Sushi Zen Southside — Restaurant in Savannah

We are travelers from the east coast of FL & this was our first dinner in Savannah. I’m am a massive sushi snob, I only want the FRESHEST fish I can find with delicious flavor combos.

MAN was this it! I fell in love with every single food item we had. Wasabi Gyoza: 10/10 delicious af! Such a good combination in 1 bite! only get this if you can handle some wasabi. It’s stronger than we expected and we handle spice well. Tuna Sashimi: 20000/10. Amazing. This is where I get very picky. I won’t eat tuna unless it’s the freshest honestly, and this tuna was TO DIE for. It may even be BETTER than the tuna I’ve had down south. Hawaiian Roll: 10/10. This was the perfect bite in 1, with ALL of the fish cooked wonderfully. If you like a loaded roll, this is for you. Nanban Roll: 9/10. The tuna was absolutely perfect, along with the scallion. The pairing with the seasoning (tajin?) was also delightful, but I think a dash of it would have been better, as opposed to coating it on 1 side. (Maybe both the top and bottom were coated, don’t quote me on that part LOL). It was a bit too much spice when my palate was searching for the oniony taste of the scallion. Tonkotsu Ramen: 9/10. The ramen was honestly one of my favorites as well. The broth was delicious and homemade, I could taste some notes of fresh ginger every few bites and it was so tasty!!!! The noodles were yummy (even better: they weren’t light handed AT ALL with the noodles) , everything was cooked perfectly. It was enough for my husband and I to share with some left over. The ONLY reason I give it a 9 is because they only gave us 1 piece of pork. It was so tender, we wanted more badly :( you may be able to add more for an upcharge, but I believe 3-4 pieces in each bowl would be better for the price. Ikura (salmon roe): 10/10. Ikura is my final test for any sushi restaurant. If you’ve never had Ikura, imagine boba popping pearls but instead of sweet it’s purely salty. The taste is slightly slightly fishy, but more fresh than anything. Especially here. If you ever want to try an item like this or ANY new fish, you can DEFINITELY trust Sushi Zen. They TRULY are the freshest! Sake: Nigori Unfiltered Sake is our go to. Creamy yet refreshing and smooth! Always a 10/10.

Finally, the ambiance and service. The decorations are unique, traditional, and very aestheticly pleasing. They have traditional Japanese tables that I wish we could have sat at. I can’t remember our servers name but she was so kind in every way. Extremely attentive & helpful. She answered my questions about the menu/sake and was attentive yet giving us our space at the same time. Her service was also a 10/10 :)

Do not hesitate to come here! We may even go back tomorrow and we are only here for 2 days! (Sushi not photographed, eaten...

This was so close to a 5 for me.

We went early on a Friday night and yet there was only one server. It is a small restaurant, but probably needed two servers for weekend dinner rush.

We've lived in the area for a years but this was our first time in. I was surprised by the reviews given the location. But there are several restaurants in this corner of Waters and Eisenhower.

We had a Seaweed Salad. It was good but could have used a slice on lemon on top.

Out if the Daily Specials, I chose Uni and Sweet Tamago. We ordered four rolls:

Forrest Gump Roll - Kanikama (Japanese Imitation Crab Stick), Ebi (Cooked Shrimp), Cucumber, and Wasabi Mayo topped with Shrimp and 5 Types of Tobiko (Fish Eggs).

Tekken Roll - Tempura Fried Softshell Crab and Cucumber Roll topped with Chopped Tuna, Wasabi Mayo, Eel Sauce, and Scallions.

Alien Roll - Fried Calamari, Cream Cheese. Cucumber, Tobiko, and Eel Sauce.

Salmon Roll.

The stand out for me was the Alien Roll. It includes Squid Tentacles. And is a fraction of the cost of the Soft Shell Crab.

I think I would have preferred the Salmon as Nigiri.

Food was surprisingly good! Especially the Uni (Sea Urchin Roe).

It was a quiet, comfy space suitable to singles at the sushi bar. Solo diners. Dates and Friends should feel free to occupy the tables. But this was also a suitable restaurant for Families with Young Children. There are Traditional and Modern Tables.

Decor was full of Japanese Art in Paper and Fabric. There is a Wall of Anime on the way to the bathrooms. There Bathrooms are Handicap Accessible with a good length of Support Bars and no obstructions inside the bathrooms.

Ample free parking in the Plaza.

Savannah is one of my favorite cities in which to enjoy sushi and sashimi due to the freshness of the seafood ingredients.

I would definitely put this on regular rotation for our...

This was my second time at this restaurant, my first time we was seated right away food was good.The place was empty, maybe one other couple. This time we came we was never acknowledged, the older waiter was saying something slick under her voice every time she pass me and my husband. As other people of color come in to just get pick up … they didn’t even acknowledge them. But the younger waiter came over after we had done been standing there for 15 min. And ask if we was picking up and my husband told her we was dinning in she told him she just had to clean off a table. Then proceeds to help all the Togo orders. Ok that’s fine with me , but she never cleans off the table just keeps passing us to take phone orders and help the people who are already seated 10 min had to have passed never cleaned off a table. Well a white lady comes in and she is acknowledged right away and the young lady says she has to clean off the table and gets a towel and start cleaning off the table. She gives us the table and seats the other white couple and gives them a menu and is getting their order. While we don’t have anything at our table mind you we was here first and waited alot longer. So we was about to leave but I’m pregnant and hungry, we was thinking about putting in a big order and then when the food comes leave … but we didnt … anyway after she gets what they want she comes to our table and ask us what we want to drink … we put in our drink and food order because we not trying to wait no longer … the food was not that good any way …. Before we left I talk to the waiter and told her how we was treated was very bad and we would never be coming back. But I told her black people do tip and left her $20 tip …. Plz don’t support this place I have never did a review before so that show just how upset I am… everyone should be...