Restaurants In Ypsilanti

Hana Japanese Steak House
Food/Service/Atmosphere (out of 10): 7/7/4
Address: 1346 East Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI
TEL No: (734) 483-2455
Review Date: 2002

Review:
Even though the restaurant is called "Hana Japanese Steak House", this restaurant specializes in traditional Korean cuisines. The atmosphere is very much "home" like, with very little decorations. However, the service is attentive, and dining experience is very pleasant. Food includes some BBQ beef and pork chop dishes, as wells as spicy squid, beef tripe, chop-chai (vermicelli dish), as well as various soups and hot pots. Little appetizer dishes (kim-chee, potatoes, or radish slices) are offered free of charge (free refills too) :)

Suggestions:
Try some of the BBQ dishes, as well as spicy chicken/pork/squid/beef tripe, and the crab hotpot.
Reservation:
Not necessary for small parties, but for groups over 4, reservation is recommended since the the seating in the restaurant is pretty limited.
Price Range:
Main dish are usually less than 12 dollars.

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華南 Modern Kitchen
Food/Service/Atmosphere (out of 10): 7/4/4
Address: 2612 Washtenaw (next to TCBY) Squires Plaza, Ypsilanti, MI
TEL No: (734) 572-1999
Review Date: 2002

Review:
Modern Kitchen is a cozy little place, great for small group of friends to hang out for light dinner or lunch. This place is mostly self-service (water, etc).
Though it looks like a hole on the wall, the food is actually pretty decent. Most of the dishes are set meals meant for individuals but the serving size is quite generous. Best yet, most of the dishes are below $6. If you define value as quality/price, you definitely should try out this place.
After your meal, go next door and you get to chill out at TCBY (a frozen yogurt place).

Suggestion:
The menu reminds me of Chinese food from South East Asia. The salted fish & chicken fried rice is pretty nice (not as oily as some other places). The beef brisket noodle (differs from the beef noodle from Taiwanese) is great. Their beef brisket on rice should be enough for most hungry guys. If you want something light, try their shrimp wanton noodle.
Reservation:
Don't take reservation. Since this is a small restaurant, it will help if you call ahead to place your order before you go.
Price Range:
Dishes are usually less than $6.

Restaurants In Canton

Matsuchan Noodle House
Food/Service/Atmosphere (out of 10): 7/5/5
Address: Harvard Square Plaza, 5990 Sheldon road,
Canton, MI 48187
TEL No: (248) 348-5580
Review Date: 2002

Review:
Small Japanese restaurant, with atmosphere like the little noodles shops by the street-sides in Taiwan. Color picture of different dishes are on the wall, as well as a pretty decent collection of magazines in the front entrance. Has a TV by the ceiling corner playing Japanese Variety Shows. Restaurant specializes in ramen and udon dishes, also serves various fried dishes (tonkatsu) as well as appetizers (croquette, gyoza, etc). The ramen soup noodles look very impressive and tasty, and the price is fair, though the service is not too attentive (waiter watching the TV). The restaurant is very popular among the local Japanese families and businessmen.

Suggestion:
Try any of the ramen dishes!! Particularly the Seafood ramen and Hot & Spicy ramen.
Reservation:
No really necessary, as they are only about 10 tables in the restaurant. If you get there, and it's full, just hang out and read some magazines. Not recommended for large group of people unless you are willing to sit in different tables!
Price Range:
Appetizers $2-$5 Ramen $5-7. Udon $6-$10.

Photo:

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Izakaya Sanpei
Photo:

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Restaurants Elsewhere

Ajishin
Food/Service/Atmosphere (out of 10): 8/6/8
Address: 42270 Grand River Ave. Novi, MI
TEL No: (248) 380-9850
Review Date: Pre-2000

Review:
Japanese restaurant specializing in udon and sashimi. It's the best udon I've personally tasted in Michigan. The restaurant is decorated in the traditional Japanese decor, using a lot of wood and rice screens. There's a sushi bar in the restaurant in which you can see the chefs doing their thing! The shelf next to the front entrance contains Japanese comics as well as some Japanese fashion/ entertainment magazines. Food is very good, and service is courteous and prompt. Sashimi slices are very thick! :)

Suggestion: Try the Ajishin Special, or any of the udon dishes. In the evening, there is two kinds of combo. A bowl of udon + a rice dish, or a bowl of udon + sashimi. It's enough to feed the a big big man!
Reservation:
Necessary for groups of 4 or more to avoid a long wait since the restaurant has only about less than 30 seats (including sushi bar).
Price Range:
Lunch is about $5-$8. Dinner can run from $8 (one bowl of udon) to $14/$15 (a udon + rice or sashimi combo).

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Hunan Palace
Food/Service/Atmosphere (out of 10): 8/8/5
Address: 38259 West 10 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48335
TEL No: (248) 473-3939
Review Date: Pre-2000

Review:
Chinese restaurant owned by Chef Dai and his entertaining hostess wife (who speaks and jokes in Taiwanese with us the whole evening). Originally serving regular Chinese dishes, they have recently introduced a "Zhejiang" dishes in their new menu. These new dishes includes "eel with yellow chives", "Wuxi ribs", "fish rolls", etc. The new dishes are quite tasty, and they also come with carved-vegetables ( a rare in Michigan's Chinese restaurant). Free complimentary carved-fruit dishes (until May-99). Hunan Palace also serves some Shanghai and Taiwanese snack foods during Saturday and Sunday's lunch , including "fried pork-chop noodle soup, wonton noodle soup, spring-onion cake, smoked fish, braised cold duck, etc). A must try if you happen to pass by Farmington Hills!

Suggestion:
Try any of the new dishes!
Reservation: Not necessary for small parties, but for large groups be advised to call ahead.
Price Range:
Dishes run from $9 to $12. Appetizers from $6 to $7 (pretty large).

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Shangri-La Chinese Restaurant
Food/Service/Atmosphere (out of 10): 8/6/7
Address: 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, MI
TEL No: (248) 626-8585
Review Date: 2001

Review:
Chinese restaurant specializing in Cantonese cuisine. Dim-sum is offered 7 days a week during lunch hours (around 11 am till 2 pm). The dim-sum dishes are fresher and tastier than Great Lake's dim sum. Tea served is actually "Tea" (with tea leaves), not some washed-down big pot "instant" tea. Dinner dishes are typical of Cantonese restaurant, and it's pretty decent. Decor is clean and refreshing, unusual for Cantonese restaurants. Has Karaoke in the evenings at the lounge/room inside. Sells copies of World Journal (Chinese newspaper) at the cashier's.

Suggestion: Try the dim-sum at lunch hours!
Reservation:
Suggested if you're planning to eat around noon. It you arrive around 11 am or 11:30 am, you probably don't need a reservation.
Price Range:
About $10-$12 per person for dim-sum. For dinner, expect about $10-$15 per person.