Located in the heart of the community at 600 Central Ave Suite 101, Highland Park, IL 60035, Sushi Badaya offers a refined dining experience dedicated to the art of Japanese cuisine. Our establishment serves as a welcoming destination for those who appreciate the delicate balance of fresh ingredients, traditional preparation techniques, and a serene atmosphere. Whether you are a long-time enthusiast of Japanese culinary traditions or a newcomer eager to explore new flavors, our team is committed to providing a memorable meal that reflects our passion for quality and consistency.
At Sushi Badaya, we believe that the essence of great sushi lies in the integrity of the ingredients. We prioritize sourcing high-quality seafood and produce, ensuring that every plate served meets our standards for freshness and flavor. Our kitchen team works with precision to honor the heritage of sushi-making while maintaining a contemporary approach that appeals to the diverse tastes of our guests in Highland Park. From the moment you step through our doors, our goal is to provide a comfortable environment where you can enjoy a thoughtful meal with friends, family, or colleagues.
What Sets Us Apart
Commitment to Freshness: We prioritize the quality of our ingredients above all else, ensuring that every piece of fish and seasonal vegetable is handled with the utmost care to preserve its natural taste and texture.
Traditional Craftsmanship: Our chefs bring years of experience to the kitchen, utilizing time-honored techniques to create sushi that is both visually appealing and balanced in flavor profile.
Welcoming Atmosphere: Situated in a convenient location on Central Avenue, our restaurant provides a calm and inviting space designed to enhance your dining experience, making it an ideal spot for both casual lunches and relaxed evening dinners.
Attention to Detail: From the preparation of our seasoned rice to the final presentation of each dish, we focus on the small details that elevate a simple meal into a complete culinary experience.
The culinary philosophy at Sushi Badaya is rooted in simplicity and respect for the ingredients. We understand that dining out is not just about the food, but also about the experience of sharing a meal in a pleasant setting. By focusing on consistent quality and attentive service, we strive to be a reliable choice for residents and visitors in the Highland Park area. We invite you to visit us at our Central Avenue location to discover the care and dedication we put into every dish we serve.
We are grateful for the support of our local community and look forward to continuing our journey of serving authentic and high-quality Japanese cuisine. Whether you are planning a quiet dinner or looking for a place to enjoy a fresh, light meal, Sushi Badaya is here to welcome you. We encourage you to join us soon to experience our menu and enjoy the hospitality that defines our restaurant. Thank you for considering Sushi Badaya for your next dining occasion, and we hope to see you at our table in Highland Park very soon.
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Reviews Sushi Badaya Highland Park
Dental Job
30-05-2026
Food SUPERB!
Hospitality superb!
Presentation superb!
Chef Moon, his wife, and Brittany were amazing! Each dish was fantastic. Our friends that we brought with us said it’s the best sushi they have ever had. We happily drive 1 hour from Plainfield because chef moon is the best !
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
C R
30-05-2026
Wow -incredible . I have to say one of the best sushi meals I have ever had. This place is clean , attention to detail, amazing service and great food something as simple as miso soup they make with layers of complex flavors. The tacos are so good!!! Suggest the escolar , a couple orders because you will want more, Joy great job!!
Malia Murphy
30-05-2026
Was disappointed with my most recent experience at Sushi Badaya. I’ve been many times before, but this was my first time dining in since the new ownership. … More
Tae Do
30-05-2026
I've been here multiple times and the food has been consistently good every single time. The chef is very knowledgeable about his fish and has passion which shows up in the artistic display of the food. Great place place to have business meetings as well. Your guests will be impressed.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Picardy Piano
30-05-2026
Amazing restaurant! Foods are so yummy and fresh. Chef is very talented. Friendly staffs. Me and my husband had a great dinner. I highly recommend it to everyone !
Youn hee Choi
30-05-2026
I lllooovve good fresh 🐟 🐟 🐟 and nigiri with good signature garnish that compliments the flavor of the fish. My mouth is watering while writing this review.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
SERGELATO
30-05-2026
Sushi Badaya has new management so that meant a new menu. I checked it out and the food here is so much better than before. I like the touches on the nigiri, and truly resembles some cool stuff! Service is okay.
Faith H
30-05-2026
Look no further for Michelin star quality sushi in the suburbs and for a fraction of the cost!
I take my husband's birthday very seriously. I love to splurge on his birthday and spoil him, especially with the food. I was originally planning on taking my husband for a day in the city with omakase lunch and dinner at Bavette's. Unfortunately, our dog has been sick so I no longer felt comfortable leaving him home or having someone else watch him for a full day. Thank goodness for Chef Moon and Sushi Badaya for saving the day and creating the most incredibly beautiful and delcious platter of our dreams!
About a week before my husband's birthday, I looked frantically for high end sushi tray options and couldn't find anything that fit my taste. I wanted it to look like literal omakase on a sushi platter. I have ordered sushi platters from every spot in the suburbs (so I thought) and I they didn't fit the vision I had for a fancy night in. I saw Sushi Badaya pop up in my searches but for some reason, I had connected it to a Korean restaurant that is no longer open and hasn't been for quite some time, so I just kept ignoring the page. Then, for some reason, the picture on the list of searches changed for Sushi Badaya, showing a beautiful sushi tray. I immediately clicked it, not realizing it was Sushi Badaya. I couldn't believe I had missed this absolute treasure of a restaurant for who knows how many years! I emailed a email address I had found somewhere with an inquiry but hadn't heard back (I think I only waited like a day though) so I called the restaurant. When I referenced the tray, they said they didn't have it so I was confused but said okay and tried to move on and find something else. The next day or maybe two days later I finally found a restaurant downtown that had a sushi box type of offering but it was no where near the beauty of the Sushi Badaya's platters, plus it would have been impossible for me to pick it up and get home with enough time to decorate and pick up the other things for my husband's birthday. I was so frustrated so I looked on the website for Sushi Badaya again and noticed there was a different phone number than I had called, so I called that one. Chef Moon answered the phone and I thought I had called the wrong number at first but quickly realized it was his personal number (what incredible dedication to his customers to share his person number!). I let him know my dilemma and that I really wanted the platter in the picture but was told it was not an option and begged for him to please help me. He let me know that it was indeed an option, but it was not a pre-designed platter, it was custom. I understood then that there had been a miscommunication and wished I had asked more questions instead of giving in so quick the first phone call. He let me know to text him what I was looking for, the price range, and the serving size. I let him know it was for 2 people and that the price range was $200-300. I let him know my husband loves otoro, uni, and salmon (somehow he also knew how much my husband loves fried shrimp heads too!). Chef Moon responded immediately letting me know he would create a tray for $250 and that he would use great fish for us. I was completely enthused and let me say, he did not disappoint! My husband was thrilled with the platter and was shocked when I said I got it from the suburbs. He agreed it looked like the nigiri we had at Michelin star sushi restaurants! I am so incredibly grateful to Chef Moon and the Sushi Badaya team for coming through and making my husband's birthday dinner so delicious and beautiful. I guarantee I will be sending my husband on sushi takeout runs to Sushi Badaya moving forward.
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Varies by time / day
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Group size
Suitable for all group sizes
Katie Konstant
30-05-2026
After moving from the city to Highland Park, we were a bit worried how the suburban sushi would compare. Badaya - you have leveled up!!
We had take out from here one night which was great. At the time, my husband saw that Badaya has an Omikase!!! This was something we thought we'd never find in the suburbs. It is such a treat for anyone who likes sushi!! For those who haven't had an Omikase meal, it is a prix fix multiple course sushi meal created right in front of you.
Chef Moon was outstanding. We loved asking about all the different fish he prepared for us and he was happy to tell us more. The wait staff - incredible. They were extremely attentive and nice. This meal includes some of the best nigiri mixed in with snacks like edamame and lobster soup. It was beautiful and creative. At the end, the chef asked what each of our favorite courses was. Personally I loved this cuttlefish uni combo. My husband loved the salmon. Chef moon made an additional variation of each of those for us to have.
So if you want to feel like a sushi VIP, I highly recommend this experience. I'm going back again this week for it with my dad since I want to experience it all again. Looking forward to what Chef prepares for us this time!!
Updating 6/14/25: this place continues to be SO GOOD
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
RachelL Lee
30-05-2026
I have been looking for a legit sushi restaurant for a while and just found this place and I was like this is it!!!! The food was amazing and the best sushi restaurant I have ever been to so far! Sushi was super fresh and every dish was delicious. Service was fantastic as well. My kids are super picky and even they all loved the food! Very talented chef!!!
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Thomasina Martin
30-05-2026
This place is the best!! The fish is always super fresh and the service is 10/10. Chef moon is exceptional. I’d make some recommendations but you honestly cannot go wrong here. Still dying to try the omakase! If you’re in the north shore area, look no further! (Indoor and outdoor patio option for seating)
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Fatty Tuna, Salmon Sashimi, Red Dragon Roll
WHITE KNIGHT
30-05-2026
Life-Changing Sushi Experience at Sushi Badaya Highland Park
I have to admit, I was never a fan of sushi actually, I had never even tried it … More
Alena Antigua
30-05-2026
Delicious food with a wide variety. Portions are generous and filling. Service was a little slow to come to us, but incredibly attentive and fast, especially for a larger group of people. Atmosphere is a standard suburban strip mall setting - which is clean and spacious with cute accents and decor. Will absolutely be returning More
Dental Job
30-05-2026
Food SUPERB!
Hospitality superb!
Presentation superb! … More
Preeti Tupsakhare
30-05-2026
My cocktail was tasteless, I ordered sex on the beach and it was not good. Sushi was Ok but my husband ordered their Cod for dinner ano it was not seasoned and very bland. The service was good our server was really nice and friendly. But I don’t think we will go here again. Not worth the money. More
Mrs. Momma TC
30-05-2026
Sushi lovers!!! This is your spot!!!
Beautiful decor, amazing vibes and authentic flavors, this is the place to enjoy excellent sushi!! … More
Malina Newman
30-05-2026
Truly excellent food and service all around! The waiters and chefs were so kind and friendly and the sushi was amazing. They have an open kitchen and make all the sushi out in front where you can see. We had three types of sushi: moon … More
hyeran lee
30-05-2026
This sushi bar offered more than just a meal—it was a **carefully curated culinary experience** that highlighted the true essence of exceptional ingredients.
Throughout the course, the quality and freshness of the fish were outstanding, … More
Joe King
30-05-2026
Absolutely fantastic experience at Sushi Badaya. We came in on a Saturday night on the recommendation of friends and were very pleased with our meal. Everything was excellent, from the appetizers to the main course. The service and presentation were superb. Most importantly, the fish was fresh! We'll be coming back for sure! More
Tuguldur Munkhtur
30-05-2026
I had an amazing experience at sushi badaya ! Every single dish was absolutely delicious and fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. The quality of the fish was outstanding, and the presentation made each plate feel special. The … More
Angie
30-05-2026
I had such a great experience at Sushi Badaya! The food was incredibly fresh and flavorful — you can really taste the quality in every bite. The sushi was beautifully presented, and everything we ordered was delicious. The staff was kind, … More
Reviews Sushi Badaya Highland Park