we can satisfy our craving for all things Japanese. Sunshine Cafe is one of these spots. Authentic, modest and comforting food is what you'll find (try the potato croquettes and tempura udon). Hot green tea is complimentary. Sunshine is a family-owned and operated gem of a restaurant where you can relax and briefly escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
(5)matt b.
Only thing better than the food was the friendly, welcoming personality of the staff. Only wish i had discovered this place a long time ago.
(4)Eric V.
There are no frills when it comes to Sunshine Cafe. The prices are cheap, and I rather enjoyed the relaxed, comforting atmosphere. Unfortunately the food just didn't hold up its end of the bargain. Our fried squid appetizer was overcooked and somewhat rubbery, and my fiancee's salmon teriyaki had several large bones. I really wanted to like this place, especially with so many positive reviews. Maybe I came at an off night so I won't completely write them off just yet.
(3)Sara M.
RIP SUNSHINE CAFE, I will leave this review up as a tribute to your greatness: If you are ever feeling blue, or like your personal health has taken a nosedive, go to Sunshine Cafe. Order my favorite meal. Have a sip of green tea and then start with the Gomae. Be amazed that cooked spinach could taste like that. Procede to a gentle cup of miso (on a cold day drink it from the bowl and warm your hands at the same time), then eat the Norwiegan Salmon. Notice how the skin is UNBELIEVABLY crispy, marvel at the moistness of the fish. Pay the bill, note how it is less than $15. Feel smarter than all the people paying the same price or more for crapy food at chain outlets. Remark to yourself how it only took 35 minutes to treat yourself to something delicious. Think of me. Your guru.
(5)Matt D.
After reading so many great reviews i was not pleasantly surprised with my dinner. I had a friend in town from San Fran who is quite the foodie so i was hoping Sunshine would prove to be the diamond in the rough it was reviewed as. It unfortunately was not. First of all i must say i was pleased with the appetizers, calamari, tofu, and the pork dumplings were all great. The main course was a different story however. I ordered a fried pork tenderloin and was surprised to find a piece of meat resembling a wiener schnitzel. I guess i was expecting more of a light coating instead of the deep, deep fried meat that i got. I also had a sample of some other dinners and was not impressed by any. Overall i was very disappointed and will not be returning soon.
(2)Ted F.
Is there such a thing as Japanese soul food? Knowing this place is around is making me dread winter slightly less.
(4)Anjali B.
A friend of mine said this was his favorite place EVER, so I needed to try it ASAP being that it's right in the neighborhood. While I'm more sushi-focused as a whole, I know that Japanese homestyle can be delicious, so I wanted to try it out here. It's a simple but homey atmosphere, and the waitstaff was attentive and very friendly. We ordered a few appetizers, including the california roll, potato croquettes, pickled veggies, and gyoza. You could tell it was all fresh, homemade, and used great ingredients. I got the chicken teriyaki meal and so did my friend. The miso soup that came with the meal was good too, with big pieces of tofu, and a savory broth (not just warm saltwater like at some places, meh). The chicken teriyaki was delicious. The outside of the meat was almost crispy and firm, and the inside was tender and juicy. The sauce wasn't gelatinous or "corn-syrupy" as my friend put it, but just pure, perfect flavor. My boyfriend got the sukiyaki and I just about screamed when I grabbed a bite from his plate. So savory and delicious, with tender bits of beef, noodles, onions, and a flavorful beefy broth. Real comfort food. Not too expensive at all for what it has to offer. Great place :) EDIT! Still 5 stars, but the Ika Geso and the Ten Zaru Soba are AMAZING!
(5)Nastassia J.
Deelish. Fresh, homey food. No complaints at all. I don't have much to add that other reviewers have no covered, but I did overhear another guest ask for a raw egg on the Sukiyaki....they said they don't do that anymore for health reasons.
(5)Nick B.
This is place isn't your normal japanese place. 1st of all there is no sushi (well there is one califonia roll..). If your ok with not having sushi (which you should be because the resto of japanese cuisne is amazing you will love this place. The sukiakee is great, the soups are amazing, the teriakee salmon/chicken is very good. In fact i can say ive had almost everything on the menu and never been disapointed. I would definitly go to this place and recomend it to anyone. BYOB by the way. And cheap as well
(5)Rob K.
I just wanted to update my review and say that Sunshine Cafe reopened and all is right with the world. It is my favorite restaurant in the entire city, and it can never close again, ever. NEVER EVER. There is no problem a bowl of udon from Sunshine Cafe can't solve, or at least make seem less daunting. The best homestyle Japanese cooking in the city, bar none.
(5)Jesster A.
Chicago Tribune (10/20/06) gave it top billing with a 4 Forks review today in it's CHEAP EATS column ( AT PLAY Section) - so look out for crowds and a possible (if temporary) downturn in quality and service. The reviewer pretty much LOVED everything about this place and everything on the menu as well (he just wishes the Oyako Duburi "had been made with chicken thigh" instead of breast meat. Note that 4 Forks is their highest rating and they almost never give it!
(4)Char Y.
Ok, so we went back for more of the delicious home cooking today, and got eggplants, marinated spicy carrots and burdock, potato coquettes, pork curry katsu rice, and sukiyaki. Everything was either too salty, sweet or spicy. I was disappointed at the quality of the food we were served. They seemed TOO home made.
(2)Barbara L.
Dear Chicago Vegetarians, Don't be scared of the Sunshine Cafe! Like me, you probably dread the prospect of eating at authentic Asian restaurants. It only takes a few fishy tasting "vegetarian" sauces to make you swear off the cuisine entirely. In this regard, eating at the Sunshine cafe was an extraordinarily pleasant surprise. The waiter (whom I'm told works there almost all of the time) not only knew what it meant to be vegetarian, but actually went through the menu and explained what my options were. In terms of the food itself, it was pretty damn good. I ain't going to lie, Japanese food probably isn't the tastiest vegetarian choice (at least in my opinion) but it is really nice to be able to escort meat-eaters to this very popular place.
(4)Jane K.
Must get croquettes and anything on the menu. It's all good. No sushi, just homestyle Japanese. Delicious flavors but a bit on the salt heavy side.
(4)Stacey H.
Yum! Very good Udon, and they had a great whole miso glazed rainbow trout special the day I was there. Very friendly server too!
(4)Grace L.
Oy-shi. As written and warned...this is not a sushi place. This is definitely Japanese comfort food. all cooked and comfortable. My in-laws who love Japanese food came here with a lot of skepticism, but left enjoying the food and the ambiance. We had the ten don, beef teri don, katsu don and the salmon. All of them under or around 10 bucks. No complaints there. The portions are amazing and unlike some fusion places, the sauces aren't too saucy or sweet. The service was absolutely delightful, helpful and patient. Although we came in the middle of summer, I know that this food will be even more comforting on a winter evening. Can't wait until I come back.
(5)Robyn F.
This place is great for the burbs! The homestyle cooking is very comforting. The appetizers are especially good. I usually get the soba noodles or the donburi.
(4)Kimberly E.
AMAZING! I literally did not want to stop eating! It may look like a hole in the wall, but this place is incredible and one of the best meals I've ever had. The soba is delicious and perfect for a cold day (though next time I want to try the pork instead of the shrimp tempura), and the chicken-onions-eggs is unreal -- get it!! Service was also great, really friendly and comfortable. The only thing that could make it better is not being so far north!
(5)Jacob K.
Sunshine cafe is a good place for country style Japanese food. The ambiance is lacking but the food is good and the people are friendly. Don't pass up the tekadon- I had something else that was good but not that good.
(3)Kendrah R.
I love this place. Totally down to earth and great food. Since there are few good jewish deli's in this town, I have made sunshine my new home cooking fix when I'm sick. Their chicken udon soup rival's my grandma's matzo ball soup. Though they are not a sushi place, I think they have the best california rolls in town.
(5)Christine J.
The best part about my meal at Sunshine Cafe was that it was cheap. The two of us left satisfied and only dropped $28 for three dishes. Nothing really inventive though, everything on the menu you can pretty much get at other Japanese restaurants, even some sushi ones.
(3)Justin R.
This place was great. The food reminded me of Tokyo. Nice. Homey. Not too expensive. The service was outstandingly friendly and the place is BYOB. If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, other than sushi, you cannot do wrong at Sunshine Cafe. I will definitely be going back, but will it be soon enough to keep me happy?
(5)super t.
Such a cute, casual place eat. The staff is very friendly and warm, and I like it when you can be a on a first-name basis with the owner. I like their katsudon, seaweed salad and tempura udon (make sure to ask for tempura sauce if they don't give it to you -- it's has freshly grated ginger, mm).
(5)Erin K.
Sunshine= love. I've been going here for years, and I've never had anything off the menu that was less than delicious. I almost cried when they closed, and when they didn't make tempura shrimp because the lady who has the recipe was out of town for a while. Their tempura udon is some of the best I've ever eaten. The shrimp is great quality and the broth is sososososo good. However, I always order sukiyaki. It's gotten to the point where Paul just laughs at me when I say that's what I'm getting. But hey, if it's good, why get anything else! It's served with rice and misoshiro, so you definitely walk away from your meal feeling full. And content. The only problem is that I'm pretty sure they put MSG in the food. And I always forget to ask them to exclude it, so I usually get a bit of a stomachache. Oh well, it's always worth it. BTdubs, I'm Japanese, so I feel like it's necessary to mention that their food tastes just like the food my grandma makes. Que authentico!
(5)Darlene R.
This place is extremely good and very reasonable. I would highly suggest the fried calamari tentacles if they have it. The ambience was nothing special, but the food made up for it. One of the reasons i didn't give this place 5 stars is because there was no sushi. also the beef teriyaki wasn't closer to korean bulgogi than beef teriyaki. however, since it was only 8.50 i'm not overly offended. the tonkatsu ($10.50)was wonderful. the sukiyaki was great and the tempura dinner ($13.50)was huge! overall very pleased and i will be back.
(4)Made N.
My first experience with Japanese food was a good one. I had the Vegetable Udon - incredibly deliscious noodles! My partner had a teriyaki beef dish of some sort which was served with lettuce and rice. good, but not as good as my gargantuan bowl of udon! We shared a seaweed salad, yummyliscious! and also got some Miso soup, which was very tasty as well. The green tea was plentiful and yummy. it was all perfect warmth for a chilly day. the ambiance, however, leaves something to be desired - wood paneling everywhere. Odd place in terms of looks, but definitely good food. For the look of the place, I feel like the food should be even cheaper really, like an excellent hole-in-the wall food find, but still it's cheaper than many other places, so I'd probably go back because the food really is excellent.
(4)Tasty K.
Yummy! Just when I had decided good Japanese food had to expensive I stumbled upon this here joint. My big toe was sore but my belly, my big fat belly, was full. Imagine a big bowl of unadon for about what you'd expect to pay for a single piece of unagi at a fancy pants sushi restaurant. I don't have to. I've lived the dream! Marry me Sunshine Cafe! It won't just be because I can't keep my lips off your eel. I love you for your gomae, too! xoxo
(5)rachel p.
our first time at sunshine cafe and nowhere to sit. :( no worries... the lovely couple in the corner would like to share their table with us. :) our first time with a japanese homecookin' menu and we're not sure what to order. :( no worries... the lovely couple who happen to be regulars would like to give you some suggestions. :) you can't decide between the salmon teriyaki and the salmon shioyaki. :( no worries... the waiter suggests the shioyaki w/ a side of teriyaki sauce so you can try both :) the food was straight forward, simple flavors beautifully executed. we shared the gyoza, and i had the chicken udon. everything was delicious and my soup was large enough for two people. i also really liked that they brought the spicy stuff on the side so you could season to your likening. for a place that looks like a backroom diner, they sure cook up some tasty food! thanks to fern and norm for their suggestions :)
(5)Brandon S.
Amazing food, amazing and friendly service, and really cheap prizes! Focuses more on general Japanese cuisine (which I love) than sushi (which I also love). Just a great, great place, and I'm almost afraid to rate it b/c I want it to kind of stay a secret and not busy... ^_^
(5)Keri M.
I tried this adorable little place a few weeks ago with some girlfriends and it was so good! It's not fancy or trendy - it's just really good food and nice people bring it to you. Yum!
(4)Dan J.
What a super cute place! It was recommended by a friend, so I kind of knew what to expect, but it was just as good as she said! Incredibly friendly and helpful staff; they apologized for the wait (all of 5 minutes) and double checked that our table was okay. The food was delicious and extremely reasonably priced. Plus BYOB and it is perfect for tight budgets! I will definitely be going back! Thank you, Sunshine Cafe!
(4)Soo S.
One of my Chicago favorites! My best friend told me about this place a long time ago, and since I always make an effort to go there. The food is just GREAT. Its Japanese home cooking. The owners are really nice and waiters and waitresses are always sweet. The Tonkatsu is my favorite, the meat they use is of high quality. The udon is out of this world.
(5)Tristin M.
Still my favorite place!
(5)nunov y.
Fantastic! This place is quite small, and I'm sure it gets very busy. Wow...this is an incredible value. One of the best meals I've had in recent memory, and I think 3 of us walked out for under $40. We ordered the California Rolls, and although sushi isn't their specialty, they were very good. I had the pork cutlet with special sauce...it was kind of a tangy hoisin sauce but very good. It came with a salad which had a very interesting dressing, definitely worth trying. My wife had a steak stirfry, and it had flavor unlike any other food I've ever tried. This was truly an original eating experience, the food is incredibly inexpensive and it'll be like nothing you've ever tasted. I recommend this place 100% They even will recommend places near to buy beer, since they have a BYOB policy. Too bad I don't live in the area, or I would become part of the furniture in this place. Check out my picture of the new glass ledge in Sears Tower, how cool! theholstory.blogspot.com
(5)Tony R.
This is by far the most lovely place to eat in Chicagoland; I left feeling absolutely serene. In fact, I got depressed when I left, I just wanted to go back and chill with Rob(I think that's the guy's name). It has a very homey atmosphere with the Japanese grandmas serving food and clearly, most of the customers are die-hard regulars. The ambiance from the outside isn't too indicative of the wonders that lie inside, which is simply decorated with some nice back music. I have never felt so satisfied and pleased with any other place I've dined at in this city. I seriously cannot emphasize this enough. Anyway, now for the meat of the business...the food was quite delectable. I mean, this is wonderful Japanese comfort food that makes Chicago considerably less miserable. I had the unagi don and my dining compatriots had the chicken teriyaki and sukiyaki, which were absolutely delicious. I plan to go back for the soba and udon which from what I eye look like they'd be very tasty. As an aside, I was given some Japanese pepper for my unagi and the cute grandma carefully explained " you might think this tastes weird, but I really like it, so you should try it." Hhahahaha, I almost died, it was hilarious. I plan to come here often this summer for much food and hugs from the grandmas. The feeling of serenity and being so absolutely full of amazing delicious awesomeness cannot be emphasized enough.
(5)Julian C.
Sunshine Cafe was a complete let down given all the hype on Yelp. The sad excuse for udon consisted of instant noodles w/ broth tasted like soy sauce mixed with hot water. Not tasty. Not authentic. Decor is shabby. And, hey waiter guy don't touch your customers okay? Creepy.
(1)Anna H.
I really enjoy this restaurant. It's cozy and comfortable - I feel like I'm eating at home! The dishes are all "homestyle Japanese". They have Katsu-Don, Tonkastu, fish dishes, good appetizers - all at very affordable prices. Also, if you're nice, they'll usually give you some homecooked little cookie crisps that are a great ending to a healthy, comforting meal! It's a small restaurant with only 10-12 tables, so it's likely that you'll have to wait 10-15 minutes if you go at dinner time, even on a weekday. However, once you're seated, the service is fast and attentive, so don't let the wait deter you!
(4)Ken H.
There is everything to like about this place... Friendly service, great prices, good portions, and excellent food. This is not haute fusion cuisine, and it's not a sushi bar,so if that's what you crave it's 3 blocks down. Sunshine is about comfort and awesome laid back deliciousness. It's like eating at the kids table at your grandma's.
(5)Joan D.
We had edamame and potato croquettes as appetizers, and the unagi don and the oyako donburi for dinner. The food was excellent and the service was even better! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful.
(5)Yas M.
Homestyle Japanese comfort food, slow and steady. There are no gimmicks here. Zero pretense. Sunshine is not Tokyo-modern. Unless you got a ma or grandma or aunties with roots in the pre-modern Japanese countryside, this may be about the only spot left in Chicago to taste this type of atmosphere and flavor. No liquor served, but you may bring your own bottle.
(5)Linda C.
A friend recommended this place. She said it's one of her favorite restaurants, and I understand why. This place is on the small side. It's a simple atmosphere, but the food is home cooking. It's so good. Everything I've had on the menu has been so satisfying, and the place is surprisingly affordable. You can get really great food, for reasonable prices here. It's become one of my new favorites. And the 70 blocks that separate us, doesn't keep me from wondering over there whenever possible.
(4)Alexander T.
Great Restaurant, great waiter. returned there several times with friends.
(5)Mark B.
This place has been a neighborhood favorite of mine for at least 8-10 years. During long study sessions, Chicken Teridon was my comfort food, along with some yummy Shumai. I'm only sorry that I don't live a couple of blocks away anymore. The service is very friendly, the prices are better than reasonable, and I've never been disappointed by any of the food that I've ordered there.
(5)Joel S.
I kind of wish that I could speak to the authenticity of this place, because it would make me seem that much cooler or somehow make my white skin seem less pasty. Alas, all I can say is that my wife and I had a huge meal of potato croquettes, udon and nanban yaki for about 20 bucks, it was all really delicious, and I hope to eat here more often this coming year. Usually I am all about the BYO, but in this case I am glad I skipped, as a warm complimentary cup of green tea on a cold Chicago night is just what the Dr. ordered.
(4)Zach H.
I can't say enough about this place. I would call it my favorite place to eat in the city. Delicious, savory homestyle food. It feels like Japanese comfort food. It was an especially great experience going there this past winter, warming up with some green tea and tender tempura pork cutlet over sticky rice of the perfect consistency. The room is simple, small, and welcoming. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)Melinda L.
I love this place!!! We were first recommended this place by a friend who called it Japanese home cooking. There is nothing fancy about Sunshine Cafe, nothing pretentious, no push for sushi (though great if you do have it), just a warm staff, and fabulous food. The pork tenderloin is something I crave constantly! I have not tried one poor dish yet. Every dish gets better and better. I cannot say enough about this place. If you're looking for really home style comfort and just very well prepared great food, you have got to stop by this place! After all their great reviews, they better not go changing!
(5)Jacob R.
So, what's not to like? 1. The music they play here will put you to sleep. 2. The seating/decor could use a little bit of help. I mean, just a little bit!
(5)Kino M.
The food is simply perfect and the stuff is really nice. They would give you the perfect advise for the food you want to have
(5)Kathy C.
Tempura, croquettes, gyoza, inari (highly recommend), calamari, tonkatsu, katsudon, udon... I've had most of the items on the menu and never once regretted any of it. Their specials could be a sashimi platter or a whole cooked fish.
(4)Bill G.
This is one of my favorite comfort food spots. Not only is the food stellar, the restaurant is family owned and operated, and is very popular with the Japanese American (Nissei) community. (Always a good sign :-) I always feel at home there, and always leave happy.
(5)M L.
My mom and stepdad drove down from Milwaukee on Mother's Day and this is one of the places we stopped. I had the potato croquettes (heaven!) and goma-ai. My mother had goma-ai, crab rolls, and a little pickle salad. I don't remember what my stepdad got aside from croquettes. But, my oh my, was this food amazing! It was definite comfort food and anyone who knows me well knows how stressful the last few weeks of a semester can be! I will definitely drop by there again this week just to get some of those tasty potato croquettes...
(5)Kurt B.
It's run by a kindly family and according to my Japanese friend it's about as close to authentic 'homestyle' Japanese cooking as you'll find on the North Side. No sushi! But their tempura is amazing. Their una-don is amazing. Their buckwheat soba soups are amazing. Portions are extra large and prices are extremely moderate. Sunshine is no secret, everyone in the neighborhood loves it. Places like this have all but disappeared, so do make sure to eat here if nearby. Plus, its BYOB.
(5)Duncan S.
Great old school, home-style Japanese cooking. It is nice to find a place that is no frills, hole in the wall and NOT a sushi place. Gyoza were delicious. The tonkatsu was really good, with maybe the pork a little dry. Soba noodles were solid. The place gets really busy, so get in early or late. BYOB is a real plus and the service is friendly.
(3)Rachel K.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago, and I go there at least once a week. It's hard to find really great, traditional Japanese food - and Sunshine really delivers. It's BYOB, so this is a really cool place to just relax with friends, have drinks and enjoy really good food. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the service is great. I feel lucky I only live 10 minutes away.
(5)Linda S.
One of the cutest Japanese family-run restaurant in Chicago. We love their udon dishes, the tonkatsu, and their enormous rice balls filled with pickled plums. The menu is quite limited but everything is homestyle, there's always a group of family members/friends hanging out at the restaurant. Check out the multiple "Be careful! Watch your step!" signs taped to the door before you exit.
(4)Rose C.
i just tried this place tonight after meaning to go for years... my friend used to work here and would help out cooking massive amounts of chicken teriyaki at the annual cultural bash the japanese american community throws for chicago----so i knew the owners of the cafe must be cool reach-out-to-the-community types. anyway, i love the fact that this cozy and warm cafe has a distinctive home-cookin' feel which is so difficult to find in most chicago japanese restaurants. i say the place is warm because as soon as you walk in, you get the sense that it's a comfortable, kick-back place for many folks. we arrived at 8:15PM, 45 minutes before the place was supposed to close, to a surprisingly busy dining room on a thursday night... it seemed like many were regulars from the neighborhood, a place to gather with friends. the food was just as genuine and comforting. as soon as we sat down, menus were before us and just seconds after that, hot green tea and ice water. our server, roxanne, a down-to-earth 3rd-generation japanese american with a southern twang, was wonderfully patient as we inquired about the specials and went back and forth about what to order. we had 2 of the specials: the appetizer of grilled eggplant which we had with grated ginger and miso dressing on the side (her suggestion that we try both types of seasonings) and the chilean sea bass with miso sauce. and we had to order a chicken teriyaki! all were great! the slices of eggplant was deliciously rich and grilled just perfectly! the ginger really brought out the flavors and the miso dressing was a happy break when the ginger got a little much. the sea bass was oh-so-tender....i ate most of it even though it was my boyfriend's meal (which i'm sure he fully expected once he saw my face after my first bite). chicken teriyaki wasn't terribly tender but they broil it with the skin on one side which helps to flavor much of the meat and the chicken develops this rugged texture which i could only describe as uniquely authentic. the sauce wasn't overly sweet or salty like it is at other places. it came with salad topped with miso dressing. both dinner entrees included the veggie of the day, a little dish of green beans covered in a tangy, sesame sauce....scrumptious! i also need to say that the service/timing was impeccable...appetizer came out within minutes of our order and almost immediately after we scarfed down the eggplant, we had steaming bowls of miso soup arrive to entertain us til the entrees. as if they could read our stomachs and knew we were ravenous. especially as we could hear the sizzling coming from the kitchen which was nearly visible (i think they had a curtain). total bill came out to around $25 for two. loved chatting with roxanne, too. so friendly! she was happy to take a few minutes and tell us about the interesting history of her family. go on a cold evening to warm up with some hearty and authentic japanese food---you won't find a place with more heart behind their cooking or service!
(5)Jonathan Y.
Sunshine Cafe looks and feels exactly like what it is: A small family owned restaurant. Their dishes are simple and made very well. The balance of the flavors of the food continually surprises me. I'm a sucker for pickled food and I especially like the tsukemono appetizer and other pickled vegetables that come with some entrees. I haven't tried any of the noodle dishes yet, but I'll definitely rectify that soon.
(4)Cristin M.
I finally made my way into this hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant after years of wondering about it. It's pretty small, but the staff is attentive and very friendly. The only complaint I had was that the owner/waiter attended to other tables first, although we had been waiting longer, but I wasn't in a hurry, so I wasn't too upset. We ordered two appetizers and two entrees and our bill only came to $21!! It's a great deal for the amount of food. We had the shumai, potato croquettes, miso soup, chicken teri don, and katsu don. They were all out of gyoza that night, which was a little disappointing, but the potato croquettes were very good. They were surprisingly light and served with a tasty sauce. My katsu don was a little on the salty side, but everything else was really good. Great portion sizes too. If you're looking for some home-style Japanese food on the cheap, this is the place to go. They seem to have a loyal base of customers, and also offer carry-out.
(4)Davin B.
just moved away from andersonville and this is going to be the thing i miss the most. mildly dumpy interior gives way to the best Japanese food in the city. the food is not froo froo sushi Japanese or crazy hibachi Japanese, but a style i had never experienced until this restaurant. all of the noodle soups are incredible on a cold chicago night and the calimari app is amazing. also BYOB so that is a big bonus for me.
(5)Stephanie M.
This is a very homestyle joint. Don't expect trendy maki rolls, but if you want some good sukiyaki or udon, this is the place.
(4)k s.
the sunshine restaurant has the sensibility of a neighborhood spot. everyone knew each other and there was quite a bit of japanese being spoken. i thought the food was tasty and the staff very accomodating.
(4)jerry c.
Japanese comfort food! Delicate, savory gyoza. Wonderful salmon shiyo. I love this warm, homey place!
(5)olivia p.
4.5 stars. i was gonna give it 4 for the food, but the service was so good i had to bump it up to 4.5 i asked dan, the nicest server ever, about the potato croquettes and the gyoza. he said to get the croquettes. when i was hemming and hawing about getting the gyoza too, he said he'd bring some out so i could try it. after which he brought gyoza for our party of 9 on the house! the gyoza were really good and on top of that, the potato croquettes were perfect. light and crispy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside. not oily at all. i could eat those all day. was thinkin about the udon, but decided on the saba shioyaki - fresh mackerel, lightly salted and broiled, to get something a little more interesting. the fish was well cooked, broiled just to a crisp and tasty with white radish, lemon and a little soy sauce. it got a little oily for me in the end, but i'm not used to oily things. it was very good, but didn't knock my socks off. next time i wanna try their udon. my friends got the nanban yaki, hot soba and some other stuff i can't remember and really liked them. my bro thought his chicken teriyaki was a little dry. all in all a great place with excellent service. nicest people ever.
(4)Sheena C.
The food is good (we ordered the udon, tilapia, and potatoe croquette), but the croquette is overrated. The chicken in the udon wasn't very good (I should have ordered the vegetable udon instead). I'm an udon nazi and I was very hesitant about this place at first, but the udon was cooked perfectly. However, the broth was only okay. It seems as if most of the customers are returning customers as everyone who came in hugged the owner and whatnot. This isn't the best Japanese food I've had but the prices are decent and the owner is nice.
(3)A M C.
If I crave a steaming bowl of tempura udon, I can walk there and have it in front of me in a few minutes, provided there isn't a wait. (Sometimes there is.) There isn't anything fancy here (and sometimes I wish they would give it a facelift), but the soup is tasty, and the staff is friendly, and that's all I need when I come here. If you're looking for a sleek, modern Japanese restaurant with a full sushi bar, this isn't the place. This is comfy, homestyle cooking.
(4)Mia F.
Very good home style japanese food.
(5)John S.
The Sunshine Cafe is a family owned and operated restaurant which offers home-style Japanese food in a cozy / kitchy setting. If you are looking for a trendy sushi restaurant, this is not it. The food is always warm and tasty and the service - friendly. It is a great place to take a friend for a nice quiet meal and a good conversation.
(4)Josh L.
Great food... everything I've had there is tasty, cheap, and the owner is super nice. Good place to go for low-key eats.
(4)Juice R.
Awesome, on the cheap, homestyle japanese comfort food, quintessential japanese meal for not so demanding people. warning - they don't serve sushi, nigiri, sashimi, raw fish stuffs of any kind. once in a blue moon with a slight purple tint, you might run into a 'special' but don't count on it. the place is no frills, clean, nicer hole in the wall but won't creep you out on cleanliness like some korean/chinese places. I don't think the food stands out head and shoulder above the average home cooked japanese meal. To be completely honest, it's on par w decent japanese mall/street food (think mistuwa) and I can probably make them almost as good, except for their gomae (steamed spinach w sweet sesame sauce, which is fantastic). however, they still get 5 stars cause the family run place is friendly and down to earth (one of the guys can use some sarcasm, fyi) yet priced very reasonably as long as you don't go nuts on appetizers. Also, considering how many places in chicago, just don't get it right on these simple japanese stuffs, I think 5 is justifiable. Expect a wait if your group is huge. Bring some japanese beer, it's BYOB. there are no outdoor seating. parking can be tight but jewel lot is close. the place is open, well lit and music volume is on the low and don't have booths - don't expect to be sharing ur intimate conversations if you dare.
(5)Karen L.
This is a small Japanese restaurant in Andersonville that offers homestyle Japanese cooking. I ordered the beef udon soup and it was big, flavorful and satisfying! If you are looking for sushi, this is not the place to go. They don't have raw fish and only have one kind of roll. They have the dishes like udon soup, tonkatsu, and rice dishes. The food is fresh and well-prepared. The decor is lacking, but it is the food that have the loyal customers coming back here. It is BYOB and the prices are reasonable.
(4)Robert G.
Sunshine is one of my favorite restaurants on the Andersonville strip. It's affordable and the food is really good. Most of all, the staff is extremely friendly, adding to the place's cozy, homey feel. Some of the best plastic food wrapped in Saran wrap you'll ever see displayed in a window too.
(5)Michelle B.
Ahh Sunshine Cafe, how I love thee! Let me count the ways! I survived three long winters in Chicago and one of the bright spots during those cold nights was Sunshine Cafe! As a Filipino-American, I'm super picky about my Asian food and part of how I judge a place is to see if that particular ethnic group is eating there! Sunshine Cafe passes that part of the test! Then, I want to see how authentic it is. Well, the potato croquette is the best I have ever tested in my entire my life! And what in the world do they out in that crack sauce, I want to steal the bottle. It the Filipino Catholic guilt won't let me! Hehe...even though I no longer live in Chi-town I visit every year or every other year (scheduled to be there Easter 2013) and I don't have location itineraries when I visit towns I've lived in but I have food itineraries! Sunshine Cafe is on top of my list, even before Giordano's deep dish pizza (which when I lived there I ordered so much they have me a calendar with coupons-so embarrassing!). Their udon noodles made me close my eyes and just breathe in the broth. It tastes like someone's Momma made it, which unless something happened it's a sweet Japanese lady that makes the food. Her specials can vary depending on her mood and what is fresh. Plus even the waiter remembers me which is funny! My friend laughs that she goes there all the time and here I am living away and be remembers me and not her! I can be quite loud for a demure looking Asian lady (my friends are laughing that I said demure! Hehe). I miss you Sunshine cafe and will be back soon! Sending my love, your friend always, Michelle. :)
(5)Brian M.
I'm definitely digging this place. It's small, cozy and there isn't a whole lot in the way of decor. A kind of divey looking place but that's what makes it charming. They don't take reservations and there isn't much of a waiting area, so we got really lucky getting in here on a Saturday night without a wait. We tried the Potato Croquette and Gyoza appetizers. Gyoza was excellent, but I had trouble enjoying the Potato Croquette even though it was highly recommended in other reviews we read. It's literally just mashed potatoes with a light breading on the outside. My entree was Katsu Don, a breaded pork tenderloin which I promptly devoured. Served with a little Miso soup and topped off with with some green tea post meal, I was in heaven. I can't wait to come back here again.
(5)Amanda C.
First impression: Beautiful, charming decor and friendly greeting. It smells amazing as soon as you walk in. Food: I had the miso soup and sukiyaki. My partner had the shrimp tempura udon, and we shared dumplings. Miso soup is flavorful and plentiful in tofu and scallions, but not much seaweed (Wouldn't have minded more, but no complaints here). The sukiyaki was delicious and perfect for chilly Chicago weather. Meat was flavorful and tender, very reminiscent of bulgogi at kbbq places. Noodles were perfectly cooked, same with the cabbage, which soaked up the tasty broth really nicely. No complaint from my partner about the udon, besides not having a big enough stomach! Service: Our waiter was super sweet and very friendly. We were given water and free green tea immediately. Service was very attentive throughout the meal but never pushy. I'm hesitant to give a place 5 stars based off of one visit, but we had no complaints (a rarity from a couple of picky foodies) and the price value is great for getting tasty, filling food and excellent service. The next time I'm in Chicago, this will be one of the first places I return to, and I can't wait!
(5)Monica J.
I have eaten here twice. This place certainty reminds me of suburban Tokyo restaurants that had cozy, family recipe-based food. The decor is charming, with the origami and Japanese-style chairs and tables. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes and quick with service. The items I have tried from Sunshine Cafe are the following: Nanban Yaki Ramen (was a special) Katsu Zaru Soba Croquettes I've found all dishes to be reminiscent of the simple, clean Japanese food I've had growing up. They were not culturally washed out whatsoever. I recommend the Nanban Yaki for a hearty, well-seasoned beef dish. The ramen was flavorful as well, although I'm not sure if it was limited only to the period of time where it was a special. The katsu was full of panko goodness, which gave it a great crunch. I was also pleasantly surprised by the croquettes, as they are a simple dish, but they executed this very well with its sauce pairing. The biggest highlight was the soba. It has been difficult for me to find a restaurant that serves cold soba accurately and Sunshine Cafe nailed it! If you try one dish here, give the cold soba a try. Truly Japanese!
(5)Ham B.
A cozy little Japanese diner showcasing home cooking and comfort food. Many dishes come paired with a Miso soup and hot green tea. Most meals are priced at or just below $10 with pretty filling portions- i'm a big guy and always leave stuffed. I've had several soba and udon noodle dishes and most recently a fried pork meal with a cucumber salad and a side of fried eggplant with a ginger dipping sauce. Delicious and filling. The seating is limited and its a cozy space right in the heart of Andersonville- seating can be difficult to come buy during peak meal hours- you've been warned! The only criticism i can come up with is that the waitstaff seemed small- only 2 girls who were working at top speed but were challenged to get drink refills to all tables enough- they just need another server! Anyway, TLDR; a great inexpensive Japanese Diner, thats also BYOB! I'll be back soon
(4)Sharon C.
I've been here before, ordered the udon and LOVED it. On this visit, though, I ordered the sukiyaki - and while the first few bites were amazing, packed with flavor and so delicious, the next few revealed that most the flavor was mostly salt. The entire dish was incredibly salty - I tasted my friend's to make sure it wasn't just mine, and his was incredibly salty, as well. As delicious as it was, I couldn't even come close to finishing it, and even eating most of the bowl of rice it came with wasn't enough. Overall, just really disappointing from a place that I used to love.
(3)Justin B.
The miso soup was the best thing I had last night, but if I go back I will stick to the things that my other friends thought were incredible (the udon, the pork, the beef). As is, the veggie tempura rice bowl (ten don?) was very plain, but the rice was tasty. The soup was strangely incredible; to say "I would go back for the miso" is weird, but accurate given what I tasted last night. A big thanks to the Sunshine staff for accommodating my group of nine adults and a baby. It was a little rowdy, but we tipped well. BYO means that you can pick up a King Cobra at the Jewel nearby...and you know what? King Cobra isn't as terrible as I remember from college.
(3)Sheila K.
This is one of the places on Clark that I have always wanted to try. I pass by it all the time when I go produce shopping at Edgewater. It was a perfect evening to get some grub because it was quite chilly outside. We came in pretty early around 5ish and had no problem getting a table for two. Upon being seated, we were given the menu and hot tea and water were served without requesting them. That was pretty great! I liked that touch. The have an array of things on the menu, from small appetizers to udon to don and many more. I decided to try the Katsu Don and my other half got the Tempura Udon. In addition, I tried their Misuri Ume. We enjoyed our meals and both very filling. The Katsu Don was very flavorful and the udon hit the right spot for the chilly evening. This is a cute family run business. It has a lot of charm. While we were dining, there were also a lot of people calling in and picking up orders. I think they also just did some remodeling. Overall, we would not hesitate to return in the future.
(4)Yuki Z.
Family style Japanese restaurant. Relatively cheap and authentic Japanese place, tho the location is not prime. Got the una-don. Very decently priced and much cheaper than many restaurants in Evanston. The unagi was fresh, tho the presentation of food looks very different from what I would expect. Also not much veggies. The gyoza are tiny, but still taste good! Should get the potato thing! That is great! Will go back if I have the chance!
(4)J K.
Please don't close!!! This place is the last of the local Japanese American haunts and its closing would signal the end of an era. Please please don't close!
(5)Brian K.
I hope Dan buys it or is given it to run. He is Sunshine Cafe!!! BYK. Food is great, service is superb keep this place running. Japs and all races love it. Work something out because this joint the bomb. BYK
(5)Brian S.
Ever go to a place and see the other patrons enjoying there food so much tou couldnt wait to dig in? 5his is the place. Not only is it a locals spot, its a family spot for all to enjoy. Solid Japanese fare with a cult like almost following. Mmm TASTY noodles. Who Don? I love udon.
(4)Roger M.
Have seen this place for years (1980's) but never went in. I wasted 25 years of my life having denied myself of the best Japanese home cooking in Chicago! So far, everything I had was excellent: Katsudon, Tempura, Salmon Teriyaki, Gyiza and Tonkatsu. Fresh as can be. That's it. Don't want to bore you with the repetitiveness of what's already been said.
(5)Nathan A.
"You are my sunshine." Sunshine Cafe always makes me happy when skies are grey. Actually, Sunshine Cafe makes me happy. Period. A great spot for authentic home style Japanese food. Actually, it might just be the best spot. Wonderfully charming, exceptionally delicious, great service, and impeccable experience. As many others have said, the potato croquettes are delicious. I have yet to order less than 2-3 orders every time I go. And the sauce that goes along with it...it's the most deliciously addicting sauce. Other great dishes: Udon noodles, ten zaru soba, soba, tempura, and tonkatsu. Portions are not huge, but every meal is incredibly satisfying. If you get the chance to get to know Dan, do so. By far, he is one of the most friendly and wonderful employees of a restaurant I have ever met. Visit often. You won't be sorry.
(5)Noam S.
Here's the thing: though the food is good, the ambience is pretty bad. We were impressed by the home style family Japanese cuisine, and the service was very pleasant. However, the location isn't amazing, and the interior decoration is pretty bad, not just uninspiring but kinda nasty.. I would happily return if the owners put some love into the space, not just the food.
(3)Katie M.
Stopped here for carryout after seeing the great reviews. I agree that ambiance is not the reason for coming here! But their udon definitely is! It was delicious! I live a half hour away and sped home nervous that my tempura would get soggy. I was delighted to see they packed the tempura separately. So thoughtful! Staff was friendly and helpful. Would definitely make the trip back down for the udon again.
(4)Terry N.
If you're looking for authentic, home-style Japanese cooking you need to go to Sunshine. It's the place where Japanese-Americans go to get great Tempura, Tonkatsu, Sukiyaki, Udon or Yaki-soba. If you're looking for the latest or craziest made-up sushi you're in the wrong place. In fact, you can only get California maki if you want sushi. But like Renga-Tei in Lincolnwood, Sunshine is owned and run by Japanese-Americans so everything you order is like eating at our house.
(5)Jim W.
Excellent food. Great service. Everyone is always friendly and polite. The only area for improvement is in the lighting. Harsh / overly bright fluorescent bulbs cut into the dining experience.
(4)Travis P.
Great Japanese restaurant tucked away on the north side of chicago. The inari was a great start to the meal, the pickled ginger was also really good. The tankatsu was delicious, a great lean piece of pork. Great little place to take someone who hasn't had Japanese food and even better for someone who does love it! Had the cold soba noodles on a previous stop and that was really good as well. Plan on going back to try the hot soba soup. Caution, the spicy mustard has a serious horseradish style kick to it.
(4)Laura T.
This is the spot for Japanese comfort food at a reasonable price. I don't think there's anything on the menu more than $13 and most items clock in around $8. It's a bargain. The exterior is a little scary in that Japanese kitsch way. The dusty hello kitty dolls beg your brain to lower your expectations and for god's sake, don't order raw fish. But once inside, you realize this is...authentic. The menu is focused. Primarily noodle dishes and apps. But wow. Each one of them are standout. Nothing much more to say. Super cheap. Super fresh. And the service is fairly quick. Just what you would want at this price point. The take out food is well packaged. No worries about your food being limp by the time you get it home. Tempura, etc. all arrived in fine shape.
(5)Yvonne H.
This is THE place to go when you're not in the mood for sushi. What's great about Japanese homestyle cooking is that it's simple, yet delicious. My Japanese friends that have been here have said that this place reminds them of home. What I normally order: -Sukiyaki: Rather than a huge pot for everyone to share, this is a one person sukiyaki that really hits the spot during colder days. The broth is properly light and sweet here. I sometimes ask for extra noodles to go into my sukiyaki, and an extra bowl of rice too. See if you can get a raw egg to use as dip! -Katsudon: They give a huge piece of tonkatsu, cut up and covered in egg sauce, over soft short grain rice. They serve other great donburi's too, like the beef teri don. -Tendon/tempura/ten zaru soba: They give a good amount of tempura to go with/on your rice bowl or soba. If you get the soba, you're served a mentsuyu sauce to dip the noodles in. Make sure to mix the scallions and wasabi in! Great dish for the summer. -Potato croquettes: Basically balls (oval shaped) of mashed potato and fried. Use that sauce they give you. You can also ask for yakisoba (not on the menu), since they have the ingredients. They'll gladly make it for you, and it's pretty good too. The service is great. The owner's son will happily explain dishes to you and converse with you. Sometimes, my friends and I get extra rice or scoops of green tea ice cream on the house!
(5)Annette Q.
I've now been here twice & this place does not disappoint! I've had the sukiyaki & now udon tempura. Delicious! I didn't even miss not having sushi. I'll definitely return again & again!
(5)June K.
This is my favorite Japanese restaurant in Chicago. Family owned and amazing homestyle cuisine. Great prices and amazing staff. Not a sushi place. And if you think that's the only kind of Japanese food there is, you are seriously missing out.
(5)Tina Z.
Pretty good food and excellent service. When we came we were able to choose a seat from any of the available tables. Then they quickly brought cups of water and hot tea which was really nice since it was freezing cold outside. I ordered the chicken teri don which is teriyaki chicken and medley of greens on a bed of rice. I had expected grilled chicken in teriyaki sauce but instead the chicken seemed to have been fried and was a little dry. The veggies were a nice compliment to the chicken and helped to offset how flavorful the sauce was. Overall a pretty good dish but not the best that I've had. My friend got unadon which was one of their specials and although I usually like eel, I was not a fan of how this one was made. It was similar to the chicken in my don but had a slight fishy taste. While I was there I noticed that they had a lot of large tables and not a lot of small ones which limits their flexibility when seating people. As a result, sometimes multiple couples will share a table but they always ask the relevant parties if it would be okay. They were also super nice about splitting the check. We each ordered a dish and wanted to split the appetizer three ways and they accommodated us. Five stars for service but three stars for food.
(4)Ruki R.
I was on my way to Calo's (okay but won't be going back) to dine with friends and passed by Sunshine. I went the next day. It was so enjoyable and comfortable. The owner was very friendly and it seems to be a family run place with the older folks cooking. The only dish I remember having was Katsudon and it was very good. If you're looking for some trendy looking sushi place, this is not for you. It's relaxing, a neighborhood diner type place with good home style cooking. If I lived in Chicago I'd eat here at least twice a week.
(4)DC G.
Good food. Casual Dining. Bad Lighting. You're not going to this place for the ambiance, but the food is good. The servers and clientele are all dressed casually (jeans, etc). There's fluorescent lighting and plastic dinner/silverware. The servers are genuinely friendly. I had the Vegetable Udon which I definitely enjoyed. My friend had the Chicken Katsu (I think). We also had a spinach/sesame-oil appetizer and a potato croquette thing. The potato croquette was little too much mush for me and the spinach wanted a little more vegetably resistance when biting in but the flavors are good. I'll probably try to re-create the spinach dish on my own but I'll go back for the Udon. :) Also it's BYOB and I don't think there was a corkage fee. They provided a corkscrew and wineglasses.
(4)Kyla D.
Home style Japanese cooking like maybe a mom would make. The staff here is A+ and makes you feel warm and welcome each time you stop by. The food has a variety of flavors and profiles --- think everyday Japanese fare that isn't sushi. While the place itself looks a tad shabby, I think that the food, service, and low prices speak for themselves.
(5)Ben C.
This is a great little cafe. I lived in Japan for a year when I was younger and this definitely takes me back there and reminds me of the food my host family would make. I particularly love the croquettes or "korroke" as the Japanese call it. The sauce that comes with them, also, I want to put it on absolutely everything. Lastly, this is one of the only places in Chicago that I have found Soba!!!!!! I can't stress enough how amazing this is!!! I go as often as I can! You will not regret coming here.
(5)Horace L.
Solid food and service. It's a family restaurant usually filled with families. The food was good, if a bit light. Good noodles and dumplings.
(4)Emily H.
pro: great atomosphere, authentic feel. food taste great, nicely presented and very flavourful, wait staff is very knowledgable and nice, BYOB con: portion is a bit on the low side, wasn't too full after a main course udon and 2 appetizers split among 4 people
(4)Sophia M.
Food was delicious! I had the Udon and the broth was so good I wanted to pick up my bowl and slurp it. I would definitely go back again and I can't wait to take more people there. This place is really casual and BYOB so it's perfect for a chill night.
(5)Shambavi K.
I was excited to try this place after missing the awesome Japanese cuisine when I lived in NYC. there was still a wait for 2 people even though it was a weeknight. It looked like a good sign. We ordered : Oyako don - slightly below par for me only because it was a bit sweet. the little gravy it had was all absorbed by the large quantity of rice it came with. Maybe i'd ask for for the rice on the side next time. -squid legs - pretty good. simple appetizer...similar to fried calamari -We also ordered some ramen, which I enjoyed more than the oyako don. I would not mind coming back to try the other dishes. I liked that it was small hole in the wall place. though it was the closest reminicent of NYC it was still not as close. I felt the lights were bit too bright to have a meal. Otherwise, i still consider this a solid joint.
(3)Debra L.
You know a restaurant is good when it's jam-packed on a Tuesday night when the wind chill is 1 degree above zero. I'm not well versed in Japanese cuisine and usually get vegetable tempura. Our server was extremely kind and patient with us as he explained what menu items were, and answered our questions. He was also extremely helpful in helping me chose items that were vegan friendly. I decided on Vegetable Nanban Yaki. Which was a tasty assortment of stir fried vegetables and smooth as silk tofu cubes in a mild teriyaki like sauce. He also brought me a bowl of miso soup. I've never been a fan of miso soup but I decided to try it. It was amazing. It was flavorful, yet mild and less salty than other miso soups I've tried. My friend had a variety of sushi and loved everything she had. From outside this restaurant looks so unassuming, but step in and have dinner. The atmosphere is warm, the service is great and the food is fantastic. Plus it's a BYOB. I'm glad I tried this Andersonville gem.
(5)Stephanie S.
Came here for a light dinner with my husband on a Sunday night. We ordered the hot soba w/veggies and the tempura udon. Both dishes were solid, but we had a few issues with our meal. Upon being seated, we were told they were out of the eggplant appetizer, 3+ hours prior to closing...perhaps buy more eggplant if you see you're running low? Wasn't too bummed as they weren't out of the potato croquettes, which I was most excited about. Sadly, those never made it to our table as they completely forgot we ordered them. Had to flag someone down to get our tea refilled and they forgot to do that, too. May have been excusable if they were crazy busy, but that was not the case. Solid 4 stars for food, 2 for everything else.
(3)Samn R.
I'm not a huge fan of Chicago. It's usually cold, and windy... and when it's not, it's hot and humid... for about 2 months in the year. I am. however, a fan of food in Chicago. I am especially a fan of the Sunshine Cafe in Andersonville. This place is the absolute, most delicious, Japanese food place I have ever been to. It's hole-in-wall, family owned feeling/vibe you get when you walk in is precedent of what's to come, food-wise. Everything I ate here was delicious. I highly recommend the salmon, potato croquettes, agedashi tofu and eggplant appetizer. It is all cooked and flavored perfectly.
(5)Penny L.
Good for the neighborhood. BYOB. Jewel-Osco nearby mix and pick 6 pack for $6.99, craft beers and ciders. Anchor stream beer only paired with "barbecue?" sauce. Wish I opened the Asahi. Arrived on a summer weekday before Independence Day. Available Paid street parking @4pm. Hosts/servers welcoming, attentive and polite. Clean dining room. Seats available to choose. Order came out quick and hot since wasn't busy. Fried food not greasy. Pork tender. Potato croquettes, hot fluffy goodness. Should have ordered more. Only two pieces in an order. Seasoning balanced on tonkatsu and salmon. Miso soup has a signature flavor. Udon noodles good texture and broth. Green tea not bitter. Price point good for family and frequent diners. Worthy of tipping more than 20%. Would go back if in the neighborhood.
(4)Molly S.
We just had our second holiday party at Sunshine Cafe and I cannot say enough great things about the ambiance (think of your Japanese grandma's basement - don't have a Japanese grandma; this will make you wish you did), food (so deliciously homemade - noodles to die for, simple grilled veggies), and service (so accommodating to large groups of big drinkers). Everyone in our group of 19 was extremely happy and our bill was under $500 which is flabbergasting!
(5)Daniella S.
I'm not an expert on Japanese cuisine but this place seems pretty authentic. Our waiter explained everything on the menu and recommended some personal favorites, which are now my favorites too. I remember specifically loving the stir fry, udon soup, croquettes and some other delicious plate with fried pork. I look forward to visiting again.
(5)Cynthia N.
I'm definitely digging this place. I had a party of two and was seated right away on a Friday night (yes I got lucky). I ordered the potato croquette as an appetizer and it was delish! I wished the order came with more. :( I ordered the sukiyaki as my main dish that I shared with my friend, I forgot what she ordered but it was good too. I saw a cute little old lady in the back. I think it was the owners mom? Lol but I really like the whole family owned business thing. I'll definitely be back :)
(4)Kristina W.
I hate waiting at restaurants that don't take reservations, so I always just eat absurdly early to avoid the crowds. I went at 5:30pm tonight (a Saturday night) and thankfully my group of 5 friends and I were seated right away! Right from the start, the waiters were so friendly - they brought ice water and green tea for each one of us, and also gave us wine glasses for the BYOB wine that we brought. SO MANY beverage options. Onto the food.. between the 6 of us we got to try a few different dishes: the Gyoza, Potato Croquettes, Sukiyaki, Tempura Udon, and Chicken Udon. All of us loved everything we ordered - the homey Japanese food was perfect for the gloomy, rainy day. I think we all agreed that the standouts were the Potato Croquettes and the Sukiyaki - the croquettes were so soft and just melted in my mouth, and the dipping sauce was delicious too. the sukiyaki was one of the best I've had (and I'd had my fair share growing up in California and having visited Japan 4 times), being perfectly sweet and savory. I would highly recommend these 2 dishes! OVERALL: Order the Potato Croquettes & Sukiyaki. BYOB! I will definitely be back, since it's my new favorite authentic Japanese restaurant in the Chicago area!
(5)Hannah H.
About a 2-2.5: I was ecstatic to find a restaurant in which it was described as a 'no frills authentic Japanese restaurant.' The menu itself had a list of appetizing food - we started off with the 6 pieces of gyozas; they were okay and had the typical filling of pork and vegetables. I also wanted to try out their pickled vegetables, Tsukemono, which is like Oshinko, but they ran out :( so, I ordered the Kinpiri Gobo, which is a braised burdock root - very tasty - crunchy, slightly pickled, and a little sweet! I really enjoyed these. For the entrees, I ordered the Beef and Vegetable Udon - it had tons of vegetables (such as the cabbage slices with its lettuce-like leaves) - the broth itself was okay, but it was more of a sweeter taste. I also ordered the Zaru Soba, which were cold buckwheat noodles topped with shredded nori seaweed that you dip into the soba sauce with sliced scallions (you put in yourself). My husband had the same udon as well with a side of donkatsu - the breaded fried pork cutlet itself was very dry, and the tonkatsu sauce itself was very thin and watery. The service was great, and the Japanese grandmas who serve you were very cute! This seems to be a very popular place and I'm glad I was able to try them out! +Kinpiri Gobo +friendly staff
(3)Christa Lei S.
I went here on a date, and while the date didn't go well-- the food was great. It's not the best Japanese food I've ever had, but it's supposed to feel like old school Japanese home cooking. I was extremely homesick when I ate here, so it felt like home to me. :) As everyone stated, get the potato croquettes. It comes with dat bull-dog sauce (tonkatsu) that makes it taste so goooood. In any case, I got the sukiyaki. It's not like traditional sukiyaki, as it already comes cooked. They are also super small portions, but I really enjoyed the meal. It's definitely a comfort meal for someone who comes from a place in which Japanese food is readily available and varied. It also comes with a side of rice, which is awesome. I want to come back here because I didn't really get much of a taste of anything else. But I did enjoy coming here, and it's so nice and cozy on a winter's night. It's always crowded, so just be aware of that. :) While it's not the best cooking I've had-- it'll definitely remind you of obachan's cooking.
(4)Rosa J.
Don't expect this place to be a chic or a trendy sushi spot. This a local mom and pop's place and serves Japanese down home-cooking. I ordered Sukiyaki. It was hearty, though the broth was a little too sweet for my taste. The service was a bit slow but still adequate. The owners' family and friends were there so they spent lots of time with them. It was fine by me since I'm normally self-sufficient as a customer. My husband loves edamame but their edamame was slightly bland and lacked seasoning. I think there are other menu items I will try next time when I'm in Andersonville. It will be a nice, cozy spot to have an udon when we, once again, encounter the unforgiving winter in the Midwest.
(4)Tina L.
Wow, why did it take me so long to eat here? It's so close to my place. Let me tell you now, I am DEFINITELY coming back for more! It's a small restaurant, so make sure you go early to grab a table. For some reason, they only have large tables, so if you're a party of 2, they'll seat you at whatever table is available, whether it seats 4 or 6 people. I personally think it's not a very efficient use of space, because they could really maximize the space and serve more people... Anyway, one couple was nice enough to offer two seats at their 6-seater table, so we got seated after only 5 minutes of waiting. So all you people reading this review, if I'm ever sitting at a table that could definitely fit another group, especially if you're standing around waiting and hungry, I will gladly offer whatever seats are available at my table. Just don't invade my space or sneeze on me or my food please... They bring over hot green tea AND ice water right away. How awesome is that??!! I love starting off with something hot and then having ice water during / at the end of my meal, so this was perfect. Already off to a great start! Started off with the potato croquette: perfectly crispy on the outside, and hot and steamy on the inside. Careful, they're hot! Tempura udon: the tempura comes out separately, so if you like your tempura crispy, no need to worry about soggy tempura! Altho sometimes I like when the tempura soaks up all the yummy udon broth...but for the most part, I like my tempura fresh out of the fryer. The noodles were perfectly cooked, not too much, not too little. Katsudon: I used to always get this dish at Mitsuwa, but now I only get ramen noodles there. I've definitely missed having a good katsudon bowl! I'm glad I got it here, because it will now be my go-to place for katsudon. This place adds spinach (or something similar), which I've never had before in this dish, but I definitely like that it adds some color and a little extra for the flavor and texture of the meal.
(5)Tom Z.
Good homely japanese fare. Prices are decent. Ordered Potato Croquettes- delicious, freshly fried, burned my tongue =( -octopus legs (calamari):Nothing too special but was fried well and price was appropriate -Don bowls: Beef and Chicken- Both meats were cooked well, but the proportion of meat to rice was not the best. More meat would have been great but the quality was on point. Came with Miso soup which was great.
(4)Elaine M.
We have a couple of Mexican "dives" that we like to frequent regularly - they seem to be a dime a dozen. I never thought that I would find a Japanese place that falls into the same category but I am so happy that I have. Sunshine Cafe is warm, cozy and the perfect place to grab a bite when you want casual and comforting food. This place is popular and they don't take reservations so you can plan to wait a bit. Worth it! Decor is nothing to write home about but don't let that deter you. I don't know if it is a family run restaurant but it certainly feels like one! I went here on a Saturday night with my (adult) kids. We began our meal with the Potato Croquette freshly made Japanese-style mashed potatoes lightly breaded, deep-fried and served with a special tangy sauce. YUM! I had never had these before but will again. Then for my meal I had the vegetable and chicken udon. It was piping hot, huge and delicious. Just what I needed on an unseasonably cold November night. The kids both had the Teriyaki salmon which came with miso soup, rice and hot green tea. Both said it was delicious. At the end we all agreed that not only would we come back but we all want one of these in our own neighborhoods!
(5)Lauren L.
Didn't want to have to pull this card but... I've lived in Japan, this is so much more than the sushi American stereotypical Japanese spot! Visited a friend who suggested this place as 'Japanese comfort food'. Spot on. The ambiance is a little bright... think Sunshine... but the food was unbelievable. We basically ordered a little of everything and brought our own sake, it was an amazing meal. Plus we closed the place down since we had so much food to keep eating. Must tries: - Potato croquettes (will burn your mouth.. caution) - Pork dumplings - Beef udon noodles - Teriyaki chicken - EVERYTHING ELSE! Cannot wait until my next visit specifically for this meal.
(5)Kevan M.
Nuthin fancy just tasty Japanese comfort food served in a comfortable neighborhood and family-oriented restaurant. Affordable, simply prepared and presented. My wife and I arrived with a nice bottle of wine from a nearby shop and ordered the potato croquettes, cold buckwheat noodles and katsu don. We enjoyed all that we ordered. The buckwheat noodles had strips of nori along with wasabi and fresh green onions. The croquettes were soft and light in the center and crisp on the outside - quite tasty! My wife enjoyed her katsu don. This place seems to be run by a family. The service was adequate and hospitable. Although I felt like just another customer on just another night. The decor could be updated a bit. There's some old wood paneling on the walls and some faded fabric dividers between the kitchen and dining area. It's basic but it works. This is a solid spot for a neighborhood meal.
(4)Amanda J.
Very good restaurant! Enjoyed the various options and fresh food. Very attentive wait staff.
(4)Chris G.
Solid home style cooking. But much of it you can make at home just as good. Also the portions are kinda small.
(3)Adam S.
Easiest 5-star review I've ever written. Very good food and even better service, at a price that'll make you forget you're in Chicago. We ate: - Special grilled eggplant appetizer, with a fantastic bbq/teriyaki/wasabi hybrid-type dipping sauce (more on that later) - Potato croquettes, a can't miss - Tempura udon - Grilled salmon entree w/ miso soup, radish, and pickled cucumber - Green tea included with the meal also Total cost = $29 including tax, $35 after tip Yes, you read that right. Not only was the most delicious meal that I've ever eaten in Chicago for that price, but I fell in love with the bbq/teriyaki/wasabi sauce mentioned above for the eggplant, and after a quick consultation with the kitchen, our waiter brought me a big tub of it to take home (for free). I don't live up in Andersonville so it was me and my wife's first time at this gem, but we'll be back as soon as physically possible. And if you find yourself up in that 'hood, you absolutely CAN'T MISS with this place.
(5)Avery A.
Very pleased with the sunshine cafe. Great portion sizes and very inexpensive. They have the details down too (complimentary tea and miso soup were fantastic). Sunshine cafe is very much home-cooked Japanese food with a homey feel. I felt like i was eating in someone's house! (I mean this in a good way). I will definitely be coming back.
(4)Len L.
Honestly, when I heard I was going to a sushi restaurant, the first thing that pops in my mind is specialty rolls. sashimi and loud music - NOT!. To my surprise, it was a pleasant dining experience - we ordered a veggie udon and chicken teriyaki as something simple, I did not see any sushi rolls that they offered but we had plenty when the food arrived. The udon was delicious, almost wanted to order another bowl. The chicken teriyaki was undesirable after eating the noodles. Chicken was dry and uneventful, the side salad that came with the meal was cold, I guess I was expecting the greens to be hot, The service was impeccable, the staff was super friendly, felt like they know you for a very long time. Would I come back, "Yes" for the Udon and the service.
(4)Cheryl W.
I feel like I am in Japan when I walk in here. This is a no frills authentic Japanese restaurant. I have only had the croquettes and sukiyaki and both were spot on. I can't wait to come back to try the other things on the menu. Service is friendly and prices are reasonable.
(4)Monika S.
I came to Sunshine Café with my amazing friends for our usual get together. My friend Eve loves this place, which is why she wanted all of us to experience this place. It was on a Sunday when we came here, which is why they have a wide variety of delicious and authentic Japanese food available. To be honest, I feel dumb not known the names of those delicious Japanese dishes. The only name I remember was the tempura, which was really memorable because it was crispy and delectable. It was SO GREAT! The only complaint I have is their customer service. It wouldn't hurt if our waitress could have smiled. I know she might have a reason but smiling at your customers is a require thing in this service. Disregarding that, the entire experience was VERY positive.
(4)Jared G.
This is my absolute favorite place to go in Chicago. It is homestyle Japanese food at it's finest. I am Japanese so I was raised on home cooked Japanese food, this is as good as it gets. They do not offer sushi except for a California roll to feed the masses but homestyle Japanese food restaurants usually do not offer sushi. Their Katsu-Donburi and Oyako-Donburi is delicious. They have their version of calimari that comes with a special coating as well as the best gyoza you will ever taste. Danny is one of the owners and is the nicest person you will ever meet. Once you step foot in this place you are treated like family, I have taken a lot of people here and not one person has ever said it was bad. If there were more stars available I would up the rating.
(5)dessislava n.
Love this place! All I wish for is more sushi roll choices.
(5)Gerry T.
The homestyle cooking was fine, we just missed the sushi and uni. However, the service was on target and our food was served quickly, the staff was attentive to our needs.
(3)scott s.
This is a cozy little neighborhood Japanese restaurant with little to no sushi that appears to be family owned and operated. It is also family friendly, judging by the number of folks with little kids dining in when we visited Saturday night. The special eggplant appetizer we had was nothing special but the eel and trout dinner entrees were excellent with hearty sauces. BYO with no corkage fee. The tiny waiting area gets crowded at peak times since they don't take reservations for small parties.
(3)Greg K.
Unassuming appearance, but great flavors on the plate. The hot soba soup was delicious.
(4)Helen S.
I stopped by for dinner on Wednesday night and the place was somewhat packed. I usually never order without consulting Yelp for the best option, but we were in a bit of a rush so I decided to be daring and ordered the hot soba with pork. My bf got the katsudon and a rice ball with ume, plus we split an order of potato croquettes. I've never had Japanese homestyle food so I was curious to see what it was all about, but I learned that I'm not a fan. Do you notice that you're feeling thirsty after eating dinner here? That's because their dishes (or at the least the ones we sampled) are loaded with msg. My soba broth was bland and didn't taste like anything except else salt and msg (adding the chili pepper helped a little I guess), plus the toppings were sparse. There were maybe 4-5 small pieces of bland pork and a few veggies total, and a heaping ton of noodles. The katsudon was relatively more flavorful, but has the same problem with msg and was also way too salty. Food quality was average and would usually warrant 3 stars from me, but I had to drop it to 2 for all the salt and msg. Service was great and the food came out fast, but otherwise it's not my cup of tea.
(2)Maureen C.
I was craving tempura today so I thought I'd yelp for Japanese food... wanted to go somewhere i've never been before and of course i wanted quality food. Yelp did not fail me. This place is unassuming and very humble inside. But the food is authentic and delivers on taste. The gentleman who greeted us was very nice and we were seated right away. The waiter immediately brought out waters for us, as well as hot green tea (perfect for this dreary winter day). There was a huge party there and the gentleman who seated us told us there may be a little delay for our food due to the huge party (probably a party of 20, a 16th birthday lunch), and we understood, that was no problem. We ordered Gyoza, potato croquette, tempura dinner, and katsu don. Everything was spot on, and I really enjoyed my katsu don! It was a lot of food and it was all so tasty. I was definitely satisfied. Will gladly return here for authentic, delicious Japanese food.
(5)Corona W.
The food isn't as good as the reviews suggest BUT the service was friendly and the noodles were perfect on a cold day in Chicago. The croquettes were nicely fried and quite tasty. Noodle broth was a little salty but the udon noodles were chewy and delicious. Highlight of the meal was the fried squid leg appetizer. Very tasty.
(4)Amy M.
My biggest regret with Sunshine Cafe is that I did not find it sooner. How did I survive the long cold winter?! After a long day of paper writing and lamenting the less than June weather we've been experiencing, the boy and I ventured out in search of dinner. With our yelp app set to "highly rated, $, within 5 miles" this was one of the first results to pop up. Japanese comfort food? I'm there. The restaurant is perfectly adorable, in a divey yet comforting sort of way. We were seating and immediately brought water and green tea. I was excited. Pouring over the menu, so many things struck my fancy. I convinced the boy we needed to try the croquettes, and the only disappointment was that the order only had two. Crispy, yet mashy on the inside and the sauce (was that a hint of wasabi?) was delicious. I opted for the Katsu Don, my boyfriend the chicken soba. It came to me steaming and fresh, smelling deliciously of pork, rice, and vegetables. I quickly dug in and savored every bite. The meal was amazing, and just what I needed to revive my spirits. The even better part was that the bowl was so huge, I wound up only eating half and bringing back the other half for the boy to take to work for lunch. I'll have to ask him how it was. His chicken soba was equally delicious, equally filling, and equally reviving. My only regret is not getting an order of green tea ice cream before we made our way home, our bellies full of warm delicious food.
(5)Jeremy S.
Great prices was hoping for more sushi options. The California maki is good but has like a crab salad instead of stick but very tasty. The katsu don is awesome definitely encourage that. The only real let down was the miso soup the broth was just average...
(4)Valerie W.
Sunshine Café has been on my list of places to try for quite some time now, so when I found out that we would be celebrating a family birthday there last week, I got SUPER excited. I perused the menu, and decided, I had NO idea how I would choose between all of the delicious (and inexpensive) things to pick. Sunshine Café is BYOB. They have a refrigerator that they will let you stick beer and wine in to keep cold. The décor is pretty minimal and the restaurant itself is small (less than 10 tables.) Even though it is small, it is still handicapped accessible, which is helpful. This is an independent, family owned and operated establishment, and it shows in the food and service. We ordered several appetizers across the table, including: - Tofu Salad: fresh cold tofu tossed with a seasonal garden salad and flavored with a house dressing. Tofu: perfect consistency. Salad: iceberg, but held up well to the Dressing: a sesame vinaigrette. - Gyoza: clearly handmade, homemade, every day. Served with spicy vinegar sauce, perfect for dipping. - Edamame: standard, but served very cold. I usually prefer them warm or room temp. For my entrée, I ordered the salmon teriyaki, which is served with rice and pickled cucumbers. I also ordered a side of Nanban Yaki vegetables to round out the meal. The portion was out of control huge, but so delicious! The cut on the salmon is a little odd (must be a Japanese style cut of filet - be on the lookout for bones!) The flavors on everything were beyond delicious, the rice, veggies, and fish were all perfectly cooked. I am excited to return to Sunshine Cafe to try everything else on the menu!
(4)Henry M.
My family's favorite dinner spot. Great food, nice space, great service. They've been here forever. And often you'll see extended Japanese families having a weekly meal together here. It's not fancy, just good. Danny is awesome. That is all.
(5)Russ A.
Sunshine Cafe is indeed a home style restaurant. It is very simple and unpretentious. The menu offer delicious home style Japanese selections. The service is good, fast and friendly. The prices are reasonable. We really like this place and will definitely come back.
(5)Jenny T.
THANK YOU for being the first Japanese place in Chicago that I've been to that isn't all about rolls and teriyaki! I enjoyed the sukiyaki (even though it could use a little more meat and variety of vegetables :P) and my date's oyako don was delicious as well. The potato croquettes were exactly how they tasted in Tokyo (sorry, totally being *that* person). I would love to see Sunshine Cafe diversify their menu to more exciting and harder to find dishes, like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and omuraisu. Maybe even dobinmushi or chawanmushi? That would be phenomenal. Great service, but the overhead fluorescent lighting clashed with the traditional style decor. Not that it matters a whole lot because the food was delicious!
(5)Aaron C.
Came with a party of six on Friday for dinner. The place was clean and we were seated immediately. Ordered the Sukiyaki, Potato Croquettes, then split an order of Katsudon and Gyoza. Just looking at the decor and menu, I got a really good vibe, so I let myself get carried away and ordered way too much. Prices are really reasonable and you get a lot of food. The quality is good and they definitely understand their flavors. In short: It's good, it's cheap, if you're around, just go. It's BYOB. Have fun.
(4)C. L.
Pro: good cheap food My friend and I both had Udon dishes. We asked for extra vegetables and they added it for free. The noodles actually weren't thick like Udon, but it still did the trick. I had the tempura udon. The broth wasn't anything special, but it wasn't soy-sauce-msg water (which some restaurants try to do). It was pleasant. The tempura was on a bland side, but you got a wide variety of vegetables and shrimp, and it had the perfect crunch. The bill for both of our udon bowls was $23 including tax...totally worth it.. Con: Limited parking/hole in the wall If you're looking for somewhere trendy or snazzy, this isn't it. It's not well decorated. They only have one unisex single toilet bathroom. Parking was a pain depending on the time of day. My friend got meter parking right across the street. I wasn't so lucky. I had to go a block into the residential area for parking..but at least it was free.
(4)Jasmine L.
Came here for the first time because of 4.5 star. Nice little Japanese place, cozy, nice staff. However, food is under average. I ordered Udon with beef, it taste like beef and chopped vegi boiled in hot water. The soup has no taste. My friend got hot soba with pork, same thing. Things just didn't taste fresh. My other friend got Unagi don, she said it was ok, not amazing. Maybe because we're Asian we have higher expectation for Asian food. Another thing that I CAN'T stand is their utensils, they're all made with white plastics so you can see all the stains on it. Not coming back.
(2)Andrew E.
Lots of rave yelp reviews, but I was pretty far from being having my mind blown. Got a donburi and the gf had a grilled fish, and started out with some pickled veggies. The service, value and portions were fine, but I guess maybe we were expecting too much from homestyle food. On the other hand, perhaps we would have done better to order more of the fried items on the menu like some of the other reviewers on here.
(3)Feb S.
Taste: 3 Location: 3.5 Cleanliness: 3.5 Ambience: 2.5 Value: 3.5 Service: 3.5 OVERALL = 3.25 * Out of a 5-point scale I got Katsu Don, Sukiyaki, and Potato Croquettes. The Sukiyaki was too sweet. The Katsu Don was not too shabby. The Potato Croquettes were pretty good. The complimentary Miso Soup was good. They don't taste like Authentic Japanese Food but I guess if you really miss some Japanese Food, this can be an option. Will I come back? Maybe, but not anytime soon.
(3)Jackie M.
Simple cooked japanese food. I've been hankering for Japanese food that isn't sushi. In Japan, most people usually eat rice or noodles. I really like their rice. Got the potato croquettes which was like a blend of mashed potatoes covered in panko bread crust and deep fried. Mackeral was seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper cooked to highlight natural flavors of fish with a side of grated daikon and vinegar cucumbers. Nothing mind blowing, just healthy homecooking.
(4)Joe J.
Not sure what everyone is talking about and why it's rated 4.5 stars, food was average and a little over priced for the quantity and quality. Service was great but restaurant is old and has a old place smell.
(3)Gee B.
I've been here a few times (including last night) and this place is great! It's a Japanese restaurant but not the kind you would expect- it's not a sushi place, but more of a Japanese home-cooking kinda place. It focuses more on meat & rice or noodle soup dishes. Nothing fancy and intimidating. The waiters make you feel welcome like you're just chilling at someone's house ready to get your eat on. For an appetizer, can't go wrong with the potato croquettes. Just be careful because the inside is HOT (temperature). It's basically a big crispy oval filled with a yummy mashed potato filling. As an entree, I recommend the: - Sukiyaki: flavorful noodle/veggie/meat dish cooked in a little sweet broth - Nanban Yaki: flavorful Japanese stir fry of veggies and meat - Katsu Don (or anything in the Donburi section of menu): yummy meat usually with egg & onion served with a yummy sauce over a bed of rice. The Katsu Don is breaded and crisp, can't remember if the other options are breaded though. You get lots of rice so be hungry. Or I recommend what I got last night- the Ten Zaru Soba. It's a unique dish- cold buckwheat noodles served with a sauce to DIP them in?! They give you wasabi and scallions to put into the sauce which of course, I completely use up. So you mix up whatever you want to put into the sauce, take your noodles, dip them into the liquid, and somehow the liquid gets absorbed just enough into the noodles so that they pick up the wonderful flavor. And THEN it comes with tempura fried shrimp and veggies (you can get the noodles alone, then it's just called Zaru Soba). The tempura is AWESOME and even goes with the noodle sauce if you wanna use it =) I got about two large pieces of shrimp and an assortment of sweet potato, green beans, and eggplant all in crispy tempura glory. Most entrees (except noodle soup dishes) come with miso soup as well, and I think they all come with green tea. I had their udon noodles once- it was good but I was a little disappointed that the noodles weren't as round and fat as the kind I've gotten from Asian grocery stores. I don't know if this is a different style or what. The broth was slightly bland but they do give you a condiment to add so maybe I just didn't put enough in. Anyway, overall the soup was still good and filling so I stand with my 5-star rating. So in conclusion, go to Sunshine Cafe for an affordable, delicious Japanese rice or noodle dish. You'll come out feeling pleasantly plump and happy!
(5)Jenny Y.
Sunshine Cafe was one of the first places I hit shortly after returning from my first trip to Japan. After that, I've gone back a handful of times trying new things each visit. It's just rare to find Japanese restaurants that offer homestyle cooking in Chicago. The food is simple - like my Japanese friend's mom's cooking. The look and feel make me feel as if I'm in someone's house. Hard to mess up potato croquettes so they are excellent by default! Teriyaki, donburi and sukayaki is sweeter than I'm used to, but they were enjoyable. The grilled fish is served whole just like at home! I don't think there is anything distinguishable about the flavors though - perhaps there's something pleasantly nostalgic about revisiting a cuisine thousands of miles away like it does for me.
(3)Mira S.
I grabbed some takeout when I was in the area. The place was pretty full on a random weeknight. The steamed shrimp shumai were good, cooked properly, but pretty overpriced for I think 5 pieces of what I expect is frozen dumplings, steamed. I dipped it in some sauce, maybe not the sauce meant for them, but good with it nonetheless, filled with wasabi and tasty. The chicken teriyaki came with soup and salad, but I didn't love the quality of the chicken--some of the meat was grayish, and it came with skin (the latter might be a preference for some). The rice was good, sort of sticky. The food was ready quickly. There's street parking around, paid and unpaid (the latter takes a few minutes, but was doable).
(3)Jennifer E.
I've been to Sunshine more times than I can count. I always get the Nanban Yaki with tofu and it is always delicious. The cooks always prepare the tofu with just the right consistency and the spice is just right. The staff and service are excellent. I'm a regular and they always greet me warmly like I'm a part of their family. Highly recommend!
(5)Yuanjia Z.
This is my FAVORITE japanese restaurant in Chicago!! I really loved their food - it absolutely tasted home-made and the atmosphere is very cozy and cute. I would highly recommend their katsudon (the BEST i've had after visiting Japan)! Of course, you won't go wrong ordering anything on the menu. The waitresses and the owners are also super nice and friendly. It is definitely an authentic japanese restaurant that makes you feel like home.
(5)Anh N.
My boyfriend and I were looking for a place that serves some type of hot soup. We were looking for Pho but we don't like the selection here, so we opted for something new. Sunshine is definitely a good find! The service is great and our server, who we think was probably the owner, was extremely kind and helpful. They serve complimentary green tea with every meal, which is perfect for a cold Chicago day. I would recommend getting the potato croquettes as an appetizer and trying their udon. The pork cutlets are also great. Their portions are quite big, so if you have a small appetite, sharing will probably still be satisfying!
(4)Cat J.
Go here. It's as good as it sounds. You really won't be disappointed. So I just moved to the hood and after one time going there I already know this is going to be a regular spot for me and my family. I love Japanese food, been eating traditional and/or home made Japanese food for most of my life and I am very particular about Japanese food...and this place not only impressed me, I think their Nanban Yaki with beef was one of the best dishes I have EVER had, and I say that with all seriousness. It's so on point words can't even describe it. We saw a Japanese family eating it when we came in and immediately asked our waitress what it was. I feel this is a restaurant where you should definitely try the udon and noodles, but it's also as equally important to explore other things on their menu. In addition to the Nanban yaki (which is essentially beef and cabbage, sprouts and some other greens stir fried in awesomesauce) we had the tempura udon which was tasty, good tempura. The noodles were as they should be, and the broth was pleasant. Then we had shumai with the ginger sauce. It was fresh and well-made. Though word to the wise take the waiter seriously when they say that the sauce has a kick. More like an immediate slap to the sinus system, but in a you-can't-help-but-go-back way. We also had the tofu salad which was fresh with a mighty yummy dressing. I'm looking forward to trying the hiya yakko. All in all really an exceptional experience, and the wait staff were friendly and attentive. Oh, and did I forget to mention that for three people it was $35. That's what I call a damn good meal.
(5)Jessica M.
To many Chicagoans Japanese food means raw fish. I'll admit I can count on my hands the number of times I have eaten Japanese that isn't sushi. Sunshine Cafe is a small restaurant with very simple decor. You can easily pass it because there is a tree covering the sign. The word of advice is to look for a window with hanging origami. We were a group of four on a Thursday evening. Here's what we ordered: 1) Gyoza - If you're Asian, you can probably make these dumplings at home. 2) Potato Croquette - These were DELICIOUS! Crispy on the exterior and savory on the interior. 3) Ika Geso - Can never go wrong with calamari! 4) Hot Soba 5) Ten Zaru Soba 6) Saba Shioyaki - I adored the fried and marinated fish skin. The minced radish and cucumber salad were awesome. The salad was very provoking because of its mild sour flavor. 7) Pork Nanban Yaki - The pork was very succulent and tangy. My friend had it served mildly spicy. If you can tolerate more hotness, go beyond that. 8) Green Tea Ice Cream Sunshine Cafe had a pretty decent flow of customers yet the manager was never hesitant in pausing at tables to explain what they were serving and how the dishes should be consumed. The wait staff was very kind and efficient. It's BYOB and we bought two bottles of wine. We were given wine glasses and bottle openers before we even asked. The food is very homey and welcoming. I will definitely return for more!
(5)Gabrielle S.
Don't judge this book by its cover. It's an unassuming place from the street, and the decor is sparse. This restaurant is clearly about the food. The potato croquettes were light and crispy, the go-mae sweet and tangy. Out favorite entree was the udon soup,a hearty bowl of soup with noodles and veggies. Everything, including the sauces, tasted homemade. We will be back. Soon.
(5)Eric S.
On my visit to Japan, I was already a bit of an expert on authentic Japanese food thanks to this place. The owner is a very friendly man, and the food is great, particularly the Soba Noodles and the Katsu Don.
(5)Jennie T.
Ok, udon was pretty amazing. I have to admit that I was a little skeptical that I could get a good bowl of udon in a restaurant so I was pleasantly surprised by this. Some places (even in California!) will only give me freshly julienned cucumbers and carrots as vegetables; they wouldn't even be cooked WITH the broth. This place was different, and I was glad for it. I ordered the chicken udon, and the portion of meat, vegetables, noodles, and soup was very generous. SO GOOD! My friend also ordered some potato croquettes. I like those too. I will definitely come back to try their other items.
(4)David L.
Food: 2 Decor: 3 Service: 4 I came here with my gf for dinner Wednesday around 7pm. 1. Potato croquettes, 4 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Really good. Best koroke I've had. 2. Rice ball with ume, 3 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Disappointing. Rice ball wasn't that great, and the ume was too sour. 3. Katsudon, 12 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Subpar. Too salty. 4. Soba, 11 yelp.com/biz_photos/WRKg… Disappointing. A ton of noodles and not much on top. Gf said it was loaded with MSG.
(2)Josh M.
Great authentic Japanese food. Don't come here if you're looking for sushi...but authentic Udon, sukiyaki and other Japanese soups. I've Been to Japan before and this is as close as I've seen in the states to matching the cuisine. Get the beef sukiyaki or the Udon with vegetables or tempura. Definitely check out the potato croquettes. Dipping sauce that comes with the croquettes is killer.
(5)Alex W.
DELICIOUS soup. The service can be slow but it's a fun, homey sort of place.
(4)Frank B.
I ended up watching a lot of funny Japanese commercials on Youtube and really got a craving for noodles! Ramen, udon, soba etc so I googled "Best Udon in Chicago". Sunshine Cafe came up on the top so decided to go there. Once we arrived the staff was very friendly which is an A+. Reviewing the menu was a bit shocking, I mean $9.00 and up for a bowl of Udon? Ordered the Tempura Udon ($10.50) and all I can say is it was "Ok" For the price it should be the best Udon evaaaaaa but it is not. We did get free green tea ice cream which was the equivalent of $2 so I guess it offset the cost but $23 for 2 bowls of Udon?! C'mon! Bottom Line: Good service, decent food, but very overpriced. This should be a $$ not a $ restaurant
(3)Mandy B.
I really like this place! The potato croquettes are so interesting and good. Great flavors. All the food is very authentic and tasty. Tempura vegetables are great! Hot soba also very good. Well worth a visit!!
(4)Andrew G.
Excellent place. Very simple and casual atmosphere with amazing food. It can difficult to find good Japanese restaurants that are not just sushi. Sunshine Cafe has all of the best Japanese dishes executed perfectly. The staff could not be more friendly.
(5)Claude P.
Super friendly people working here and the food is really comforting. If you think "Japanese" and then think "Sushi" I hope this place changes your mind a little. Not to think sushi sucks, it's great, but to think about other Japanese dishes. Nothing beats a hot bowl of noodles sometimes. Check it out. It's worth it. LISTEN TO ME I'M ON THE INTERNET!
(5)Heather R.
Really amazing soba, and lovely, friendly service when we came into this tiny storefront to pick up our order. Food was BOILING HOT - too hot to eat right away when we got home - luckily we got some gyoza as well which were terrific. Can't wait for my next noodle craving - planning on trying everything on the menu. Super wonderful foodie find and very near our neighborhood, too. BONUS.
(4)Jo H.
Fantastically delicious food and an awesome, friendly staff! It's a not-quite-a-secret neighborhood gem.
(5)Ivy T.
What do you think of when hear Japanese food? I'll bet it's not comfort food. But don't worry. It's not greasy or heavy. It still upholds the simple flavors and lightness that is characteristic of Japanese cuisine. Just to be absolutely clear, you will not get rolls drizzled with cheese or any mayo-based sauces. Their udon was wonderfully soothing and light. The broth was clear and tasty. I had the vegetable udon, which came with a healthy serving of vegetables. We also ordered their cold soba noodles with tempura, and a rice dish with stir-fry tofu and vegetables in some kind of spicy sauce. The soba noodles were delicious and perfect for a summer meal. I loved dipping the noodles in the sauce :) The rice was good but I would probably rank it third out of the three dishes. I still can't believe I gave up Vietnamese food to walk a mile to eat here. But I am glad I did! It was definitely worth the walk from Little Saigon!
(5)Stella W.
One of my favourite places in Chicago...it's an old school, home style japanese place where they don't usually serve sushi, but just the japanese kitchen food, such as udon, sukiyaki, etc... As much as i love eating anything raw, I love this place, esp, the fact that the chef is this retired japanese woman who just wants to cook up something yummy in the back! Every time I eat here, I felt like I am eating at a grandma's house, comfortable and yummy home cooked food :) BYOB is always a plus ;)
(5)Mel A.
First time visit with a friend who is a frequent diner. He loves the Mackerel (broiled-includes miso soup, green tea & rice $11.00) and now I love it too. We also had Hot Soba (buckwheat noodles) $9.25 which I highly recommend, potato croquette $4.75 and a small tofu salad $4.50. Of all of this... my only complaint was they use really SOFT tofu for their tofu salad and I forgot to ask if they make their own. The restaurant is very unassuming on the outside but very clean and spacious on the inside with friendly attentive staff. Definitely give this place a try ;)
(4)Bartholomew S.
Sunshine Cafe has been warming my heart for over fifteen years. Why? The service is friendly and down to earth. The cuisine is traditional Japanese from a grandma's kitchen. So every dish is comforting and plentiful. I swear that Sunshine has the best gyoza and tempura in all of Chicago.
(5)Yen L.
We usually go for sushi whenever a Japanese craving hits, but sometimes we like to mix it up with hot dishes from the kitchen. I usually find some comfort in a good udon, my boyfriend prefers something over rice. I wasn't feeling sushi, but I was feeling udon. So he found Sunshine Cafe and reported it had good ratings and a single $ sign, so off we went. 'Twas exactly what I needed. The portion of tempura udon was perfect and comforting. We tried the potato croquettes and weren't impressed, at least not for the price we paid and the portion we got. Bf got their special of a whole rainbow trout with a miso dressing and that was cooked well and was delicious. The service was friendly and prompt. We felt comfortable from the moment we walked in to the moment we left. Since I live in Bridgeport, it's not likely we'd be able to go too often, but it's great to know that this little place with comfort food is not too far out of reach.
(4)Rekha V.
My friend and I were walking down Clark St looking for a place to eat. As we passed Sunshine Cafe I remembered that someone had recommended it to me and the menu looked pretty good, so we headed in. The first thing my friend said was "look, there are Japanese people here. It's probably pretty good." And it was! We were seated right away and given some refreshing green tea while we perused the menu. A few minutes later we got some miso soup, which was pretty delicious. My friend then ordered the sukiyaki and I got a pork dish. We also shared the potato croquettes to start. The croquettes were great, I highly recommend them. And the rest of the food was great as well. It was a wonderful choice for dinner!
(5)Steven M.
So good, tears of joy burst forth every time I am eating here. The "full" feeling I get after a bowl of udon from Sunshine Cafe is a satisfaction unmatched by most other eating experiences. Excellent gyoza and potato croquettes as well. Danny is a very friendly and attentive host.
(5)Space Emperor Z.
It's been five years since I gave this place 5 stars, and my rating still stands. I just want to rant about something. The saba shioyaki is, in my opinion, the best thing I've ever eaten. It's $11. It's just two pieces of broiled mackerel, lightly salted, with a side of cucumber pickles, grated daikon, a lemon (which I never use), and a side of perfectly cooked rice. (I spread the daikon over the fish, lay the fish over the bowl of rice, and then break it up so the scant juice flows into the rice.) I don't know why I like it so much, since I didn't grow up on Japanese comfort food and I usually like highly seasoned food. The fish often has bones in it, which makes eating it somewhat challenging. It's not a meal that immediately blows your mind with complex or intense flavors. It's just ... somehow perfect, elemental in its simplicity and balance. I feel enlightened when I eat it.
(5)Eric L.
japanese homestlye food. I miss this from my childhood days in Japan so this has a soft spot in my heart. they do good, but its what you would get in an average japanese household, so no bonus points. favorite dish: shio saba, broiled mackerel with salt. simple, elegant, delicious, highlights the raw ingredients.
(3)Amanda M.
This place was super delicious! I docked a star for lackluster decor (update that front window guys, come on!), and the lack of sushi. The skinny: Super authentic. Really fresh, tasty, classic Japanese food. For appetizers I tried the gyoza, which as incredibly satisfying and the sauce (ponzu I think?) was perfect. I was less impressed with the Shumai, but it was still good. I had Sukiyaki with beef that had some of the best most flavorful broth I've had in a while. Rice was perfect of course. My meal came with some very satisfying miso and complimentary green tea. If you aren't a pro at chopsticks, you can get a fork upon request, but it's just so much tastier with chopsticks... Also? SUPER CHEAP. I'll be back :)
(4)WmTomas S.
My partner and I wanted to try something different while walking around Andersonville thinking about having dinner. We were not disappointed. The menu is simple, the food was fresh and delicious, the staff was attentive without being overbearing, and the price was in line with the neighborhood. You can't go wrong. The decor is "unassuming" but the food is the star here.
(4)Lisa S.
Sunshine Cafe is definitely a hidden Chicago gem. Having a Japanese mother, it's been difficult to find an authentic Japanese restaurant that cooks like my Obachan in Japan. This place has incredible meals and each time has been a fantastic experience. My favorites thus far on the menu are the mackerel and the Donburi. This is a great spot and it goes way beyond my expectations when craving Japanese home style food!
(5)Erik H.
This is kind of the perfect Japanese restaurant. The intimate, cluttered, homey atmosphere makes me feel like I'm in some house/restaurant combination somewhere in the mountains of central Japan. Everything from the green carpeting to the adorable ring on their phone lends itself to this image. On top of that, the food is distinctive and exceptional. The potato croquette was both creamy and crunchy, and dipped into the "tangy" sauce that had just a hint of horseradish it was just gorgeous (as my British friend would exclaim). My main dish, the katsudon, was flavorful and filling. It was crunchy, savory and eggy with just the right amount of sweetness. My fiancées dish, the sukiyaki, was more overtly sweet and yet it was perfectly proportioned amounts of beef, cabbage, onions and sweet sauce, with a side of fluffy white rice. Two old men, probably construction workers in their pre-retirement years, were regulars. I want to be just like them when I grow up.
(5)Mike S.
Located between a 7/11 and a church, Sunshine Cafe is easy to miss. Upon entering, don't expect to be impressed with modern decor or mood lighting. Instead, expect to be greeted by the friendliest staff of all time and a cozy, intimate interior. Sunshine Cafe serves some of the best Japanese food I've had in Chicago. I can barely explain how much I love their Oyako Don. It is the perfect dish for a chilly Fall/Winter day. The combination of rice, chicken, and creamy sauce will cure any cold weather-induced depression. This is always the first place that I recommend to friends who are looking for a bite to eat in Andersonville. Also, don't forget that it is BYOB!
(5)Ryan L.
As cheesy as it sounds, a meal here makes your day better. Japanese comfort food at its best. There's no sushi here, but it's not necessary. The food here is outstanding. Their udon is one of the best I've had in the city. You can't go wrong with their chicken, beef, or just plain udon. The noodles are awesome with a great texture. The potato croquettes (kinda like deep fried mashed potatoes) are a must appetizer. The sauce they bring out for it is top notch, one of my favorites. We usually order the katsudon, a bowl of sticky rice topped with cut-up breaded pork and a fried egg. Also a must is the sukiyaki. Sometimes they have a beef steak on special, and if they have it I would recommend ordering it. It's flavorful and delicious. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, which combined with the no-frills decor of the dining room gives the impression that we're eating at grandma's house or a church basement. As a huge fan of rice bowls, this is a great place for me. As for feeding my rice addiction, I'll get over it.
(4)Vince V.
Great food. Nice service. Inside is nothing impressive but then again, not the reason you come here. Everything was fresh, not over seasoned and tasty. Great value too.
(4)Denise K.
I don't know how I missed writing a review for Sunshine Cafe, the ladies who own this place have known me since I was born. They were long time friends of my dad's when he first came to the U.S. from Japan. Their cooking is almost the only "true" japanese cooking I know, apart from my dancing teacher's and the ladies who used to help her. It's not fancy, the inside/outside might deter some. I don't think you can find much friendlier wait staff. Dan is the best! I can't skip the koroke - potato nut that I am. My comfort foods are her sukiyaki, tempura or curry. Can't beat her tempura - always crisp and the perfect batter. Dad always had the saba shioyaki. Mom likes the yaki soba. Have taken many friends here over the years. I don't get here as often as I would like to. LOVE this place, but I basically grew up on their food!
(5)Fe T.
I got the potato croquettes and the pork udon. My friend got the curry rice. The pork udon was steamy-hot and totally perfect for a cold day. It tasted fresh and home-y. However, as another yelper mentions, the pork udon has like 3 tiny pieces of pork ... Common'! They charged me $10 for the whole bowl and pork is not expensive. Potato croquettes tasted great, but $5 for 2 pieces is definitely on the pricier side. It's a bit crowded if you go on the weekend - especially if you go in group. I suggest you call beforehand if that's your plan. They offer green tea and free refill. Overall, very homey. If I ever hang out close by, I might com back.
(3)Diana G.
I really wanted to love this place, but it just didn't do it for me. I came her once before a few years ago and thought it was ok. Went with my 2 girlfriends last week. We ended up getting the potato croquettes, chilled tofu for appetizers. I love potatoes, but I just don't see the hype on this. I'm not a big tofu fan, so it was ok. We ordered the sukiyaki, tonkatsu and shrimp tempura dinner. Sukiyaki - I had it the first time I came and thought it was really good, but this time it seemed to be a bit too sweet. Was a bit disappointed! Tonkatsu - Always wanted to try this and finally did. I gotta say nothing special and the sauce they use is the same as the potato croquette. Definitely taste mustard in that sauce. Shrimp tempura dinner - Nothing special. Think it came with like 4 shrimps, green beans (yum), eggplant and sweet potato. No ambiance, I'm sure it was a chinese restaurant before this. Laid back feel and BYOB! I wouldn't come out of my way to go here, but I wouldn't not come back. I would like to give the other items a try.
(3)Nicole C.
I've been meaning to try this place for months now & I finally did! It was well-worth the wait. The service was great, atmosphere felt like I was in someone's home, tea warmed me right up, and the food hit the spot. We ordered the potato croquettes as an app...the sauce was perfect for them! Then I had the Katsu Don. I asked the server what their most popular dish was and he pointed this one out. I can definitely see why it's so popular. It was delicious, and I ate every bite. However, the miso soup was not their strong point. It wasn't horrible, but it also was not the best miso I've had either. We stayed until 9:15pm and no one kicked us out or even mentioned that they would be closing at 9pm (It was like chilling in someone's home). I loved my experience there & I cannot wait to go back!
(4)C N.
You can easily walk past this place without noticing it's one of the best places for Japanese comfort food. Don't be tricked by the decor--the people are really friendly and the food is good. And it's BYOB. What else do you need?
(4)Green T.
Traditional Japanese food? Sign me up! Wait, this is traditional Japanese food more like your grandma making traditional American food like hot dogs and Kraft mac n' cheese. They were temporarily shut down for health code violations for a little bit after we went which didn't really help my opinion either. If you're looking for something that is like American-style comfort food except Japanese, this will work for you. Unfortunately, that's not my thing.
(2)Beth S.
Best Mom & Pop Japanese food in town (Chicago). Tempura is light. Gyoza is to die for. Tofu is fresh. A great place for couples or families. Danny is tops. BYOB. This is the standard by which we judge all other Japanese restaurants.
(4)Maria G.
Great, little spot in Andersonville. Decor leaves something to be desired but you feel welcomed as soon as you walk in. I like the Goyza as an appetizer and usually go with a Tempura dish. Everything taste fresh and delicious and the prices can't be beat!
(4)Monica G.
Went last night for a birthday dinner. Loved that the place was flexible and able to accommodate a group of 7 of us. Service was extremely friendly, and BYOB is great. They reminded me they had my wine we hadn't drank before we left - thanks guys! Order a variety of small plates: potato croquettes (just as good as they claim), gyoza, shumai, edamame (served cold - ick!). Each person got an individual dish too. I ordered the Sukiyaki, a beef ad tofu noodle dish. It came with Miso soup, which was nice. The Sukiyaki was extremely salty, my tablemate had the same thing and she agreed. We wanted to add water to our broth. Everyone else at the table enjoyed their plates. I'm on the fence between a 3 - 4 for this review. The apps were better than the entrees. However, between the great service/patience (we stayed kinda late), and the cheap, byob, final bill (20 bucks a person!!!), I'll go with 4 stars. Looking forward to coming back and trying a new entree.
(4)Jeremy M.
Happy New Year! Sunshine Cafe opened tonight, and though prices went up a little, it's still the best everyday Japanese food in Chicago. I'll be back to my regular weekly visits. I should send Charlie P. a copy of Kitchen Confidential. He'll never eat out again!
(5)Reiahnna J.
I had to come here because I didn't want to go to a typical Japanese restaurant that mostly serves sushi. It was kind of a long walk for me from the red line train, but I found it. I decided to try a Yelp favorite, Katsu Don. I took it home and am eating it right now. Maybe it taste better if you eat right then because it looks like the rice took most of the juice and now the rice is sticky. I was in a rush so I did take-out. I did try the green tea ice cream right away. It was so good and I think the ice cream was so medicinal that I wasn't stiff at the end of the day. Plus, free miso soup with your order.
(5)Matt M.
I am all for forgoing getting rid of the 1975 wood paneling in the name of competitive pricing for extremely high quality food. I have been really struggling to find any form of asian food around Edgewater that I can say is original, delicious, and affordable. I have to suggest you get the rice ball and have the staff tell you to just pick it up like a donut because "no one cares, go for it" (with a smile). The flavors on their dishes are incredible, the share of rice is appreciable, and the ingredients fresh. Sunshine cafe will be seeing much more of me in the near future.
(5)Theanne G.
Great Andersonville neighborhood gem. Inexpensive home cooked food. Nicely demonstrates that Japanese cuisine is more than sushi.
(4)Liv G.
Delicious! We loved everything we ordered. Thought the udon noodles lacked flavor, but the pork and rice dish we ordered was incredible! I would highly recommend this for a cheap night out!
(4)Michelle N.
One of my absolute favorite places to get comfort food!! Whenever a dish comes out, it feels like it was made by my grandma and makes me super happy! Its a great place to bring your family or friends to relax and have good food with good company. Moreover, you know it's authentic when you see a bunch of old time Japanese Americans and their kids/grandkids come in for a quick bite on Sunday afternoons. I have been eating here as a kid and have literally eaten everything on their menu and love every dish and appetizer. However if I had to choose, the things you absolutely have to try are the potatoes croquettes, ika geso, katsudon and sukiyaki. On cold days the udon or soba really hit the spot! On top of the food being delicious, the service there is also awesome! Everyone is friendly and attentive. They never try to sell you anything and make an effort to get to know you the more you go there! Danny, the manager, is one of THE nicest people ever and he genuinely cares about making sure everyone who comes into the restaurant has the best dining experience they can! It can get busy so it can be a wait but it's worth it! I have recently moved to San Francisco and miss this place constantly. Can't wait to go back there as soon as I come home for Christmas :)
(5)Annie D.
Sunshine Cafe was our compromise when the fella wanted pho and I was feeling like something new. So we went to this Japanese noodle shop to have something new. If you're looking for friendly service, big portions and udon/soba noodles, this is a good bet. However, I wasn't totally overwhelmed by my tonkatsu (panko fried pork, kinda like Japanese milanesa) or our potstickers (came out a little lukewarm). The seaweed salad was pretty tasty. The tonkatsu sauce was a little sweet for me, and the pork alone just didn't have very much flavor. The pork comes alongside a standard salad, some pickles and white rice. Anyway, not bad but I don't think I'd order this dish again. My dude's food was a little bit better (he got the katsudon). Still, one less than perfect meal does not a bad restaurant make, especially when the service was good and a brothy noodle soup will be just what the doctor ordered come wintertime. I'd definitely come here again and try something else.
(4)Ivan L.
I'm a little hesitant to give this five stars as I've only been there once but this place definitely deserves five if all of my future visits are just as enjoyable as the first. For appetizers, we ordered the gyoza and potato croquettes, both of which were delicious (albeit a little pricey). My wife had the katsudon (which she says was excellent) while i ordered the saba shioyaki (grilled mackerel) which was amazing. The fish was tender and juicy, a perfect combination of simplicity and flavor. The staff was very friendly and attentive, even going so far as to give us fresh cups of green tea because they worried that our initial tea might've gone cold. We will definitely be going back and trying more items on the menu!
(4)Andy S.
I've been here a few times over the past 2 years, it fills a craving for Japanese food that isn't sushi. The food is excellent, especially the Tonkatsu, Katsu Don, and Ten Zaru Soba. Sometimes the dishes are a bit on the sweet side. If you prefer the tangy sweet of teriyaki you'll like it any which way but I prefer less sweet. To correct some of the reviews stating the green tea and red bean ice cream is homemade, it ain't. We asked the friendly and often smiling server and he said emphatically "NO!!!!!!! It's Edy's, the white people prefer it than the stronger green tea ice cream". So if you care for green tea ice cream specify which you prefer: gaijin green tea ice cream or heritage green tea ice cream. Both aren't homemade. Nonetheless good food for a great price. You won't be going there all the time, mainly when the craving hits.
(4)Alex M.
This place is great ! When you sit down they serve you a hot cup of delicious green tea and the service is really good/friendly. The potato croquettes are delicious and the Soba noodles (hot) with tempura is SO good. They are also nice enough to make the tempura all vegetable for me. Also - the portions are great! I would highly recommend going here on a cold night -- the hot soup will definitely cheer you up.
(5)KELLIE K.
I just got a loving hug from the Japanese grandmother I didn't know I had and it came in the form of sukiyaki. And oh, what a great big hug it was. Finally, after living in the neighborhood all these years, I managed a visit to Sunshine. This. This is just what I needed. Our group shared orders of the potato croquettes and tempura. Both were mighty fine, with the potato croquettes being a smash hit. The sukiyaki completed my quest for good Japanese comfort food In Chicago. The broth was perfectly slightly sweet with just the right tang. All of the ingredients were served together in a hot pan in a beautiful medley of soupy broth. If there is one dish you need to try, this is it. Drink up the green tea, and BYOB, if inclined. Sit back, and enjoy extremely casual dining. This is family joint, even so much that is feels like my [imaginary] Japanese grandmother set up a restaurant in her garage. That's OK, because after you're done eating, you'll feel warm, hugged, and very full. It's going to hard to keep me from going back every week.
(4)Christine K.
Coming from Southern California, I miss the authentic home-made Japanese delicacies and dishes, especially hand-made noodles. Sunshine Cafe satiates those cravings with their udon and soba. However, the broth is too salty for my taste. Oh, the potato croquettes, though, are something worthy of trying! Light and crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Mind you, each one probably adds 500 calories to your intake. While the sukiyaki was enjoyable, the broth--again--piped in saltiness.
(4)Sara V.
I came here for dinner a few months ago with a good friend. I'd walked past the place numerous times and it always looked a little odd from the outside, but having been told it gave truth to the idiom "don't judge a book..." I looked forward to some delicious food. Not disappointed. Excellent bowl of noodles (can't remember exactly what I ordered but it had noodles, vegetables and broth if that helps). Remarkably tasty without being overly salted. I was full barely halfway through, which only goes to show just how big a serving it was. BYOB is always convenient and good service even more so. I haven't been back since but I fully intend to rectify that shortly. Possibly when my mother is in town. She does love a good noodle.
(4)Luciana B.
Delicious! I decided to try this place out (though it's a little far from where I live) since it has such great reviews on yelp. I have to say I was NOT disappointed and will be coming back for more! Although this place doesn't have sushi, their warm dishes are absolutely cooked to perfection. I had the Sukiyaki and my boyfriend had the Chicken Teriyaki, plus some gyoza and potato croquettes for the appetizer. We had EVERYthing! It was so good! The waiter was also very friendly. If you're a fan of japanese food, you must visit this place!
(4)Erin R.
my friend and I ordered from this place based on all the good reviews. All I have to say is if these people think this place is 4+stars, I need to take you to some places that will blow your mind. You will be asking yelp for 20 stars! First off, what sort of asian restaurant doesn't deliver. Strike 1. We both ordered the udon noodles because it seemed like their specialty. They used weird items we honestly have never seen before in them that looked more like a lisa frank eraser than a vegetable. The rest of the veggies were cheap like lettuce. Strike 2. The broth in and of itself which makes up a big part of udon noodles was flavorless. Strike 3. I will not be back to try anything else after this experience.
(1)Katy B.
Just go already! Don't even take the time to finish reading my review. Just go. The food here is so wonderful and everyone who works there is super friendly. It's BYOB which is great. But seriously, the food is amazing. Yes the decor with the overhead fluorescent lights leave a little something to be desired, but you'll be too busy scarfing down your dinner to notice.
(5)Diablo L.
Very good pork dumplings,tempura very good and very tasty sukiyaki, was there on a weeknight around 8pm , very crowded but food came out really quick...
(4)Bryan S.
Prices have increased to now paying over $8.00 for a bowl of udon noodles. The portion sizes have also decreased. I know it is expensive to run a restaurant in Chicago but...
(3)Kayu T.
Need I say more? Everything is awesome here- especially their daily specials! The ONLY negative part about this place is its old, kinda gross decors and long wait for dinners. The staffs are very nice, but I think hiring experienced wait staffs would be a good idea.
(4)Shelami C.
I love going here with my cousins. Their food tastes very authentic Japanese homemade food (not sushi) and the cooked fish they serve to your liking are fresh! This place just brought me back to Sapporo when I visited my friend some time back. I should probably give this place a four-star because they kept running out of homemade green tea and red bean ice cream or maybe it's that good that it disappears by the time I get here. The server is so funny! I like wit-fencing with him. He's always smiling when you enter and makes you feel right at home. He's also very attentive of everyone. I think he has several regular customers or maybe we all end up coming back to become regular customers.
(5)Katherine M.
I have not been to Japan yet, but the dishes I tried reminded me of what my Japanese friends cook at home. For 3 people, 3 main courses and 4 sides/starters (inclusive of lots of green tea with refills for free) was ~50 so best value for money for Japanese in Chicago by far. It was comfy home environment, wait staff very nice. The food was excellent. I would have sukiyaki every day if I could get up here easier. potato crocquettes great comfort food; salmon nice. This is not a sushi place. a peaceful & green neighborhood you have to find parking on the street.
(5)Charlie P.
Closed by the Health Department. Nasty, Nasty, Nasty! Do you know how disgusting a kitchen has to be before the Chicago Health Department finally shuts 'em down? The list of unforgivable offenses was about a mile long. These tools clearly don't care about their (former) customers. I'll never, ever, ever walk through their grease coated doors again. Nasty!
(1)Samson P.
We were craving authentic Japanese food and we heard about this place from our Japanese friend. Once inside you notice it is more of a family-owned home style Japanese restaurant. We ordered: Potato Korokke (Japanese style croquette) - crunchy, savory, I could eat 100 of these Gyoza (Pan fried dumplings that are staple in east asian countries) - good although I have had better Grilled Mackerel - My friend loves mackerel and thought it was tasty. Tempura Udon - perfectly executed, Can't go wrong with this Tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) - This is one of my favorites and was exceptional Later I took my girlfriend here and we ordered the Potato Korokke always crunchy and savory, Seafood Soba -my girlfriend thought it was okay, and Curry Tonkatsu -This is comfort food I normally try making this at home but since its harder to deep fry the cutlet in my kitchen Verdict If you are looking for authentic home-cooked Japanese food, I recommended this place. The family who owns it is really nice and friendly. They make sure you feel at home and the food is reasonably priced and very good.
(4)James L.
One of my favorite places to go. It have that home style cooking vibe. The rice dishes are always amazing. Really fresh. The Udons are good too. I've been here on and off for about 2 years now and can't believe I forgot to rate this delicious place.
(5)Nick J.
My rating is based more on cost as compared to your typical or overpriced Japanese place that says its authentic but only serves sushi. I spent my summer on an internship in Japan for 2 1/2 months and I had been craving some decent Japanese food. I'm also a college student, so I'm looking to be cheap. Now, to address the whole health department thing. First of all, I didn't care. If you've traveled abroad before you know the places that don't sparkle actually have some of the best food. Plus, I've thought Americans have an absurdly high expectation for cleanliness. I mean, the Chicago health department stopped my college from having a scoop your own ice cream. Anyways. I tried to get a peak back there and it looked like they had some well polished new equipment. I didn't see much, but from what I could see it looked fine now. I had the ramen with tempura. I also shared some gyoza with friends. The gyoza was good. Wish it could have been a bit more crispy, but its how they make it. The ramen was great and so was the tempura. It was nice that the cost of the green tea was free with a meal. It's far from the best Japanese food I've had (which was in Japan, so that's ok), but it was fantastic for the price. Just as well, the service was quick and super friendly. The owner seated us quickly and it wasn't long till our orders were out. I left Sunshine Cafe stuffed with delicious Japanese food for about $12-13. One thing I loved about the place is that it wasn't trying to be fancy, hip or anything. It was simple and plain. No frills. Just good food for some good prices. Cool thing too, the menu is on foursquare if you wana check it out before going. I'll be back.
(4)ChiLLWaVEOoOoOo S.
had the udon and gyoza both were just OK. i'm from los angeles and this place would be a total afterthought there, but for chicago i suppose this is near the best you can get
(3)Eileen Z.
First off this is more of a 4.5 star place for me. Rounded up solely for the fact that this is a great place to be a regular at. Small, cozy, BYOB, inexpensive and hands-down tasty authentic homestyle Japanese food. Can't even count how many times I've been here. It had been suggested by the mom of a friend of a friend years back after being asked of good spots to hit up for authentic Japanese and she highly recommended this place. Here, you will find no sushi rolls or dishes put together to be aesthetically pleasing. It is what it is, homestyle food. Most dishes come in generous portions. Plus, I haven't found a dish I did not like, but there are some that stand out more than others. Example, the gyoza is just okay and nothing I would come looking for, but their potato croquettes are phenomenal. The udon or katsudon are my safe bets if there's nothing else I'm jonesing for. They also have this miso glazed eggplant that's really good, but is included as a special from time to time, not a regular on the menu. And I can't say enough about the staff. Super friendly, which definitely helps if you go during peak hours because there will be a good amount of waiting time. The great service helps get you past the wait, the lack of aesthetics and cramped space. I just like to think when there's a line, there's always a reason.
(5)Noga S.
Delicious, interesting and inexpensive. They are BYOB too! I have no idea what I ordered, but it was AMAZING!
(5)Yanyao N.
I tried to make veggie soba last night. I am such a fool. When JN first tried it, I thought I caught a glimpse of a face but he was quick to hide it - what a sweetheart. He, like me and many others, is enamored with the soba noodles from Sunshine Cafe. The perfect savory broth (how do they pack so much flavor in there?! Bonito flakes, I am told), the buckwheat noodles, the napa cabbage and other vegetables, the pieces of soft tofu... mmm, the perfect winter comfort food, and guilt free too! Broth, veggies, tofu, buckwheat noodles do not go to your hips, I promise. I think I'll learn a lesson from last night and not try to replicate anything else from SC. Seriously. This place serves the best Japanese food in Chicago. No swanky lounge music, bizzaro sushi rolls, and dim lighting here. Expect to find plenty of delicious appetizers, noodles, and rice bowls. I highly recommend the katsudon, one of my favorite Japanese dishes to eat as a teenager living in Japan-crazed Hong Kong, and I have to say, the one at SC is better! A bowl full of perfectly cooked sticky white rice, topped with a mixture of cut up breaded pork (think tonkatsu) stir-fried with egg, onions, and soy sauce. Miso soup and green tea come with your meal. The service here is some of the friendliest I have ever encountered. Informative, warm, funny even! The staff here will make you feel at home and make sure you are happy with your meal. Plenty of regulars come here and are remembered, even us! My favorite is Dan, who brought me my first "Japanese Big Mac" aka musubi (get this GIANT sushi rice ball if you are a rice fanatic like me) and on our second visit, promised the next time we came, he would sit us at a different table. I really don't care though. I'd be happy to sit in the corner as long as I get some katsudon. Sunshine Cafe is closed Mondays and only open from 4-9pm the rest of the week. There aren't that many tables, so come early or expect to wait a little while. It is also BYOB, for those of you who are into that. Parking on this stretch of Clark is also reasonably easy.
(5)Michelle L.
Good family restaurant! Finally tasted something more close then other japanese restaurant in Chicago.
(5)Andrew K.
Tried this place out tonight was GREAT! reasonable prices and everything we tried was satisfying and TASTY! We had pork udon and sakuyuki both were really good. we also split a rice ball with plum inside as well as gyoza appetizer and potato croquets! Will definitely come back! For 2 to eat till near purging it was about 40$ Not a bad dinner date considering how much we ate! Plus they were on top of the water and even gave some tasty green tea when we sat down!
(4)Helen H.
Terrific!! A little mix up with the order of people being seated, but the people were so friendly and nice and gave us an appetizer in appreciation!! Gyoza... Yummmm Cold soba noodles wth dipping sauce and wasabi.... To die for!!! Such a special dish, I hardly ever find this dish in restaurants. Fried pork.. Yumm! The cucumbers in vinegar was even better than how my mom makes it!! I also love how they just laid out chopsticks, felt more authentic then those places that give u forks. Althoguh, as soon as I said that my Indian bf dropped his chopsticks on the floor. :) The prices are relatively inexpensive, but the portions are smaller. Even I could finish my dish and an appetizer and I do not eat very much. Decor is cute but nothing crazy, it's an overalll great laid back place!! Def will be back!
(4)Joey M.
I've been eating at Sunshine Cafe for many , many years and still love the place . I love their appetizers and always make a point of eating too many of them so that only eat a little of my entree and so be sure to have leftovers . That's how I roll . The service is friendly and efficient and I always enjoy seeing the same familiar faces there year after year . Oh , and the potato croquettes . Effing , unfairly , delicious ! Plus Sunshine Cafe is BYOB and close to several liquor stores and the food is a great bargain quality-wise and portion-wise . I highly recommend Sunshine Cafe to anyone interested in authentic Japanese food and charming service .
(4)Alexis P.
We eat at Sunshine probably once a week - and when we miss a week, we get pretty down. It has become one of our favorite spots. Dan and the rest of the crew are SO friendly and welcoming - they make you feel right at home! If you are looking for some swanky, nightcluby sushi spot... Sunshine is NOT it! If, on the other hand, you are looking for consistent, delicious, affordable Japanese comfort food... you will likely become a Sunshine regular. Highlights that we order all the time: cold edamame, gyoza with great spicy sauce, tempura soba (yummy broth and tempura served on the side so it stays CRISP!), chicken teridon, tonkatsu, nanban yaki,... basically whatever you order will be tasty! We were devastated when we walked by and saw the "license suspended" sign on the door. We're currently trying to figure out if there is some way we can help Sunshine get open again (very selfish desire on our part!). Once they reopen, we will resume our weekly visits. Can't wait!
(5)George K.
Home away from home, that is what Sunshine Cafe is to Andersonville. One of the greatest restaurants in the city, it possess a quality that cannot be purchased. The first thing my friends and I said when we heard the news of the close was "how can we help?" and we encourage everyone in the neighborhood to do the same.
(5)Kaman T.
This is as home-cooked Japanese as it can get and they got it RIGHT! Do not expect mayo-filled sushi rolls here. This is a family owned restaurant that focuses on traditional home cooked Japanese dishes. Ones that you'd probably won't encounter unless in a Japanese home. I've been here a few times and am blown away each time. I've had the vegetable soba in hot broth before and the texture of the soba was amazing. Not too soft and it was a nice bouncy chewy texture. The udon is equally delicious. Sukiyaki is deelicious as well, but does not have enough beef imo. Tonkatsu is amazing as well. The meat is not dry at all. It is super tender and easy to chew. The croquettes (fried mash potato balls) are a must-get for appetizer and the grilled eggplant is awesome as well. Comes with a ginger sauce that you glaze on top. They aren't open for a long period of time....I think 5pm-9pm? So expect a LONG wait on weekends. HIGHLY recommend this place!!
(5)Nick M.
Rule of thumb (or THE FINGER... inside joke) is if Mike K approves then you're good to go. Yes, yes if Mikey likes it... No joke, it really is Japanese comfort food. At the end of the meal you sit back or roll back (pending the amount you've eaten), scratch your belly and say ahhhhh. The service is so good they might even scratch you belly for you. Seriously, the service is excellent! The manager or owner (??) was making jokes about the size of the bowl (it's HUGE) saying "if you need a bigger bowl just let me know and I'll get more". Also, don't let the look of the building or the decor scare you. Being a wussy and not knowing what to order I went with Mike K's suggestions. I got the Korokke (potato croquette) which alone is pretty good but with the spicy sweet sauce they provide, it's a knock out. I also went with the vegetable Udon, which I can only compare it to a hearty soup of maybe even Pho. Tender noodles, awesome rejuvenating broth, and some crisp vegetables, this will easy become my go to place for colds and hangovers. I can't wait to go back and try other things. Nice find and in the hood even. Plus BYOB = Cheap hearty dinner!
(4)Rowena A.
Can't rate. Just arrived at the front door. Closed. Sign reads "license suspended", posted 12/8/11. Looks like it failed inspection: chicago.everyblock.com/f…
(2)Joe L.
Great, cheap, affordable. FYI, Sunshine is currently closed due to a City Health Inspection.
(4)Mikey J.
Too be honest, this place was alright at best. The seating was slow, the service was fairly slow, and the food came out, well, slow. Granted I wolfed down my soba because my hunger was through the roof after the wait, but the noodles were good, not spectacular. It's curious to see how Yelp has one $ for the prices here, because our bill for two small appetizers and a main dish each came to over $15 a person for our party or 6. Not cheap in my books! Oh yeah, don't get the teriyaki chicken
(3)Anthony J.
Cute enough inside, but slow service. Been there a couple times, still haven't eaten anything I really liked. The worst offender was the yaki soba, which tasted like ketchup.
(2)Jin L.
Found elderly Japanese people eating here. This can only mean a good thing. My friend and I shared Potato croquette and I had Tempura Udon. The noodles were chewy and the broth was yummy. My friend only had good things to say about this place. The tempura was ok but everything tasted clean. Will definitely be back soon for more. With water, they provided hot green tea (not the tea bag kind) which I liked.
(4)Nik O.
I recently moved to Chicago from LA and have been dying to find good Japanese food. Found this little gem and was thoroughly impressed. All the staff and customers were happy and cheerful and the Manager was really funny. I had the Sukiyaki and it was extremely filling, not to mention SUPERB!! I didn't read up on it, but they allow you to bring your own booze. There were a lot of customers who brought wine and Sapporo, so do yourself a favor AND BYOB! :D Next time I go I am going to order the Mackeral, which looked and smelled mouth watering.
(5)Terrence C.
I do not give 5 stars rarely. I'd give 6 if the option was present. Sunshine Cafe is a gift from the heavens. I cannot think of a single negative comment. Friendly jovial staff will make you feel comfortable from the beginning. The decor is simple at best. You may feel like you are in a church basement temporarily. There is a slight glimpse of Japanese-esque design, but let's be honest, the food is the reason to come to Sunshine. No frills dining, the dishes are straight to the point. Katsu Don.. slammin. quite possibly best dish on the menu. Udon.. (all meats) taste like they were hand made moments before they are served. They have a salmon dish that escapes the memory presently, but it is par to none. I absolutely love Sunshine cafe. It is truly a home cooked meal, with friendly service at a great price. A meal for 2 will run you about 20 bucks with an appetizer. Yes, 20 bucks. Go here! Eat well. A diamond in the rough.
(5)Christina B.
Sunshine is great when you want real homestyle Japanese food, but otherwise, probably not worth it. The service is impeccable, I will admit that much. The guy who usually serves everything up is incredibly kind and solicitous. And look, I'm a thrifty person to whom atmosphere isn't everything, or even anything - but when I walk into your establishment and immediately smell mildew, that's wrong. Food is definitely tasty - but why is a bowl of rice with some chicken, onion, and egg on top over ten bucks? Why would your daily tsukemono be over five bucks? All in all, not usually worth it. Unless you're going for street cred with elderly nisei. Then you will OWN this joint.
(3)Tammy C.
(See pic) This is a small family Japanese place. Super friendly service that I enjoyed so much. Food wise, the Chilean sea bass, crab cakes, miso soup, Unagi Don were all for less than 30 dollars. Great value for really tasty food!
(4)Mike K.
You're probably not going to find a better bowl of udon in the city. Maybe you will but I guarantee it won't be as unpretentious as you'll find here at Sunshine Cafe. The place serves Japanese comfort food. There is no sushi bar here. Think hiyayakko (cold tofu), korokke (potato croquette) and katsudon (breaded pork). Their chicken udon is what keeps me coming back. As a noodle soup fan, this is as good as it gets. The portions are amazing. The noodles have a great texture and there is a great mix of soup to noodles, vegetables and chicken. It tastes like a warm hug from your grandmother. BYOB. Four highly enthusiastic stars.
(4)Chris D.
Love this place! The decor is stripped down simple, clean, very Japanese. If you are looking to dine in a Japanese temple you won't find that here. What you will find is a very nice and helpful front of the house and delicious food. It is all reasonably priced and arrives just on time. Not to quick so that you think it isn't fresh, and not to long that you starve. Once again, I love this place.
(5)Ryne D.
A Japanese place that isn't about sushi? It almost seems oxymoronic, but seeing as I'm on a "new experiences" kick, I was down for it. Well, OK, I'm pretty familiar with non-sushi Japanese food, but it was still cool to find a place like this. It's pretty small, but we didn't have trouble finding a seat. Like everyone says, you must get the potato croquettes. If you don't, you're pretty much wasting your own time...they alone are worth the trip here. I got the tonkatsu, but for my friend who can't eat pork, they happily suggested she get chicken katsu instead. It's not quite the same as the Hawaiian classic, but it still looked pretty good. My tonkatsu was served in a pretty traditional fashion and I recommend it if you want to try a classic Japanese dish. The guys who work here were really cool, even after my friend vigorously pounded on the front door until she noticed there were two (two!) signs that read "Pull". They cracked jokes with us the whole night and really left an impression on us...almost as big as the impression my friend invariably left on their door frame.
(4)Helena G.
It was the first time that I tried Japanese comfort food and I really enjoyed the food, the service and the place. It's a good value for money. The portions are very generous. Appetizers: - potato croquettes ***** (try it with the special sauce) - kinpira***** - ika geso (squid tempura) ***** (DELICIOUS) Main dish: - Salmon shioyaki ***** (it comes with delicious and soft pickles, and with white radish... SUCCULENT) The main dish comes with a bowl of rice, a miso soup (yummy) and green tea (very good). I highly recommend this place!
(4)Kevin S.
I love this place! I had the katsu-don and it was one of the best things I have ever eaten. My girlfriend had some grilled fish and she said it was great. I hear that sometimes they have a hibachi steak on special and that it's to die for. I didn't look at the menu too thoroughly, but if you're looking for a trendy Japanese restaurant that is so popular nowadays, don't come here. The seating area is pretty small and old school, but I like the decor on the wall/windows.. makes it seem like it is outdoors in Japan! The service was great too. Overall this place is a down to earth homestyle Japanese restaurant that doesn't carry the higher price commonly associated with Japanese food. Highly recommended!
(5)Andy M.
This place is awesome. From the outside it looks like a total hole in the wall. Who am I kidding, the inside looks like a hole in the wall as well. But aesthetics aside, the great food made my tummy quite happy. The Croquette appetizer was awesome and the beef dish (that I can't pronounce) was very tasty. The Beef was marinated with terriyaki sauce and the bottle of special sauce they offer was the perfect blend of sweet and spicy goodness. This was the first time that I ever tried Japanese food, and the Sunshine Cafe has made me a convert. Our server was great. He was laid back, funny and kept our cups filled with the awesome green tea that they serve. This place rocked, and I can't wait for my next visit.
(5)Bob W.
I give this four stars for one dish that we had, the Sukiyaki. This is a dish most places screw up because it's a delicate balance of savory and sweetness. Here it was just perfect. I don't normally enjoy tofu but in this I snapped it right up. Other than that we ordered small dishes (my wife had a craving for potato croquettes) and so we ordered the croquettes, the gyoza and the shumai. The former were tasty but pricy more than the dumplings despite just being fried potatoes (five dollars). The gyoza were actually on the bad side, I only ate them because I dislike wasting food. Finally, the shumai were decent, but my wife has made better (which may say more about my wife's prowess than their quality). So avoid the gyoza and get the sukiyaki. Other noodle dishes looked good and I will go back to try them even though the prices on the whole seemed a bit steep for dishes that often enough were a few slices of chicken on some rice.
(4)Jen P.
The owner of Sunshine Cafe has to be the nicest man on earth! And to top it off, the potato croquettes are wonderful, as well as the vegetable udon. LOVE.
(5)V B.
I used to love coming here. What happened? We ordered the tofu salad and it was drenched with a strong miso dressing. We sent it back and reordered it with the dressing on the side - much better. I ordered one of my usual; sukiyaki, and the broth overly salty! I had to pour some of my water in the broth to dilute it.
(2)Pinaki S.
This is something you'd probably never even imagined existed: a Japanese hole-in-the-wall. I say that in the most endearing way.You won't find a dragon roll on the menu, but you'll find home style Japanese food-- Udon noodles, Katsu, Unagi, mackerel, etc. And you'll find really friendly staff and terrific food at ridiculous prices. I went on a man-date (cue man-date music) here, we got the potato croquettes, unagi-don, sukiyaki, miso soup and little saki-type shot glasses for our BYOB Asian liquor. Total $32 with tip and tax. I thought that was pretty sweet. Also pretty sweet: the MIDI style music in the background. Really sets the mood for a man-date.
(4)Christine K.
Oh, Sunshine Cafe. How to do you justice? The food here is authentic and homey. When you walk into its unassuming storefront, it feels like you're entering your Japanese aunt's house and eating her home-cooked food. What more could you ask for? I love everything here, from the potato croquettes to the noodles (soba? ramen? udon? Yes, please.). I would particularly recommend the grilled mackerel. The fish just melts in your mouth. MELTS. It was my first time experiencing fish that is so juicy it literally falls apart on contact with the tongue. Wow. I love coming here for brunch on Sundays. They're not too busy, and they always offer tasty specials.
(5)Jane M.
If my grandma were Japanese, her food would taste like this. Incidentally, Abuelita is an awesome cook. And at Sunshine Cafe, grandma is literally in the kitchen. It's a family joint, which I love above all the Michelin starred eateries in the universe. Their udon is delightful, but the ramen is made of crack and unicorns. It's not on the menu, you've got to ask for it. Sometimes they don't have it, but when they do, get it. The oyako don is gorgeous, and the sukiyaki to die for. Frankly, I've never had anything that wasn't perfect. Now, if you want fancy ass sushi rolls, you can go down the street. They have one roll here, no sushi, no sashimi. Just home cookin'. The place is tiny and casual, and packed on weekends, so go off hours if you don't want to wait. And super reasonably priced. Which for Andersonville is doubly noteworthy, as you can't even get a coffee in Hipster-landia for less than $5. Go! Go now!
(5)Guillermo A.
Salty miso soup. Extremely cold Edamame. Only relief was the chicken teri don, but not by much. Maybe it was because we went at 3:00 pm. People who review this place and give it a high score need to visit other places outsides this neighborhood establishment.
(1)William Y.
Very good family style Japanese food. Loved it.
(4)Dominic F.
This is what I imagine eating at my Japanese grandma's house would feel like, if I had one. The prices are fair and the portions are large. Give it a try.
(4)Katie L.
I was just thinking how much I want the udon since I have a cold. This place is great! It's BYOB, short wait times, and delicious food. I like to get the potato croquettes and either the vegetable udon or ten don which is also amazing. The food is fresh and seasoned on the lighter side to let the natural flavors come through. I'm glad that it will soon be fall, so I can bring a six pack and some friends and enjoy a hot bowl of soup and some green tea. They are sometimes closed around the holidays, so you might want to call before you head over. I have had two times that they were closed when I tried to go. What a sad day that was!
(5)Sarah A.
Just went here for dinner and wow, once again, I was blown away! The staff is sooooo friendly! We got extra potato croquettes on the house because there were 3 of us (2 croquettes split three ways is not enough!!). Totally forgot we get green tea and miso soup so it was just a heap of food! Super affordable AND byob - what more can you ask for?? 3 people + beer + so much food = priceless (but if you had to put a price on it would only be $26 -- 34 with tip) Oh AND I have left overs!
(5)