IF YOU GO
WHAT: Taku Japanese Steakhouse
WHERE: 4750 Roosevelt Blvd., Middletown
CONTACT: 513-423-8888 or takumiddletown@yahoo.com
HOURS: Lunch hours (and specials) run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Saturday; Dinner is served from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
ONLINE: www.takumiddletown.com
A new restaurant here is offering a taste of Asian cuisine in a semi-formal and sometimes even playful atmosphere.
Taku Japanese Steakhouse, which is no relation to other Ohio restaurants of a similar name, opened in mid-May in the Park East Plaza at 4750 Roosevelt Blvd. It is the second restaurant opened by Qingrong Cheng, who has more than 15 years of experience with such businesses.
“He had enough confidence to start his own business because he knows all these recipes, good sauces and dressings, and he knows what’s good quality of the meat we offer on the menu,” said manager and co-owner Ella Huang. “He looked around towns around Ohio, and he has faith in Middletown. Middletown doesn’t have many nice, sit-down restaurants here; that’s why he chose here.”
The restaurant features a sushi bar and a formal area dining area where food is delivered to the table, as well as a hibachi area where chefs put on a show as they slice and dice food in front of guests.
“It’s very good for kids,” Huang said. “Kids love this style.”
A more private dining area toward the back of the business seats eight per table.
Featured cuisine at Taku Japanese Steakhouse includes hibachi selections that are more flavorful, teriyaki dishes that are more tender and a wide array of sushi, sashimi and rolls in both individual servings and combo platters, Huang said.
A special “Middletown Roll” features chicken tempura for those who want to dine on sushi-style cuisine but find themselves either hesitant or unwilling to go the seafood route.
Entrees start at $11.99 and come with soup, salad, vegetables and either fried rice or noodles.
Aubreeayna Cooper said she’s dined at similar restaurants further away from Middletown and was happy to have one open in the city.
“I’m going to tell people about it and have them come out and try it,” she said. “It’s great to have one in our hometown in case we don’t feel like traveling to Mason or to Bridgewater Falls.”
Ellen Epperson, of Middletown, said she’s been to Benihana restaurants before and Taku Japanese Restaurant is “as good, if not better” as the popular chain, but with more affordable prices.
“For what you get, it’s much better,” she said. “The shrimp was magnificent. It was all good.”
Jeannie Jeffery, of Middletown, dined at the restaurant with her daughter and grandchildren and said the family is impressed with the restaurant’s cleanliness, service and food.
“We’ve been here several times,” she said before digging into her lunch. “We’ve really enjoyed it.”
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