Zen Japanese Food Fast
Austin, TX 78757
Phone: (512) 451-4811
- Price:
- $
- Specialties:
- Cheap Eats
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11:30am-8:30pm
Editorial Review for Zen Japanese Food Fast – by Susan Kirr
In Short
A cool, simple interior makes Zen a nice place to sit and linger. Avocado-green walls, reed mats suspended from the ceiling, inventive halogen lights and utilitarian stools and tables are bolted to the floor. Young folks on a budget usually populate the place, but those who appreciate good food and fast service have also discovered it. Sushi rolls are super-cheap, as are dishes like sesame soba noodle salad--chilled buckwheat noodles in a sesame soy vinaigarette.
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Insider Tips
Look GoodSome menu items are labeled "good for your heart." Ask your server for information on the relationship between saturated fats and heart disease.
What to DrinkThere's no wine available, but there are several Japanese beers to choose from, including Sapporo and Kirin.
Where to SitThe wooden booths contribute to the spare design, but avoid the ones flanking the walls. The slatted seats are rather uncomfortable.
User Reviews for Zen Japanese Food Fast
05/19/2008 Posted by sarahmurt
Quick, healthful lunch. Everything is tasty, love the green iced tea. Sushi and bowls are good, friendly service.
Pros: service, parking, healthful food
12/17/2007 Posted by chairvaincre
Sorry, 'healthy'? Would a place that charges extra for 'white meat' instead of 'dark meat' (why not use *all* white to begin with? McDonald's faces the same dilemma as well), for brown rice instead white (again why make a distinction this way?), so that a TINY bowl of something I can easily (ie under 10 mins) whip up at home with 3 ingredients ends up costing $8+...Thanks, but No thanks. I gander in terms of *strictly* portion control, it IS healthy (fasting *has* been scientifically corroborated to lengthen lifespan), but when you're so CHEAP that you need to charge 75 cents extra, 25 cents extra...for 'healthier' (still - organic? NO. free-range? NO) substitutions, your 'lifestyle' (I love this word) eating plans should just be called what they are: Disingenuous Marketing. Which, I see, works on 95%+/-2% Austinites. Yes, Zen Japanese Fast Food, err...Food Fast, I commend you absolutely for your efforts here. Oh, and the South Congress location, every time I walk by there, REEKS. (And to the 'idiot' below who demands her California rolls be made by Japanese people: when you go to Gattiland, do you always make sure with management that all the cooks *are* Italian?)
Pros: None.
Cons: Yes.
