Happy Sushi: A Sacred Culinary Escape in Springfield, IL

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 there to feel.

Happened to be in Springfield and stumbled into Happy Sushi and I left happy indeed! The chef is truly such a delightful man. He is always smiling and checking in on his customers personally. The rainbow roll I ordered was beautifully presented AND delicious. The sashimi was also a real treat. Will be back for sure!

Absolutely fantastic food! The egg rolls are second to none, and the sushi is amazing! Place is small, but the food is well worth going there for! If you like Sushi, you will not want to go anywhere else for it again! Went back again 7/2/22 and it was just as amazing! I swear the egg rolls are a food group! Can't eat them anywhere else anymore!

The chef is super friendly. Gave me a hand roll snack while I was enjoying my roll. Very big portions. Highly recommend.

This place deserves the most respect. The workers are amazing people. The food is the best I’ve ever had, and the owner takes pride in his work. I will be looking forward to coming back and wish I could give it higher than 5 stars.

This man was so happy to see me when I walked it, it truly warmed my heart. I see why they call it happy sushi. I ordered the anger management roll, egg roll and potstickers everything was delicious. While I waited in the dinning area for my takeout he made me a sushi cone! I will definitely be back

The food is absolutely delicious and comes in very generous portions. The chef is incredibly friendly as well. A friend gave rave reviews of Happy Sushi and now I understand why. The spicy tuna roll and spider roll in particular were great. I’ll definitely be coming back!

I have heard that this place was the best. When I was in town, I decided to grab some rolls to-go. I can't eat nori, and they had soy paper to accommodate my dietary needs. I ordered three rolls and when they handed me my bag , she told me that the chef threw in a tuna hand roll for free! I thanked him and headed home. Upon opening the takeout containers, I was surprised to find the details of garnish and presentation to be top notch. The rolls were large and absolutely DELICIOUS! I will definitely go here when I'm back in town.