Hokkaido Restuarant

I have seen many Asian restaurants but this one is one of the most ambitious with three to four major themes in Asian food including their shabu which is great. Hibachi grilling with filet steaks, shabu with many different types of broths and meat - an enormous serving of meat and vegetables, vast variations in sushi and a karaoke bar.  The pricing at least for now is extremely competitive. I am really perplexed as to why this restaurant is not brought up more.  

I am very comfortable with Asian cuisine and many people could be a little confused due to the numerous variations of dishes. This can be remedied by engaging friendly wait staff and yes there are accents but there are many people on the wait staff that can help out quickly. They have been trained to respond quickly.  

While the interior is completely renovated I think many people simply don't know the value and quality of the meals. The real aspect of the menu is that you can get traditional Asian fare but also keep it very clean and healthy with the hot pot and many other dishes - very fresh with the sauces to the side. This is a restaurant that appears to attract the adventuresome but actually there is something for everyone (except traditional fare dessert).

People should investigate their menus first as well to confirm the value. The shabu we found can feed two. We saw real professional wait staff with their entertaining techniques at the hibachi grill. We now do take out on a regular basis as many of the dishes beat shopping in higher end grocery stores. I don't normally post and I have no skin in the game here but I think this is a top contender in the area. One should at least check this place out - there appears to be a great amount invested with the current prices in both the quality of the food and the preparation.

We went there for the first time today (lunch). The best thing was the tea. The egg roll had been in the freezer too long, the fried rice was uneatable, as was the entire tempura box (shumai were way past "eat-by" date). Miso soup was OK, but not authentic. There was almost no one there, so service was fine. I can't think of a single reason to return.

I've personally recomended restaurants to friends and family after just one visit and sometimes it seems that the good food and service was a fluke.  So this was my second time eating at Hokkaido Restaurant in North Andover.

The restaurant has recently opened (and of this post are still waiting on liquor license) in a large venue which combines Chinese, Thai, Japanese under one roof.  The conglomoration may lead one to believe that they may do many things good but nothing great...that would be a falsehood.  

Today we brought the kids with us.  Our 10 yo boy got the chicken fingers apetizer (10 peices WOW!) with a side of rice and our 8 yo daughter had the chicken wings (nice and big wings).  My wife had the Massaman Curry with tofu and I tried the Red curry with tofu.  The vegies in our curries were crisp and fresh, the coconut base to the curry sauce was rich and creamy and the respective flavoring was direct on target.

The wait staff is fantastic and attentive but not hovering.  I joked with the waiter that this was my second time at Hokkaido, and everytime I come I have a problem.  His look of concern disapeard into a laugh when I told him "My problem is I can't stop eating this Great food!"

Seems like they have a karaoke bar (which I am not sure is set up yet) that my wife and I will have to hit up some night we get a babysitter.

Oh, and best of all, for the amount of quality, fresh food, and great service you just can't beat the price!