These noodles will fly off your plate at Godaiko near Ann Arbor

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI – Flying noodles and sushi nachos are just a couple of items on the menu at Godaiko near Ann Arbor.

Paul Tsai is the second-generation owner of the Japanese restaurant at 3105 Oak Valley Drive alongside his wife, Prapaiphan “Ying” Tsai. The couple’s two children Nemo, 15, and Lilo, 10, also help at the Pittsfield Township restaurant.

Godaiko’s menu features a fusion of Asian flavors with sushi, ramen, fried rice, poke bowls, stir fry and appetizers like edamame, miso soup, shrimp spring rolls and pork belly buns.

The family also owns and operates the neighboring Asian store, Tsai Grocery. The market opened first in the early 80s and then the family decided to open Godaiko around 1994, Tsai said, adding he has been the main person operating the restaurant since it began.

Godaiko has transformed in a few different ways since then, especially when it comes to its offerings, he said.

“When we first opened … the menu was very typical Japanese,” he said. “The menu has almost completely morphed and changed.”

Tsai said, with the help of his kids, he tries to keep the options trendy and fresh for customers, especially for University of Michigan students. Both Nemo and Lilo love being in the kitchen and have shared their skills on some noteworthy TV shows.

Nemo competed on Food Network’s “Kids Baking Championship,” in 2020 while Lilo competed on Master Chef Junior earlier this year.

“They really keep us moving forward,” he said.

Tsai and Lilo came up with the restaurant’s flying noodles, which are suspended in air with chopsticks. Tsai said his daughter was the one mainly behind the idea and even showed off her dish on Master Chef Junior. The noodles can be made with different meats like chicken, lobster and shrimp or steak.

“Our biggest asset is our diversity,” he said. “We are not afraid to kind of introduce something new.”

One unique menu item that fuses different flavors together is the restaurant’s Spicy Thai Curry ramen made with coconut pork bone curry broth, Chasu, mushroom, corn, black garlic and soy marinated egg, Tsai said.

Ultimately, Tsai said the restaurant is known for its large sushi selection. The restaurant serves some classic rolls California and spicy tuna alongside others like the Godaiko roll made with crab and avocado wrapped with tuna, salmon and white fish.

Tsai makes sure to gradually introduce new menu items , he said.

While he may be proud of his work at Godaiko, Tsai is even prouder that his kids have been able to find a passion through his restaurant. He said he plans to keep running it so one day his children can take it over if they want.

“The best part is that (this restaurant) has afforded us the luxury to keep our family, and our kids close to us as we work. No other business or profession would allow us to do something like we’ve done,” he said. “We’re very grateful to Ann Arbor.”

Godaiko is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Learn more online or by phone at 734-930-2880.

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