Zen Japanese Restaurant in West Vancouver
101-2232 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7V 1K4, Canada
About
WE ARE NOW OPEN TUESDAY TO SUNDAY. Contemporary vision. Traditional roots. Enjoy edible art in a sleek, stylish dining room that offers magnificent sunsets. This is more than just a meal. It is a true culinary experience that is simply …. Zen.
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My wife’s family has been coming here for years. I started to join them a few years ago. It’s a great room, great service and the food is amazing. They have to be in the top 5 for sushi in all of Vancouver and hands down number 1 on the north shore. We have nothing but amazing things to say about every visit we have ever had.
I thought this place is amazing, but even simple stuff where bad supermarket lvl food, maybe its just me, but the steak bas tough, kids noodle was salty, lobster roll was super garlicky (in Japanese roll?!) our simple salmon roll tasted stale. The server was very impatient. The decor is 1995, sooo yea, sry though, o btw its super expensive for what it is
Best value from the special rolls - jalapeño scallop roll (except we subbed scallop for salmon) was my personal fav. Tempura got great reviews, and the tuna rolls were very high quality fish.
Food: The food is really good the only thing is the sushi is not the best the rice is quite warm. Service: Really good service and nice waiters. Atmosphere: Nice view of the ocean. Update: I have given this place a couple chances and I can say they have improved the temperature of the sushi rice this has became a regular spot for me!
Nice looking Sushi Restaurant with a lot of good food options. This is definitely on the pricey side and this does affect how I rate this place. Pro: Our server was very knowledgeable and very attentive. The presentation of the food was very nice. The rainbow role was very good. All the food was very fresh. My Sashimi plate was very good with about 12 pieces, which also included two marinade Sashimi options in a small bowl Con: Neither my soup or my wife's tea appeared with out asking for it again and again for a spoon. They have a different servers to deliver drinks and food, maybe the source of the missing items. Portion size is on the smaller side . The spicy tuna role was a little too spicy to taste the tuna. The miso soup was a little too much miso paste and hence too salty. The octopus and clam pieces were very small on the Sashimi plate. The ocean view through the forest, a lot of people commenting about, is very limited and I would not report that there is ocean view. Overall a very nice restaurant but in my opinion you can have a equally tasty and satisfying Japanese food experience for much much less than what you pay here. See my other reviews for some examples.
The food was a hit and miss. The 7 black tiger prawns tempura were very good. This restaurant makes GREAT tempura dishes. The seafood buckwheat soba dish was disappointing. A bit too spicy to enjoy any flavor other then the heat. As well, the fish items were not flaky as if they were overcooked ahead of time They were too dry and hard. The spicy tuna roll was just OK.
Incredible sushi. Very high quality. You can get some very creative and yummy rolls (jalapeno one is a stand out). Or if you're into traditional sushi and sashimi, that's also excellent. I would come back again.
The Korean pork Don is really good, yet, you probably need more rice for this because the sauce was too much. However, not preferred the chicken karage don because my friend said the sauce is to strong for this dish.
Always amazing, always creative, always with the best service. A favorite for sushi for us for +20 years.
Spoilt silly with vegetarian choices, at a sushi joint mind. All thanks to Chris and the kitchen s no menu service. One of my favourite meals I ve ever had.
Everything is very delicious!
Chris gave us the best no menu service, putting together a tasty set of courses that was balanced and flavorful. Wonderful experience, worth every penny. Ill be back. You should too.
My wifes been a fan for years, Im a recent convert. Absolutely fantastic food, certainly the best sushi on the north shore by far! Service was wonderful. Popular with families early in the evening, if you prefer not to hear children Id suggest go a little later.
Amazingly good!!! Delicious
I had the Korean pork Don which was delicious but the sauce was overwhelming. Decent food, service, and view. Good backup option.
Keara is a very knowledgable and helpful, most servers have no idea what s veganizable, she also let me in after last call. I ll be back! More vegan options please animals are here with us, not for us
Extremely good food and service!!
Great food and service! I ll be back
amazing
Damn fine food.
The food here was always stellar but honestly the prices are way too high! The owners seem to feel that it s ok to charge such prohibitive prices because their demographic supports this, but to me that is just morally unacceptable and inappropriate. $8.95 or $9.95 for edamame is just so wrong! And average price for a roll is $23.95! This is beyond inflationary costs!
All good. Always.
Service was great.
Great Restaurant
Excellent food and service
Yum :) lovely location in Ambleside. place was packed so they gave me seats at bar.. perfect. lovely atmosphere , bar none food
We enjoyed our dinner everything was very well prepared, and presented. Dinner for 3 we got out just over $200.
My sister went to Zen at 5:30pm with her bf and were refused a table and told to sit at the bar or sushi counter when the restaurant was almost entirely empty. Not sure why, maybe the way they were dressed, dark jeans and sneakers or the Indo Canadian and Caucasian lady doesnt like mixed couples?
This is hands down one of the best restaurants on the Shore. They have some of the best servers I have ever experienced (shout out to Chris and Rebecca). The quality and freshness of the food is always on point, and you can tell that the chefs really care about the quality of the products they use to prepare the meals. The staff are also super knowledgable about the dishes and make excellent recommendations. Have never had anything less than a stellar experience here.
The best sushi shop Im west Vancouver
My favourite Japanese restaurant so far .Everything we tried was so delicious.High quality, kind staff and nice ambience,it is Zen:)I love the ocean view through the pine trees.
Not your average sushi restaurant!
Good service, decent food, decent view. Nothing amazing. I would go here if everything else is booked.
One of the best in West Van
Not an authentic restaurant.The food tastes awful and expensive
This is a sushi restaurant that changes the concept of traditional sushi. Taste, health and atmosphere I am more than satisfied with my expectations^^ Advance reservation is required.
The food is exceptional quality, the service is amazing and fun and the restaurant is immaculate with a great patio!! We are so thankful to have ZEN so close.
Really nice quality food. Good service and lots of seating. Good Saki menu! Food : 5/5
Great sushi, awesome service and love the atmosphere!
Sushi was ok, highlight was definetly the staff. Despite it being Friday and it was busy and Covid I knew it was going to be awhile but didnt expect staff to be this bad. I arrive to pick up an order and the staff was not very friendly at all. They greeted me by telling me to wait, which i did. They never said Hi or asked why or what I might be there for. Another couple walks in and the waitress welcomed with a complete different tone. Not to impressed with the service
Zen is a neighborhood favourite. Great atmosphere, friendly service and incredible sushi. Try the classics or the Zen specials. Great private room for larger parties too! The desserts are freshly made daily and super fab!
Top quality sushi!
Favourite sushi place in van the quality of product is always amazing...yes its a bit pricy but food speaks for itself and the tuna gomae is to die for i have been coming back for that single dish for 10 years+
Definitely a place for a splurge, but wonderful staff and deeeelicious Japanese fare.
One of the best Japanese restaurants in Vancouver without question. Always top quality food and fantastic service.
can t comment on the food, but service is great! ordered takeout from a restaurant down the street to eat at a park and they didn t have a disposable spoon and wouldn t let me buy or borrow a piece of cutlery. no hesitation from Zen giving me a spoon for the odd request, thanks!
Best Japanese restaurant in West Vancouver. Must try !
We ordered the food for take-out. Small portions and very expensive. Spent almost $130 , and can t make 2 adults feel full. Won t come back again.
Absolutely fabulous, can not wait for my next visit!
Very good high end Sushi. Out door PatiHighly Reccommend
Fresh and delicious
Great dinner as always. Excellent service by Keira The best sushi on the North Shore!
Everything is delicious! You can enjoy the taste of Japanese izakaya while staying in Vancouver! I want to go again and again!
Great sushi, highly recommended
High quality but unimaginative sushi.
We tried dine out today, and my husband and I were shocked at the poor quality of food. Our server didnt even ask why we had so much leftovers. For main I ordered Chef selection 9 sashimi, and it was the worst sashimi Ive had in my life.. All sashimi were mixed with sauce, some were too bland and others were just not good... Staff didnt even care to say thank you or goodbye as we left.... Never recommend to anyone.. 20 .
As always good
This is the first time Ive eaten restaurant food since COVID and chose Zen Japanese Restaurant as they have supported the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Sakura Night fundraiser every year. I have never enjoyed a meal more, especially their Halibut Popcorn and both desserts! Treat yourself and order to pick-up at Zen for an exceptional COVID dining experience.
Truly awful. And very expensive. Friday night is sushi night for our family. To be fair, we tried Zen Restaurant twice (the first time was disappointing too). We were dismayed both times. My son likes the basics - prawn tempura ($20) and Cali Rolls ($11) - and we tried various dishes unique to this restaurant. Honestly, EVERYTHING except the seaweed salad was awful. Vancouver is a great city for sushi and you can easily find good sushi for the family in the $20-$35 range. This meal from Zen was $76 plus tip - and it was inedible. We all took a few bites and called it quits.
The best of the west! Wow!
Good food prompt and attentive service
Service and food quality is always top notch!
Terrible Fake Japanese food, never had fishier sashimi, there were more damn sphagetti and sand than anything else in the motoyaki, sushi rice was hard and cold. Extremely oversauced rolls, just a garbage place in general. If i could I would give negative stars.
You dont go to this place for cheap sushi you go here for the very best
Came here for dine out, very average quality. Over priced, premium sushi or sashimi isnt as premium as the price they ask. Do not recommend..
Annual ritual to visit on the way to Whistler. Very fresh seafood which is obvious from the location. If you are a local you might not appreciate it like I do. I am visiting from Florida. We have totally different sea life.
Amazing service, polite, fast and goes above and beyond. The menu is extravagant and the food it to die for. You must try the Toro (tuna belly) it will melt in your mouth. The effort, skill and ingredients that go into every dish are fantastic and worth every penny. The desserts out shone any other sushi restaurant I had ever been to and were also delicious. For a restaurant that has everything else down to a T and charges so much they should really would on their decor and comfortable seating. This would really make them stand out and be one of the best restaurants on the north shore.
Excellent sushi
nice service good atmosphere
Excellent Japanese food. Staff are great. Balcony is beautiful in the summer, watching the sunset as you eat dinner.
Best Japanese on North Shore and possibly Vancouver. Our favourite and kids love it!
Delicious, quality Japanese food.
It s a premium Japanese restaurant with partial ocean view, the food might come from premium materials but the taste is just underwhelming. In this price range, there are many better options in Vancouver but I guess we are paying the West Vancouver price premium.
Christine is the absolute BEST. I highly recommend. Great personality and amazing food!
Amazing food!! Super friendly service! Lovely views!
The food is steeped in many local elements.it is not an authentic Japanese restaurant but overall the dishes are well prepared with fresh ingredients
Excellent & delicious.
Food is under expectation, price is higher than others.
I ordered Tamago nigiri for my little one. It was burned. These are $3 each. Totally dissappointed. Never go!
Cozy outdoor sitting. Very good food. Recommended! A bit pricey (for a professor salary), but we will be back :-)
Always fresh, top notch quality. Probably the best sushi in the entire lower mainland. Expensive but you get what you pay for.
This place was pretty darn good. The food was excellent. It was full of flavour and wasnt your generic Japanese food. The portion sizes were smaller than expected for the price, but I was still quite satisfied with it overall. The venue is very nice, especially out on the patio. The service was fantastic too. Our server was very friendly and also super funny. He honestly added so much quality to our experience there. I would definitely recommend this place.
Excellent sushi.
Oh em gee.... Absolutely the best sushi Ive ever had in my life, and Ive ate over 500+ restaurants. Please if you like sushi or seafood I honestly recommend this place! My tastebuds have never been this good. Pricy but definitely worth it!!!!
While the host who greeted our family at the entrance was very warm, inviting, and sweet, I felt that our server considered our family with two young children more of a hassle and inconvenience. The service once we were seated felt slow, sporadic, and that we were not really welcome. We were, strange considering that this is a Japanese style cuisine, the only non-Caucasian customer we saw around us, and even wondered if that had something to do with the poor inattentive and passive-aggressive feeling we experienced. We certainly do not want to haphazardly make any serious accusations, but felt open comment would be helpful to bring awareness. Didnt enjoy the way we were treated at all, but the host seemed like she genuinely wanted to provide good service for us so I will not leave a 1-star rating.
The worst sushi I had in Vancouver
Expensive but Not tasty;;
Food was great. Service was attentive and a rather large menu. I plan on going back and see if I can give them the 5th star!
Nice decor, good service, interesting food. Prices are on the high side.
Zen is a Japanese sushi landmark in West Vancouver. Prepared with pride by Japanese chefs and owner. Oishi!!
Exceptional Japanese fine dining backed by good service. Well worth the trip to North Van.
My sister and I visited Vancouver for the first time and dined at Zen on our way to Capilano Park. We had an amazing experience, from being welcomed by the great staff and getting recommendations from the chef himself, to thoroughly enjoying everything we tried! We ordered rolls, a sushi plate, seaweed bites, dumplings, baos, and velvet tuna sashimi, to name a few. The sushi was fresh, delicious, and beautifully created - we really enjoyed the presentation. I cant stop telling my friends about it - we made the trip from South Vancouver to West Vancouver to dine here, and could not have been happier! Thank you to the chefs and staff at Zen for a great meal!
This lovely restaurant was recommended by a friend and it was such a great experience! We had a variety of amazing dishes including the seaweed bites, velvet tuna (so velvety!), and pressed sushi. The service was terrific, and everything was so fresh and delicious! Great place for lunch or dinner. Well definitely be back and will be recommending this gem to our friends!!
Really really good Japanese food. I would definitely go again.
Great, amazing service and yummy food!
I wanted to go to Zen for a very long time after being recommended by the japanese newspaper. After doing a browse of their website, I was expecting a very traditional fare with japanese chefs and a japanese atmosphere. Instead what I recieved was a pretentious take on japanese fare, only 1 chef that was and spoke japanese, and a ton of caucasian waitresses. While the food was fresh and delicious, I would recommend other places if you want an authentic traditional japanese experience. Food great, atmosphere disappointing.
best sushi place in the north shore
Good place, quiet environment. It is common that the people who live near the restaurant are the ones who go the most. Very good and traditional sushi. Fresh foods. Parking is on the street.
Bad service. Ordered a chirashi don, there was a hair of one sashimi piece. Told the server and she took it away. Another server came later and said they would make another one , but never offered any apology. Terrible service
The spider roll looked amazing, service was good, my coconut curry udon noodle dish tasted like greasy salt. Teriyaki meals looked small for the price. Did not include miso soup (an extra $2.50 If you wanted it) or rice.
Truly the best sushi restaurant, beautiful atmosphere and good service!
This is an interesting restaurant, as its in a somewhat remote, weirdly wealthy part of town but its got something for almost everyone! Its not cheap by any means, but if youre looking to not spend too much, therere pretty basic sushi and appetisers here, as well as inexpensive sake and beer; if you want to spend more for higher quality, theyve got a lot of specialty rolls, and lots of ~~elevated~~ izakaya sorts of food, too. A tiny bit pretentious, but not to an uncomfortable degree. If you want a ~nice~ dinner, check it out!
The best! Im always impressed and delighted. Every time I eat here I order a different couple of dishes from their traditional Japanese cuisine list, although their rolls are extremely impressive, too. Cant wait for my next visit! Great staff! And very pleasant and friendly chefs!
Zen and Miku are definitely the top sushi spots in Vancouver. So since I was in the area. Definitely had to hit up Zen! Top notch food and top notch service!
Top quality sushi.
The are very creative and taste 95% but the block the view
Staff were nice. Food was excellent, tasty and different. On expensive side but higher end sushi cost more, so..
Pretty nice spot.
Good, very expensive
A bit on expensive side, but good.
Excellent sushi that stands out in terms of quality - worth the price - excellent service.
Fantastic food always, so fresh, beautiful creations, great service and comfortable room.
Delicious and expensive
Great food, courteous, friendly and knowledgeable server!
good
A comfortable place to be with good tasting food and friendly staff.
My favourite restaurant!
Best bc sea urchin Ive ever had, fresh and mind blowing. Octopus was incredible and tender. U get what u pay for. If you are on a budget, stay far away
An inobtrusive server and excellent cuisine. None better anywhere in BC.
Excellent service and great food in a very comfortable setting.
Lovely setting, quality staff and amazing sushi and Japanese delights make for a sure win!
Top quality sushi. Many dishes unique to their munu.
Outstanding sushi with a flare!
Good service and great food we will be coming back
a bit over price
Exceptional quality. Quaint spot. Yes, you pay more than other places but its worth it. They even have a kids menu!
Unbelievable
Great food and service. Fabulous desserts specially made for Zens
Food ok but value not great. Premium Oceanwise sushi had a piece of egg as on if the five pieces. First time I have heard of egg from the ocean
Especially, the food was very delicious and fresh. I will recommend the Stir-fried Seafood Udon, and I think this store is most great store in whole Metro Vancouver. However, the price was expensive.
The food was great
The server is... not so good. A restaurant with delicious rolls. The price is a bit...expensive
delicious food, great service, but food is expensive, overall pretty good experience
Tempura Okay Sashimi Nonono
Great place. 100% recommend the wild sockeye salmon!
Very expensive for below average quality. This is vancouver and the bar is set high. The staff are nice.
Fantastic Japanese. Try the crispy beef rolls!
Not bad service
I used to come here years ago, I sure do miss it. The food is amazing, service is great as well. Love the Japanese fusion food.
Good sushi recommended.
Absolutely delicious! A little pricy, but so totally worth it.
Absolutely loved visiting this place! We couldnt stop talking about how great the service was! Phenomenal place! The miso soup wasnt as good as what Ive had in previous restaurants, but the sushi rolls that we purchased were delish. Try the spider roll. Its huge. Also, the B.C roll was quite tasty!
Not worth the price, crap service and overrated.
nothing special, but overpriced .
Food was not bad, annoying server made the experience not very enjoyable. Had no idea of the food or menu. Should have worked at Dennys
Had the omakase for lunch. First, its great that they offer omakase for lunch. This doesnt seem to be common. The starter was amazing. Two rounds of crispy fish, dumpling, oyster, ... all incredible little morsels. Then there was their take on a fish taco made with rice paper and some weird salsa -- it was pretty terrible. Then the sushi main (you have the choice of nigiri, sashimi, or grilled fish) which was okay. I think most sushi Ive had elsewhere was better, but my wife thought it was particularly fresh. The sashimi main was the first time in ages Ive had octopus and it was quite nice (not too chewy), but I still dont like octopus. Same for the squid. I dont get sashimi much so maybe it was a mistake to order it (a sashimi lover may have loved the shrimp head presentation and tentacles but I just wanted simple fish). Overall, I think the sushi was a disappointingly weak part of the meal considering it was a sushi place, but wow those appetisers were great. Theyre running a promotion GlancePay to give you $10 off if you sign up to pay from your phone. (Nov 2016) I heard about this place from the BC Livings Where Vancouver Chefs Go for Sushi, which I think set me up for lofty expectations that werent met.
Beautiful presentation...Overall decent food. But...the rancid citrus yoghurt that came with my otherwise lovely roll? Gross. In spite of the fact that not just I, but my 2 dining mates (who had also tasted it), pointed out to the server that it was off, he assured us that someone, somewhere, at some point, had tasted it and it was fine. So, avoided that part of my meal. Between the arrogant and, frankly, lazy service, and the price point, Ill head to Bene Sushi in future.
Delicious! a little spendy but well worth it, best salmon Ive ever had.
This is the best Japanese food I have eaten in Vancouver, and Ive eaten a lot.
