Just look at the burnt karaage. Does your chef knows what geso karaage is? Do they? Does the senior staff even care when they know they are serving food that obviously looks burnt? And you expect us to feedback to you when it's so obvious...? It wasn't fresh. It taste like it was fried in poor quality oil. And it smells. It was also dry and hard.

I left comments on Chikuwa Tei's Facebook page. But apparently the restaurant wasn't MAN ENOUGH to accept criticisms. They deleted my comments, the pictures I have posted on their FB page. So what you see are all very good comments and praises about the restaurant.

We went there on Saturday evening at 06:15 p.m. The restaurant is small, and not fully packed. This wasn't our first visit as we used to reside nearby. I think if the staff recognised us, they would know we are regulars but I don't think we are going back ever for the rest of our life.

We ordered:
1. Geso Karaage (see picture)
This... really is my first time looking at a burnt geso karaage. It taste like it was fried in poor quality oil, it was dry and hard, and it left a very unpleasant aftertaste in my mouth. It wasn't fresh either.

2. Dobin Mushi
Dobin Mushi. Seafood broth is used for dobin mushi and like Chinese double-boiled soup, it is steamed for a very very long time. This was tasteless... (other than the lemon we squeeze into the little teapot). A good dobin mushi should taste a little sweet from the seafood (and preferably with matsutake) and a little sour from the lime. This has none.

3. Mentaiko
Mentaiko. This is also my first time... seeing MENTAIKO like this (all mentaiko I had is cut, but still displayed to look like the original roe - before it is cut - not cubes). It taste like it was just taken out of the freezer (yes, ice crystals in the mentaiko).

4. Chirashi Don

Chirashi Don. It looks better than it taste. The only thing that I am happy with in this bowl - ikura. The rest of the sashimi in this chirashi was stale except the salmon. If you have deep pockets, go to Matsuo Sushi... try their sashimi and go to Chikuwa Tei - HUGE DIFFERENCE. The sashimi wasn't cut very well and it was difficult to bite. 
AND TO ADD ON, the fish wasn't fresh.
Maguro - it was a dark maroon, and it was stale. It didn't taste like it's a maguro... though it looks like one... tasteless.
The light pink one on bottom left - this was the most difficult to bite... and it 'leaks' fishy juice when I sink my teeth into the sashimi 
Bottom right - this is the most disgusting sashimi I ever had in my entire life. It wasn't fresh, and was the most foul smelling sashimi I ever had. 
PS: Ironically, this chirashi don is supposed to be their SIGNATURE DISH. Signature, indeed.

I heard rave reviews about the place, especially the Chirashi Don (which definitely lived up to expectations). My bf had the unagi set and we also shared the cod hotpot. They were all very yummy! I must say this place is quite a gem - it is especially difficult to find such good value japanese food these days. The service could be slightly more prompt but I think the staff were also finding hard to cope with the large crowd which is understandable. Although they were very busy, they were very helpful and welcoming.Overall a fantastic place with great atmosphere! Highly recommended to all jap food lovers. For sure, i will definitely be back again soon!