Happy Sushi — Restaurant in Springfield

Sharon Says:
It is due to Happy Sushi in Springfield Illinois I love sushi as I do now. That is testament to the quality of ingredients he uses and the attention to detail Mr Hiro-san attaches to all he presents. And the presentation is always a delicious sight. I eat with my eyes first, then my stomach.

I try my best to try different items on the menu, but I always have to have the spicy salmon. Chase and I, whenever we desire sushi, it is to Happy Sushi in Springfield Illinois. Always. Last time we visited, I tried the spicy salmon handroll and it was simply sacred. No talking, plenty of being in the moment with this handroll.

The welcome you receive from Mr Hiro-san, I can liken to the welcome you get from an older relative who is truly delighted to receive you in their home, they’ve gone out of their way to prepare a feast for you. Making a fuss of you.

It’s a perfectly small place with a few seats in the front and a few more in the hallway and that’s where we like to park ourselves. Feels truly intimate and inviting.

You’d be forgiven for blowing past its location, and I submit thats a part of what makes it the incredible charm it is. But you know now. If you do decide to visit, please call ahead and make sure they’re open. I love this place and Mr Hiro-san forever.

Chase Says:
I want to start this whole thing by saying that in all the years that my wife and I have been going here, and with all the times that she’s thought we should share our feelings about Happy Sushi in Springfield, Illinois, I refused. Happy Sushi is my own sacred space, and because of that, as deeply selfish as I know it to be, I didn’t want to share this with the world crowd and them, anyone else, touch what’s mine.

I found this little gem a couple of years before my wife and I got married and that was in 2014. I share that only to say this, outside of her, I don’t tend to share this place with others. It was road trip with some other fellas and as often happened during that time, when we reached our destination, they wanted to do one thing, and I another. I found Happy Sushi while I was out riding on my Harley, by my lonesome, and truthfully, even back in 2012-ish, it’s not the kind of place that you actually look at and think, “yeah, I wanna stop there and eat their food.”

That’s not a slam of the people or even the location, rather, if you’re looking for posh, for etiquette and finery, then you might want to pass on this place.

But once you go in…

It’s not just the food. That spicy tuna, impossibly fresh, with spice, but not too much, and not some translucent whisper of fish, but a full-bodied declaration that says, “yeah baby, this is what it’s supposed to taste like.” Mr. Hiro-San doesn’t do flash. Just delicious-ass sushi that challenges your notions of what sushi is supposed to taste like.

And do to your senses. To your soul.

And you see, that’s why I don’t want to share this place with those that want to rush there, take selfies with their phones and post for likes and virality; this is a sacred space for those that cherish, respect and relish the artistry that is Mr. Hiro-San and Happy Sushi.

To say: this man, this place, this experience—matters in ways that we don’t tend to associate with food. But in the way you’d write a letter to a friend and say, “If you ever need to feel something real again, if you ever forget that food can be art and touch and prayer all at once—go here.”

That’s Happy Sushi.

To me.

So if you go, just… don’t ruin it.

Go...

I found this place about 8 months ago and since then, I go about weekly! I also bring all my friends who have never tried it so they can have the best Sushi around! I love the meat counter and the fresh made everything! Happy Sushi was designed as a pick up only type business but because people wanted to eat inside instead of carry out, the put in 7 tables of 4. 4 tables in the front and 3 in the back. Only thing I would do to improve it is to carry ice. Right now when you eat you must drink out of a canned drink. It would be nice to have a glass of ice with it. The wait staff and owner are very friendly and once you have been there 1 time, they will remember you and what you had the last visit. Please try this Sushi bar, it will be the best place you will find around to eat real Sushi. Dishes I personally recommend trying are: Hand Rolls-Spicy scallop, Spicy Salmon. Regular rolls-Heart Attack, 10:10, Diablo, Mexican crunch, the egg rolls are to die for, the Udon (all types) is the best I have ever had, man on fire, spicy salmon roll, spicy tuna roll, spicy ramen soup, the dragon and anger management-(my absolute favorite). Happy Sushi has the best fried egg roles around and they are different! I have now officially tried every single item on their menu and I didn't find anything on it that I didn't like, just some I liked more than others.:) Menu attached for your viewing...The hours have changed they are open from 11 am-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and Sunday open at 4:00PM-9pm only-NEW...

My family stopped here for dinner on our way through Springfield because we all love sushi and the reviews were high. When we first pulled up it seemed a little sketchy on the outside. However when we entered, we were greeted enthusiastically by the chef himself! The dining area was clean and tastefully decorated. We were seated immediately by a young lady who got our drinks and gave us time to examine the menu. It quickly became clear why this place is so well loved. As we waited for our food to be prepared, countless patrons came to pick up to-go orders and make small talk with the chef and other staff members. It was obvious this place had a lot of regulars. We were also given a complementary appetizer as was the table next to us. Incidentally, it was the best egg roll I've ever tasted! When our food came, it was presented so artistically, I almost felt bad eating it. I wish I would've taken a picture. Needless to say, it was the best sushi/sashimi I have ever had! The rice was PERFECT! We ate every bite! And the prices were reasonable as well.

We live only 90 minutes from Springfield. I am confident we will be returning to Happy Sushi again in the very...