Kazu Japanese Restaurant
9965 San Jose Blvd,Ste 35, Jacksonville, FL, 32257
Kazu Japanese Restaurant Menu
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Address :
9965 San Jose Blvd,Ste 35
Jacksonville, FL, 32257 - Phone (904) 683-9903
- Website https://www.kazujapaneserestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Tonya C.
Been here several times. The restaurant is always clean, service is always courteous and the sushi always fresh. The also have a happy hour sushi, I think every week night, it's a good deal. Highly recommend!
(5)James W.
Always a pleasure to dine here! The staff are all great and the food is ALWAYS on point! Kazu is my favorite restaurant in Jacksonville!
(5)Caron S.
Well deserved, 4.5 stars. Kazu had some of the freshest fish I've had in a long time and this spot certainly my new favorite Japanese spots in Jacksonville. Great atmosphere, super friendly service and the food -- it's fantastic! The chirashi (a medley of uber-fresh assorted sashimi accompanied by a mound of sticky rice) is a must. We also ordered the sashimi salad to start which was somewhat similar in that it had a variety of fresh sashimi. Unlike the chirashi it was tossed with a light yuzu vinaigrette and assorted mango, avocado, radish and onions. The pork gyoza were good but the standout from the appetizers was the agedashi tofu. Order this amazing dish. For $4.50 you may want your own order (yes, it was that good). We ordered two rolls of sushi (spider with tempura soft shell crab, avocado, cucumber, tobiko and eel sauce, and the dancing eel with eel, shrimp, seaweed salad, tobiko, spicy mayo and avocado) and they were good but the chirashi and agedashi tofu were better. Grab a friend or two and head to Kazu. You'll love it. Much better than most of the Japanese spots across Jacksonville.
(4)Mario A.
Overall this was a wonderful experience! The waitress was not the best communicator (language barrier), but she was friendly and polite. The food came out in timely manner and was well plated. My favorite part of my experience was that we wondered in on their happy hour (buy one special roll get a regular roll free) I will be back.
(5)Jay M.
The following review was published under my byline in the Florida Times-Union on Thursday, March 6, 2014. This is an original, unabridged version of that review. The former Thai Palace in Mandarin's Merchant's Walk shopping center is once again a destination for Asian tastes with the opening of Kazu Japanese Restaurant in November. More than just a slight format change, the restaurant has pressed the reset button on its décor, and with a much more expansive menu than that of its predecessor. While the restaurant's footprint hasn't changed, it's obvious that owner David Chen has invested in a more lush, inviting experience with an open dining room decked out in neon-blue and red hues. The far wall has come alive as a stony mosaic behind Kazu's sushi bar, with its logo emblazoned in white relief. Your eyes cannot avoid the glowing bar as the centerpiece of the room. While sushi, sashimi and other sushi bar creations claim much real estate on the menu, the kitchen also turns out a healthy share of creative and festively decorated pan-Asian style plates. There's even a nod to Americana - check out those fried Buffalo Chicken Dumplings, one of five varieties here. My dining partner and I cracked the menu with a bowl of the Agedashi Tofu ($4.50) appetizer. This traditional dish features soft tofu lightly battered in tempura with vegetables in a tangy dipping sauce. The soft texture may take some getting used to, especially now that firm and flavorful tofu is a more mainstream protein throughout Asian cuisine. The tasty tempura coating was a solid foundation and container for the tofu rectangles, but for my tastes I'll go back to firmer tofu. For her entrée, my friend chose the Lobster Tempura Roll ($13), an ornately plated eight-piece masterpiece with avocado, cucumber, Japanese mayo and tobiko (flying fish roe) and finished with avocado. The creamy yet crunchy creation easily earned two chopsticks up. In what I now recognize as a subconscious nod to the former tenant, I ordered the Spicy Thai Basil Chicken ($9.95) lunch entrée. The marinated chicken in the stir-fry melee was delicately seasoned and melt-in-your-mouth good. With some business-minded red-hot chili peppers in the mix, it gave a satisfying level of heat but wasn't obnoxious about it, muted a bit by my brown rice dollop. Like all lunch entrees, it came with choice of soup or salad. My house salad with ginger dressing didn't stand out but played its supporting role well. I then went for one of Kazu's house-special rolls, the Spicy Scallop ($6.25). The Japanese-style scallop--not as dense as the bay and sea scallops we often find on our plates in Florida--played well with the avocado, tobiko and spicy sauce and fresh through and through with a slight zing. While you won't find a printed dessert menu here, ask for vanilla or green tea regular or tempura-battered ice cream, or get them mochi-style with a sticky-rice coating. We tried the green tea tempura ($5), an extremely shareable portion with tempura bananas, fresh fruit, whipped cream and chocolate drizzles. It was a decadent way to wrap up our meal. Thirteen varieties of hot and cold sake headline Kazu's bar. You'll also find sparkling, red and white wines, many by the glass and reasonably priced, and well-known Japanese and American bottled beers. Daily lunch specials ($7.95-10.95) include entrees, lunch roll combos and, for those who want a sampling of many tastes, bento boxes with seven choices of meat. Service was attentive and exemplary throughout our lunch. David, the owner, stopped by several times to check on us. While Kazu skips the entertainment factor you find at a hibachi bar, its focus on fresh, quality seafood in a pleasing, upscale-aspiring environment should earn it a loyal following. Kazu Japanese Restaurant 9965 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin (904) 683-9903 kazujapaneserestaurant.c… Type of cuisine: Japanese Hours: Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, Noon to 9:30 p.m. Credit cards: All major accepted Bar service: Beer and wine Children's menu: On dinner menu Catering: Yes Reservations: Yes Price range: Overall, moderate
(5)Cathy L.
This was my first dining experience at Kazu. Extremely impressed with, not only the taste of the food but, the presentation as well. So many things on the menu I must try so I plan on coming back! Tonight I had the rock shrimp tempura as an app and the lobster volcano roll and the spicy scallop roll for dinner. The staff was great and the atmosphere felt casually elegant, comfortable but a little fancy! Great food, with great company at a fantastic restaurant! I most enjoyed it.
(5)Paul C.
Drop one star after having dinner there last night; service was terrible!
(4)Henry H.
The calamari is one of the worst I've ever ate in my life. They have sweet and sour on the same plate that you can dip it in. This basically masks the taste of the calamari. The other appetizers I tried were decent tasting. The sushi rolls that I order didn't taste that good at all. I was quite disappointed after I read some good reviews about this restaurant.
(1)Alisa P.
Pretty good Sushi! Ginger salads here are really good and the atmosphere here is pretty cool! Service I would say they maybe need one more waitress.. Another than that.. I would come here again
(4)Michael H.
I have been to plenty of sushi places and the food was good but service was ok. This place however had both I checked in on yelp and before I could say anything the manager seen the free edamame on my phone and brought them out. The sushi was really good along with the edamame and seaweed salad.
(5)Anitra C.
Please bear in mind that we did not eat sushi here. It's probably best to stick with their sushi because it...well, it doesn't require cooking. Boyfriend and I love going to Japanese steakhouse style places bc it is generally prepared fresh and before your eyes. Because of great reviews, we decided to give Kazu a try. Everyone was nice. The restaurant was clean. Unfortunately, the food was not up to par. I ordered chicken teriyaki with fried rice. The rice was the only saving grace. Chicken was rubbery and half cold, despite being served in a vat of teriyaki sauce on a hot plate. Not to mention, my date's steak and shrimp came out about 6 minutes before my dinner. Speaking of the steak and shrimp, it was also cold, tough and had entirely too much pepper. He gave me a bite and it made my chicken seem like a delicacy. Not good. If you go to Kazu, try the sushi - I heard it's delicious.
(1)Crystal G.
I love Kazu! I have yet to order something I did not enjoy. My absolute favorite is the Lobster Volcano roll but like I said it's all amazing. They have great happy hour sushi specials and later on happy hour drink specials. I would definitely recommend this place! The food, sake, and service are usually great!
(5)billy a.
Wow! What can I say? This place was awesome. From the menu to the service. There was no long waiting and everything was delishouse. I recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves sushi. I know I will be going back.
(5)Patty B.
Great food and fast service. We got the Florida sunrise role, tuna with avocado, salmons with cucumber, and a spicy tuna. All were great except the spicy tuna, which had not much fish and a lot of bland filling. The miso soup tastes great as well. Kid boxes were awesome and plenty of food for my nieces and nephew. 2 boxes for a 6 year old, 3 yr old, and 18 month old who love to eat.
(4)Maya C.
Even though the place is in a shopping center, I still was not expecting it to be as small as it is. No matter, the food was great. The servers are super nice and very attentive. Specials tonight included the Black dragon roll and lobster dumplings and I had both. OMG! They were awesome! I do wish that there were more than 4 dumplings though, but that may be me being greedy. I also ordered a philly roll, my sushi staple. Nothing exciting, I just love smoked salmon. friend and I shared the fried green tea ice cream, which also came with fried bananas, cantaloupe, pineapple with housemade whipped cream. I would go there just to eat that alone. In fact, I ordered more green tea ice cream hehe. I will definitely be back for more.
(5)Andie T.
Kazu has the best, highest quality, freshest sushi in Jacksonville - hands down. As a gluten free person who also tries to eat cleanly and sustainably, I am thrilled that they offer high-quality tamari (a naturally gluten free soy sauce) instead of cheap, corn-syrup-laden "gluten free soy sauce." Even the shrimp sauce is probably the best I've found. The transformation of the old Thai Palace space is beautiful. When the bill came I was pleasantly surprised that it was far less expensive than I had expected. My only complaint is that now I have to work a trip to Mandarin into my weekly dining schedule...but if this restaurant was in San Marco, Riverside or Avondale I'm sure the bill would have been 10-20% higher
(5)Brian S.
Great food, vibrant atmosphere, and a fantastic staff. This is the place to go if you are looking for good Japanese and/or sushi. The menu offers something for everyone, including Bento Boxes for people like my better half who are seafood-adverse. :) I will be going back for sure, and you would be better for going, too.
(4)Valerie L.
The food was not that great. It lacked flavor and it was not worth it. We didn't have such a great waitress. She forgot what each person had to drink. She forgot the soup that comes with the meal and even that was bad. The Green tea smelled like it was old. It took us to wave the waitress and she just didn't seem like she wanted to be there.
(1)Manish B.
Very good Sushi. Very fresh, rolls were a good size, fish extremely fresh and tasty. They gave good portion size on the seaweed salad, more than I'm used to which was nice. The presentation was good as well. The staff were very friendly and attentive. This is one of the better sushi places in Florida. There is nothing outstanding about the decor or ambiance but nothing distracting or irritating either. The seating was acceptable but could have been more comfortable. Yes I have had much better sushi in NY and L.A. but this is very acceptable for Florida as it is very hard to find good Sushi here wether in Jacksonville, Tampa or Miami. Yes I would come back here.
(4)Sharon S.
Had to check this place out since it's right up the road from my house. Man, am I glad I did! Excellent food. I had an eel roll, tempura shrimp roll and pork Gyoza. The atmosphere of the place is also very pleasant. We sat at the sushi bar and the sushi chef treated us to a great fried salmon salad that I will have to order next time. This is my new favorite sushi spot!!! Go treat yourself.
(5)Thunder B.
This place is a gem in Mandarin. We go here for our lunch break at least once a week. Food is always fresh, the service is excellent and friendly. Sushi is one of the best in Jax.
(5)Anna H.
Kazu is found in Merchants Walk shopping Center one of the too many strip like places that line San Jose Blvd. On an up note, the restaurant is very upscale inside. Nicely decorated,open dinging room with the soft neon lighting that has become the newest trend. The sushi bar though small is certainly the center of the room that displays a massive mosaic on the back wall. Reading over the menu it is clear to see Sushi and its many incarnations rolls, sashimi is the star but the kitchen also offers other Asian treats for those who may not enjoy the pleasure of raw fish. We started with Miso @ 1.95 and a beautiful rich Coconut Curry soup @ 4.50. Both soups were pleasing to the palate. The Coconut soup had healthy serving if shrimp, red onion and just enough cilantro to please and tickle your taste buds. We also indulged in Edamame @ 3.50 large portion enough for two. One of the non Sushi guests chose the Grilled Chicken teriyaki @ 12.95 this was served with seasonal vegetables white rice and Teriyaki. The other non Sushi dish was Kazu Spicy Beef, this was also served with the seasonal veggies but a marvelous spicy brown sauce,@15.95. Now for the good stuff, Special Rolls; Jaguar Roll @ 13.95 Crunchy spicy tuna, avocado inside with seared yellowtail,sliced jalapeño with Yusuf sauce. This was great 8 piece delight and I liked the fact there was no Nori just fish. Florida sunrise Roll, with spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, and avocado inside topped with sliced mango with sweet eel sauce @ 11.95 a surprisingly good roll another 8 pieces. We also sampled the Rising Sun Roll @ 7.95 for 6 pieces, comprised of tuna, smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado. Not my favorite simply due to cream cheese. I also added 2 pieces of Hamachi (yellowtail) @ 5.00. The fish was firm and much larger than the rice. Believe it or not we also chose dessert, Green Tea ice cream and the Tempura Green Tea and banana. I like Green Tea ice cream but not with tempura. The batter was greasy and sticky. The oily taste it left blocked the unique taste of the ice cream. One thing I omitted, there is a decent Sake menu. Both hot and cold varieties are offered filtered and non filtered, beer and wine are also available. Service was attentive and efficient and the owner stopped by each table to check in on his guests. Nice touch!
(4)A S.
Best sushi In jax!! And def not going downhill like the other restaurants In town, they are still clean still friendly and still fresh , I can't say I am not comfortable eating at any other sushi restaurant because Kazu has set the bar In every way.
(5)Melissa H.
MY SEARCH IS OVER!! When I thought that exceptional sushi was a thing we left behind when we moved a year ago.... this place blew me and my husband away!! Even beats my favorite sushi restaurant from where we moved from! The food is so clean, flavorful and a complete party in my mouth. Elegant presentation, exceptional flavor...a MUST GO!!
(5)Kate R.
Best place for sushi in Jacksonville! I love going here for lunch as a dine-in at the bar or takeout to get their sushi roll special.There's a special place in my heart for their spicy tuna roll and the yellow-tail jalapeno roll. I have always found the service pleasant, friendly, and fast!
(5)Nate M.
Kazu is the only restaurant in Jax that I know of that flies in fresh fish like Blue Fin Tuna from Japan, LIve scallop and other unique seafood. They also make there own Ginger dressing for their salads. I absolutely hate Ginger dressing, but this stuff will make you a believer. The owner David says they make a fresh batch every couple days and you can tell from the taste. One of my other favorites is the Thai Basil Chicken. So much depth of flavor with the spicy chili, peppers, and basil. Always keep an eye out on Facebook and Instagram for the Daily specials. One of the most recent specials was the Bonzai Roll. I didn't want to order it but i was forced into it. IT consists of Spicy White Tuna, avacado, tempura flakes, salmon, yellowtail, tobiko, and a spicy basil sauce. The housemade spicy basil sauce with avacado and salmon did it for me....soooo good. They also have a crazy science experiment looking Oyster shooter. It consists of Sake, raw oyster, and a quail egg. It's one of the most unique things you will ever see or taste. It is not on the menu so just ask for it. They have great lunch bento box deals at $8.95 and an awesome happy hour deal on sushi rolls, its like buy one get one or something. MY favorite roll is the Spectrum Roll: Tuna, salmon, yellowtail & avocado inside, with tuna & salmon outside, lightly torched with Japanese mayo & spicy mayo. Topped with tobiko, rich crunchy & scallion, drizzled with a sweet wasabi sauce. The light torch on the salmon gives it a nice smokey flavor. They also won Best Sushi in Jax 2014 under Folio weekly. In the end, The owner David is very nice and cares about quality ingredients and primo customer service. If I want sushi, I'm coming here period.
(5)Bristy R.
I've all the bento boxes they are all awesome. All. The rolls are all awesome havent had a bad one yet. The agedashi tofu is good its a soft tofu which is a nice compliment to the crunchy exterior.
(5)Concierge Lock A.
I stopped in for lunch or snack or whatever! I order the same thing no matter what sushi restaurant I eat at!! Rainbow roll unagi ( eel ) hand roll if they have it, and crab salad! But I just ordered two rainbow rolls this time! The presentation was great as well as the proportion served and the customer service excellent! Will stop in when I'm riding thru! Awesome oishi
(5)Dena B.
I feel so lucky that I live so close to Kazu! It is by far my favorite sushi joint in all of Jacksonville! The atmosphere feels so upscale and nice compared to other sushi joints in town and the sushi is my favorite by far! It is a great spot for girls' night dinners!
(5)Geni C.
Very good for Jacksonville Sushi. Because I travel and am able to sample sushi in many places, I know great sushi. Kazu is pretty darn good.
(4)Ginger P.
Terrible service but great food. Florida sunshine roll was excellent and the rice was great. Unfortunately waited approximately 5 minutes to be seated without being acknowledged, sat ourselves and then took about 10 minutes to get water. Waitress asked once what we wanted and never followed up after that. Hoping that bad service was a one time thing because the food was good.
(3)Tighe K.
In town on business, first time eating here. Chose it based upon Yelp reviews. I ordered 3 rolls; Hawaiian, Super Kazu, and Super California plus 2 pieces of tuna nigiri. The food was good, fish was fresh and tasty. I'm not a huge fan of cooked rolls, but this one was good. All three rolls weren't rolled very tight, to the point that I had a couple of pieces fall apart on the plate. Also, the wasabi needed a little more kick. But overall, a good meal. I'd have no issues coming back for another meal.
(3)Gabe G.
Passing through Jacksonville for just one night and needed a place to eat. Found this place and it was amazing. Excellent sushi, great service and really nice ambiance. Highly recommend it.
(5)Tiffany G.
Ordered the rock shrimp appetizer which was so so good! Came with honeydew and cantaloupe.. Really tasty. I also had the spectrum roll and the rising sun. Both were good.. Not amazing, but satisfying enough. 3.5 stars but rounded up for the shrimp app!
(4)Jan B.
Tried Kazu for a second time. This is very likely the best sushi we have had in Jacksonville and we eat sushi almost every week. We had the dragon ball appetizer again - it was as good as we remembered it from 2 weeks ago. We also tried the dancing scallop - delicious. Tempura scallop was perfectly, melt in your mouth, cooked. With 3 scallops its a bit hard to share - but good value given scallop and real crab meat. We also had a spectrum roll and the live uni (5 pieces) both over the top fresh and delicious! Our server was great, as was the sushi chef, who is David's brother. David - not sure if owner or manager? - is very attentive and accommodating. They have a specials menu and a board by front door with all the freshest and specials' fish. Also great selection of cold sakes. Bottom line - We love this place and all the sushi we have tried here. Our new favorite sushi place in Jax!
(5)Jeff O.
Hands down the best sushi I've had in anywhere even close to jacksonville. Their fish is always super fresh and delicious. I always recommend this spot to friends, and we try to eat there at least once a month. I wish all front of house managers were on David's level. He has excellent customer service skills, and great attention to detail. Their plate presentations are so nice you'll find yourself staring at it rather than eating it. Definitely one of my favorite spots in jacksonville!
(5)Vero P.
Lunch special so delish. Massive foods for cheap.... Especially their happy hour. Free yelp edamame check in offer. Will be back. Super customer service
(5)Esha P.
Best sushi place ever! Service is excellent, they work as a team. You may need reservations on busy nights. I had the 911 roll it was very unique and just the right amount of spicy. We also had crab wontons which were recommended by the server and they were awesome. I will definitely return
(5)Mr S.
I like sushi. I travel a lot. I eat sushi just about everywhere. The fact that Kazu is less than 5 minutes from my house may force me into bankruptcy. SERIOUSLY good food. Great service. We eat there on average 1-2 times per week now.
(5)Kelli P.
First time here. Will try again. The smoked salmon Philadelphia roll was good. The pieces were too big. Wish it has been cut into 8 pieces instead of 6. I will not order the crazy roll again. It was fried and too greasy.
(3)Michael F.
This may be the first review I've ever written on Yelp but I had to give this restaurant five stars. I've been lucky to eat at some of the most renowned restaurants in the world, and I never expected to find an extraordinary sushi restaurant in Jacksonville. Kazu was extraordinary. Incredibly creative sushi presentations that did not veer so far from traditional dishes as to be unrecognizable. We ordered omakase and it was a delight. Yellowtail belly with a light basil sauce was spectacular. Amaebi, usagi with uni and many more. Delightful tatakis. Wasabi Gyoza. Each one delighted. Shockingly composed and creative cooking. Come, put yourself in their hands and sit back to enjoy the ride. Also a stonking bargain for the experience.
(5)Sherrie V.
Wonderful sushi and they will do everything possible to accommodate gluten free needs.
(5)Leslie D.
This is sushi so good we cannot wait to go back again. Started off with the tuna tataki, barely seared fresh tuna that was very delicious. From there we took a trip around the sushi menu ordering at least 6 different items. Each was so tasty that we couldn't wait to try the next. The stand outs were the Florida sunrise and Spectrum. You will not be disappointed, try them out.
(5)Jane L.
Great Lemon Drop roll, Unique and fresh Red Comet sushi! Excellent service with David. Thanks for the recommendation Jacksonville Magazine, we will return.
(5)Stephanie R.
So far top sushi restaurant in Jax that I've been to! Tried their specialty rolls and they were rolled to perfection and tasted delicious! I'd recommend the Florida sunrise roll :) also had the teriyaki tofu which was great! Yes..I recommended this restaurant!
(4)Dustin S.
Free edamame with checkin
(3)Jule K.
Super yummy thanks always great place to go and have launch !!! Everybody should eat here
(5)Doug R.
Decided to try this place for the first time. Previously, the space had been a Thai restaurant followed by a Mexican place. My expectations were low. But, the new owners added new lighting, tables/chairs, a sushi bar and took down some half-walls etc.; basically remodeled the space which was needed. The interior looks good. The service was friendly and the food I had was tasty. I went with the lunch special which included 3 sushi rolls and a small salad for $10.95. I will go back and recommend Kazu for a lunch spot.
(4)Aldo R.
What a great new addition to the Mandarin area! I am naturally leery of restaurants in strip malls, but hey, strip malls are everywhere in Mandarin. This place is clean, modern looking, has great service and food. We had maki sushi, bento boxes, miso, and a couple apps including pork dumplings and yakitori. Everything was delicious, timed well, and presented very nicely. Side bonus- Japanese electronic music playing gently in the background. We will definitely return as this is the go-to Japanese restaurant in the area. Make sure to use the $40 voucher for $20 special Yelp has right now.
(5)Jacquelyn H.
We were in town visiting family for Christmas when we found Kazu. The food was very good, decor was elegant and staff was delightful. The only thing I could criticize would be the miso soup, it was very bland and none of our party liked it. We would definitely go back.
(4)Juan L.
I want to update my last review of this place. The server must have been having a bad day last time she attended us because she's been amazing every time we've gone back. It's no excuse but give her a chance! Also, the food is still simply amazing. I always get the pick three sushis and I'm never disappointed!
(5)Aster M.
Kazu was great... Best sushi restaurant I have been to in Jacksonville! Clean and very intimate space, friendly staff and owners! Food was very fresh and flavorful... Amazing experience!!!
(5)David B.
The only reason I do not give Kazu five stars is that I do not know enough about sushi to do so. What I DO know is that without question the sushi here is fresh and beautifully prepared. I love eel, and the unagi (freshwater eel) sashimi is as good as I've had anywhere. In fact, the sushi at Kazu is as good as at the best sushi restaurants in Minneapolis, a famously demanding city for good sushi. After having lived the last fifteen years in such a superb town for sushi, it is nice to find that Kazu matches Minneapolis' best for flavor. After two visits and three of their rolls (the Jaguar, the Dragonfly, and the Red Dragon -- my favorite!) I am confident that any Jacksonville sushi lover should get to know Kazu.
(4)a d.
Loved the atmosphere, presentation and food. Had the shrimp dumplings, shrimp tempura, sushi rolls, tofu appetizer and the amazing curry shrimp soup. Will definitely be back soon.
(5)Rhea W.
Typical Chinese own Japanese restaurant. I didn't like the food at all. Too pricy for very small portion, presentation is overwhelmingly tacky. Who wants blue ice cube light under sashimi?? Management was extremely rude. I will not recommend this place to no one and will not ever go back again.
(1)Thomas H.
I'm always disappointed with how little people know about sushi. I'm sorry, but this is not that good. I just had the sushi lunch and it was...meh. In short- the miso soup didn't have enough miso paste (a cost-cutting measure), the salad was rubbish and the rice was all wrong. It was not proper short grain rice and it was not properly vinegared (not enough sugar and sushi vinegar). The actual fish was not bad, it was ok but not great. In Japan more importance is placed on the rice. I read a positive comment here from a member who has lived in Japan, but I have to disagree. This is not the real deal. It's not made by Japanese and it is a waste of money. Why 2 stars? It is clean and well decorated and the staff was polite and attentive. They are just making a product that is beyond their ability. They don't understand Japanese cuisine. Sorry.
(2)Steven R.
Tried Kazu on a whim. Our usual sushi place closed very suddenly and we were very hesitant to try a new place since we are very picky about our sushi and the way the facility smells with all that fish in it. But the reviews looked good and we were not disappointed. Food was excellent and the place was. Small but not too small. Nice and cozy. We enjoyed our time sitting at the sushi bar talking with the chefs. Definitely will go back.
(5)C Darold G.
A real find in the Mandarin area. Decor is very urban Tokyo and the sake menu is premium and chosen with care. The sushi is fantastic, fresh and flavorful. This place is a must visit for sushi aficionados.
(5)Stephanie D.
I love this place. I admit I'm not a sushi expert, but I enjoy their sushi. My favorite is there Bento box however. It gives you a great variety of food. And actually my favorite thing about the restaurant is the owner. He greets us like we are old friends. Such a nice guy and such a smart restaurant owner! I try to get there once a week.
(5)David S.
Sushi tastes fresh. Restaurant is clean and has a nice look to it. Would definitely come back. Recommend trying it. Also 15% off bill if you check-in.
(5)dana l.
my family and I love this place. we found it looking for Hamachi kama and it's the best in Jax. they also have some unique rolls we really enjoy. we eat here every week now since the food is really good and the manager and staff are so friendly. we really like this place.
(5)Janice C.
Decent food. A little pricey. Great service- very personalized though I wasn't convinced our waitress knew a lot about the food.
(3)M H.
I use to think this place was good, but the last time I went there it wasn't a great experience at all. For them just opening for lunch the ladies restroom was dirty. The quality of food has gone down and the service is just terrible. The servers are either a deer in a headlight or in a hurry (when there is barely anyone there). The owner will only give you a friendly greeting if you're in a business attire or a regular (sorry that driving 45mins to spend a min of $50 isn't in the cards for me). I use to come here once a month, but after the last experience I will never come back. This is a great place for people who know nothing about sushi. Which Jacksonville does not. Lastly, the location of this place makes it definitely not worth the drive.
(1)Lisa O.
I came in with high expectations based on the stellar reviews I read here on Yelp . I walked in on a Sunday afternoon for lunch when it wasn't very busy. We decided to sit at the bar so we can watch the television. Based on the reviews I expected the service to be attentive and the quality of the food to be very good. We first ordered our drinks up on sitting down and a few minutes later we placed our order of food. Our soup came but our drinks had not arrived yet. I had to remind the waitress to bring us our drinks. We ordered a cup hot tea but it was lukewarm at best. The food arrived and it was pretty good but nothing memorable. Once we were done with our food instead of the waitress coming over to us and bring us out check we had to sit there waiting for her and then having to get up and going over to her to get her attention. I was very disappointed in the quality of service and lack of attention . I was quite surprised by the lack of service based on the many reviews written by other Yelpers. Although the food was good, I don't think I would really recommend this place based on my first experience.
(2)Jennifer S.
NOT for those who love Sushi. Was disappointing. Having lived in Japan, NYC and LA, this place was highly recommended to me. Their Kazu rolls are great. I would NOT recommend getting anything outside of sushi/maki/rolls. Their a la carte menu with stir fried noodles, basil chicken are one of the worst i've tasted. Their sushi isn't that great...I'd say that Kamiya 86 much better. The restaurant is in Mandarin, near Wholefoods.
(2)Eva K.
Hands down best sushi I have every single time. Always fast, fresh and extremely good quality. Additionally, the staff is just as amazing. They always remember my name and my coworker and I have even gotten free ice cream from them before. I love this place. The sushi is absolutely incredible every single time.
(5)R N.
We tried this place the other night off of Yelp reviews and weren't disappointed. The sashimi was top notch; actually everything was. Happy hour is the time to go: free roll with every special roll. The tempura ice cream is in my dreams too! Best sushi we've had in Jacksonville.
(5)Beth W.
We got sushi this past Sunday night. My husband and I kept showing each other various pieces saying "LOOK at how much fresh fish is in this one!" It was SO so good. This is the real deal. We also had a yelp deal which makes it even more amazing. Will be back again, and again...
(5)Suzy R.
We had sushi from Kazu delivered to our office for lunch. It was amazing!! What a treat!! This is not just another sushi place. My whole office raves about it!! Can't wait to visit the restaurant in person. I hear it is beautifully done in presentation and interior.
(5)Jennifer M.
Excellent, super fresh sushi. Beautiful presentation and atmosphere as well. Plenty to choose from and the rolls are a little different than the norm. Our new favorite place!
(5)Moneek L.
We went closer to when they closed and the food and service was great. I went with a yelp recommendation to try the tofu appetizer and it was amazing. We also got the chicken lettuce cups and throughly enjoyed them. The avocado salad was awesome. Everything was so fresh. My husband had the ny steak strip and was amazed. The sushi was out of this world. I will definitely be back and will recommend it to my family and friends.
(5)Andrew C.
I went here last night with my dad & absolutely loved it. You can tell the owner has an eye for quality sushi for those who can appreciate it. But what he's also done is add sushi staples to his menu for those who want a casual sushi or who have a mixed crowd. Everything is very clean, they have a fantastic selection and the sushi chefs are true artisans. Everything was great... the tuna dumpling stood our as did the photo of three things I'm adding to this review. Two thumbs up and I'll certainly go back!
(5)JJ H.
Great sushi its one of my new favorites I also tried the yuzu saki it was awesome... try thier fresh sashimi. Will definitely come back. Check in and get 10% off. Oh they also gave us a complimentary salmon dish which was very nice of them.
(5)Marty S.
Fazu is a fine Japanese restaurant located on San Jose Blvd. in the same plaza as Carrabba's. We went for dinner on a Saturday evening at 6:30 and it was about one third full. Within the hour it was starting to reach capacity. Based on our tastings, this was to be expected as the food was excellent. The wait staff was very attentive and knowledgeable as to the menu items and the excellent selection of sakes. We both had the Bento Boxes. Mine was the Sashimi (8 pieces) and my wife's the Spicy Tai Basil Chicken. Both boxes contained that day's daily chef's appetizer special, sushi rice and 7 California rolls. The presentation was eye appealing and the food was top rated. Kazu is open for lunch and dinner and provides a wide array of starters, appetizers, Bento Boxes, Maki Rolls, Sushi entrees, Special rolls, Sushi or Sashimi selections, plus dinner entrees (chicken, seafood, steak and Japanese specialties. We are very much looking forward to working our way through the innovative and appetizing menu. The warm reception and attentive staff compliments the dining experience.
(5)Jason B.
Took the whole family (11 and 7 year olds) and my wife. We LOVED it. We all ordered Bento boxes with different rolls. The food and the rolls were excellent. The Children enjoyed their chicken and I had the salmon which was prepared perfectly. The atmosphere was great and the wait staff very attentive yet very comfortable. I will go back many times!
(5)Julie C.
Wow this was an AWESOME dinner. The fish is fresh the presentation is beautiful. The rolls are large and delectable. The server Ariana (beautiful girl) was GREAT. We will be making this our go to Sushi Joint. When we were leaving the restaurant another table ordered an abundant of sushi for two and it was served in a boat the length of their table and by the look on their faces they were enjoying every bite. It was so tempting to come back the next night but we actually restrained ourselves.
(5)Natalie M.
I've eaten sushi for more than 20 years...this place, by far, has the highest quality fish and ingredients I've had in town. The presentation of each plate is unique and beautiful. I will absolutely keep coming back...even though I live at the beach!! Thanks Kazu!
(5)Khanh B.
We were actually headed to subway but saw this new Japanese restaurant and decided to go there instead. Best decision ever. The food and sushi were both very good. You have to try the Buffalo chicken dumplings. They were amazing!!
(5)Thomas W.
Great food, great ambiance. Service was a little slow but it was valentines day so it was to be expected. Will definitely go again.
(4)Carrie B.
Most delicious sushi in Jacksonville! Everything is so fresh, the sushi melts in your mouth! If you can appreciate good sushi, you MUST eat at Kazu!
(5)Todd W.
My wife and I tried this place yesterday for lunch. Both of us had the lunch specials. Her tempura was not cooked all the way, as it was doughy. My Spicy Thai Bento was ok, but the sushi that came with both lunches, was obviously not fresh. Pretty sad due to having a sushi bar on the premises and not utilizing it....not a good first visit for us, most likely our last. Shame!
(2)Debra L.
Amazing. Service was impeccable. Food was fresh, flavorful, so very good!
(5)Roxanne S.
Awesome! The atmosphere is beautiful and the food is EXCELLENT ! We are from California and haven't had Japanese food this good since we moved .
(5)Sally L.
Not long after Kazu opened, I violated my "wait 3 months minimum" rule to try it since the initial reviews and their Facebook page hinted that it might not be the typical Jacksonville strip mall sushi roll joint. Indeed, I'm glad we went, and we have continued frequenting Kazu ever since. Being Asian and partially Japanese, I have a familiarity and love of good sushi. My husband and I tend to be purists, and veer away from the likes of deep fried sweet potato rolls with shrimp sauce and concentrate on good fish. Kazu has excellent quality sashimi, and owner David goes to great lengths to procure superior seafood from Japanese distributors. He has occasional specials as well, which make for an interesting dining adventure. Some of the unique things we've had include live scallops, grilled squid, hamachi Kama (collar), Kumamoto oysters, and belly cut toro. Along with the fish, we also enjoy small plates like the yasai (vegetable) dumplings which have a surprisingly interesting green tinged wrapper, and the wasabi coated shumai, also green hued. Fun, and also yummy. One particular dish that I think represents the spirit of Kazu is the tuna dumplings-- crab (with a C not a K) enclosed in dumpling "wrappers" that are fresh tuna, dressed with a light sauce on Shiso leaves. Inventive, attractive, and delicious! Kazu also has a generous selection of creative rolls and other Japanese standards, including beef and chicken dishes. Mochi ice cream is beautifully presented with fresh fruit and a dollop of whipped cream. The best thing about Kazu is David's intention. He wants to bring better quality, more unique ethnic cuisine, and greater adventure to Jacksonville dining scene. Along with that, he understands how to make people feel welcome and comfortable. He's at the restaurant every day, and I would venture to guess he knows most or all of his customers by name and palate. If you like sushi, Kazu delivers. If you are want an interesting Japanese meal unique to Jacksonville, go to Kazu and talk to David.
(5)J P.
Best Sushi in Jacksonville hands down! Super fresh and the rolls are a good size! The Florida roll is delish, but I've loved everything I've ordered the 7 times I've been there. You really can't go wrong at this place. I can not eat sushi anywhere else in town now as I would just be wishing I went to Kazu instead. Only issue is for me is the location in mandarin is kinda far for me. I hope they open a second location in Riverside/Avondale or San Marco soon!
(5)Barry C.
Our newest "go to" restaurant......we've been there only three times in the past week. Hmmm, maybe we shouldn't overdo this? Nice feel about the place, in addition to wonderful food and prompt service. No sense in going into excruciating detail about every bite. Let's just suggest you'll enjoy it if you like Japanese food.
(5)Michael L.
Kazu just opened and we ate there last night. This is my new favorite place for Japanese food, especially the sushi. The fish was extremely fresh, and well made. We love this new place. The Mandarin area has needed a place like this for a LONG time!
(5)Craig A.
The pork gyoza was great! One of the few places in Mandarin that makes a spicy tuna roll properly. The red dragon roll and the spectrum rolls were also really good. My wife highly recommends the coconut soup. Our new favorite sushi/Japanese in Mandarin.
(5)Hugh P.
What a good find by Yelpers. Our meal was excellent. You have to try when you are in Mandarin. As a matter of fact it is worth a drive for the good sushi. My fried rice was very tasty too. I would have to say that this restaurant can give any other sushi restaurant a run for the money. Just try and you will leave happy.
(4)James D.
Kazu blew my mind. The menu is rich with variety but the sashimi and specialty rolls shine brightest. Live scallop is hands down one of the top things I've ever eaten. Ever. They also have fatty tuna, which is as good as it gets in Jacksonville. I'm genuinely at a loss for words. This place is so good. It's great. I mean it. If you're in the mood for sushi, go to Kazu. Period.
(5)Laura B.
Not the worst sushi we've ever had. I would call it bland. I suggest ordering shrimp or eel sauce depending on your preference. We ordered: Clear soup - not the usual we order. May have had soy sauce in the base, plus they charge for it if you only get sushi, not a fan Florida Sunrise - the mango and avocado were fresh, shrimp was good size, spicy tuna was anything but spicy Shrimp Tempura - has avocado (?!) - no thank you, 1 roll was 5 huge pieces, not good to share Lobster Volcano - tobiko (roe) was minimal but good quality, white tuna and lobster salad were unremarkable Overall - rolls are cut too big, bland flavor, I do like their breading on the tempura, don't forget the sauce Service was good, drinks stayed full and plates were cleared efficiently.
(4)Cheuk K.
A couple of friends and I went here on Saturday night after seeing all the positive Yelp reviews for this place. The first thing I noticed was the beautiful design of the interior space, and it had a very modern and fancy atmosphere. The place was fairly packed, and the noise level was medium which was expected on a Saturday night. For food, we ordered the calamari, grilled salmon bento, spicy Thai basil chicken bento, and the butterfly roll. First off, the quality of the calamari was not very good. It felt like it was one of those frozen pre-made ones you would get from a grocery store. My friend who ordered it gave it a 2/5 and said it was one of the worst calamari she has ever had (Sriracha did not help improve the flavor). For the grilled salmon bento, I really enjoyed it, and the salmon was cooked perfectly. The sushi, vegetables, and rice that came with my bento were also excellent. The grilled salmon bento gets a 5/5 from me. However, the spicy thai basil chicken bento was not as good. The dude who ordered it said it was okay/nothing special, and that he would not order it again. He gave that dish a 3/5. Finally, for the butterfly roll, my wife did not like it at all. The shrimp tempura inside the sushi was COLD! I think they deep fried a bunch of shrimp tempura at the beginning of the night, leave them out, and use them as the orders come in to save time. She also said that the crab meat on the top looked old and dried. She gave the butterfly rolls a 2/5. Calamari: 2/5 Grilled Salmon Bento: 5/5 Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Bento: 3/5 Butterfly Roll: 2/5 (2+5+3+2)/20 = 0.60 0.60*5 = 3 stars + 0.5 star for interior design/atmosphere = 3.5 stars!
(3)Morgan H.
In my first review of Kazu, I stated it was one of the best places in Jacksonville for sushi but I must edit that statement....Kazu is THE BEST (not one of) sushi restaurants in Jacksonville. I have probably eaten here 100+ times since the opened and the food is always great! The owner David is there every single time I'm there and I think that is why this place stands above the rest. He is always making sure that the food is up to your liking. He is personable and really cares about his customers. You can tell he really does strive to have the best sushi restaurant in town and it's working. If you've eaten here and not been satisfied then I urge you to try it again (b/c everyone has their off days) and if you've never eaten here, YOU MUST!
(5)John P.
Best locally owned sushi restaurant I have been to in Jax. Clean restaurant, modern, not tacky. Waitress was very nice and accommodative of our family with two small kids.
(5)Jin Y.
We were driving down route I-95 to Florida from NYC. It was time for us to take a rest and have lunch. We were in the Jacksonville area and found this sushi restaurant. It had high ratings and we decided to give it a try. I ordered the sushi & sashimi combo, which includes, 3 pcs of sushi, 8 pcs of sashimi & a spicy tuna roll ($13.95). I thought the cuts of fish were too thin and could've been thicker. Oh wells, I guess cause it's lunch special. Food was standard.
(4)Nyla S.
When I think about sushi the word FRESH comes to my mind first, and this place is definitely that. The food was only a notch above average to me, but the customer service was amazing. We ordered a little bit of everything because I like making my reviews extra special. Everything came out relatively quick and it was nice and hot. The presentation was moderate and our food lacked flavor. I feel like the sushi, jalapeno shrimp and my noodle dish could've been more seasoned. I'm from the northwest, where every ethnic food group shines with authentivity so I know good sushi when I eat it. I think I would give this restaurant another shot based off of the customer service alone, but I have had better sushi in Jacksonville. One thing I do love is the clarity of their menu though. Probably the best menu I've reviewed at a Japanese Restaurant. If you're driving down San Jose you might miss it without GPS... but they seem to be pretty popular and you might have a different experience than me. Happy Yelping...
(4)Mrs. Marisol R.
The Kani (krab with a "k") salad is excellent. Good enough, that I think they should offer it as an entrée for lunch. I suggested that, and they pithily suggested I just order two... Oh well... When I was sick, I ordered the miso soup. It hit the spot and was exactly what I needed. Excellent well flavored broth with nice size seaweed and the perfect amount of tender diced tofu. The sushi itself is fresh and impeccably prepared. I enjoyed the hamachi and sake (both the salmon and the wine) and they both felt like succulent velvet smoothness on my tongue. Oh so good. The wasabi holds a nice punch. We ordered an appetizer, the Spring Citrus Salmon, and it could be just me, but I did not care for it at all. Though I love all things salmon and all things citrus. The lunch specials are pretty reasonable considering the quality of the fish. This is definitely on rotation as a family dinner out.
(4)Kathy M.
Came here for dinner on a Tuesday night and it was totally worth it! I was granted free edamame due to my yelp check in! I ordered the Florida Sunshine roll and it was delicious with eel sauce! I also ordered a side of vegetable fried rice, which was missing salt but nothing that soy sauce couldn't fix! The owner was also very attentive. Great food! Great price!
(4)Franklin H.
I don't know, maybe it's just me. My wife loves this place, but me, I don't know I guess I'm just a meat and potatoes kind of guy Allah give me the turf and turf in a day.
(3)Gabie R.
The ambiance is beautiful and their sushi, phenomenal. We just tried their entrees tonight and they were above average--Katsu Pork and the Spicy Thai Basil Chicken. My favorite sushi rolls are the New Yorker and the Butterfly, among many others. Calamari is perfect. We always enjoy our free edamame when we check in on Yelp! This is our usual hangout.
(4)Lincoln M.
Best Sushi in jax with a great sake menu. They offer fatty tuna and exotic tuna that no other place in town offers.
(5)Sara R.
Excellent. Who knew in this strip center. Ginger salad dressing is yummy; not too thick or thin. Tuna and Yellowtail sashimi was incredibly fresh. Spicy tuna roll was full of spicy tuna surrounded by a little rice. (Vs tons of rice and little fish). Lots of beers and saki but just a few wine options. Friday night @ 8pm. Busy restaurant but sat at sushi bar. Quick service perhaps because I was alone? Will def return. Glad I found this place.
(4)Mimi I.
What is there not to like about this place?! Their sushi is good and presentation even more awesome! I've been here twice now and they've exceeded my expectations. I asked them for an oyster shot (not on the menu) and they gave me exactly what I asked for! If you live in Jacksonville -- this place is a must! Happy eats!
(5)Dewayne R.
First thing to note is that with ANY business establishment, the service is usually as only as good as the management that forsees it. I've had the pleasure of dining with David Chen's establishment on 2 seperate occasions both business and pleasure. This particular occasion I'm reviewing about the server was very pleasant and not only offered some suggested appetizers as I mentioned I brought along a friend that had never tried sushi be, namely offered the ones I had initially mentioned to start with before even arriving which was a nice touch and showed. The wine selection was pretty standard as you would expect from a wine bar and had great sake selections to choose from (shout out to all the pear). We both ordered the Seafood teriyaki, Dynamite & california roll (when it came to sashimi she wasn't bout that life). The fish came out perfectly seared topped with teriyaki sauce as well as the rice and shrimp being on point, thoughougly pleased enought to take a picture you can view from the gallery. They frequently do event's so this is definitely one restaurant to make reservations for before you come unless your feeling lucky, just know that you are definitely in for a treat, new sushi endeavors or vererans alike, put this at the top of your to-do list.
(5)Samantha P.
I know that everyone touts the best sushi is JAX but Kazu truly is the bombdotcom!! All Hail the sushi Gawds! LoL!! I have driven over 20 minutes, passing so many other Sushi restaurants along the way to get to Kazu..thats how fantastic their sushi is.
(5)Kristen M.
I'm not a huge sushi fan (I get veggie rolls lol) but they were some of the biggest I've had. I ordered to go and they forgot my fried rice though...I was already out the door and gone or I would have called to correct it.
(4)Nery V.
Great fresh food! I ordered yellowtail with jalapeños sushi appetizer and it was absolutely delicious!
(5)C M.
Tried the lady love and super California rolls. Both were ok. Can't put my finger on exactly why I didn't like either. For the lady love roll, maybe the pink seaweed tasted funny. I did however love the coconut curry soup and the kimchi soup. I was pretty disappointed with the sushi, maybe because of all the hype on yelp. Also, their rolls are really expensive, all the house rolls at least $10. Compare to crazy sushi and Mizu sushi, total rip off. And Mizu has a much more extensive menu.
(3)Chuck L.
Absolutely incredible .... Can't say enough about the quality. Read the reviews and decided to try for myself. Best and freshest sushi in town I highly recommend.
(5)D Y.
Since we've moved back to Jacksonville, we've been trying all of the sushi places near our resident for Sake and Sushi night! This one was rated 4.5 so we thought we'd give it a go. Our waitress was courteous and attentive. We ordered sushi for 2 and a hot sake. She brought 2 cups, even tho the sake was for me. Hubs had a cup just to humor me and toasted 'the first time we've eaten here at this restaurant' toast. The owner was walking around greeting each table -- each table was occupied in this small establishment. That is definitely a good sign. 80+ reviews and high rated -- that is A-OK in our book! We ordered the sushi for 2 and got a big boat delivered to our table. It had a combination of a few sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi. It also had a giant 'iceberg' on the side as decoration with several things sticking out of it. Not edible, but pretty fancy. The sushi boat was very colorful and delicious. The rice balls for the nigiri sushi weren't too small or too big. Like Goldie Locks would say, "It was just right!" We think there were sushi specials on a chalkboard by the cashier station but didn't pay it any mind until we were leaving. Perhaps the manager would consider making one or two 'special of the night' sushi's and put that in each of the menu's. That would have gotten mine and hubs attention. Yep, looks like we're going back! Next time we'll try something off of the menu AND have sushi. Kazu Japanese Restaurant meets our approval AND it is a short drive from the house. Recommend!
(4)Cristin K.
Great sushi for people who are pros and rookies alike. Enjoyed the waitress and food was tasty
(5)Kathy C.
Five of us went to Kazu for an early dinner tonight and had a great time. We ordered so much and probably could have ordered more. We were seated immediately upon walking in the restaurant. The server was very nice and funny ... well, we are a goofy bunch... so we were giving a little bit of a hard time, jokingly and he was a very good sport. We started with their octopus and pork gyoza appetizers. Both were pretty good. We asked for hamachi kama (yellowtail collar), which is an off-menu item and they ran out of. So instead he suggested scallop two ways as a special. It was in a beautiful presentation and very very delicious. We ordered several different roll from the good old yellowtail with scallion to their specialty rolls like the spectrum (which was very good). When the server brought our rolls out, it was presented nicely in a sushi boat. Other than all the rolls, we also ordered their Kazu fried rice and it was quite good as well. Overall, we had a great time and a great meal. I would definitely go back again to try other interesting items on their menu.
(4)