New to the Main Street restaurant scene downtown, Tabe, an Asian-fusion dining experience, opened its doors in late March. With each of its three floors individually dedicated to casual Asian fusion dishes, multi-course omakase meals and private banquet spaces, the restaurant offers a menu blending flavors from across East Asia with modern twists.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, head chef Jeffrey Li said the restaurant aims to introduce Ann Arbor diners to both familiar and lesser-known elements of Asian cuisine. The goal isn’t just to serve good food; it’s also to grow people’s palates.
“We try to educate,” Li said. “If you don’t eat something, you’re never thinking about it. Asian cuisine is much more expanded in ingredients. If you don’t recognize something, you might always eat burgers, you might never think to try something new.”
This philosophy is reflected throughout Tabe’s menu, which includes a mix of modern fusions and traditional options for customers.
Public Health junior Ashley Ko, a server at Tabe, said offering omakase makes the restaurant stand out in the Ann Arbor food scene. Translating to “I’ll leave it up to you,” omakase is a carefully curated Japanese dining experience composed of multiple courses which takes customers on a journey through both a chef’s creativity and culinary skill.
“We never really see omakase in Michigan,” Ko said. “I think it’s nice to incorporate this form of fine dining in a city where a plethora of food appreciation is often seen downtown.”
While omakase meals are often known for their high price tags, Tabe offers a more affordable experience without compromising on quality.
“When it comes to omakase, Ann Arbor’s never had that — people have never had that experience,” Li said. “So we decided to start pricing a little lower, still with high-quality food.”
While Tabe highlights a fine-dining experience, Ko said the restaurant caters to a variety of gatherings.
“It’s a really nice environment and somewhere that can fit into any occasion,” Ko said. “Whether you want a small bite or drink at the bar, a date night or even an outing with friends or family, the fancy yet affordable food makes it a really great and easy environment to eat with anyone, anytime.”
Chloe Robinson, a hostess at the restaurant, said the restaurant maintains authentic Asian cultural roots while still welcoming a broad audience and an even broader palette.
“I really do feel like we have a different vibe,” Robinson said. “A lot of Asian-fusion restaurants try to mainly focus on mainstream appeal, like trying to really cater to Americans. I feel like we do that, but we also maintain the Asian culture aspect.”
For Li, the goal of Tabe is simple: to give customers a new experience and great food, sparking a lasting curiosity about Asian cuisine.
“We make good food because we love people,” Li said. “If people can recognize the food, then they can be interested in the cuisine.”
Daily Staff Reporter Salma Abdelale can be reached at salmaab@umich.edu.
