AiCHEF Express — Restaurant in Portage

I cannot overstate how highly I recommend this location! My fiance and I decided to stop in when we were in the area, after saying over and over we'd do so so many other times...

All the food was delicious - I ended up getting the bulgogi while he got the sushi, plus we got the crab rangoons, gyoza, and takoyaki. "We'll get the appetizers to take home" he told me, before we proceeded to consume them at the speed of light.

Service was incredible, and we got our items incredibly quickly. Also as a dine-in customer - the presentation was gorgeous!

Also I should highlight that they use noticeably fresh ingredients - this is especially noticeable in the sushi and even in the bulgogi's (both the protein and vegetables) taste and texture.

One thing that I also want to highlight, which I don't think is going to get mentioned a lot in other reviews, so this is just for nerds like me... They have really smart design choices in the items that your food and drinks come in. I got a milk tea and the cup is perfectly designed for the size of the boba straw, with the lid having a part that snaps into place so you can reseal it after. (Not that I needed that feature, since, again, everything was so delicious it did not last long.) The takeout tray is designed with two compartments - I used the smaller compartment for my leftover rice and the larger compartment for the meat and juices. All these items are noticeably high quality- I am confident if we ordered delivery, they would travel well.

The only downside is that the food is so delicious and portions are so generous, I no longer wanted to do my grocery shopping after... Now I just want a mid-day nap because I am so content and full. I could do with more days where that's my biggest problem! :P

Anyway, 10/10,...

I genuinely wanted to love this place, especially after reading so many glowing reviews, but unfortunately, the experience fell far short of expectations. From start to finish, the meal was one of the most disappointing experiences I’ve ever had while eating out.

It began with a side salad that accompanied my meal and was served first. While I appreciate that the vegetables were washed, the bowl had so much water at the bottom that when it mixed with the salad dressing, it essentially turned into a bowl of soup—not exactly the fresh start I was hoping for.

Next came the miso soup. It was fine at first, but halfway through, I noticed a gnat floating in it. Needless to say, I couldn’t finish it after that.

Finally, the main course: Japanese curry with fried tofu. I genuinely like tofu, but this was just odd. Every bite was accompanied by so much water squishing out that it felt like biting into a wet sponge. It was unsettling, even for someone who enjoys tofu. The curry was the final blow. It tasted like something straight out of a shelf-stable box, but worse—it was completely cold. Not lukewarm, not barely warm, but entirely cold, as if it hadn’t been heated at all.

On a positive note, the waitress was nice, but the mistakes with the food were so egregious that I honestly didn’t even feel the need to bring them up. I just decided then and there to never go back again. The combination of these issues made the meal feel careless and unappetizing, and I left feeling...

I recently dined at AiChef Express and it was an absolute delight! I ordered two delicious veggie rolls, which were a perfect balance of fresh ingredients and flavors. To complement my meal, I tried their brown sugar tea with Boba, and it was a sweet, satisfying treat.

The restaurant itself is impeccably clean, creating a welcoming and pleasant dining atmosphere. What truly stood out, though, was the friendly staff. Their warm hospitality made me feel right at home. They were attentive to my needs and provided excellent recommendations.

Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised by the fantastic opening specials they had on offer. It's evident that this restaurant values its customers and is committed to providing an exceptional dining experience.

My visit left me thoroughly impressed. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu. If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine and a welcoming atmosphere, this place is...