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    Bistro Chen

    3.7 (297 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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    BISTRO CHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Good for kids

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    Orange Chicken Lunch
    Lauren N.

    Food: The Mongolian beef was good and enjoyable. I do wish it had some heat, but the flavor was still solid. There was a bit more onion than beef, but the overall ratio was fine. 8/10. The orange chicken was tasty and very tender. Unfortunately, I found one piece that was undercooked after getting home. Aside from that, the dish was good. Likely just an off day. 6/10 due to the raw piece, but I'd still give it another try. Service: The staff was really nice and welcoming from start to finish. 10/10 Overall: I gave 3 stars due to a piece of raw chicken, but the service was excellent and I'd be open to coming back.

    Mai tai
    Paul G.

    I absolutely love the food here. The Mai Tai is fantastic and have to get the green beans. Two things I order no matter what

    Blue Lagoon And The Stir Fried Noodles
    Steve A.

    For a long time there's been a Chinese restaurant here in this Arlington Heights plaza north of the Metra station, so people must like it. It varies on how much they like it though. Bistro Chen has a variety of Asian classics. Get Chinese, Japanese and others. The prices are better for the lunch specials. Came here recently at lunch to see if it was still as good. It wasn't busy and we quickly got a table inside. The lunch time is the best time because the prices are cheaper and the portions are still pretty big it seems. Also there's cocktails. It's about $8 for the cheapest ones. Blue Lagoon is one of the cheapest. This is made with Blue Curacao, lemon, lemonade, and vodka. It's lemony. While also still being sweet. It's about $10 for lunch entrees. We each got the Stir Fried Noodles. Choose the noodles and protein for it. I had it with the chow mein. Protein was tofu. Good flavor and very healthy. This was certainly enough for a lunch. Has almost all of the Asian cuisines on the menu yet it still manages to make everything. It may be a lot to keep track of and makes it hard to master any of these. The Chinese stuff is pretty good, and you can make many items okay for vegans and vegetarians.

    Rolled Cookies and Cream Ice cream.

    Great entrees. We had the Sweet and Sour fish and Sesame beef. Horrible desserts. The rolled ice cream did not taste good at all and they had the audacity to call it a house special. It doesn't even look like cookies and cream.

    Nick P.

    This was a decent place for ayce. I haven't been here in awhile. This location is ayce with no drink for $28 and if you want to have a drink then it'll be $38. What's included are nigiri, maki, traditional Chinese dishes, appetizers, and dessert. The downside is that their hours are very limited. They need to open longer to attract more customers and to maximize the value of the ayce. Since it's in the burbs, parking was not a problem. You can either park in the garage or find street parking. Our service wasn't as slow as other reviewers, we were able to get our food in a reasonable amount of time. Food quality was okay, it's going to be decent since it's ayce. You're not going to get top tier quality if that's what you're looking for. Overall a 3.5 for me.

    Jamie M.

    I begged them for no waterchestnuts and obviously that's what I got. (lots of them) very sad but otherwise really friendly people. No worries, i'll just pick them out I guess.

    Singapore noodles
    Bee L.

    Ayce sushi for lunch $28. Vast selection even included noodles! I tried the Singapore and Beef Chow Fun. General Tso Chicken, Lo Mein, nice loose leaf green tea in a personal pot. Crab rangoons came with something. Hot Sour Soup. All was great. Service great. It was dark, that was my only complaint. Cute outside dining area but no one was in there the 2 times I went.

    Orange chicken bento dinner box

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    Service was great, food was delicious. Not too expensive for eating sushi. My first time eating there and I will return

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    3 years ago

    We went with a large group. Everything from appetizers to the Kung Pao Chicken was very good. The pick your own box dinner was a big hit.

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    The food is consistently good and the atmosphere is very relaxed. It's my go place for oriental carry out too.

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    3 years ago

    Always friendly and very fresh ingredients. The owners partner with local non-profit groups to serve the community.

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    It is ok ! I bought a seafood and it wasn't to much seafood and it was expensive for the price I won't buy it again

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    13 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Great friendly family owned business, serving a large menu and all are very good. Wait staff are very nice and work their tails off. The

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    Page 2 of 8

    Ask the Community - Bistro Chen

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    Kaido Sushi

    Kaido Sushi

    4.8
    (199 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    This is some of the best sushi I've had anywhere, including in Japan. Perfectly cooked and…read moreseasoned rice, fish that's been carefully chosen and prepared, and a menu that reflects tradition but also elevates it beyond the mundane. They've put the same level of attention and care into their selection of sakes. Service was warm and friendly, but never pushy or bothersome. They sent me a free dessert when they overheard my wife mention it was my birthday, it was a complete surprise. They also very thoughtfully asked if I'd like them to sing (I did not). That kind of thoughtful service reflects the comfortable, laid back atmosphere they've maintained, a welcome change over many high end sushi establishments that can be too stuffy. If you love sushi, you owe it to yourself to visit Kaido.

    Ambiance is really cozy. Comfortable seating, nice mood lighting. Doesn't feel like you're in…read morerestaurant that's in the middle of a strip mall. Sushi was excellent. A few chewy seaweed pieces but I won't let that knock the freshness of the sushi. Service is where I have to drop a star. Not friendly, just pointed to the bar and told us to have a seat. When she came to take our order she didn't greet us or ask about anything besides "what would you like". We ordered 4 rolls which came out fairly quick...one at a time and the last two together. We then asked for 2 more rolled after flagging her down. She kept coughing which was a bit off putting. Assuming she was sick and maybe wasn't feeling well. Eeeeek. I'd go back as the place is close, cozy and quality of sushi was better than others in the area. I also like the options they had which were not the standard as we find around most places in this area. Usually they're similar rolls with different names.

    Photos
    Bar area. Very cosy!
    Bar area. Very cosy!
    Hand-roll- delicious!
    Hand-roll- delicious!
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    Tomago with shaved chestnuts
    Sushi Edo

    Sushi Edo

    4.0
    (69 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    Sushi Edo absolutely lived up to the hype!…read more I went on a Friday around lunchtime with a party of 8, coworkers who would NOT stop raving about this place and my husband, who also acted like this sushi restaurant personally changed his life. Of course, we all know how "you HAVE to try this place!" recommendations can go... so I had to judge for myself. Well... they were right. First off, the restaurant was not crowded at all for a Friday lunch, which was great because they were able to accommodate our large group immediately without any issues. The staff was incredibly friendly from the moment we walked in and stayed attentive the entire time, constantly refilling drinks and checking on us without being overbearing. Now let's talk food... because apparently our table collectively decided we were preparing for hibernation. We ordered EVERYTHING in sight. Sushi rolls, appetizers, specialty items , if it was on the menu, there's a good chance it somehow ended up on our table. At one point they delivered this massive sushi boat that honestly deserved its own entrance music. It was fantastic. The sushi itself was fresh, flavorful, and generously sized. None of those tiny little "one bite and it disappeared" rolls you get at some places. These were actual decent-sized rolls packed with flavor and fresh ingredients. Every appetizer we tried was delicious too, and you could tell the food was coming out quickly and efficiently because there were several sushi chefs working behind the counter nonstop. One unexpected bonus was the FREE self-serve ice cream. Yes please. My husband spent the entire week talking about how amazing the matcha flavor usually is, but unfortunately they didn't have it when we went. They only had strawberry and vanilla with the swirl option, which honestly was still really good. It's more of a water-based soft serve than creamy dairy ice cream, but it was refreshing and a fun little ending to the meal. The restaurant itself was also very clean and organized, which always makes a difference for me, especially at sushi spots. One thing to keep in mind: they do charge per piece/order of sushi, so if you go in starving like we did and start aggressively pointing at menu items, your bill can climb quickly. If you don't finish them. Overall, Sushi Edo was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Great atmosphere, fresh sushi, fast service, friendly staff, and enough food to make you question your life choices in the best possible way. Definitely earned a 5/5 from me, and I'll absolutely be back. All you can eat lunch was $25/pp can't beat that! Will be back, and check them out please!

    I wasn't blown away. But the nigiri was good and fresh. I didn't love the spicy tuna/salmon it was…read morelike paste. The sushi rolls fell flat for me and the pizza app was overly saucy that you really couldn't taste the fish I would for sure come back for all you can eat nigiri

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    Sushi Edo
    Sushi Party Trays
    Sushi Party Trays
    August 2025

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    August 2025
    Shakou - Arlington Heights

    Shakou - Arlington Heights

    3.8
    (283 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Shakou upon entrance lets the atmosphere set the tone. It's sleek, modern, and energetic without…read morebeing over-the-top. There's a kind of "night out" vibe here, even if you're just grabbing dinner on a random weeknight. The menu is creative, with specialty rolls and fusion-style dishes that feel a little more elevated than your standard lineup. When it's on, it's really on. Service is iffy to be honest. Staff is attentive and knowledgeable, and the whole experience feels polished. Drinks are well-crafted, and the patio (when open) adds a whole extra layer to the experience. That said, this is where the missing fifth star lives. Shakou can be a little inconsistent. Some visits feel like a five-star experience, others land closer to "really good, but not unforgettable." A few dishes might lean a bit too sweet or not quite balance the flavors, and during busier times, things can feel a little rushed or loud. But even with that, it's still an easy recommendation. This is a great spot when you want sushi that feels a little more upscale without going full fine dining. It's stylish, flavorful, and usually delivers a really solid experience. Four stars, comfortably... with just enough flashes of brilliance to make you keep coming back!

    Made a 6:30 reservation here on a Friday because I was given a gift card for Shakou. The arrival /…read moreseating was disappointing. We had to stand in the lobby for 5 minutes without much information, while other groups who came in without a reservation after us were seated before us. Furthermore, the reservation was for the "Patio" and while technically we were seated on the "Patio", I would say it was the bottom rung of the patio. Sat at the first table outside the restaurant, underneath the awning with a bird's nest overhead chirping the entire time. Essentially in my opinion, when you make a reservation somewhere, you don't really expect to be seated in probably the worst location they have to offer. Food was pretty decent. We had two bowls basically. Both were okay, like any Sushi style restaurant, prices were a bit high, especially considering their location in the heart of the AH downtown. I would come again, but for a first try it wasn't anything special for sure.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Fried calamari - pleasant but too oily
    Fried calamari - pleasant but too oily
    Shakou - Arlington Heights

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    Mitsuwa Marketplace

    Mitsuwa Marketplace

    4.4
    (1.5k reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    Wow. I found myself…read morein Arlington Heights, and my buddy suggested this place due to an upcoming trip to Japan in 2027. It's a Japanese market that features an amazing food court (and this is where I spent all my time.) I don't recall the name of the stall I purchased from. But I can tell you it was quick, not expensive and very filling. I had a bowl with beef and noodles; for dessert I hit the matcha dessert stall for some matcha and vanilla ice cream. The whole place meal me feel like I was dining outside the state of Illinois. The service from everyone in the market was very friendly and they even had a sake/soju tasting by the front door (and the vendors allowed you try was much as you wanted.) I highly recommend this spot

    If you love Japanese culture, food, and want to visit a neat place and kind of feel like you are…read morevisiting Japan, you need to visit Mitsuwa! Not only is there a food court of different Japanese restaurants to try, there is also a grocery store, bakery, bookstore, and stores that sell ice cream, traditional desserts, as well as crepes and boba tea! My family and I visit here often every year and we like to try the different foods and desserts and then check out the bookstore and grocery store afterwards. My favorite foods so far have been the beef udon soup with a soft boiled egg, shrimp and vegetable tempura, miso soup, and Japanese curry with rice, beef, and vegetables (carrots and potatoes). My son always gets the chicken and beef on a stick and my daughter usually gets a garlic pork dish with white rice but I forget what this dish is called. My husband also enjoys the beef udon soup like I do. I swear that whenever my food is finished, I am legit sad! The crepes are good, there is a variety of boba teas to try, and the ice creams are delicious! Lychee has been my favorite so far but I have yet to try the matcha, red bean, among others! You can get a small sample of different ice cream flavors too, which is nice! I sampled the red bean flavor so that will be my go-to next time! At the grocery store, I love buying Happy Turn snacks which are like a sweet and salty crunchy cracker (maybe it is made of rice?) that are individually wrapped and mochi from the fridge area. Finally, I usually like to buy mochi from the store right next to the bookstore. The mochi from this location is the best! I usually buy multiple flavors to take home and eat at a later time! You must try these! My kids love checking out the bookstore and they usually pick something out for me to buy for them - whether it is a book, keychain, etc. There are magazines, anime figurines, soft plushy toys, pens, and stationary, etc. It is interesting to browse through the things they have there! You cannot bring food or drinks inside but they do have a shelf at the entrance where you can place your drink there if you like. The first time visiting here, the majority of the customers were Asians and as the years have passed, there is now more of an influx of non-Asians who simply love the food and appreciate the culture, which I think is neat! The first time I visited here was with my college roommate who was from Japan and she recommended this place back in 2009 perhaps? I have been visiting ever since with my family. We travel more than an hour from Wisconsin to come here but it is 100% worth the drive! Also, the cashiers and workers there are quick, efficient, and friendly. I have even been able to practice a few of the Japanese phrases I have learned with a couple of the cashiers too (I asked if they spoke Japanese first)! Overall, Mitsuwa is my happy place! Great food, interesting finds, different culture, and everyone there looks excited to be there. This is as close to visiting Japan as I can get until I keep learning more Japanese and save up enough money to go visit Japan someday! This is my dream! In the meantime, we will keep visiting Mitsuwa!

    Photos
    Bento
    Bento
    Fried chicken rice bowl
    Fried chicken rice bowl
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    Sakae Sushi

    Sakae Sushi

    4.4
    (90 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$

    We decided to eat at this adorable little stand alone restaurant last night. I've passed it many…read moretimes and was curious as to how the food would be. This is an adorable sushi/ramen restaurant that appears to be family owned. It's such a cute little space and I saw that it had a lunch menu that I definitely need to try out. I went with my family on a Monday night at around seven and there was only one other patron there. I don't think the word has gotten out yet, but this place is going to get packed when people see and taste the quality of the food. Our waiter was great and super polite. We had great service and our food was timed and served perfectly. We started with edamame and gyoza and everything was outstanding. Super flavorful and very fresh. My son ordered the I Love Salmon sushi combination plate. He said everything was super fresh and delicious. He is quite the foodie and if he says something is good I believe it. I ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen, which was outstanding with big pieces of pork in it and my husband ordered the spicy vegetable Ramen, which lived up to its name! I did like that there were vegetarian options on the menu. This is going to be a place that I go to regularly. Once people discover this little gem, I'm sure waiting time is going to go up quite a bit!

    Solid spot to enjoy some Japanese food in the Northwest suburbs. This spot isn't too busy and is a…read morelittle hidden, so you easily drive by it without realizing it as you drive around the Milwaukee Ave area. The interior is alright, with just enough decoration to feel like a sit-in restaurant and a good amount of light coming in from the windows. The service is super fast and friendly, and you'll get served quickly on a visit here. Parking is also plentiful right outside the restaurant. For me, the food here is alright -- it's fresh though maybe not as satisfying as some other spots you could go to -- due to the seemingly healthier preparation they have on the food. That is, it's a bit lighter on sauces and unhealthy elements, instead opting for more vegetables. Depending on what you're looking for, this could be a good thing as you could probably eat here frequently and help to maintain a diet -- but if you're looking for heavily sauced sushi like what you'll find at an AYCE option, this might not be what you're looking for. Portion sizes are fairly good here and prices are fair. Overall, solid spot if you're looking for healthier Japanese food. There's just enough ambiance here -- but it's nearby a very competitive Asian food area and not exactly a standout option for flavor.

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    Sakae Sushi
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    Sozai Banzai

    Sozai Banzai

    4.4
    (204 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    I will say I have been to this restaurant many times in the past and the food and service was…read moregreat. I went back a couple days ago and everything has changed. The menu is much less, the food portions are less, and the container the food comes in is plastic and made for to go orders even though we dined in. The service was also not very friendly and when our waitress brought our food, she didn't even smile or say anything. She just plopped down the food and walked off. This used to be my favorite restaurant but I don't think I'm coming back.

    This has been on my list for awhile and one day I decided to try. It's located in a strip mall with…read morelots of parking. When you go inside, they have a sufficient amount of tables to sit at, but it wasn't very busy on a Saturday night. You order at the register and he brings it out to you. You'll have to be patient, they don't have a lot of staff. We ordered tako karaage (fried octopus), croquettes, Taiwan style tonkotsu ramen with 2 pieces of chashu, and the deluxe bento with butashoga (ginger pork). I had a bite of the pork and it was delicious. Ginger was not overpowering. Tender meat. Prices were very affordable and cheap. Service was great and he brought out our food hot and freshly made. I would definitely come back and try other items. -tako karaage 5 - it had a nice little chew and was not overly fried. Great taste. -croquettes 5 - I loved these. When you bite into them, they're soft. Flavorful, savory filling inside. I should have gotten more of these. -Taiwan style tonkotsu ramen 5 - noodles were chewy. Bountiful amount of ground pork. The two chashu pieces were tender and easy to break apart. Broth was not heavy, it was just right.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Croquette (2p)
    Croquette (2p)
    Interior

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    Interior

    Bistro Chen - sushi - Updated July 2026

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