Opening Date Set For All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Spot In New Lenox

NEW LENOX, IL — It's taken a bit longer than they'd hoped, but Aji Sushi owners Yong Zhu and Julie Chen are finally ready to open.

Designed as an all-you-can-eat experience that spans sushi, hibachi and ramen, the restaurant that took over the former Mod Pizza at 651 E Lincoln Highway is set to open Wednesday, April 9.

The Orland Hills residents have been excited to bring it to life in the space, transforming it from a fast-casual pizza place to a unique, open-kitchen concept Asian fusion restaurant. May Chen, daughter of Zhu and Chen, said some contractor delays pushed the opening back.

"I know some people were getting a little impatient—but I think it was worth the wait," May said.

The creation of Aji is a testament to both Julie Chen and Zhu's beginnings in the United States. Both immigrated here 20 to 30 years ago, May previously told Patch. At the time, jobs available to them were in the food industry, or construction. Zhu would eventually dabble in Chinese buffets and takeout. After spending time as a stay-at-home mom, Chen was offered a job as a server at a Japanese restaurant in Lincoln Park, in 2019. The family moved to Orland Hills in 2022. Chen went on to work at two suburban Japanese and sushi restaurants in Orland Park.

Soon, she dreamt of opening their own venture. While mulling the idea, they weighed locations, and noticed New Lenox's Rte 30 corridor was missing something.

"There was honestly not a lot of Asian fusion here," May said.

The design includes an open kitchen—giving customers a view of the grill and sushi stations. The menu is very flexible, and nearly everything on it—from appetizers, to sushi, to desserts—is included in the all-you-can-eat offerings, May said.

The menu will also include à la carte hibachi, ramen, rice, noodles, bento boxes, she said.

Sushi can be ordered à la carte, or all you can eat, with only 2-3 signature rolls not included in the all-you-can-eat pricing, May said. Sashimi and nigiri are included.

"Our goal is to have an all-you-can-at place, where it’s all you can eat," she said. "You can pick whatever from the menu."

Customers will have a chance to opt into the pricing of their choosing, May said. All-you-can-eat lunch Monday through Friday from 11 to 3:30 p.m. will be $23.99 a plate; for dinner, it is $30.99. Saturday and Sunday, all-you-can-eat stays at $30.99.

Follow Aji Sushi on Instagram, where they'll share promotions ahead of the opening.

Hours on opening day will be 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Future hours Monday through Thursday will be the same. Fridays and Saturdays will be 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sundays 12 to 9:30 p.m.