Zen Sushi & Bar — Restaurant in Bellingham

I enjoy eating here and come often. That said, I know what I'm getting and am o.k. with that. There are a few things I like and a lot I do not like. So i stay with with I like (salmon, tuna on the belt & satays, seaweed salad, soup, and such from the kitchen). I stray to California rolls sometimes, which are not high quality, but they're not bad. A lot of people like rolls with mayonnaise/mayonnaise-like sauces. If you genuinely like these types of rolls, then you'll definitely be happy with them. If you are any kind of sushi connoisseur, then you have two choices. First, surrender to what Zen Sushi is - an Americanized sushi-like restaurant with a bit of a fast food feel. Alternately, don't go. For me, I've adopted the first path and have decided I am going to like it (I can't afford other sushi places). BTW, I have eaten sushi all over, from Seattle to Los Angeles to Tokyo, so I know what I'm adapting to. The Bad: every now and then the rice is not cooked enough and its hard. Obviously nobody checks this (I don't get it either). I've had their octopus a few times. One time it was o.k. & ALL other times it was bad (as in old fish that's started to turn). Obviously other people are not as sensitive to the smell/taste of past-its-prime octopus as I am. The Good: the salmon and tuna has always tasted fresh. They keep the food coming out pretty regularly. The only exception to this is: as the main lunch/dinner crowd thins out, the cooks slow down and then stop preparing food and the same dishes revolve over and over. I can say this definitively because the cooks are out in front of all the customers and you can watch what they do/don't do. This is when its good to order off the menu - and the price is the same, so the slow down is not really a problem. The Good again: the service is great. The servers are friendly and do a good job. If there is any problem, such as, say, unpleasant tasting octopus, they will take it right off your bill without a second thought. Its pretty nice to know you can experiment with something new and if you find it gross, you can ask them to take it off the bill (so far, they've taken stuff off for me). Also, happy hour is nice. Conclusion: I enjoy eating there and so does most of my family. I do, however, make sure not to compare it to "real" sushi (i.e. expensive) too much. I enjoy it. I think the most helpful thing I can say is that I'm still going, but I'm avoiding the octopus and being wary of hard rice. For me, enjoying experience = 4. If what I've described leaves you cringing, then for you = 2 (or 1). Maybe I'll see you...

I felt my review needed to be reposted. Anyone who eats here is supporting a business owner whom cares nothing for you. When you think of a sushi restaurant your taste buds should bolden and water and the anticipation of receiving that first fresh piece on your tounge should be like that winning lottery ticket already burning a hole in your pocket before it has been redeemed. But with zen sushi, unfortunately, this is far from the case. I had high hopes held for this one of only a few sushi restaurants in town. but of course as I usually am, disappointed, from expecting much more from a small town sushi restaurant. Not only that but I went as far as getting employed by them. Here are a few reasons as to why you SHOULD NOT eat the sushi and food that comes from the back, or at least, be weary of what exactly it is you are ordering. If you order food from the back (sushi or otherwise) most likely will be an overnight item. We were told to recook sushi that had been sitting all night. We then were told to fry them and the waiters and waitresses were told to tell them it's fresh if they ask. I have seen many times food dropped on the dirty kitchen floor and still cooked because the employees they have don't care the slightest about their job (Work ethic, integrity, etc.) or the customers they serve. The kitchen this food is coming from has been investigated numerous times by the health department. There is an issue with cross contamination of raw meat to fish on cutting boards and very rarely saw any type of proper sanitation. The dishes are still covered in last months grime. Go ahead look at the bottom of the plate when you get there. I dare you.

What I am getting at is this is not a place to take your family or friends unless you like spending 4 dollars on 2 crab rangoons or 3 dollars on 2 spring rolls that came from a box of 50 that costs this ungrateful disrespectful inconsiderate cervile scum that is the owner of this company 1 dollar to order. This man also owns "on rice". Another restaurant in town which I am very sure he is doing the same thing. That one is owned by his equally indolent brother and whom should be ashamed to call himself an owner of a restaurant as his brother. I do indeed hope this review sways people's judgments about this place and to seek other options for a bite to eat. We have so many other options where people won't be dropping your food on the ground or giving you...

When you think of a sushi restaurant your taste buds should bolden and water and the anticipation of receiving that first fresh piece on your tounge should be like that winning lottery ticket already burning a hole in your pocket before it has been redeemed. But with zen sushi, unfortunately, this is far from the case. I had high hopes held for this one of only a few sushi restaurants in town. but of course as I usually am, disappointed, from expecting much more from a small town sushi restaurant. Not only that but I went as far as getting employed by them. Here are a few reasons as to why you SHOULD NOT eat the sushi and food that comes from the back, or at least, be weary of what exactly it is you are ordering. If you order food from the back (sushi or otherwise) most likely will be an overnight item. We were told to recook sushi that had been sitting all night. We then were told to fri them and the waiters and waitresses were told to tell them it's fresh if they ask. I have seen many times food dropped on the dirty kitchen floor and still cooked because the employees they have don't care the slightest about their job (Work ethic, integrity, etc.) or the customers they serve. The kitchen this food is coming from has been investigated numerous times by the health department. There is an issue with cross contamination of raw meat to fish on cutting boards and very rarely saw any type of proper sanitation. The dishes are still covered in last months grime. Go ahead look at the bottom plate of food when you get there. I dare you.

What I am getting at is this is not a place to take your family or friends unless you like spending 4 dollars on 2 crab rangoons or 3 dollars on 2 spring rolls that came from a box of 50 that costs this ungrateful disrespectful inconsiderate cervile scum that is the owner of this company 1 dollar to order. This man also owns "on rice". Another restaurant in town which I am very sure he is doing the same thing. That one is owned by his equally indolent brother and whom should be ashamed to call himself an owner of a restaurant as his brother. I do indeed hope this review sways people's judgments about this place and to seek other options for a bite to eat. We have so many other options where people won't be dropping your food on the ground or giving you...