Eight Square 八方 - Chinese, Sushi & Bar — Restaurant in Portsmouth

This is a review based only on take-out food, I haven't experienced the atmosphere or service, aside from picking up which was pleasant. The folks are very nice there and the other reviews look great - So maybe I was just ordering the wrong items, and I welcome feedback from the restaurant about the menu items I'm mentioning.

I'd also like to preface by saying that I added a generous tip in advance.

It was a simple, off-the menu order, with only one request- no bean sprouts.

Beef Chow Fun: I'm giving a pass on the extremely mushy noodles... it's hard to get them right when they're in a sealed container where the steam from hot food continues the cooking a little. Texture is likely better for dine-in. They firmed up for breakfast the next morning, after a night in the fridge as they were too mushy to be edible. The beef was ok, but the main problem was the lack of flavor- there was almost zero seasoning in this dish. I know we are in New Hampshire, but this was beyond bland. I wonder if the kitchen forgot to add or ran out of the correct seasonings. They were ok cold with a little soy sauce but still devoid of much flavor. No-fun, chow fun!

Appetizer platter - spring roll tasted pre-frozen, with pasty mushy vegetables inside. Crab Rangoon were bland as well, with scant filling. The dipping sauce tasted like they might have made it out of watered down karo syrup and maraschino cherry juice, so it went straight into the trash. The fried shrimp were inedible - oily battered donut - encased rubbery shrimps. Char Siu ( boneless ribs) were good - on the sweet side, tender, a little fatty but not terribly so, just like they usually are in good restaurants.

Pork Fried rice - astonishingly bad. It tasted like it was right out of a can. It was dark brown but oddly still had almost no flavor. Some of the peas and carrots in it were barely thawed and definitely pre-frozen like they were added, and others were just pale green mush. The rice grains were hard ( not al dente, but almost crunchy. there was some egg and some pork, will try to resuscitate with water in the microwave for lunch but the mild flavor tells me there's no promises.

Was this perhaps because most of the food I happened to order was pre-frozen or canned? Maybe the chef in charge of our order was still learning, forgot or ran out of some seasonings, or didn't have access to quality ingredients.

Maybe simplify the menu, use fresher more flavorful ingredients if you have to, or limit traditional...

Although I was a bit surprised to see a change in restaurant venue, I was definitely not surprised with the quality of food and service I had at Eight Square! I ordered the Singapore-style noodles with beef and they were everything I had hoped for and expected. This specific "curry" style of noodles is not as easily found in Chinese restaurants in the area and I was so happy to try it here for the first time! Everything was seasoned correctly with being overpowering and the beef was tender and succulent. Fresh baby bok choy and other vegetables provided a great crunch while the egg mixed in tied it all together. I'm currently on a diet and this was my cheat meal and I ate WAY too much and have zero regrets! Haha! My boyfriend had the flounder with vegetables that I know is typically not something he orders and he raved about it. I have never had flounder prepared this way and was pleasantly surprised! On top of all of this, Wendy the bartender was an absolute joy and delight. She made me laugh so many times with a quick joke and smile and made the rest of the experience feel relaxing and homey. She prides herself on her own Mai Tai mix and made me feel like I was talking with an old friend instead of someone I had just met! She even remembered I liked chocolate in a part of our conversation and gave me a few chocolates on my way out. What a sweetheart!!! This was a great experience and I will definitely be returning with my boyfriend again to try new items they have on their menu and hopefully to see...

I absolutely loved this restaurant. From the moment I walked in, it struck the perfect balance between warmth and upscale refinement. The staff’s friendliness stood out, especially the bartender, who was not only genuine but incredibly helpful with food suggestions. She recommended the mala beef, and let me tell you—it’s easily one of the most flavorful dishes I’ve ever had.

After a long workday, this was exactly what I needed: a comfortable atmosphere where I could relax, enjoy great food, and have a meaningful conversation. Their drinks were fantastic—perfectly crafted and not watered down like at so many other places. The dumplings were also phenomenal; the authentic texture of the dough added to their amazing taste.

Whether you’re looking for a spot to unwind, enjoy a great meal, or just savor exceptional service, this restaurant delivers on all fronts. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back...