China House reopens with hibachi grill, sushi

DeKALB – China House customers can expect the usual Chinese fare after a recent restaurant remodeling, but now they also have the option of choosing Japanese cuisine.

The DeKalb restaurant closed its doors for about three months to remodel its buffet area. The restaurant reopened with a new hibachi grill and sushi bar in addition to the numerous buffet tables customers are accustomed to seeing. China House, located on Sycamore Road, has been in business for eight years.

Justin Chen, manager of China House, said the restaurant's existing buffet tables needed upgrading. He said it was decided to add the hibachi grill and sushi area because there was already a need for renovations.

The hibachi grill stays true to the restaurant's buffet-style signature. Customers choose noodles, vegetables and meat toppings from a buffet bar, then hand their plate to the hibachi chef who cooks the meal on a stove in front of them.

Another chef makes hand-rolled sushi for customers to see at the sushi bar, refilling plates with fresh sushi rolls whenever they run out. The sushi bar section is also buffet-style, where customers can choose from a variety of sushi rolls.

"It's a college town. I think students will like it," Chen said. "People like to try new things."

Much of the restaurant's decor survived the process, Chen said. Repeat customers will recognize the colored lamps hanging above booths and the chandeliers in the dining and buffet areas. Most of the changes happened in the buffet area.

"Everyone comes in and is surprised," Chen said.

The restaurant retained its 10 full-time employees and part-time helpers, Chen said.

The restaurant, which seats about 250 people, kept its regular hours. China House is open from 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. on weekends.

The usual China House menu for Chinese food is similar to the one prior to the remodeling, Chen said. He said a few new types of chicken – such as teriyaki and a sweet chicken – have been added to the buffet.

Restaurant owners and managers had college students on their minds when they made changes to the menu because students make up many of the restaurant's customers. Many families also dine in, Chen said.

"I think people like Chinese food, and more people like sushi and hibachi [grill]," Chen said. "Especially young people."

The name of the restaurant remains the same, but signs in front of the restaurant now have "sushi bar and hibachi grill" added to them. China House continues to provide catering and host parties, Chen said.

If you go

What: China House

Where: 1900 Sycamore Road, DeKalb

Phone: 815-748-0032

Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. weekends