Tokyo Lunchbox

I think the ramen here is on point for sure. The broth, kimchi, veggies, and noodles are so friggin good. I haven’t tried it with the pork yet, but will soon.
The one (kind of big) complaint I have is that they don’t have a veggie ramen option; you just have to order the regular ramen sub pork for more veggies. And they charge you the regular price (which ends up being around $ 9.50 after tax). I think that if you order veggie only you should get a couple of dollars knocked off. The broth is not veggie, so maybe that’s why they don’t offer it as vegetarian ramen. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just a dummy for not getting the pork.
Anyway, I think this place is underrated. It’s been good to me. Cucumber salad w onions and vinegar is always tasty. The menu is a little confusing, and the layout’s not great, but the food is quite nice.

The atmosphere is very quaint, staff is friendly and helpful, and the food is priced well for the quality. This place helps me get through my work week downtown.
Best time to venture in is between 3 – 4 pm. They offer buy-​1 get-​1 free to a lot of their sushi.

Their spicy udon soup is the perfect thing on a cold day. My friend and I used to hump this place when we worked together. She no longer works downtown so I fly solo, and it takes a lot to get my ass to go outside alone when it’s cold. But for their udon, I will.
The sushi is ok. Nothing fabulous, but what do you expect?

Eh, not great. It’s basically pre-​prepared sushi for the on-​the-​go downtown workforce. Not anything to write home about. Nice that they had some canned tea, but otherwise not great.

I am addicted to Asian noodles in its many forms and splendors, and udon is no exception. I stop by Tokyo Lunchbox occasionally when I am craving some warm noodles, and always order the veggie tempura udon. It comes with lots of noodles; lots of carrots, spinach, and broccoli; and 4 – 5 pieces of veggie tempura on the side, all for just over $ 6. The service is quick and the portion generous, I am always stuffed by the end. For a quick, inexpensive, satisfying lunch, I would recommend the udon at this little spot.

An a-​ok lunch option in the pedway plaza. Not the best, not the worst. If you’re craving quick sushi this hole in the wall will hit the spot. It also helps that prices are easy on the wallet!

I work in the area but this place has gone downhill! the sushi is so bland and the fish are so small in the roll, and maybe it’s a good thing for you because the fish are so fishy, aka not-​fresh.
I use to come here, but now I get my sushi fix at I love sushi which is a close walk from tokyo lunch box.

Seafood u dong is great, rainbow roll was delicious. Great little place to hide and eat

I used to come here at least twice a week. Not any more.
they used to be good. Now that new employees came in, the food is blend. I usually like the Udon or their soups, but now it tastes way to blend. I had tea that was more flavorful then their spicy miso soup.
Udon barely has any veggies in it. Staff is no longer nice either.

Let’s face it — Tokyo Lunch Box looks like a sketchy hole in the wall, tucked away in a back corner of the Illinois Center — but it’s the best kept secret you’ll ever stumble upon.
Fresh udon. Cheap. Delicious. Quick when you’re just picking up lunch from work. They hand out samples of their specialty roll when you’re waiting in line to order, and though I only tend to go when I have midday udon cravings, the specialty roll is definitely fantastic.
They’ve also got an area to grab a side on your way to the cash register — seaweed salad, prepared sushi, gyoza, shumai. It’s all good. Service is quick and efficient, and I just love the udon.

gross. steamed tofu = raw pieces of tofu in shoyu water with broccoli, carrot garnish, mushroom, spinach, and some unidentified gelatenous blobs of mystery…
never again.

Fast sushi cheap. Three words seldom in the same sentence. The food is good and and they really make an effort to please everyone — custom orders quickly, brown rice for the carb conscious and a variety of rolls and sides.
It really deserves 3.5 stars.
If young late in the afternoon they cut prices or are extra generous with the servings.

I enjoyed Tokyo Lunch Box and was pleasantly surprised by how vegetarian-​friendly they were! Generally, I’m not a big fan of sushi but their other items on the menu won me over!

You know what? I like this place. I didn’t think I would. Sure, it’s sushi… but it’s in the «Pedway.» The place gets no natural light. How good could it be? Well, after being dragged there by a coworker and commanded to get actual sushi and not just teriyaki tofu, I hafta admit: It was good! Does it rival trendier, more expensive places? Probably not. But for the reasonable prices, surprising freshness, selection and friendliness of the staff, I say: Here’s to you, Tokyo Lunchbox!

Great place for decent sushi in the Loop. It’s not as good as some of the other places, but the prices are very acceptable ($ 8 for 12-​piece spicy tuna roll; picture included) and the speed of service is outstanding. I always get the food to go, and they really hustle. I’m usually in and out in under a minute or two, and there’s a lot of value in that working in the Loop.

I don’t think I have been in and out of a place so quick with my food, even at Jimmy Johns. I ordered a spicy sashimi salad and picked up a spicy tofu soup to go along with it. Yeah I was in a spicy mood. They have a great selection or rolls that look really good. But for the price, the rolls seemed a little too much to spend for something for lunch. My salad was great, seems really fresh, but that spicy tofu soup was fantastic.
All around I am a fan and I can see myself going back. This was Tokyo Lunchbox #3 so if you work near #1 or #2 I say give them a try!

The sushi is pretty standard, i’ve never experienced anything that has just blown me out of the water. They do have an outstanding selection and pair up some great combinations. The location doesn’t make for an easy find in the illinois center, but if you’re fortunate enough to locate it behind the Potbelly, i would stop in and try a couple of rolls.
They are very fun and funny, which makes for an enlightening experience.

A good selection of rolls, even some that they throw the blow tourch on, crisping up the outsides, which is pretty niffty. The guy who has been working the register is always super friendly and cheery, staying true to the good service I’d expect from a Japanese place.

A solid 3 for the ol’ Tokyo Lunch Box. For what it is — reallyreallyfastfood — I think they do a good job. It’s more authentic and fresh version than grocery store sushi, but, ya know, if I didn’t work right down the street I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat here.
Well anyway let’s get on to the positives, most important being the price. I usually get a California roll, which comes with 12 pieces for only…$ 5! Not bad at all! I also like their beef gyoza (which are fried, not steamed) and you get 8 for $ 4. (Go with a friend and split an order — they’re good but kinda greasy). I’m sort of set in my ways but they do have many other rolls that sound good, and evidently their udon soup is amazing (according to almost everyone else who has written a review)! A bonus for our vegetarian friends is a wide selection of veggie maki, and they also can make your rolls with brown instead of white rice.
Lessons learned the hard way…
— Skip the inari — weird dehydrated veggies inside…
— Don’t forget to grab chopsticks — they aren’t included in your carryout bag
— Ask for soy sauce and gyoza dipping sauce (if needed) from your cashier
— Check and make sure you have enough ginger/​wasabi BEFORE you leave
*Update ²⁄₁₃: I’ve had the spicy (which isn’t really «spicy,» more «flavorful») veggie udon soup two times since writing my original review. Meaning I’ve been back twice in the last week… so I’m upping to 4 stars based on that addictive menu item. Also for $ 1 more they’ll throw in a 4-​piece Cali roll to go with your soup!

Whenever it’s a rainy day and I’m stuck inside at work I like to come on down to the pedway and get myself something from Tokyo Lunchbox. This place rocks for a fast and cheap but still satisfying lunch in the Loop. Their noodle soup bowls are their best deal. These are large steaming bowls of noodle soup with veggies for $ 4.99. You get a choice of udon or soba noodles and whether you want spicy or not. The price goes up a $ 1 if you want chicken, beef, or shrimp as well.
**Also, if it matters to you, you can order any of their maki rolls with brown rice.