Zen Japanese Izakaya — Restaurant in Houston

Update: Taking off 2 stars. Sashimi was whack. Quality’s gone out the window. Portions have grown meager. It looks like MF sushi is the last sushi place standing in HOU. Previous entry: So, here it is. Finally a Japanese restaurant with popular modern takes as well as authentic dishes prepared with quality ingredients and without fanfare. The menu immediately delivers by letting guests know this place knows its Japanese roots. The range and depth of the wide variety of dishes (some quite uncommon outside of Japan) is actually staggering—particularly the home-style, old-school traditional dishes. While my friend ordered some of the more modern/popular dishes (tuna tower, etc.) I opted for some basics (agedashi tofu, fried renkon roots, etc.) We both ordered some staple nigiri/sushi as well to check out the quality of the sushi/sashimi. Fish was fresh, sushi rice was sushi rice (most of these Japanese restaurants can’t even make good sushi rice), and most importantly—the flavors of the dishes accurate (i.e. agedashi tofu is supposed to be understated and mild). Although I doubt that the tofu was hand-made it was prepared in a way not to overcome the tofu with some ghastly sauce (which is unfortunate but common). The handmade fried renkon root with chicken was nearly perfect—but in this case, I avoided the dipping sauce which was surprisingly sweet and sour—common in other Asian cuisines. I don’t want to belabor with details of the many other dishes ordered here, but I will definitely come back whenever I need to be further surprised with quality, genuine, authentic Japanese dishes here in HOU. *Service/price was good; the decor/interior/plates/seating space—adequate. The food...

Been wanting to try this place for a while. Finally Came on a Saturday night, place was super quiet. Great music. Was excited for a second.

Then when we start ordering. I got super disappointed. Because they got NOTHING! Omg! We ordered sweet shrimp, don't have it. And their excuse is it's not in season. Really? I don't remember the Last time a restaurant who usually offer sweet shrimp ran out. Firefly squid, don't have it. It seems like Thur don't have anything in stock.

Then the sashimi came. 3 little thin pieces! I've been to a lot of restaurant and i know the standard. But their price is super high based on quality and quantity.

I made a complaint to the owner. She came didn't apologize for anything that they don't have especially the things they suppose to have and kept on giving me excuses. Is this how people run business these days?

Food came, please look at my pictures and non of them Are any good as I imagined. While I'm eating I'm already thinking about going to McDonald's afterwards.

Before all the dishes came , the waitress came and trying to clean my plate and then we remind her that we still have 3 dishes not came yet. Then she came and told me those are all not available. I was about to scream. I felt like I didn't eat anything at all. Now Macdonald is out because we have to go to teppey to filled my sushi crave tonight.

I have never been this disappointed and disappointed. I would give them a 0 star if they have it.

Don't even come and try ur luck. I guarantee you will feel...

This is a small and pleasant restaurant. If you come in big numbers make sure to reserve a table. I like it that when you order hot green tea, it comes with free refills. What drew me to this place was the list of Japanese fish that they fly into Houston.

Apps Takoyaki: These are okay. 2 pieces of octopus inside a soft doughy ball. I’ve never been a fan but it should be tried at least once. Hamachi we’re okay. It’s a little too light for me. Karaage were decent size and crispy. Nice flavor.

Sushi Kinmedai has a light sear to it that brings out the smokiness and fatty oils that brings a distinctive and delicious taste. Anago is a cooked sea eel that is tender and delicious. Otoro is the fatty tuna belly which is always the best. Chutoro is a mixture of lean and fat and is also delicious. Kanpachi has a subtle clean sweet taste. Aji has a slight briny umami flavor. It has a firm texture. Shimaji has a light buttery taste. It has a firm chewy texture. Salmon & Ikura Don: salmon is fresh and clean. I love the briny taste of the Ikura.

Desserts The Yuzu cheesecake is my favorite. Lemon & lime like flavors that punctuates with every bite. The salsa dango is hard chewy rice cake with a red bean paste inside. The rice shell is too hard and chewy for my liking. The Matcha Chestnut cake was soft and tasty. Chesnuts really come through. The mango mochi was a soft and easy to chew texture with sweet mango ice cream.

Overall, it was a good meal. I’d...