Zen Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar

Doesn't Recommend

seanshungry

Joined 5 years ago

sushi/maki - VERY skimpy with the fish portions - aka overpriced. so i work nearby and have come here for lunch recently looking for some good maki rolls. I have been about 3 times now, drawn in by the not quite outrageous prices. Each time I go here, i say to myself, well, i probably wont go back - but then I do, figuring I will give them one more try - maybe it's a fluke...

Each time I have tried different maki rolls and lunch specials. The flavor has always been good, the service has always been great, the atmosphere is nice, and overall its a decent place. My problem is with the amount of actual fish that they use in the rolls. They seriously skimp out badly here. Instead of raising prices and giving you nice portion of fish w/in each roll they basically put the tiniest amount into each roll and try to trick you.

Here is what they do - they cut it at a taper - so on the top of the roll, it looks like a nice healthy chunk, but then sure enough, flip if over, and there is no fish even showing on the bottom of the roll - 9 times out of 10. This is a cheap trick and i was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and try it out a few times, but now 3 times in a row this has happened.... guess im going back to the sushi at whole foods

Doesn't Recommend

odonnal

Joined 5 years ago

quality of food has gone down!. I was impressed with their presentation and quality in food the first time I went there with my husband. We ordered a few maki and sashimi for appt.and for our main course we got the Seabass and Zen fried rice. I hae to say when they bought out the seabass and fried rice we were shocked. The presentation was so stunning! not to the mention the seabass was perfect. It jus melted in my mouth. So we were craving for the wonderful food we had last month and decided to go back last week and i have to say we were very disappointed! I of course ordered the Seabass again and I have to say it was not good. The seabass was over cooked, the edges was burnt, and the presentation was sloppy. Overall the whole meal was not as I expected. I thought I have found a place that has good sushi AND kitchen food but i was wrong. i guess i'll only go there when i only want sushi.

Recommends

nyc_rn

Joined 8 years ago

Excellent sushi! Second only to Fugakyu in Boston!. My sister and I choose Zen when we are craving delicious, dependable sushi. It is reasonably priced for sushi, and always hits the spot! We love the Crazy Maki and the Spicy Tuna and Spicy Salmon rolls. The shumai (steamed) is a delicious and light appetizer... always a staple for us. Going back tonight... can't wait. I highly recommend Zen.

Recommends

calla432

Joined 6 years ago

Good sushi, fun atmosphere. Sushi is good (not exceptional, but dependable), and other Japanese dishes like Unaju are also enjoyable. The atmosphere and decorations are cute and interesting, and crowd is young professional. Other than one terrible experience with unbelievably slow service (40min wait for sushi when it was not a busy night), it's been good every time. It is a touch overpriced for what it is though(expect to pay around $25+ per person for sushi and drinks). But overall, definitely suggest it.

Recommends

fromboston

Joined 6 years ago

I love, love, love this place. Shino express now has some competition. my fiance love love love love Zen Japanese Grill and Sushi Bar.

Atmosphere is amazing.

service is great (the waitress was there refilling my water after every sip I took!)

and the food was great.

Highly recommended.

Recommends

reahbella

Joined 7 years ago

Bad service, ambiance and sanitary conditions. This restaraunt is horrible. I went twice because it is conveniently located near my work but it's not worth it. If you are by yourself, they place you at the bar right near the cash register where the staff congregate and talk and laugh loudly while watching the people at the bar eat. The cook kept coughing into the bucket of rice he was stirring. The moment you put your chop sticks down the staff grabs your plate, regardless of whether your are done or not. The sushi is not that great either. Definately not worth the price. The convenience of its government center location is not worth it.

Recommends

abirkens

Joined 7 years ago

No Fuss No muss. straightforward sushi, nothing special or out of this world but good, especially for lunch. Their lunch specials are worth the trip.

Recommends

liucipher

Joined 7 years ago

Great sushi, delivery is a plus, haven't been inside. I don't even know where this restaurant is, so I can't tell you about the ambience. A co-worker recommended it because it delivers (we're in the Back Bay) and I love it. I've tried several sushi places that deliver and this is my favorite so far.

I'm a sashimi kind of guy and this place does a great job. Their hot entrees are quite good as well. They also have some interesting gourmet maki creations that are good but rather unhealthy.

The only negatives I would say are that they're slightly expensive (even for sushi) and delivery times can take an hour+ (though my firm usually orders $300+ so maybe that's just the way it goes).

Recommends

anine

Joined 7 years ago

Loved the Sushi. I woud highly recommend Zen's for great sushi. They have a large and creative menu, and it was exciting to be able to try new pieces, such as their spicy scallop topping, which we are going back for. Their appetizers were tasty, and their wine and sake selections were satisfying. The service was quick and friendly, and I have nothing bad to say about Zen's. Very happy that Beacon Hill has a fantastic sushi place!

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Fresh sushi and straightforward Japanese fare in the shadow of the State House.. In Short
Government Center workers with a hankering for sushi fill Zen's two levels to sample from a lengthy menu. Offbeat offerings include hamachi torch maki and spicy salmon salad hand rolls. Traditional Japanese items (noodle soups, teriyaki, tonkatsu) are also served. Hands-on diners can prepare their own entrees on a sizzling stone grill. Solo diners should stick to the ground level, with its sushi bar and TV, instead of the dated upstairs dining room.