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Zen 32 - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Sushi Bars Japanese, Sushi Bars [Edit]
3160 E Camelback RdPhoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 954-8700
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
111 reviews for Zen 32
Review Highlights
"My favorite sushi Happy Hour in town."
(in 40 reviews)
"The salmon and tuna low-carb rolls are my favorites."
(in 7 reviews)
"Nakama is still by far my favorite place."
(in 10 reviews)
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111 reviews in English
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Review from sunny b.
8/28/2010
Did I hear correctly? Are you closing? Lennnnnyyyy! Why!
The rumor is the owner Lenny Rosenberg is not renewing the lease to focus on his other restaurants, Deluxe and Revo Burrito.
I will miss this place. I have spent many a night at the beautiful bar and drank more saki than should have been legal in my early twenties. I was also able to extended my dollar when I was a broke college student thanks to the happy hour.
Kanpai Zen, you had a great fifteen years! -
Review from Molly H.
5/30/2010 1 Check-in Here
Sushi has always been a safe option for me as a veggie. Even though I'm not crazy about sushi itself, I can always have delicious sides like tempura vegetables, (some) miso soup, etc. Zen 32 totally came through in that department, and I was even impressed with the sushi I did try. I had a veggie roll with soy paper, and it was actually really delicious. I probably would have ate it all if I hadn't already stuffed myself with the spring rolls, miso soup, edamame and a sake bomber!
The atmosphere was really chill and the outdoor seating was really nice- I loved the color change pillars.
Everything I had was tasty, and the service was friendly and prompt. I'm absolutely looking forward to coming back!Listed in: Unconventional Vegetarian
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Review from Taric W.
Phoenix, AZ
8/7/2010
I don't think there's much to Zen 32 besides looking trendy.
Something seemed strange about the place when I walked in, and after reading other reviews it's been pointed out--the waitresses are wearing Chinese attire with Mandarin collars. I won't hold the lack of authenticity against them. Also, the music is soft and the seating kind of cramped, making for an awkward dining experience.
I'll get the good thing out of the way--the reverse happy hour. The hot ginger sake was overpowering, but for $1 there's no way I can complain. Also, they had a few basic rolls for $3, and that's not too bad.
Everything else sucks! The specialty rolls are all stuffed with krab, so what hope do you have of ever getting quality sushi? My tootsie roll was garbage, I couldn't taste anything beside the krab inside. The caterpillar roll looked nice, but I could only taste krab and eel sauce. Even the rainbow roll looked promising, and THAT was drenched in sriracha.
I also had some of this teriyaki chicken entree, and it was rough and a bit dry. The edamame had way too much salt, and I began noticing a pattern to this place. Take crap and season it as much as you can.
I'd like to give this place a second chance for a cheap date or something, but I'm still a little angry at this place (and their sketchy waitress!), for being the first to make me tired of sushi. A friend bought me this meal and I still regret it. It's that bad. -
Review from Tonia B.
6/1/2010
My first and only visit so far to Zen32 was a comedy of errors. It happened to chance that three friends were in an impromptu mood for sushi and decided this is where we shall meet for this sushi eating experience we were about to have.
The bar I have to admit is a little hard to find at first, but all in all I love that it's hidden way in the back. The bar service was also fantastic. Very prompt and not pushy. The polka dot Riesling I first discovered at Fry's because of its name greeted me at the bar and we had a very happy gathering. The anime movies playing quietly off to the side. What a great touch!!
The food was pretty on point. I had some of the best sashimi I had ever had and some great rolls and nigiri also. I left the right amount of full (not overfull) and happy. Speaking of happy, happy hour prices started a little after we were seated and were accounted for as so on our bill.
Why the comedy of errors then? The first error was the staff completely ignoring us back in our little spot in the bar waiting to be seated. It took nearly an hour and us reminding them in order to get a table.
Second was the wine incident which was hilarious. I ordered a second glass of polka dot while we were at the table. Our waitress comes back with the Riesling and instead of starting to pour some in my empty wine glass, she adds a bit to my water. We thought it was super funny and were not really upset. I think a joke was even made about turning water into wine! :) Needless to say, she was embarrassed and promptly brought me back enough wine four twice the number of pours you usually get.
It's a little out of the way, but I'll be back. It's nice to know it's an option of Delux has a long line :)
Slight recommendation though.. if you have white paper tablecloths that are disposable, offer crayons. Our unicorn drawings would've been much better had we had more colors than our blue pen.Listed in: Me Sushi Long Time
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Review from Elle T.
Phoenix, AZ
3/26/2008
Crap.
Horrible.
Horrible crap. Tempura was a joke. Don't even think they knew what that was supposed to taste like.
Sushi? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Can I have my money back? Please? Because this is false advertising.
This is not a sushi restaurant. This is a cafe of confusion, with linens to help overstate the food, waiters who think they're hipper than hell because they simply work here, and service that's nearly non-existent.
And by the way, may I just note for the record that real maki-zushi (sushi rolls) are not dipped in corn syrupy sauce or drizzled in a thousand colors and sprinklings and called "Fireburst from Hell" or "Sunset over the Dragon from Texas" or some crap like that. This isn't Zen's fault necessarily, although they perpetuate the myth. I can't blame them however. They don't really know what Japanese food is anyway.Listed in: Never, Ever Again
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Review from Gabi M.
9/18/2008 1 photo
I've been to Zen 32 more times than I can count... and for the most part, I've been extremely satisfied with each visit. I was there for happy hour last night which is what is sparking this review, and it was perfect... we sat outside, enjoyed a couple of beers, and some very reasonably priced sushi. At $3 a roll, you really cannot complain!
I will agree with some of the pluses and minuses that Jenn H wrote about previously, such as:
+ A great location
+ Very fresh fish
+ Low carb rolls
+ Good sushi selection
+ Neat little complimentary sunomono type appetizer (although we didn't receive ours last night... what's up with that?)
+ A really good drink menu
+ A great happy hour
+ Great atmosphere
- Long wait for a table, even when several tables are empty (this has been the case for me on several occasions but luckily, not last night)
Wait staff is hit or miss - (luckily our server last night was fine although he didn't have much personality)
- Tables really close together (both inside and out)
In my case, the positives really outweigh the negatives. In addition to above, they have a divine bamboo basket of steamed veggies - it includes broccoli, asparagus, sweet potato, carrot, and more. It's served with a light sweet sauce on the side and is the best if you feel like fresh yummy veggies, if you're on a diet, or just want some color to add to the mix of sushi!
Lastly, I left my long sleeve shirt there last night by accident, and luckily the hostess found it no problem when I called. She was sweet as can be and is holding it for me to pick up today - it sounds like a no brainer, but I'm sure there are plenty of establishments that could F something so simple as that up!
I'll be back today to pick up my shirt, but for sure in the future too!Listed in: This is How I Roll...
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Review from Ron B.
Scottsdale, AZ
9/28/2008
Jewish girls in Chinese dresses serving Japanese food. If that isn't a recipe for confusion, I don't know what is.
Too bad, really. Because when they first opened up, they had a real Japanese chef who had a respectable career and was trying to make actual Japanese cuisine. He naturally didn't last long in this 1980s pseudo-asian theme park environment. Remember when the owner used to intermittently drop the screens down and fire up the THX system and play movie trailers from last year? The chefs couldn't even see their hands. Now that's setting your priorities!
Happy hour and late night patio is this place's saving grace (for others, not for me). But it's so far from Japanese food/sushi as to make them guilty of false advertising. See my Stingray review for a similar take on the food experience. If you FAIL rice, you FAIL sushi. -
Review from stuart j.
Goodyear, AZ
7/14/2010
Went here last night with my wife and with a business associate of mine who was craving sushi for dinner. Its a nice place, food comes out very fast, and it was packed by 7pm. We were there from about 530 to 830. Everyone was in agreement that the zen32 citrus thing was the best. It had great flavor. However, the rest of the items we got, like the dragon roll, tiger roll, spider roll, spicy tuna roll, spicy salmon roll were just ok. Nothing really stood out and made us say wow this is good stuff. We did find it interesting that they had low carb rolls and we tried an order of that too. It was a little too "squishy". We also tried the some octopus nigiri, and a handfull of other things. It was easily over a 200$ bill for the night.
I might look elsewhere for finding sushi downtown. Nakama is still by far my favorite place. -
Review from Andrea K.
2/15/2009
Ok, I am not one that knows her sushi well, but when I order a roll that said that is comes with crab, cream cheese, cucumber, and avocado, why am I getting a roll with just whitefish?
I have been here twice and each time I have had the worst service! This time around was the most interesting. Twice, bussers came to our table and just tried to take our chairs. Did they ask? NO. Did they notice that my friend's purse was on one of them? NO. Did they ever come back when we said that we actually needed one more chair? NO.
Also, when it was time to pay the bill...all of us (6 people total) decided to make the server's job easier by writing on the back of the check on how much each of us was going to pay. My one friend wrote $40 and I wrote $15 (I didn't eat much and I didn't get anything to drink) This was with tip included. Server comes back and charges my friend $15 and me $21.98. (HUH!) Then she told us that she couldn't add the tip with it. Couldn't she have told us that first? Especially when a sharp person could see that we were giving her way more than what the bill stated.
The food both times I was there was bleh. Even the temperature of the food wasn't right. I kept on thinking to myself this is how one gets food poisoned. (I did not) They turned off the heaters outside when there were still a bunch of people enjoying happy hour. (It wasn't very warm out there!)
Next time...we are going to meet somewhere in Tempe for sushi happy hour. -
Review from lindsay b.
Los Angeles, CA
8/8/2008
When I first came here I thought the food was really good. Then it got worse everytime I came there.
The rolls kept coming out soggy and cold and these were the tempura ones. When I asked them why the fried roll was ice cold, he said " it must have come out of the fridge last" WTF
Why would it be in the fridge? I kept asking him and he looked at me like I was an alien.
It was the opposite of fresh. You dont fry stuff then put it in a fridge, needless to say my girlfriend and I were lucky we have two bathrooms at our house. -
Review from Jenn H.
Los Angeles, CA
11/3/2007 ROTD 12/28/2007
If this place wasn't so darn convenient I might never come back. Despite being pissed off EVERY time I come here, I continue to come back again and again. In Zen 32's defense, they do have:
+ A great location
+ Very fresh fish
+ Low carb rolls
+ Possibly the best tuna in town
+ Creative and tasty specialty rolls
+ Good sushi selection
+ Neat little complimentary sunomo type appetizer
+ A really good drink menu (yummy plum wine!)
+ A great happy hour
+ Great atmosphere
Unfortunately these great plusses are often overshadowed by these annoying minuses:
- Long wait for a table, even when several tables are empty
- Rude/clueless hostesses
- Rude/clueless manager
- Crazy overzealous water misters that soak your table (outdoors)
- Most uncomfortable outdoor seating. Ever
- About 2 really good waitresses, and about 10 clueless waitresses
- Wait staff has no idea what is in the specialty rolls
- Long wait for food
- Confusing happy hour rules
- Tables really close together
- Disappointing desserts
- Disappointing appetizers
So basically you have to do the math and see if the +'s outweigh the -'s. I think they do, so you will probably see me there this week.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Mary M.
Tempe, AZ
5/11/2009
Every visit I've made to Zen 32 over the years has been regrettable, but I'm the sucker who didn't learn to avoid it after the first trip.
Sugary, soy-saucy, stale-y, mediocre-y stuff. Phoenix isn't known for good sushi but still... there are certain boundaries which can not be crossed when pricing sushi at a certain level. Better dead fish can probably be had from the Shrimply the Best truck parked on that highway near Maricopa, honestly.
Proud member of my "Top 10 non-Scottsdale location to show up in foam flip flops and badly fitted, badly washed jeans as tasteless as the sashimi" list.Listed in: DO NOT WANT
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Review from Jerome W.
Maricopa, AZ
10/13/2008
Aaaahh The Zen! I found out about this place just passing by one day. I saw the title and performed a small Oscar worthy soliloquy will driving, about how great it would be to try a new sushi joint. Imagine seeing this from that from next car over. WOW! LOL
Zen 32 gets an 8 on my ambiance-o-meter. Well thought out design with decent lighting (inside & outside). My favorite spot in the place is the bar...Can you blame me? I'm a huge Japanese anime fan so it's nice to see a few anime action flicks going on the plasmas while drinking a cold Kirin w/ warm sake.
I typically order dinner when I'm there...So make sure to try the grilled salmon, or the black and white ravioli. Simply can't go wrong! The sushi is decent as well, although I still think they can do better. For lunch I'll end up just grabbing a Bento box. Lets just say I had some very jealous colleagues upon my return. It comes with miso, salad, fruit, and about 4 different types of rolls. Very healthy eat as well if you're watching the calories.
Happy hour prices are reasonable so check'em out when you have time and enjoy the atmosphere. -
Review from Arana W.
Phoenix, AZ
7/27/2010
Two recent visits for reverse happy hour.
A dining buddy of mine gets off work at 9pm. We've been trying various places in Central Phoenix for late food.
Zen 32 was chosen as a plan B a few weeks ago. We were aiming for Postino on Central...but it was a 45 minute wait when I got there at 9. Neither of us wanted to stand in the parking lot that long. So I suggested Zen as an alternative. I think it may be one of the frequent choices from here on out!
Both visits, Kara was our bartender/server. Friendly, fast, outgoing, an absolute doll!
Reverse Happy Hour starts at 10 - when prices drop from "Holy High, Batman!" to the perfect place to eat, drink and be whoever you care to be for around $20.
Well and Draft for $3! (Draft includes Stella - which makes my dining buddy a very happy camper.)
Edamame and Miso for $2, Seaweed or Squid salads for $3. Basic nigiri for $2-4, Some sashimi $5-6, Select rolls for $3. Special rolls for $8.
Where most places have long forgotten about gratis happy hour munchies - Zen 32 still provides them!
On the first visit, hot offerings were crab puffs (okay, Krab puffs) and onion tempura. A huge platter or California roll also out for the grazing...oops, I mean taking.
Last night, the crab puffs had been replaced with spring rolls.
Two drinks, two rolls and a couple of trips to the buffet table...I was stuffed and my budget was not shattered. Thank you Kara, and thank you Zen 32! Reverse happy hour here is the perfect place for those of us who love sushi, but can't afford a real sushi dinner on a regular basis. -
Review from Mr K.
9/3/2006
I was disappointed with both the service and the sushi (given how much it cost). Our blond Chinese-dress clad waitress (so very Japanese) disappeared soon after we were seated at the patio. And when I mean disappeared, I mean DISAPPEARED.
No one came by to take our order, give us water, anything - even though the patio was packed. Eventually, 20 minutes later, the waiter of some adjoining tables noticed us sitting around, twiddling our thumbs, picking our noses, playing a game of bored charades, and getting pissed royal. He told us he'd be right back, which meant 10 minutes. When he returned he told us our waitress was depressed and not going to be serving for the rest of the night.
WTF?
He then hastily took our order and came back with the sushi about 25 minutes later. Getting your sushi an hour after you're seated is kind of ridiculous. I don't care how trendy the place is. It's still in a stripmall with a Safeway and a Great Clips. The sushi was fine, but worth the price and the cruddy service? Not a chance.
I'm batting a fat turkey egg with my hunt for a good sushi experience in Phoenix. Getting a little despondent. Not a good sign, but not declaring Code Red. Yet. -
Review from Max A.
2/2/2008
I suppose I never reviewed this place because there were already so many reviews. I'll start by saying that this place hovers between 3 and 4 stars for me. The food is good for the most part... I did have a bad this or that once or twice. Otherwise though, good fresh ingredients.
If you walk by a fish restaurant and it smells like fish, run away or you'll be doubled over the toilet that night or the following morning. The stronger the smell, the sicker you'll be. Zen hasn't ever smelled fishy when I've been there. A definite plus for me.
While they use good ingredients, I find they don't roll their sushi very tightly and it tends to fall apart on me. This probably depends on the chef that day/night. And speaking of that - this place depends entirely on when you go and what you're in to... At night and especially on weekends, this place is buzzing and it's difficult to get seated or move around. It's a popular spot. During the day, especially during the week, it's pretty chill and a solid choice for a good quiet lunch.
People come here at night for the bar atmosphere behind the partition... it often bleeds into the main dining room - and this place isn't that large. This sort of thing can ruin a quiet evening. Good suishi places tend to have a busy bar though, so you probably have come to expect such things.
I have to note that the bathroom is great - classy and clean. The whole place is clean and well decked out. The biggest complaint with this place really should be the space - it's very cramped. Even when it's empty, it feels small... not really a problem though unless it's full of people - at this point you'll feel right at home with the sushi as you'll be a little packed sardine.
The last time I ate here was a few days ago and I noticed the little specials card in that plastic stand that sits at every table smelled like a construction worker's arm pit. Don't ask me how I know what a construction worker's arm pit smells like or why I smelled the card - just know that it was totally rank. I had the waitress smell it and she agreed and promptly took it away for disposal.
My advice is to go here when it's not so busy and have your night out somewhere else. -
Review from AMber W.
11/19/2008
Zen32 is my favorite place to get Sushi. I have been here at least a dozen times over the years and have never had an unfavorable experience.
I am not the best sushi critic being that I am vegetarian, but I think they have pretty good veggie rolls and edamame :)
I mostly enjoy the atmosphere and the drinks here. It's a great location, there are chicks running around in little kimono's (I think that is what they are called...), you can sit on the patio and overall the place makes me feel cool and that is really all that matters to me in life.
oooo I forgot about that little cucumber salad too...yumm!Listed in: Places that make me feel cool, Top Restaurants
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Review from Faith A.
Phoenix, AZ
3/16/2010
This place is by far one of the nicest sushi bars I have visited. It's in a great location (love the Biltmore!) and it's seating outdoors is unbeatable. The staff is also dressed up in Japanese clothing. I love Zen32 for having a wonderful and peaceful ambiance.
However, I am a sushiholic and while I do love a great place to enjoy my food, I value the quality of the food a bit more.
Zen32 sushi was just mediocre sushi. Not good, not bad, just okay. It wasn't enough to make me want to return for more :(
Sorry Zen32, you are gorgeous, just not the total package :( -
Review from Farrah A.
8/27/2009
Thank you, Gabi K, for feeding my seared ahi tuna craving!
Zen Sushi offers a lot of perks that one could enjoy: Trendy yet relaxed atmosphere, outdoor seating with misters, happy hour--and reverse happy hour, friendly hostess, servers and management, and plentiful portions. The only thing lacking for me was escolar on the menu.
Our server also forgot my order of miso soup, which was on the ticket but later removed, and accidentally switched out a roll for a hand roll, but that too was fixed. A few hiccups in the meal, but nothing to complain about. Why would we anyway? We're eating sushi, and sushi makes miso happy.
Tuna fans will enjoy the tuna tataki (a bit heavy on the sauce though), spicy scallop roll, and steamed veggies. And the seaweed salad is enough to feed two peeps. A filling meal for not much dough.Listed in: Phoenix - Good Eats
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Review from Pierre Trudeau I.
Phoenix, AZ
8/30/2007
I'm giving this five stars because I'm at a loss for how to review it. By the time I showed up to meet friends at 11 pm on this weeknight, they were all disgustingly drunk. I really suspect some of them of having drinking problems, after witnessing this spectacle. I was so busy being embarassed by their behavior and trying to apologize to our waitress with my eyes that I couldn't enjoy the dining experience, if that's what you want to call it.
Our waitress handled these jerks like a champ. The sushi was good by Phoenix standards. They had a kind of cheesy-sounding "diablo" roll that we tried, featuring a thin strip of New York steak on the top... and it was phenomenal.
I'd love to come back some time with people who don't treat servers like crap and follow basic rules of civility. I'm worried the waitress would remember me in association with the drunken bastards, though.
Ugh. -
Review from Anna M.
9/17/2009
This was my first time here. We sat in the bar and caught the tail end of happy hour.
Apparently that have complementary hors d'oeuvres, although I did not have any.
We had a few cocktails and ordered some Salmon and Yellow tail sashimi and nigri. I love good salmon and I must say their salmon is pretty good. The Yellow tail sashimi was cut too thick for my liking.
My biggest complaint was the smell of the restaurant. It smelled like a mix of disinfectant and cheap cologne. It was really strong and made me a little sick to my stomach...Listed in: I LOVE Happy Hour!
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Review from Po C.
Phoenix, AZ
10/13/2008
I've come here various times, with the service varying also. I don't like the females work outfits of 'japanese' dresses either.
the late-nite sushi is the 1 thing this place has goin for them next to the trendiness.
never had any of the kitchen food, but the sushi has gotten progressively worse. i had some toro one day that smelled and tasted really fishy and oily.... meaning it was old. if you're cheap, u can sit in the bar, have drinx, and free rolls. haven't been back since the toro incident. i think sushi chefs should have a standard of what they serve, so i don't trust the judgment here.
if you like paying for atmosphere, go here. u won't b paying 4 what the sushi is worth. -
Review from Kurdy S.
4/7/2010
I would never return to this place. Food is mediocre at best. The interior is sooo small. The patio is about your only option.
Please go else where for your sushi and Japanese needs. The cloth napkins alone is a total turnoff. It leaves lint all over your pants! So cheap!!!
If you want to get a cheap eat, by all means, go there, but don't expect a top notch experience being that it's near the Biltmore. -
Review from Kristie M.
Fairfield, CA
12/30/2008
I found this place by chance, about a year ago.. It was a Sunday evening around 10pm, ME being the Foodie that I am, was craving Sushi at the wrong time of night (or so I though). I browsed around online not thinking I was going to find anything Open (Let alone, a Sushi Restaurant) and WHA-LA.. There she was.. "ZEN 32" Open til 2am everyday, Serves Sushi Till Midnight. How Can you beat that?!?
My boyfriend and I zoomed over, and were amazed to find how good the food was, not too mention the atmosphere. Their menu is simple and delicious. Did I mention, their open late. This is defiantly one of the best Sushi Restaurant I've found here in Phoenix. Needless to say, I am a frequent customer of Zen 32! I highly recommend it, for all those late night eaters.. Or Sushi Buffs! ENJOY.. -
Review from Aileen B.
9/12/2008
Happy hour prices seemed decent, but the selections I tried (spicy tuna roll and salmon roll) were lackluster in taste and quality. I do have to recommend the soft-shelled crab appetizer... oh my!
While the prices beg for another try, it's going to be awhile till I visit again- so many restaurants to try first!
If you want great sushi, try Sakana on Elliot and I-10, or Old Town Scottsdale's Kyoto. I definitely am not a fan of Ra. -
Review from Stephanie K.
Manhattan, NY
9/2/2009
Prior to coming here last night I've only been here for happy hour after hiking Camelback so last night was first time actually eating here for dinner. The happy hour food isn't that good. But that's to be expected as they are giving the food away for free.
So skip out on the happy hour in the bar for food and actually get food from their menu. Get the drinks though because their sake flights are delicious. It gives you a lot of variety when you order the Diamond, Pearl, and Silver one, because that one really gives you an idea of what sake is.
Back to the food...the sashimi is actually pretty good. The cut was off, but the grade of the tuna was really good. The spicy tuna roll was amazing! And their specialty rolls are cute, not as much variety as other places, but I do love the addition of sprouts in the roll.
The waitress was kind enough to wait on me and my friend, even though we took forever to order! I will be back for dinner again! But I can't say how soon, seeing as Delux is right there, and that place is the best! -
Review from Todd B.
Glendale, AZ
1/7/2010
Like most of the rest of the people who have reviewed this place I'd say it's right in line with A-Ok. Really nothing special to write home about. Not great, not bad, just another sushi place to eat at.
Location is great on Camelback and 32nd St, sushi just ok, ambiance is not so bad. This is another place that the pretty people go to. When I think of great sushi I'm looking for an authenic family run restaurant with some flair. Still I keep coming back here every so often, I guess I want to feel cool every once in a while. Well I have to admit Zen 32 is doing something right. -
Review from Nikki S.
Denver, CO
4/15/2009
I am so surprised that this place has such mediocre reviews! Maybe I had a fluke experience or something, but everything about it was phenomenal!
I must admit we didn't have sushi, we had edamame, lettuce cups, a teriyaki chicken dish, and the horseradish mashed potatoes.
Oh my gosh, it was all lick-you-plate-clean delicious! I mean the sauce that came with the lettuce cups was really incredible - a TON of flavor! The horseradish had the perfect "hint" or horseradish so they weren't overpowering and the teriyaki chicken was far from average!
We had drinks and for 2 the total was $50 bucks or so, and we had a great, attentive, funny server. I have nothing to fault the place with. I'll keep going, and hopefully my standards stay about the same! -
Review from Kimberley M.
San Francisco, CA
3/11/2009
HAPPY HOUR is why this place exists in my mind or on any list with four stars.
FREE FOOD paired with spendy but stiff martinis isn't a bad thing.
Great ambiance.
Sultry and softly lit. Modern.
This is a good place for happy hour with a date or friends. -
Review from Kathleen K.
Phoenix, AZ
6/24/2010
My favorite sushi Happy Hour in town! For only $3/roll, you can get very high quality yellowtail rolls, tuna rolls, etc. Also, their fliritinis are amazing if you're looking for a cocktail; they even come with a little shaker and extra "champagne bomb" so it's two-for-one on top of the HH price! It also goes until 6:30 which is nice (I hate those HH that only go 'til 5:30-6 - who is out of work by that time?!) and they have a reverse HH, as well.
As for the ambiance, the main dining room is average but I really enjoy sitting out on their misted/heated patio, or check out their back bar which is cool and intimate.
I'd give Zen 32 5 stars but for their spotty service. I've had awesome service here (had my birthday HH here recently and the server was so great about accommodating my party of 13, including splitting up the check for us) but I've also had really rude servers who've ignored me and had a generally bad attitude.
Also check out Gelato Spot - which is across the street - for dessert. YUM. -
Review from Tuyen N.
11/18/2009
I should have went to the Safeway next door for sushi.
This was the first time I went to sushi joint, looked at the menu and decided that the best sounding thing was the steak. I opted for the grilled salmon and wasabi mash. While I am a huge sushi fan, the price of the rolls were a wee bit more expensive than some GOOD sushi places I went to. My friend opted for a bento box that had a crab nigiri (which was simply a half a stick of imitation Krab on top of rice). So sad.
My plate arrived and looked like a garden threw up on my plate. The steamed veggies were scattered around my plate like the salad shooter malfunctioned. The grilled salmon was just okay, served on top of wasabi mash that was also just okay.
The server was also very clueless. She brought over a bowl of miso soup and sat the soup between my friend and I. I wasn't sure who it belonged to so I asked for straws so we could share. =) She didn't think it was too funny. She said she wasn't sure whose meal it came with so she just left in the middle so we can figure it out. (THANKS!)
By the way, the waitresses were wearing traditional Chinese dresses. Shouldn't they be in a kimono or something? Who is the smart white guy that owns this place?!
I walked away from Zen 32 and I won't be back. -
Review from Kyle K.
Tempe, AZ
4/16/2009
3.5 stars. I've been here a few times, but last night I was slightly impressed as the food seemed a bit better than I had remembered from previous experiences.
The servers/hostesses in the Chinese dresses (yes, they are in the Chinese style, not Japanese - why, at a sushi restaurant?) are way tacky and gimmicky. It's not "authentic", it looks like a costume party.
The sushi we had was pretty good. I don't really have any complaints. Everything seemed fresh and well-prepared. The spicy tuna roll in particular was very tasty and perfectly spicy. As far as the service went, it was accommodating and prompt, our server was great.
The only thing I would gripe about is the prices. They're not out of control, but they seem a bit pretentious for the overall quality of food. Zen 32 (to me) is a casual restaurant at heart. Beneath the neon color-changing pillars and pan-flute "Cherry Blossom Serenity" soundtrack, I think it is longing relax a little bit. The atmosphere is great, but can the costumey dresses, adjust the prices a bit, and stop trying to be Vegas' hippest new sushi bar, and Zen 32 could earn that 5th star. -
Review from Dan H.
Phoenix, AZ
4/7/2009
This place has had its ups and downs and now in true conformity to the name of city it's in, it has risen from the ashes.
When it first opened this place was awesome:
Hentai playing in the bar area and good spicy tuna rolls which were my favorite at the time.
Over time the restaurant went downhill, the quality of the fish was lowered and overall it seemed too overpriced for what you got. The yellowtail tataki was probably the only thing that kept being good through its down phase. Hentai on the projector was replaced with weird video effects that go with the music.
Now the place has increased the quality of fish, they have fresh chopped wasabi available on request and a great selection of cold Sake. Hentai isn't back but Anime replaced the video effects. I'm happy to go to Zen 32 again. -
Review from Jaime M.
Tempe, AZ
7/5/2008
The sushi is really, really good, 4.0 stars. The service not great, 2.0 stars. It is worth a try though, you never know, you might end up with some accidental hire that is actually nice, and can refill your drinks in a timely manner.
This place is a hip Camelback quarter place. Not too trendy like the here today gone tomorrow Scottsdale variety. The place has been there for a long time and serves consistently good sushi. Worth a try if you are in the area, or are looking for a nicer place to dine. -
Review from Alicia B.
Boston, MA
Updated - 8/26/2008
First off, thanks to Jerad, back from sabbatical, for his animated service last night. Lesson learned? Don't ask questions, unless you really want to hear the answer. But, his enthusiasm was infectious and cute. Even better, he was a great server in the way he was friendly, attentive, respectful and charming. Nicely done. He had us laughing most of the evening, which was a welcome relief from the woes of Monday.
My friend and I hit this place up for their happy hour. I hadn't been in a while, so it was a no-brainer. Zen 32 is a sure-bet to me. I'm always going to find something on the menu I like, and I'm usually going to walk away very satisfied. It's not the most amazing sushi i've had, but it's predictable in the sense that it'll hit the spot every single time, no matter what I choose to try.
I ordered the salmon sashimi, veggie roll and yellow tail w/ scallion roll. They were very, very good. The yellowtail w/ scallion is a new fave. For sure. To wash it down, I had their Belgian White Ale. Tasty.
I gotta say, their happy hour prices are incredible. $3 per roll or sashimi order; $2 edamama; $1 off draft beer. I'm pleased to say I can come here and stuff my face without emptying my bank account. Plus, the HH menu is pretty diverse, too. From spicy to simple, you got options.
So, Zen 32, you're still a top favorite of mine. Anytime anyone suggests coming here, the answer is simple: yes! Their service, selection and sushi are tried-and-true. And that's all that matters to me. Mmmm.Listed in: Phoenix Happy Hour Hot Spots.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/9/2007
I admit, it's trendy. It's popular. It's closer to Americanized sushi than traditional. But it's… Read more »
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Review from Jessica P.
Phoenix, AZ
3/2/2009
Yeah... the sushi is nothing to write home about. NOTHING compared to my favorite place (see my profile if interested.), especially the service.
This place is about seeing and being seen. Wear your best because they will be looking at you.
I know I won't be back for the sushi.Listed in: Sushi Tour
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Review from Jessica A.
Crosby, MN
6/8/2010
I'm really surprised that this place doesn't have that many good reviews... we love it!
Well, we love the prices at Happy Hour! And Happy Hour til 6:30pm... awesome! And then a reverse Happy Hour for later folks. Why wouldn't you like that?
Everytime we've been here we've had good to great service. The sushi has always tasted awesome!
One time a friend from Chicago was visiting, and I brought her here for lunch. She loved it! Plus we had some awesome, awesome low carb rolls (soy paper, no rice).
There's a large patio area outside (for when the weather's cooler). And plenty of seats inside. Yes, the bar area is in the back... which does seem odd. But they still have your traditional sushi bar to sit at as well.
We'll keep going and going.... and going! -
Review from Chad H.
Phoenix, AZ
4/16/2009
My simplest review yet:
- Garbage sushi
- Awkward, out-of-place music
- Below-average server
- Overpriced
- No plans to go there again -
Review from Sophie M.
Phoenix, AZ
1/30/2008
Zen 32 is terrible. In every aspect. The sushi is fishy, it's too crowded, and the servers are rude/clueless/slow.
'nuff said. -
Review from Leanne S.
5/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
I've been to Zen 32 a lot not sure what's taken me so long in writing this...
Decent food, tasty cocktails and good service is how I'll sum it up. If possible I prefer sitting on the patio. There's something about the interior that makes me feel a little crammed in there.
Lunch is also very good here. For under $10 bucks you can get a bento box and dessert!
