Good quality sushi at a very reasonable price. I am a fan of their party platters which are for take-out and can indeed feed a large number of people. My guests always compliment me on the sushi I get from Zen 320. They're really good about getting the food ready by the promised time. The place is very close to the town hall parking lot so it's easy to park nearby (always found a spot). We've eaten in several times and warm food is also quite good as is the sushi. Overall I'm a fan
(4)
Fred M.
Cold night in Brookline Village. But nevertheless went to Zen320. Ordered the mama roll the 007 roll with crabmeat, avocado, cucumber, with a shrimp on top! Everything was most excellent. Service & food was all 4 stars! Lived here 15 years it's the first time I tried it. Try it, I recommend it.
(4)
Mallory C.
I was so excited to try this place, but unfortunately it is not going on the "order from again," list. After being foodler addicts, we ventured back over to Grub Hub, and decided to try somewhere new. We were super hungry, and I ALMOST just said, "let's order from somewhere that we KNOW has good food and fast service." But alas, I never take my own advice. We were intrigued by a lot of the rolls at Zen 320, and the prices! We ordered a ton of food and thought we were getting quite a lot for our money, but- one of the apps we ordered they were out of, and we didn't even want to finish any of the rolls we got.... so we really didn't. The boy had ordered one roll and 2 appetizers, so we thought he'd have plenty of food, but he barely had a meal with the main app being "out, and the measly calamari serving. They did refund our money however for the missing app... The sushi was the biggest disappointment. We ordered the Zen 320 roll, the Sakura roll, and the titanic roll. When we got them, the rolls were so mushy, we couldn't even pick them up out of the tray to eat. We tried with chopsticks, AND a fork, and they just sort of fell apart. They also didn't even look appetizing (and I'm pretty sure one of the rolls was missing a component that was supposed to be on it). We couldn't tell what anything was, and it was all just sort of slopped together. I didn't even want to Instagram it. Sad sushi. The sushi at the cafeteria where I work is far superior- so that says something. The other items we ordered were the calamari appetizer which came with a pitiful five or so small pieces and nothing else, the tempura udon (which was the highlight of the meal and I'm so glad I ordered!) and the kimchi pancakes. The kimchi pancakes were another odd item. I don't know if they were undercooked or what, but they were not really pancakes at all in the sense that you couldn't really pick them up individual. It was more like a big pile of spicy mush with some huge chunks of onion here and there. We basically had to break off pieces and just eat them. It was tasty but definitely not the best I've had. Sorry Zen 320, your menu is a nice idea, but for decent priced, delicious sushi, we'll be sticking with our regulars!
(2)
Greg P.
Mediocre Japanese-Korean on the cheap?? Tucked away on Washington St. in Brookline, Zen 320 probably has an equal number of critics as fans. It's best known as a place for inexpensive sushi. The ambience is lacking with scattered stereotypical decorations. One particularly striking turn-off was the smell. Either their carpeting is extremely musty or the bathrooms have poor drainage. Unfortunately, it did not make for an appetizing experience. The waiter was clearly overworked and seemed to be serving the whole restaurant. He was nice enough but looked exhausted. The food was actually more disappointing than the ambience (which let me tell you, is quite an accomplishment). The shrimp shumai were standard and not impressive. I ordered the bibimbap (hot stone bowl Korean rice dish). It is supposed to be loaded with beef bulgogi (marinated beef). I had three small pieces in mine. Go anywhere else to see how bibimbap is supposed to be made. The price was not much cheaper than other places but was definitely a lot skimpier. I was so hungry after my paltry bibimbap that I also ordered some sushi. I was less expansive than other local sushi restaurants. However, it was also fairly forgettable. Don't expect to be wowed by creative rolls or amazing presentation. It's pretty standard here. One positive, the fish seemed pretty fresh. Overall, I'd recommend you spend the $5-10 extra dollars to eat better Sushi or Korean food elsewhere.
(1)
Shayna C.
I was introduced to this little gem recently, and I must say, it is a place worth stopping into. The two times I have been, it has been very quiet, and nearly empty. You're promptly seated at a nice table, served a salad with ginger dressing, and offered a menu in which you can check off a-la-carte rolls, or decide based on their full menu. The price is incredibly inexpensive, and of decent quality. You can see the slabs of fish as you walk past the main counter, and they have a relatively "fresh" taste to them. I'm not sure if it's fresh or frozen, but it doesn't have that off flavor that comes with previously frozen fish. My favorites are the eel and avocado, and karate rolls. For under $25-$30, you can leaving having a sushi-induced coma, due to all of the rolls and items you can purchase from the a-la-carte menu. Definitely a fan, and definitely making this a go-to stop at least once a month.
(4)
Alex S.
The first time we laid eyes on this place, we weren't sure if we made it to the right place. It's a little off the beaten path and the only thing noticeable about their exterior is their little glowing neon "open" sign. This is your typical "don't judge a book by its cover/interior decoration" scenario. Their sushi is the cheapest I've seen so far in Boston and the quality is really on par (if not better) with some of the nicer places in town. The decor and the ambiance is that of a hole-in-the-wall place (which is fine because their food is delicious). Also, our poor waiter (the only waiter we've ever seen) literally runs around this place serving everyone. Overall, the sushi here is very fresh and the service is quick and efficient. What more could you ask for? Check out my blog (complete with pictures and childish humor) for the full review! thesuchef.org/2013/10/03…
(4)
Cynthia G.
Closed....went by last year 2014 and it was closed!!! Tried calling before and other times and no answer, nothing??? No sign and when went by, times on door said it should have been opened.
(1)
Max W.
Totally reliable, unoffensive sushi. Nothing new or exciting, nothing bad or unappealing. If you're looking to feed a few people (or you're really hungry after a marathon training run) sushi on a budget, you can't beat Zen 320. I prefer takeout since I'm usually pretty hungry when I go there, but the dining room is totally adequate. I wish I could say more about it, but that's about it, and it's not a bad thing. I don't recommend Zen 320 for your first sushi experience because it will be very underwhelming, nor would it be appropriate for a "I want super awesome sushi" dinner. But if you're hungry and sushi is what you're craving... this is your place.
(3)
Evan R.
Epic piles of sushi! $20-$30 gets you a giant platter that will leave you (and anyone you're with) totally stuffed. I don't think I've ever had a bad piece of sushi there in 3-4 visits... crispy tuna... california rolls..... fiery wasabi.... I've gotta stop before I start drooling. I've also had some of their other dishes. They do a nice, crispy tempura and a really good beef stir fry. Ya might as well hop on the sake wagon while you're there as well. I've gotta take 1 star off because the service seems sort of nonchalant, which takes away from the charm and vibe and leaves you feeling a bit like you're stopping at a sushi trough. But is a sushi trough really a bad place to be?
(4)
Sarah K.
This is/was the best sushi place within the Boston area. The las vegas roll and baked salmon/ california rolls cannot be beat. Unfortunately, it seems that they have closed for business. I am not quite sure why as it really can't be beat in terms of awesome sushi. If anyone has any knowledge of the matter, please please let me know!
(5)
Vicky H.
I came here yesterday for lunch and only ordered roll #3 and a mexican roll. Somehow it was mixed up and i got an extra crispy salmon and a soft shell crab roll at their regular half-price price and it was more than the cost of the lunch special and didn't even come with soup. needless to say, i was a bit disappointed and felt bad that it would go to waste so i just told the waiter to ring it up at the lunch special price and I'll take it since it would go to waste, etc.
(3)
Paul N.
Worst sushi on the planet. I can't fathom how they are in business. They forgot my wife food and brought out frozen seaweed salad. When telling the waiter he offered to bring it back into the kitchen till it was thawed. It take almost a hour for any sushi to come to the table. The men's bathroom was broken and had a milk crate in the urinal. The toilet had duck tape on the lid holding it together. If you are looking for frozen sushi, bad service, and a broken restroom Zen 320 has it all!
(1)
Karisa G.
Anytime I get together with my friends, we suggest Zen 320. It is hard to get sushi from anywhere else when the sushi here is SO cheap and SO DELICIOUS! Our favorite roll is the Las Vegas roll.. a must. Just remember that everything on the sushi list is half the listed price and yummy. Sushi comes with a small salad and some lunch and dinner boxes come with miso soup. The service is a very slow but its so worth the wait. Check out the hilarious decor too. I've never had to wait for a table there. I wouldn't go on a first date here, but I wouldn't order sushi anywhere else.
(5)
Vincent M.
Ahh Zen 320... gotta love it. I've been going to this place for years since I've come to live in Brookline. I always thought Zen 320 was a front for the mob. Why you say? Because, on any given weeknight the place is empty, the sushi chef is the same guy, and he's always there! I know he's the owner but, hey, even the owner deserves a night off. Right? Plus it's usually the same six staff employees AND... there's a back portion of the restaurant that's kinda roped off that no one goes in to. I'm telling ya, I've seen people go in, but I've never seen them come out... But the food, that's the important part! For the price, the sushi is pretty darn good. I mean, for four bucks a roll, what do you expect? Expect to wait a good twenty-five minutes to forty-five minutes for the food (depending on the crowd, depending on the night). Also, something that kinda irritates me about Asian restaurants in general, no free refills on the soft drinks. Meh oh well. If you enjoy inexpensive decent sushi, Zen 320 is your thing.
(3)
Lisa B.
This place. Ohhhh, this place! Service is slow (budget yourself 3 hours whenever you go, including travel time, because unless you live in Brookline Village, it's a little bit out of the way), the sushi is so-so (not the best sushi by any stretch of the imagination, but also, and most importantly, nowhere NEAR the worst-- it's pretty good!), but it's BYOB! I don't get the feeling that they like people knowing this, but we bring our own wine all the time. I take everyone I know here. I've even taken my mother. She loved it. I love it. Check it out. It is NEVER crowded. I'm pretty sure 85% of their business is take out.
(5)
Melissa N.
I'm a big fan of Zen 320. It has become one of my regular dining destinations, both for the value and the quality of the food. Things I like: - Really good, fresh sushi. Quality-wise, I would place it on par with Gari Sushi (in Coolidge Corner and Needham), which is much pricier. - Very low prices. Most of the rolls are around $5, and the specialty rolls (including spider roll, caterpillar roll, shrimp tempura, and rainbow roll) are closer to $8. At more upscale places, the same specialty rolls can run you $12 or $14. The menu used to be "50% off every day," which was silly, but they recently scrapped that and now they have a new menu that just has cheap prices, no math required! - The spicy rolls (spicy tuna, spicy salmon, spicy crab) are actually spicy. At other places, they just douse the sushi with "spicy" mayo that actually doesn't bring the heat. These rolls really have a kick. - Free garden salad with dinner. They just bring it over when you order your sushi. Plus, their dressing is delicious! It's more vinegary than the more commonly found ginger dressings. - Hot sake. I know you can find it at most sushi places, but I still wanted to point out that it's here and it's great! Things I don't like: - The decor is quite worn. The booths have shabby pillows on them, and they could use a new rug. - The overly dim lighting makes the atmosphere a bit sketchy. - I wouldn't exactly say I dislike this, but the menus are decorated with glittery puffy paint. It's a bit strange. All in all, Zen 320 has reliably good and cheap sushi, and I'm going to keep coming back!
(4)
paul h.
This place goes easy on your wallet! Half-off sushis! Its so fresh and delicious and huge. Most sushi restaurants around this area are expensive. I recommend coming here to try cheap priced sushi and its so worth it too! Bring quarters with you if your going by car!
(5)
Andrew W.
Interesting place... I was stumbling through Brookline Village with my GF one day and was really hungry, looked at the menu here and went in. One of the first things that will grab your attention is the 50% off sushi gimmick. Why a gimmick? It's a gimmick because it's 50% off all day every day, all day long... that's weird. Why not at least limit it to certain days or hours?? Very Strange! The setup is here is decent, although quite dark. The darkness is perhaps to hide the very, very stained upholstery, which I noticed before I got my food and was a bit turned off. I ordered a dinner combo, because it was a weird time of day and it was just past lunch-combo o'clock. It was about $10, huge, and pretty damn good! I would say food was 4-5 stars. The Sushi seemed fresh, and I received a huge portion I forget what my GF got, but she said it was good too. Sadly the food here is overshadowed by other weirdness. Other weird stuff... lots and lots of fruit flies, which again is a turnoff in a restaurant where one will be consuming raw food. It seemed that there was only two people working, the sushi chef, and our server... who I believe was also on fry and food prep duty. I could be wrong about this, but it does raise some additional questions about cleanliness when your server is handling your food. The bathrooms... wow... the bathrooms were in serious disrepair, with varying half-assed repairs done to them in varying stages. The toilets were heavily stained from hard water and needed a scrubbing, and were seriously brown from lack of cleaning... I can't trust a restaurant that cant take 20 min. a week to keep their bathroom respectable. Overall my food was pretty darn good, and cheap, but there is something quite off about this place. If they cant keep the areas that customers see clean, they can't be trusted to keep the areas that the customers don't see clean. Plenty of other inexpensive Sushi restaurants in Boston, that don't make me wonder if I will get sick if i eat there. Oh and FYI I lived in Korea for a year, and have eaten raw fish in a dirt floor restaurant and felt less sketched out. If I lived close by I would consider returning, but certainly not worth making a trek from well... anywhere to go here.
(3)
Andrew S.
I've eaten here many times, both for dine in and delivery. The sushi itself is pretty good. Not the best I've ever had, but as others have mentioned the prices are fantastic. When I'm looking for quantity, about $20 will give me more than enough food. Aside from the sushi, I've also eaten the shu-mai and gyoza, each of which were pretty tasty. For dine-in, they have lunch specials around $10 both sushi and hot food, so it's still pretty cheap to get a special (with soup!) and an extra roll. The restaurant itself is fairly dark and quiet. It usually isn't too crowded when I'm in there, though I usually eat late lunch (between 2-3). The same waiter is always there, and he's polite and prompt. They began delivery a few weeks ago through GrubHub, and the food always arrives quickly, and unlike other restaurants, will actually bring my food to the door, as opposed to waiting in the lobby of my building. In conclusion: excellent service, decent sushi, fantastic prices.
(3)
Joe F.
Sushi here is fine for the price... the decor? Not quite... Duct tape covering rips in a dirty white leather couch? CHECK Stains on the flesh toned seatcovers in booths? CHECK Gawdy plastic tumblers from the clearance rack at Target? CHECK However, the sushi is pretty good! 1/2 price at lunch made me a little wary of trying it out. Lunch combos have a lot of food for under 8 bucks. The waiters are a bit challenged in terms of customer service, but it's a good spot for the lunch crowd.
(3)
Eric S.
Great "half price" sushi although they do jack up the prices to make it look like a good deal. Eat in or take out, either way, be prepared to wait at least half an hour for your food.
(4)
Nick T.
You have to know what you're getting when you come here. The sushi is cheap. I mean CHEAP. It tastes great for the low Boston price, and is a great location for a small group of friends to go for a meat-free dinner. It is in no way a romantic date destination. Go here, get a few of their a-la-carte sushi menus, and start checking off rolls. A sample of 3-4 rolls per person shouldn't cost more than $20, and it will leave you stuffed and happy going home. If you want sushi on a budget in the general Brookline area, check out Zen320!
(4)
Chuck L.
Best Japanese and Korean food for the price in this area. The Udon noodles are great, I highly recommend the boxed dinners like Alsaka Box which comes with roasted salmon teriaki, dumplings, rice, salad, miso soup, couple of fried wontons, and 6 sushi rolls. Service is friendly and fast sit-down and takeout.
(5)
Allison R.
Oh, hai half price sushi! All the time! Twenty one dollars bought me a philadelphia roll, spicy tuni nigiri, hamachi, and some kind of crispy crab roll...and a Kirin, salad, and tip. Minus one star because they didn't offer us water, and because they only rival my fave sushi joint in metrowest. The wasabi was hotter than your mom, though, which I appreciated greatly. Definitely a solid find, and I'll be back.
(4)
Abbe N.
Great sushi! My friend and I met at Zen 320 for lunch one afternoon and it was just what I needed. The miso soup was so good, especially since it was a cold and rainy day. I ordered 3 rolls (avocado, cucumber and spinach) and it was just right! The spinach sushi was my favorite, surprisingly. The waiter was great and the atmosphere was very laid back. This is an especially great place for college students on a tight budget who are craving sushi. It's best to call and place your order before you arrive so that you have a shorter waiting time.
(5)
Dave M.
great tasting sushi. ONLY BAD THING.......service is slower than molasses whether there's 2 people or 20. other than that it's great. UPDATE: went in on Mar 2012 and it hasn't changed. my review still stands.
(4)
Ange A.
I've been going here for about 3 years now and I won't stop unless the places closes. You can't beat the price and the quality of the sushi! I highly recommend their lunch/dinner boxes. My favorite is their Texas Box that comes with: Soup, Salad, Beef Teriyaki, 2 Fried Scallops, a Fried Dumpling, White Rice, and 6 pieces of Shrimp Tempura Maki, ALL under $9 if ordered before 3 p.m.! Although, if you go there with a large group, expect a wait on your food. There's usually only 2 people running the place. One making the sushi and the other taking orders and preparing the rest of the food. It's the only big downside I can think of, and it's never been a deal breaker for me! I mean, 1/2 off sushi! Does it get any better?!
(4)
Olga Y.
The tea is amazing. The miso soup had too many scallions. The sushi? A prescription for diarrhea. Don't order fish on a Monday.
(2)
Tiffany L.
This sushi place takes ridiculously long for its service, but I don't blame them since they only have ONE sushi chef. The quality is consider good for how much it costs. 12 rolls for fifty bucks...a pretty good deal. i have eaten there quite a bit and I am still alive--have not suffered from any stomach illness for the matter. If you guys don't mind the wait then... i say it is a good go!
(3)
Jared S.
You get what you pay for. Ultra cheap sushi = nearly rotten fish. I used to love Zen 320. Between eating-in and take-out, I must have made 1000 orders over the last 5 years. But the last few times I have been served some very questionable food. Gray shiny tuna, slimy salmon, smelly yellowtail. I stick only to rolls with cooked ingredients now. It has also been my experience that the slightly better fish goes to the dine-in patrons and the worst scraps are given to the take-out crowd. Caveat emptor.
(3)
Katie W.
Half price sushi--Most say don't play with fire unless you expect to get burned, but I have yet to be burned by Zen320. I usually would go here mid week with my roommate for a little sushi night that wouldn't break our bank accounts. We stuck to the basics--rolls that have a high turnover rate in other words so you know the fish is fresh--spicy tuna, spicy salmon, California roll etc, save your adventurous side for a more trusted Duzo. But the sushi was always great and cheap! Service is on the slower side but if your not in a rush and just looking for a relaxing cheap meal, this is a great spot.
(3)
Kelly K.
I've been coming to Zen for more than 7 years and I just can't quit them! The sushi is good and extraordinarily cheap, even better than those all you can eat places. I was there last week, stuffed myself and my bill was less than 20 bucks! I love them so much that they only lose one star for all their faults, and believe me there are plenty! Decor?! What decor? Service.... is.... SLOW! Plan on being there for an hour and a half. There's a funky smell that I just can't place. Ewww. Oh yeah, the booth seating is disgusting, soaked in soy sauce and God knows what else. I just can't break up with them... :/ Zen, I'll always love you....
(4)
Thana T.
Holy sushi! Seriously. So much of it. And so good! And SO fast! Also, 'half-price all the time' just means 'I am regularly priced sushi but this ploy makes you think you're getting a deal!'. $5-6 for 6 california rolls is pretty standard, I don't know where you've been eating your sushi at. In other news, their menu is quite long and made decision making quite difficult. How can you expect me to choose?! Philadelphia rolls make me happy, though, so there's always that. Wait staff and ambience was normal and what you'd expect for a restaurant of this caliber. Nothing too fancy and it was just right for a Friday after-work meal with coworkers. I will definitely be back again. In other news, I can't comment on what I think was a group bringing in their own beer? Intriguing...
(4)
Sarnie M.
This was my first time going to this place so I had no clue what to get. But they have these great dinner boxes that have a little bit of everything and it's only $10. Also the sushi is half off. I recommend this place to check it out!
(4)
Chelsea W.
YES! This place is a little sketchy, with its fake trees, prints of some european waterfront, and stained seats. But you can enjoy yourself here. The sushi is "half-off", equals about $4/roll. The waiters and waitresses are attentive, yet give you plenty of space to enjoy your sushi with as much wasabi, ginger, and soy sauce as you desire. Since this place does not have high traffic, the freedom to enjoy your meal without being stared at by the waitress is important! I have eaten sushi from a variety of places in boston, and this place makes the best spicy tuna roll. I have been back 3x already for it!! Visit this gem of a place, it is definitely an experience.
(5)
Jeremy K.
4 stars and here's why 1/2 price maguro, my fav! i could eat a ton of this stuff, and when i do, its only 1/2 the price! its true the one server and the sushi chef are like a comedy routine, he screams at the waiter, the waiter freaks out, you get your food, the last part is the only important thing in my book, oh that and the half price sushi! I use to go often due to proximity, now i almost never go also due to proximity, but when I'm in the area and they are open, I'm there for the sush! beware tho, sashemi is NOT half off, but still yumyum.
(4)
Bria S.
You really can't beat a sushi menu that's HALF PRICE all the time. The quality is good, not great, but can you really argue for the price you pay? A word to the wise - ONLY DO TAKEOUT at this place. The service is incredibly slow, and they don't always get your order right. So, make sure to order take out and actually open your order before you leave to make sure there are no mistakes.
(4)
Thuy T.
This place is alright, decent sushi for a decent price. I come here mainly on weekdays because when they are busy its crazy in there but even being the only group in the restaurant, it takes a bit long to get our food. I guess its because there is only one waiter there and i can tell he is trying his best. If your looking for a decent sushi place for a decent price and have time to wait, this place is a good place to come to but if you come here on a weekend and it is pack, expect to wait a very long time for your food.
(3)
Kay A.
1/2 Price sushi all the time!!! Well, maybe they just don't want to update the menus or they enjoy the gimmick, I dunno. This place is okay, whenever I go, I get wasted on sushi, full on food baby, folks, so it's good it's cheap. At first it's a bit hard to find, but I've gone enough times that it doesn't matter. As for the service, takes a real long time, well in Zen's defense I do order a buttload of sushi, but everytime I go there, I feel like i'm going to die before I get fed. So I give it 3 stars, sushi's okay, service is kind of slow, the location is a bit out of the way, but price is ver decent, I think it maybe the best priced sushi in boston, well I need to explore sushi bars before I can state that as fact...
(3)
stephanie c.
4 stars for good deal! Sushi is half-off all the time. Can't beat that. Came here for late night dinner with my girlfriends. We ordered 5 types of sushi, fried rice, 4 large sakes, 6 beers...and ended up only paying 25/person including tip!! Sushi portions are decent and the sake was delicious. Can't beat the price. I wouldn't pin it as the freshest or most authentic sushi experience, but definitely a good place to hang out with friends and munch. Service is incredibly slow though...and the atmosphere is a little interesting. A causal place. I'd still go back for the great deal!
(4)
Emily S.
So. I've been to this place twice. The first event was completely unremarkable. Yes, it is half price. But what people seem to be forgetting is that they bump up the initial menu price so that if you were paying full price it would be overpriced. When you mark it down by half it comes out to be a pretty good price but it isn't the OMG LIQUIDATING EVERYTHING MUST GO! price that it would seem. Which, when you're dealing with raw foodstuffs, might not be such a bad thing. Granted, I'm also used to Sushi Express on Beacon by Johnny's Fresh Market and THAT is cheap sushi. Speaking of bad sushi...we ordered a lot of sushi. Some of it was ridiculicious, no kidding. Anything with fried and sweet sauce. mmmm...Much of it was also mediocre. Service was medium. Neither rave nor terrible. Perhaps it was just very zen. The unfortunate part about this evening was my friends' salmon nigiri. These two are sushi aficionados; one recently returned from a trip to Japan and the other simply an addict. And their salmon sashimi was so fishy tasting they wouldn't eat it. And these people eat whole baby octopi like potato chips. It was especially orange, smelly, and lacked the smooth, translucent lustre healthy, fresh raw fish should have. When my buddy popped it in his mouth he immediately said, "Wow, I can't eat that. It's way too fishy." They're also not ones to complain, but we called over the waiter for this one. I'm not particularly thrilled with the way they dealt with this. In a fish restaurant, especially one with raw fish, if someone says something is bad you take it away immediately, no questions asked, right? Because that could make somebody seriously ill and no restaurant can afford that. That's not what they did. They weren't rude or argumentative, but they didn't seem to respond to the issue with the sense of gravity that bad sushi deserves. Maybe it's because they've seen enough sushi to know that wasn't that bad, but did I mention my friends are ridiculous sushi addicts? So it clearly wasn't fresh or good. So instead of removing the bad sushi he grabbed the chef who came out. The chef comes out and instead of saying, "oh, it's bad? I'm so sorry!" he tells us matter-of-factly that it was fresh today. My friends smelled bullshit. So they nicely insisted that it was no good and that he should smell it. He replaced it for them. The new sushi was fine and as of yet nobody seems sick. We heard not another word. Nothing comped. No apologies. They didn't do anything wrong per se, but I was underwhelmed by their response. I know it seems like I'm making a big deal out of it, and they did replace the bad sushi, and they were never rude about it (not like that God awful manager at Villa Francesca's), but I just find it a little disconcerting when a restaurant treats bad sushi like it's no big deal.
(3)
Sara S.
Half price sushi. Yes. it's true. All day, all the time. I thought everything would be marked up double to make the "half prices" normal prices, but no... this place is cheap! Susie A. and I went all out and got three rolls a piece and salads to start. I got the Spicy Tuna Roll (whole pieces of tuna, not mixed with tempura flakes and mayonnaises), Mexican Roll (spicy crab and avocado), and Unagi Roll (eel and avocado). The Mexican Roll was awesome, and the Spicy Tuna Roll and Unagi were very, very good too. For the price, you really can't beat it. The sushi isn't QUITE as pretty/put together as other places, but it's not like it's falling apart. I've seen worse. Someone compared it to Stop and Shop sushi. It's much better. I got the house salad which was good, but warning, it's not with ginger dressing. I was excepting ginger, it was something else asian-y. Still good. Came topped with seaweed salad. Service wasn't great, but it wasn't terribly slow like everyone else complained about. The reason why 4-stars is because the waiter knew absolutely nothing about the wine menu, couldn't get the bottle open forever, and didn't pour our wine for us. Going back ASAP!
(4)
Anh H.
Zen 320 is a hidden gem in Brookline. They have half priced sushi that is very fair. The quality is not as good but they are very tasty for the price. Their cooked food is also very good. I always get their bimbimbap, teriyaki chicken bowl and their baked mussels. Never had anything from there that I did not like.
(4)
Susie A.
I went here with Sara S. and like she said, we were impressed. Of course we were a little skeptical at first. 1/2 price sushi all the time? Um, why?? There has to be a reason. But if there is, we couldn't discover it. I went back the other night and got some take-out. I'm usually not the biggest fan of take-out sushi, so I was a bit worried to get it from here. But again, I was impressed! The guys working were super nice and friendly. And I got a seaweed salad, spicy tuna roll, and New York roll (salmon, apple and avocado) all for under $13. Amazing! And when I got it home, I completely enjoyed it. Also, I highly recommend the New York roll with apple- so unique and good! This place is about a 15-20 minute walk from me, but I have a feeling I'll be finding more and more excuses to go! Don't be sketched out; go and get your 1/2 price sushi!
(4)
Marina W.
Direct quotes from the evening, "let's make a deal: no matter how good of an idea it seems, let's never come here again, ok?", "it's strange because none of [the rolls] taste quite as you expect them to. They're...different in a way I can't put my finger on it..", and "the only redeeming thing about this is that it's wheelchair accessible. That is how it will earn it's one star." I've been here two times now. I love cheap food, don't get me wrong, but I also like tasty food. As noted above, things don't always taste as you expect them to here. The best part of either meal I've had here is the tea- it's not quite as bitter as other pan-Asian restaurants serve. The service is so-so. The waitron from this most recent experience mumbled a lot and spoke quietly, otherwise it was clear she was trying hard and doing her best and at the end of the day, that's all I can ask for.
(1)
Jamie F.
Cheap sushi? I like. ..but BOO to unsatisfactory service! Our party of 15+ arrived on a random Saturday evening without reservations or calling ahead, and discovered that they did have seats available, all in one section, too! But what I don't get is, why did they walk us over to the tables when they weren't even set up yet? Our waiter also forgot to give us our table settings/chopsticks until after the food arrived. Service was incredibly slow despite a fairly empty restaurant. We were also 99.99% sure that they forgot 2 of the many makis and sushi we ordered ... but there's no proof of it because we devoured all the sushi in literally, 5 minutes. The quality of the sushi is pretty good, as with the variety. Again, I'm here for the price and no table wait. Went back recently on a Saturday afternoon. The door sign says it's open at 12:00. Well, my watch said it was 12:34PM and the door was locked. A young gentleman (works at Zen 320?) came over and informed us that the manager was on his way. Yeah, we didn't stick around, even though we just wasted 4 quarters in the meter. How do you do business if you're not even open on time? I don't understand...
(2)
Elana S.
Friends introduced me and my husband to Zen 320 (which, up until about 2 minutes ago, I was convinced was called "Sushi 360." Since I loved the show "Dance 360," I thought my interest in "Sushi 360" made a lot of sense). I, being the clueless person I've so eloquently described above, TOTALLY missed the 1/2 price sign in the window, and didn't have a chance to read any reviews on Yelp before going there. So, I was just as shocked as everyone else to see that the price deal is for real. I did expect to get food poisoning. Really. But, we have been alive and well for over 12 hours, so I think we're good to go. The sushi, as others have said, was not amazing, but was not downright bad, particularly for the bargain price. The atmosphere was kind of icky, but you really do get what you pay for in that respect (Fugakyu, hello!?). The service was terrible, but what's the rush with sushi? Given the much-talked-about current economic situation, Zen 320 gets a passing grade in my book.
(4)
Becky C.
This place was amazing. We got loads of sushi for really cheap. 9 rolls plus sashimi for $30! We can with two bottles of wine and there was no corking fee. They were really attentive and the whole experience was fantastic. YOU SHOULD GO THERE NOW!
(5)
Victor P.
This is the most horrible experience at a resturant I have ever had. Me and four of my friends came in on a Friday night, at around 9 pm. We waited to be seated until around 9:30. Then we ordered, and waited for our food. After about an hour we started asking the server how long it would take for us to get our food - the response was 20 minutes for the first half an hour. Then we went to ask the chef who my friend that he has already had a lot of complaints tonight, and he doesn't care so if we want we can stay or leave. We left at 11pm, after being at that place for over 2 hours, without getting any food. I guess it might be ok for smaller parties, or if you go there when it's less busy, but make sure you have a back up plan, and leave earlier, not later.
(1)
Vanessa F.
Pros: 1/2 price sushi Cons: 1/2 the quality After looking up other restaurants on Yelp and swayed by the 1/2 price sushi sign, I decided to give Zen 320 a try based on the mixed-yet-not-scathing reviews. While I don't often feel the need to write about every sub par dining experience, I felt this was worth an exception. Even taking into account the adjusted expectations of 'discount sushi,' the quality of the sushi here was sadly underwhelming. Most of our rolls had a hefty amount of wasabi already included inside - something I haven't actually encountered at any other restaurant, since not everyone likes wasabi with their sushi (in some of the larger pieces of irregularly cut sushi, it's enough wasabi to make your eyes water). The rice was vinegary, but couldn't really hide the fact that the fish was just not very fresh. I can't remember the last time I felt sad that there was more sushi left to eat. Overall, you get what you pay for. I don't consider myself particularly snobby when it comes to sushi, but would not eat here again. I'd recommend that it's probably worth the extra time to find somewhere else.
(1)
Becky B.
Ok....so you get what you pay for....but if you know what to order you can seriously make out here!!!!! Id like to start off by saying that my ingestion of sushi knows no bounds...from the seriously high end (think $150/per person in Los Angeles at the kind of places that only celeb insiders know of) to the seriously cheap (on a recent trip to Vancouver, B.C. I payed a bill of $35 for myself and two others to eat till we couldnt breathe) Id put Zen 320 on the middle ground of all that. Its amazingly well priced when you take advantage of ordering exclusively off the 1/2 price sushi menu....and considering the general state of the quality of sushi in Boston...not half bad (damn it...I have have a pun problem) When in doubt stick to the rolls....the sushi is honestly just ok... the best rolls are the Candy roll..which in any other joint is known as a caterpillar roll...and here only cost you $4.50 instead of the usual $8-10. and honestly its just as good...sometimes I dare say better than its rival down the street at Fugak-you know who. and anything..spicy.. the spicy scallop is my fav. I usually just order some Tomago (egg omlet) 2 candy rolls and a spicy scallop..and im never dissapointed... also great for big events...every year for my birthday I order roughly $200 in sushi (read $400...anywhere else..or more) and have a regular eat fest with friends...can you say YUMMMMM!
(4)
Justin I.
We came here for the first time the other day and we are now fans. The sushi is not anything crazy but it is tasty and they have everything you want on an Asian menu. The miso soup and edamame are good and the rolls are solid. The dinning area is not super fancy but it is nice for lunch or a casual dinner.
(4)
Alison B.
Best bang-for-your-buck sushi in Brookline, maybe even Boston. As soon as I come out of the tunnel at Fenway, I call Zen and place a pick-up order for the David and negi hamachi roll. It takes about 20 minutes, so by the time the train arrives in B-Vill and I walk up the street, it's ready and waiting. 10 bucks. Two rolls. 12 pieces. Great sushi. Done. Kind of a small place inside, but there's hidden seating in the back and they're open til 11:30pm every day but Sunday. It's a cheap place to take my friends when they come to visit, just around the corner! I recommend Zen for those with small budgets and big window for eating.
(4)
Jamie M.
This place fits the bill for when you're starving and you're broke because you just made payment on your college loans... the perfect marriage between stingy spending and satisfying sushi! We went on a Tuesday night and there was plenty of seating in their Japanese-centric decor filled dining area - loved the sumo print and the painting of swimming "pre-sushi"; but we weren't the only ones there - so that was reassuring! We were promptly seated and the waitress was with us quickly. A twinge of disappointment when informed Sapparo was not available but Kirin Ichiban quenched our thirst. There was some confusion about what we could select on the 30-piece combo platter but finally were instructed that we could pick half of the platter and the chef would decide the rest. A good mix of rolls and nigiri-sushi with just enough wasabi to give it a lil' kick in the pants. They even provided both regular and low-sodium soy sauce (for all those health conscience folk in Brookline). Best part came with the bill: $44.00 for 30 pieces, 2 beers, 2 Miso soups, and 1 coke. Can't beat that with a stick - come to find out 1/2 price sushi All-The-Time - a very pleasant surprise and left you wondering: "why not just change the menu?". Overall, a fantastic experience that will keep me coming back!
(4)
Jay P.
It is what it is - cheap sushi. There's nothing here that I would go out of my way for. I certainly wouldn't patronize this place if it wasn't immediately around the corner from my apartment. With that said, it's not terrible either. They have a large selection of standard maki rolls. I've never had anything that did not seem fresh and I've never been overly disappointed with any of my orders. And of course, the prices are good. Basically, just don't go in expecting too much. Any sushi fan knows that quality can vary greatly. If you're looking for half-way decent sushi without dropping too much cash, I would say give Zen 320 a shot. Just keep in mind that it is what it is - cheap sushi.
(3)
Sami W.
It is half priced sushi believe it or not! I only went there recently and got some take-out. The service was very slow. We went to pick up our order 45 minutes after we called it in, and it wasn't ready, it was a Saturday night, but still!!!! The food was good, not impressive, well you get what you pay for! I would most definitely come back for only one reason: IT'S CHEAP!!
(3)
Sergio V.
This is hands down the best sushi in town for the price. Not the best sushi in the world, but always fresh and always cheap (they have a never ending 50% off sushi at all times of the day). The actual venue is a bit tired and in need of updating, but if you want good take-out sushi for around $30 for two this is the place. I tried other cheap sushi places around Brookline and none compare.
(4)
Ashley F.
A date night under $25? In Brookline? Quattro stars for Zen 320. Great veggie sushi options (I recommend the sweet potato tempura, avocado, and cucumber roll) and beers under $4. The service is slow, but that's why I like it. Go to enjoy the meal. Ignore the sticky table and don't feel strange you are the only ones in there. Try your best to understand the server and s/he understand you to avoid ordering mishaps from a language barrier. Enjoy three rolls for $10 and grab a menu for pick up on the way out!
(4)
Irina G.
Beware of half price sushi. A small, laid back group of six went to that half off sushi place in Brookline Village. I warned our friends that no matter how many people are in there, it is typical for the poor waiters being always seem to be a panic. This particular night it proved to be very true. We waited 10 minutes to get a table assembled for our group (even though there were tables available). Then, it took about 15 minutes to get menus and another 20 to get someone to take out order. Finally, we ordered, one of us ordering a salmon teriyaki bowl. The rice bowl was delivered in about 30 minutes. We encouraged N to go ahead and eat, for we were confident that our food would arrive shortly as well. But no, the 5 of us waited, and waited, and waited, as we watched the poor waiters get yelled at by the sushi chef and run around confused about where which order goes. Alas, our sushi came (45 minutes after the rice bowl), and we scarfed it down in 15 minutes - but not because it was so delicious. Au contraire! (I prefer the rolls at Stop&Shop.) (The salmon sushi was particularly bad.) But, good part is that there was certainly no delay in getting the check and having us pay! So, that night, we discovered that not only is it half off the price but also the quality and service. Two thirds of us reported feeling sick shortly after or the next day. I don't know why I keep coming back for abuse! I guess it's the half off thing. That is the only reason it gets two stars. Another tip: Usually multiply the estimated time for take out that they tell you by two.
(2)
Erin B.
My girlfriends and I have been coming here for several years and will continue to go back again and again because it is delicious and cheap! I've been to other Sushi spots like Fugakyu, and honestly would rather be at Zen. The ambiance is nothing to write home about but I think the sushi is great. For the number of times I've been there I've NEVER gotten sick or left there unsatisfied. It is true that the service is slow. They only have 1 or 2 servers for the entire dining room. Sometimes it takes a very long time for the sushi to come out but I think that is because there is only one sushi chef and if it is crowded or there is a lot of take-out orders things can get backed up. I personally find the wait worth it given how CHEAP it is. I'm not sure why they don't change the menu prices since it's been half price for over 4 years, but frankly, I don't mind. I went there last night with my little sister and we ordered a Tuna handroll, Taekwondo roll (spicy crab, unagi, avocado), Spider roll (soft shell crab tempura), Rainbow roll (tuna, salmon, whitefish), Salmon nigiri, Unagi nigiri, Cucumber roll, Candy roll (avocado, unagi, awesome sauce), edemame, a soda, and the bill was under $40!!! Try to get that somewhere else.
(4)
Ethan M.
I've been going to zen320 for a while now but I never got around to writing a review. Zen 320 is your local dive Japanese restaurant that offers a fantastic menu at cheap prices. The decor inside looks a little suspect but the food totally makes up for it. Their sushi is fresh and cheap and taste great. Their bento boxes are awesome and their chicken teriyaki is great for those who don't eat raw fish. I went their once to do sake bombs and they waiter did not mind at all. Great fun place to dine and to have a good time.
(5)
Ray F.
I am a major fan of Zen 320 for many of the reasons people have already described. I strongly disagree with Chris A. about the quality, and since I know Chris A. very well, I can mention that he hasn't been to Zen in well over a year, so what does he know anyway? (Though he is a rad friend). If you want a ridiculous deal, you can go for the sushi OR one of the bento boxes (for lunch or dinner). The boxes come with enough food for two, and they are very tasty. Lots of places give you a bento box and say it comes with "sushi" but mean it comes with two tiny pieces of a California roll. At Zen, the Bento boxes come with two pieces of nigiri salmon with huge, tasty slabs of salmon, as well as three pieces of the ol' standby, California roll. And then there's the sushi, which I enjoy. Chris A. is right in that the sauce they use for unagi and tempura rolls is different from other places, but I like it a lot. I've tried pretty much every type of sushi they offer, and of course I have my favorites, but all of them have been pretty good. I will specifically recommend the Spicy Maguro (Tuna) because they make it fresh for you any time you order it. It's not some pre-made, old, gross spicy tuna in a tupperware container. The sushi chef pulls out the mortar and pestle and makes it happen right then and there. Mmmmmmmm. Finally, the staff are amazing, and definitely very interesting characters. They remember us whenever we come and are friendly and, if I can say so, adorable. The "show" they put on is great fun, particularly if you have our favorite, the "anxious waiter," who will run full speed up and down the restaurant if the sushi chef calls him or if a table dares to lay uncleaned. We love the anxious waiter and very much appreciate his attentiveness. Oh, also, they are open pretty late... until something like 11, I think. And you get free soup at lunch and free salad at dinner. Good deal, eh? Now I'm getting hungry, so I better stop before I have to go immediately to Zen for a treat. I just ate there yesterday, so I feel like I should wait at LEAST 24 hours.... hmm....
(5)
Chris A.
Oh boy. People seem to like this because the sushi is cheap and there's quirky charm to the place. But I can't just get over the fact that the sushi is bad. There's a strong correlation between the price of sushi and its quality, and Zen is a good example. They put too much rice for the nigiri sushi, the pieces of meat are small (hence the cheap price), the miso soup is okay. But most importantly to me: their unagi is awful. The eel sauce they use tastes like catfish-flavored maple syrup. Think about that for a moment. The tablecloths aren't sticky which is nice. On the flipside, I have a very good friend who has excellent taste in food (she's the one who told me about Joseph's Pizza in JP - check it out!) and she used to go to Zen every week. So they must be doing something right...well, or my friend is crazy. That's possible.
(2)
Richard R.
I don't know, I'm not a sushi expert, but for some reason, maybe the temperature of the food, the sushi here is sooooo good. The prices are incredible. Service can be slow at times, so bring a book. Decor is so ugly it's funny - but I don't care about that. I looooove their sushi. I've probably been there 30 times, and have never been disappointed by the flavors.
(5)
Tony K.
The only positive I can say about this place was that its cheap and good for the price. 2 people got completely stuff for $30 including drinks. The waiter was rude and liked to bang things on the table. I don't think I'll be back - there are a babillion other sushi places of similar quality.
(2)
Kayla R.
This place is incredible. I come here at least once a month with a group of friends and I'm constantly recommending it to friends. The Sushi is delicious. I have never had anything bad from here in the dozen or so times I have been. My friends and I usually order a bento box, which is only $10 and if more then enough food to leave you full. The tempura is really fresh and crispy, I highly recommend it. The service is a little slow because they have a very limited staff, but its well worth the wait.
(4)
Linh V.
We were the only ones in there! Should have taken that as a hint.. This place is disgusting and that's all I have to say.
(1)
Matt T.
They have 1/2 price sushi everyday but you can only dine in or take out. Would be a 5 star if they delivered. All the prices are great and the food is top notch.
(4)
Daniel S.
I need to write this before I go nuts. I've always been a big fan of Zen 320. But I've had the most terrible experience tonight. I invited some friends to join my wife and I at Zen 320. We've waited at least 3 hours in total to get only 50% of what we requested in the menu. Yes, they were busy. But after complaining, they simply decided to ignore us. We've cancelled our order after the delay. Do you imagine what they did? They said "ok" and charged us for the whole thing!!! Do you imagine what they said after we complained? "I'm sorry." You can't imagine how sorry I am. We left the restaurant hungry, irritated and unable to go anywhere else, since it was too late. I do not recommend it to anyone. They don't care about their customers. But if you're only concerned about price, it may be the place to go. But be patient!
(1)
Damien P.
Like pretty much everybody else, I got sucked in by the half price banner. It's always half price... so I guess I fell for it. The hot dishes are rather dull and are definitely less of a value than the sushi. The sushi is very decent for the price. It's not great, but it's really hard to beat it for the price. Not that great on the presentation, but hey, it's cheap. As an aside, for some reason, they seem to randomly include free salad or soup sometimes, but not all the time... not sure why exactly. Great choice for the budget-minded utilitarian sushi lover.
(4)
Maria B.
cheap delicious sushi. what more could you ask for? Go there. Order sushi. You're welcome for the best advice you've ever gotten.
(5)
Brian F.
After another visit, during which the restaurant was completely empty minus the 2 of us, I realized the poor service here is not a reflection of how busy they are...they just aren't very good at it. Bumping down to 3 Stars...
(3)
Kristin S.
This place is a complete hole-in-the-wall - tiny, dark, old/stained/faded/ripping furniture. But there gimmick is 1/2 price sushi all day every day, so when you see a $6 roll on the menu (which itself is a decent price) it's actually $3. Of course, with the ridiculously low priced sushi comes a trade-off in quality. There have been times when I've ordered sushi that has smelled fishy - sushi should never smell fishy. Of course, I've eaten the fishy sushi and have never been sick, so that's a plus. I normally order take out from this place, and "20 minutes" usually means at least 45 - there have been times when I've placed my order, arrived at the specified time, the place is empty, and the sushi hasn't even begun to be prepared! Oh how I love standing and waiting an additional 15 minutes for my order to be prepared. But, all that being said, I keep going back - at least once a week. For $20 you can get enough sushi to feed an army. Can't beat that.
(3)
Jamie N.
Whoa, lots of naysayers. I guess it takes a special breed of person to enjoy Zen 320. Nestled in Brookline Village, you can stumble out of the Brookline public library across the street, arms filled with Buffy the Vampire Slayer Comics, and head directly to Zen. I eat here by myself about once a week. Taking other people may require listening to naysaying. "Why would anyone talk poop about the gloriousness that is Zen 320?", you may ask. Well, sushi here is half off. Not just on weekends, or special occasions, but EVERY DAY. One is inclined to think this is a joke, but it's fo' real. You can pretty much order any standard sushi. I prefer to load up on Maki rolls. The baked eel roll is warm and yummy. Get yourself some edamame or crispy spring rolls as an apetizer. Know that you will always get a fresh salad with magical ginger dressing no matter what. And water with lots of refills. If you are used to eating beautifully prepared sushi with flying fish roe and adornments, this is not the joint for you. Zen is like the dive bar of sushi bars. One more thing to mention: the waitstaff is absolutely insane. The sushi chef lords over the place like a king, often yelling wildly at the servers, particularly the overworked dude I see there every time. You will know him by his trademark black slacks, glasses, and panicked demeanor. If I knew what they were saying (they're speaking what I assume is Japanese or Korean), perhaps I could tell you more. But all I know is that they are both quite nice to me as a regular. The waiter runs back and forth, RUNS, from the kitchen to the sushi bar. This can be quite comedic. Perhaps I have a sick sense of humor. Regardless, take your comic collection, library books, and your appetite to Zen and expect a rewarding solo dining experience.
(4)
Vanessa M.
Hella cheap for decent sushi. Atmosphere is a decent and you never know what type of music will be playing. Have a craving for sushi but not a lot of money? This place will soothe your sushi call.
(3)
Aimee B.
half-priced sushi is always good. kinda like the phrase "the warmest beer is just cold enough." it was a decent enough place, but there's nothing that really says "you must come here!!!!" except maybe the price.
(4)
Rachel F.
I stopped in for lunch, and although the decor was lovely and the service very good, the food itself was mediocre.
(2)
Julia W.
Top 10 reasons why I love Zen 320: 1. Beatles string tribute music not found at any other Sushi restaurant in the country let alone the Boston area. 2. 1/2 price sushi all the time. 3. 1/2 price sushi all the time that doesn't give you food poisoning. 4. Slightly a-social waiters who you would love to know how they act in their day-to-day lives. 5. Random fish and boat pictures with Geisha pictures in the mix as well. 6. Handmade menu covers with the words Zen 320 in sloppy gold glitter. 7. The 50-50 chance that on any particular night you get Miso soup and salad for free, at other times you don't but you don't really question the reason why, 8. The sushi rolls are cut in strange sizes. You might get a 3" California Maki on the same plate as 1/4" slice. 9. The waiters seem slightly frightened by the sushi chef. 10. The best inexpensive sushi in the Boston area. Seriously great bento boxes and a fun atmosphere. I highly recommend, if anything, for the amusing experience alone.
(4)
Laura P.
We avoided this place for a loooong time because the 50% off sign just freaked me out. Finally, we went because friends like Zen 320. There's really no excuse to not go to Zen 320 if you are a sushi fan. We've had no problems with freshness but feel that they get the less attractive, non-center cuts. Still, it's not enough to make me sushi eat elsewhere for good. The bento boxes used to be a really good value and still are to a degree. They've been cutting back on the portion sizes in the bento boxes- smaller pieces of salmon, less noodles, etc. Tonight we were subjected to a compilation of "classics" all on what sounded like the biwa (Japanese lute)- from the Beatles to Vivaldi's Four Seasons. whoa.
(3)
Arestia R.
Yikes. While the sushi wasn't bad, the service was incredible...and not in a good way. It wasn't crowded, but it took our server forever to come over and simply take our drink orders. Then, it took forever to get said drinks. Then additional eons for him to come back and take our food order. Add an eternity for him to come back and bring our edamame. I thought maybe then I'd only have to wait another lifetime until our sushi came, but no, it was a salad. Perhaps then I could fast forward to our sushi? Sure, but only a couple of the rolls will come and not for the whole table. Dude, we've been sitting here for 3 hours (I'm not exaggerating), and yes, there are 8 of us, but that's no excuse, especially since I told him we were kind of in a rush (had a concert). Half price sushi all the time can be awesome, but unless you have the time, skip Zen320.
(1)
I D.
I have been going to Zen 320 for nearly 2 years now since I live in the neighborhood. I just read all of the descriptions about it, and they are so dead on. I love the waiter that runs around and is always freaking out. I'm what some people might call a "regular" by now. I go to this place whenever I really need sushi, and don't want to spend too much, (which is about once a week). It's hard to cut down when I want it every day. It is always pretty consistent with the quality, and the slowness factor, but it is always satisfying at the end. I usually take out, but when I eat in the restaurant I'm always filling up my cup with their tea (it's soooo good), and I like that they give a free house salad in the beginning of the meal. Mmmmmm sushi.
(3)
Emily C.
You can't really beat half price sushi all the time. The ambiance of the place isn't stellar, but I've only ever gotten takeout so that doesn't really factor into this review. The sushi is fresh and as good as most of the full priced places I have tried in the area. In sum: half-price, around the corner, yummy, I'm there.
(4)
Anna F.
I came for the banner that said "half price sushi". I inquired about the restrictions. It couldn't possibly be all day, everyday. I was wrong. It is. I guess you can't say cheap sushi. Fair enough. The sushi is good and the service is adequate,. The decor is nothing special and the music can certainly verge on the bizarre (all manner of elevator style renditions of movie scores). If you want to impress a date, take them to Fugaku. If you want some good quality, inexpensive sushi- hit the Zen.
(4)
Fred P.
basically a Korean place with Japanese menu items too. Cheap good sushi. Try the 'hot bowl BiBimBap!
(4)
Victoria S.
I can't say anything bad about this place. I have been here many times. It is very affordable and the food is pretty good, and the atmosphere...? umm, well you can always go with takeout ;-)
(2)
Sarah M.
Great sushi half price, satisfactory ambiance (cheesy, but fine), and it's cheap! Be careful what time you get there (earlier, the better), because you'll end up waiting FOREVER for your food. I've waited almost 2 hours before. Yes, I'm crazy, but talking with friends, drinking hot saki and eating edema me passes the time...
(4)
Kristine M.
The half-price thing is a little weird, but I guess it's a gimmick that works for them. Decent sushi, but even after the 50% off, it's not all that cheap for the caliber of sushi. I didn't care for their miso soup :-(
(3)
Gina H.
I can say I haven't cooked dinner at home in over three years. Therefore I need reliably affordable restaurants that allow me to either dine out or do take out . Zen 320 is it. Although it doesn't have a great atmosphere I give it 5 stars for value. Dinner bento boxes for 10 bucks. The rolls are better in value than Sushi express. I ordered $60 worth of sushi rolls last fall for a party at Sushi Express and over half was left untouched. Yes, after the half off price the rolls are cheaper than other places. You can easily do dinner for two on a budget at Zen 320.
(5)
Bryce S.
I haven't had problems with the freshness, though I have noticed that sometimes the salmon sushi isn't as buttery soft as it should be. Might have to do with the quality or the cut of the fish. I was going to note that service is notoriously slow on the weekends, but this weekend they had 3 wait staff, instead of 1 on a busy night. That being said, the food's well-priced and parking on the street's relatively easy; these two reasons explain why we keep coming back.
(3)
N A.
Let's be honest if you are looking for really good sushi, and by that something you can't find at whole foods, or remotely good service you aren't going to find it. The plus is the place is really cheap, average $5 per roll, and you can bring your own beer, wine and liquor which makes for a fun and reasonable night out with friends. The party next is brought beer and a bottle of nice vodka. 8 rolls took about an hour to deliver but the las Vegas was really interestingly sweet and the Mexican wonderfly spicey. Give it a try with friends but awful date spot.
(3)
Theresa C.
I was not a fan of zen 320. The service was not very good. We waited a rather long time for our orders to be taken and an even longer time for the sushi to arrive. It seemed as if they were understaffed because waiters were constantly running around. When we did receive our sushi the sushi was not fresh, and the rolls were not flavorful. I was really disappointed with this overall. Although the price was low I would rather pay a little extra to have better tasting food.
(2)
F C.
The first thing that I noticed is the 50% off sushi. This raised a flag in my head so I avoided it for about a year, until a friend dragged me there to try it out. First of all the prices were not inflated so that the 50% would be normal priced, but the prices are in fact cheaper than an "average" sushi place. Upon entering you will notice the dimly lit green coloured room and the rather strong smell of bleach and other cleaning agents. The atmosphere is not exactly Japanese; there is always European music playing and the room looks like a mix of Indian and European decor with a few Asian-esque plants stuffed in one corner. Also the bathroom is a little below-par in terms of cleanliness. The menu has the traditional sushi options and a large quantity of creative and unorthodox sushi options (BBQ beef? in sushi?!). Nevertheless, the traditional and unorthodox sushi options were surprisingly good. For maki rolls, they leave the end pieces in, but they taste just fine. The non-sushi menu's food does not look like the food you would expect, but the food is still good. Note: Non-sushi is not half off. They gave us free miso soup as well. Overall, Zen is like a frugal Japanese place which has pretty good food. The only minus is probably the atmosphere and slow service, but that's why most people get take-out from this place.
(4)
Marisa L.
Found this place walking home and saw the '50% off all sushi' sign....naturally, I went in. The sushi seemed pretty fresh, no yucky fishy taste I've experience before at some sushi joints, so that was a plus. I haven't actually ate inside the place but I can speak for the take out sushi...yum yum. Been there after work on the regular. Good eats, and at really good prices, what more can you want?
(4)
Rebecca Y.
I've had the same problem with the freshness. Nothing beats the prices, but sometimes it is not worth it.
(3)
Mini S.
50% off from Sushi Menu. Cheap, but very good food!
(4)
Julia C.
Well, make sure your food is fresh. One day I walked into the kitchen and I decided not to eat there anymore. I know that the sushi is cheaper than any other places, but is it worth it?
(1)
Jimmy B.
It's really hard to miss the huge sign that's been hanging outside Zen320 for years. In fact, if their 1/2 Price Sushi banner wasn't there, you'd probably drive right by the place. I've eaten here a few times and have a few friends that love the fact that everything on the sushi list is 1/2 price. The sushi is okay. It doesn't have the freshness and nice appearance most other sushi places in the area have but it's cheap. So I guess if you want to spend $20-30 and eat a ton of sushi, this is the place to go. The restaurant itself is insanely dark, kinda creepy, and if you've ever eaten there, did you notice the dj/karaoke booth that is hidden in the back corner? I know crazy stuff happens there at night after closing. But the service can be pretty slow most nights, probably because there's only one guy who's always running around taking orders. I call him "white lightening" and i've seen him stop moving one time. He's the best.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Mike T.
Good quality sushi at a very reasonable price. I am a fan of their party platters which are for take-out and can indeed feed a large number of people. My guests always compliment me on the sushi I get from Zen 320. They're really good about getting the food ready by the promised time. The place is very close to the town hall parking lot so it's easy to park nearby (always found a spot). We've eaten in several times and warm food is also quite good as is the sushi. Overall I'm a fan
(4)Fred M.
Cold night in Brookline Village. But nevertheless went to Zen320. Ordered the mama roll the 007 roll with crabmeat, avocado, cucumber, with a shrimp on top! Everything was most excellent. Service & food was all 4 stars! Lived here 15 years it's the first time I tried it. Try it, I recommend it.
(4)Mallory C.
I was so excited to try this place, but unfortunately it is not going on the "order from again," list. After being foodler addicts, we ventured back over to Grub Hub, and decided to try somewhere new. We were super hungry, and I ALMOST just said, "let's order from somewhere that we KNOW has good food and fast service." But alas, I never take my own advice. We were intrigued by a lot of the rolls at Zen 320, and the prices! We ordered a ton of food and thought we were getting quite a lot for our money, but- one of the apps we ordered they were out of, and we didn't even want to finish any of the rolls we got.... so we really didn't. The boy had ordered one roll and 2 appetizers, so we thought he'd have plenty of food, but he barely had a meal with the main app being "out, and the measly calamari serving. They did refund our money however for the missing app... The sushi was the biggest disappointment. We ordered the Zen 320 roll, the Sakura roll, and the titanic roll. When we got them, the rolls were so mushy, we couldn't even pick them up out of the tray to eat. We tried with chopsticks, AND a fork, and they just sort of fell apart. They also didn't even look appetizing (and I'm pretty sure one of the rolls was missing a component that was supposed to be on it). We couldn't tell what anything was, and it was all just sort of slopped together. I didn't even want to Instagram it. Sad sushi. The sushi at the cafeteria where I work is far superior- so that says something. The other items we ordered were the calamari appetizer which came with a pitiful five or so small pieces and nothing else, the tempura udon (which was the highlight of the meal and I'm so glad I ordered!) and the kimchi pancakes. The kimchi pancakes were another odd item. I don't know if they were undercooked or what, but they were not really pancakes at all in the sense that you couldn't really pick them up individual. It was more like a big pile of spicy mush with some huge chunks of onion here and there. We basically had to break off pieces and just eat them. It was tasty but definitely not the best I've had. Sorry Zen 320, your menu is a nice idea, but for decent priced, delicious sushi, we'll be sticking with our regulars!
(2)Greg P.
Mediocre Japanese-Korean on the cheap?? Tucked away on Washington St. in Brookline, Zen 320 probably has an equal number of critics as fans. It's best known as a place for inexpensive sushi. The ambience is lacking with scattered stereotypical decorations. One particularly striking turn-off was the smell. Either their carpeting is extremely musty or the bathrooms have poor drainage. Unfortunately, it did not make for an appetizing experience. The waiter was clearly overworked and seemed to be serving the whole restaurant. He was nice enough but looked exhausted. The food was actually more disappointing than the ambience (which let me tell you, is quite an accomplishment). The shrimp shumai were standard and not impressive. I ordered the bibimbap (hot stone bowl Korean rice dish). It is supposed to be loaded with beef bulgogi (marinated beef). I had three small pieces in mine. Go anywhere else to see how bibimbap is supposed to be made. The price was not much cheaper than other places but was definitely a lot skimpier. I was so hungry after my paltry bibimbap that I also ordered some sushi. I was less expansive than other local sushi restaurants. However, it was also fairly forgettable. Don't expect to be wowed by creative rolls or amazing presentation. It's pretty standard here. One positive, the fish seemed pretty fresh. Overall, I'd recommend you spend the $5-10 extra dollars to eat better Sushi or Korean food elsewhere.
(1)Shayna C.
I was introduced to this little gem recently, and I must say, it is a place worth stopping into. The two times I have been, it has been very quiet, and nearly empty. You're promptly seated at a nice table, served a salad with ginger dressing, and offered a menu in which you can check off a-la-carte rolls, or decide based on their full menu. The price is incredibly inexpensive, and of decent quality. You can see the slabs of fish as you walk past the main counter, and they have a relatively "fresh" taste to them. I'm not sure if it's fresh or frozen, but it doesn't have that off flavor that comes with previously frozen fish. My favorites are the eel and avocado, and karate rolls. For under $25-$30, you can leaving having a sushi-induced coma, due to all of the rolls and items you can purchase from the a-la-carte menu. Definitely a fan, and definitely making this a go-to stop at least once a month.
(4)Alex S.
The first time we laid eyes on this place, we weren't sure if we made it to the right place. It's a little off the beaten path and the only thing noticeable about their exterior is their little glowing neon "open" sign. This is your typical "don't judge a book by its cover/interior decoration" scenario. Their sushi is the cheapest I've seen so far in Boston and the quality is really on par (if not better) with some of the nicer places in town. The decor and the ambiance is that of a hole-in-the-wall place (which is fine because their food is delicious). Also, our poor waiter (the only waiter we've ever seen) literally runs around this place serving everyone. Overall, the sushi here is very fresh and the service is quick and efficient. What more could you ask for? Check out my blog (complete with pictures and childish humor) for the full review! thesuchef.org/2013/10/03…
(4)Cynthia G.
Closed....went by last year 2014 and it was closed!!! Tried calling before and other times and no answer, nothing??? No sign and when went by, times on door said it should have been opened.
(1)Max W.
Totally reliable, unoffensive sushi. Nothing new or exciting, nothing bad or unappealing. If you're looking to feed a few people (or you're really hungry after a marathon training run) sushi on a budget, you can't beat Zen 320. I prefer takeout since I'm usually pretty hungry when I go there, but the dining room is totally adequate. I wish I could say more about it, but that's about it, and it's not a bad thing. I don't recommend Zen 320 for your first sushi experience because it will be very underwhelming, nor would it be appropriate for a "I want super awesome sushi" dinner. But if you're hungry and sushi is what you're craving... this is your place.
(3)Evan R.
Epic piles of sushi! $20-$30 gets you a giant platter that will leave you (and anyone you're with) totally stuffed. I don't think I've ever had a bad piece of sushi there in 3-4 visits... crispy tuna... california rolls..... fiery wasabi.... I've gotta stop before I start drooling. I've also had some of their other dishes. They do a nice, crispy tempura and a really good beef stir fry. Ya might as well hop on the sake wagon while you're there as well. I've gotta take 1 star off because the service seems sort of nonchalant, which takes away from the charm and vibe and leaves you feeling a bit like you're stopping at a sushi trough. But is a sushi trough really a bad place to be?
(4)Sarah K.
This is/was the best sushi place within the Boston area. The las vegas roll and baked salmon/ california rolls cannot be beat. Unfortunately, it seems that they have closed for business. I am not quite sure why as it really can't be beat in terms of awesome sushi. If anyone has any knowledge of the matter, please please let me know!
(5)Vicky H.
I came here yesterday for lunch and only ordered roll #3 and a mexican roll. Somehow it was mixed up and i got an extra crispy salmon and a soft shell crab roll at their regular half-price price and it was more than the cost of the lunch special and didn't even come with soup. needless to say, i was a bit disappointed and felt bad that it would go to waste so i just told the waiter to ring it up at the lunch special price and I'll take it since it would go to waste, etc.
(3)Paul N.
Worst sushi on the planet. I can't fathom how they are in business. They forgot my wife food and brought out frozen seaweed salad. When telling the waiter he offered to bring it back into the kitchen till it was thawed. It take almost a hour for any sushi to come to the table. The men's bathroom was broken and had a milk crate in the urinal. The toilet had duck tape on the lid holding it together. If you are looking for frozen sushi, bad service, and a broken restroom Zen 320 has it all!
(1)Karisa G.
Anytime I get together with my friends, we suggest Zen 320. It is hard to get sushi from anywhere else when the sushi here is SO cheap and SO DELICIOUS! Our favorite roll is the Las Vegas roll.. a must. Just remember that everything on the sushi list is half the listed price and yummy. Sushi comes with a small salad and some lunch and dinner boxes come with miso soup. The service is a very slow but its so worth the wait. Check out the hilarious decor too. I've never had to wait for a table there. I wouldn't go on a first date here, but I wouldn't order sushi anywhere else.
(5)Vincent M.
Ahh Zen 320... gotta love it. I've been going to this place for years since I've come to live in Brookline. I always thought Zen 320 was a front for the mob. Why you say? Because, on any given weeknight the place is empty, the sushi chef is the same guy, and he's always there! I know he's the owner but, hey, even the owner deserves a night off. Right? Plus it's usually the same six staff employees AND... there's a back portion of the restaurant that's kinda roped off that no one goes in to. I'm telling ya, I've seen people go in, but I've never seen them come out... But the food, that's the important part! For the price, the sushi is pretty darn good. I mean, for four bucks a roll, what do you expect? Expect to wait a good twenty-five minutes to forty-five minutes for the food (depending on the crowd, depending on the night). Also, something that kinda irritates me about Asian restaurants in general, no free refills on the soft drinks. Meh oh well. If you enjoy inexpensive decent sushi, Zen 320 is your thing.
(3)Lisa B.
This place. Ohhhh, this place! Service is slow (budget yourself 3 hours whenever you go, including travel time, because unless you live in Brookline Village, it's a little bit out of the way), the sushi is so-so (not the best sushi by any stretch of the imagination, but also, and most importantly, nowhere NEAR the worst-- it's pretty good!), but it's BYOB! I don't get the feeling that they like people knowing this, but we bring our own wine all the time. I take everyone I know here. I've even taken my mother. She loved it. I love it. Check it out. It is NEVER crowded. I'm pretty sure 85% of their business is take out.
(5)Melissa N.
I'm a big fan of Zen 320. It has become one of my regular dining destinations, both for the value and the quality of the food. Things I like: - Really good, fresh sushi. Quality-wise, I would place it on par with Gari Sushi (in Coolidge Corner and Needham), which is much pricier. - Very low prices. Most of the rolls are around $5, and the specialty rolls (including spider roll, caterpillar roll, shrimp tempura, and rainbow roll) are closer to $8. At more upscale places, the same specialty rolls can run you $12 or $14. The menu used to be "50% off every day," which was silly, but they recently scrapped that and now they have a new menu that just has cheap prices, no math required! - The spicy rolls (spicy tuna, spicy salmon, spicy crab) are actually spicy. At other places, they just douse the sushi with "spicy" mayo that actually doesn't bring the heat. These rolls really have a kick. - Free garden salad with dinner. They just bring it over when you order your sushi. Plus, their dressing is delicious! It's more vinegary than the more commonly found ginger dressings. - Hot sake. I know you can find it at most sushi places, but I still wanted to point out that it's here and it's great! Things I don't like: - The decor is quite worn. The booths have shabby pillows on them, and they could use a new rug. - The overly dim lighting makes the atmosphere a bit sketchy. - I wouldn't exactly say I dislike this, but the menus are decorated with glittery puffy paint. It's a bit strange. All in all, Zen 320 has reliably good and cheap sushi, and I'm going to keep coming back!
(4)paul h.
This place goes easy on your wallet! Half-off sushis! Its so fresh and delicious and huge. Most sushi restaurants around this area are expensive. I recommend coming here to try cheap priced sushi and its so worth it too! Bring quarters with you if your going by car!
(5)Andrew W.
Interesting place... I was stumbling through Brookline Village with my GF one day and was really hungry, looked at the menu here and went in. One of the first things that will grab your attention is the 50% off sushi gimmick. Why a gimmick? It's a gimmick because it's 50% off all day every day, all day long... that's weird. Why not at least limit it to certain days or hours?? Very Strange! The setup is here is decent, although quite dark. The darkness is perhaps to hide the very, very stained upholstery, which I noticed before I got my food and was a bit turned off. I ordered a dinner combo, because it was a weird time of day and it was just past lunch-combo o'clock. It was about $10, huge, and pretty damn good! I would say food was 4-5 stars. The Sushi seemed fresh, and I received a huge portion I forget what my GF got, but she said it was good too. Sadly the food here is overshadowed by other weirdness. Other weird stuff... lots and lots of fruit flies, which again is a turnoff in a restaurant where one will be consuming raw food. It seemed that there was only two people working, the sushi chef, and our server... who I believe was also on fry and food prep duty. I could be wrong about this, but it does raise some additional questions about cleanliness when your server is handling your food. The bathrooms... wow... the bathrooms were in serious disrepair, with varying half-assed repairs done to them in varying stages. The toilets were heavily stained from hard water and needed a scrubbing, and were seriously brown from lack of cleaning... I can't trust a restaurant that cant take 20 min. a week to keep their bathroom respectable. Overall my food was pretty darn good, and cheap, but there is something quite off about this place. If they cant keep the areas that customers see clean, they can't be trusted to keep the areas that the customers don't see clean. Plenty of other inexpensive Sushi restaurants in Boston, that don't make me wonder if I will get sick if i eat there. Oh and FYI I lived in Korea for a year, and have eaten raw fish in a dirt floor restaurant and felt less sketched out. If I lived close by I would consider returning, but certainly not worth making a trek from well... anywhere to go here.
(3)Andrew S.
I've eaten here many times, both for dine in and delivery. The sushi itself is pretty good. Not the best I've ever had, but as others have mentioned the prices are fantastic. When I'm looking for quantity, about $20 will give me more than enough food. Aside from the sushi, I've also eaten the shu-mai and gyoza, each of which were pretty tasty. For dine-in, they have lunch specials around $10 both sushi and hot food, so it's still pretty cheap to get a special (with soup!) and an extra roll. The restaurant itself is fairly dark and quiet. It usually isn't too crowded when I'm in there, though I usually eat late lunch (between 2-3). The same waiter is always there, and he's polite and prompt. They began delivery a few weeks ago through GrubHub, and the food always arrives quickly, and unlike other restaurants, will actually bring my food to the door, as opposed to waiting in the lobby of my building. In conclusion: excellent service, decent sushi, fantastic prices.
(3)Joe F.
Sushi here is fine for the price... the decor? Not quite... Duct tape covering rips in a dirty white leather couch? CHECK Stains on the flesh toned seatcovers in booths? CHECK Gawdy plastic tumblers from the clearance rack at Target? CHECK However, the sushi is pretty good! 1/2 price at lunch made me a little wary of trying it out. Lunch combos have a lot of food for under 8 bucks. The waiters are a bit challenged in terms of customer service, but it's a good spot for the lunch crowd.
(3)Eric S.
Great "half price" sushi although they do jack up the prices to make it look like a good deal. Eat in or take out, either way, be prepared to wait at least half an hour for your food.
(4)Nick T.
You have to know what you're getting when you come here. The sushi is cheap. I mean CHEAP. It tastes great for the low Boston price, and is a great location for a small group of friends to go for a meat-free dinner. It is in no way a romantic date destination. Go here, get a few of their a-la-carte sushi menus, and start checking off rolls. A sample of 3-4 rolls per person shouldn't cost more than $20, and it will leave you stuffed and happy going home. If you want sushi on a budget in the general Brookline area, check out Zen320!
(4)Chuck L.
Best Japanese and Korean food for the price in this area. The Udon noodles are great, I highly recommend the boxed dinners like Alsaka Box which comes with roasted salmon teriaki, dumplings, rice, salad, miso soup, couple of fried wontons, and 6 sushi rolls. Service is friendly and fast sit-down and takeout.
(5)Allison R.
Oh, hai half price sushi! All the time! Twenty one dollars bought me a philadelphia roll, spicy tuni nigiri, hamachi, and some kind of crispy crab roll...and a Kirin, salad, and tip. Minus one star because they didn't offer us water, and because they only rival my fave sushi joint in metrowest. The wasabi was hotter than your mom, though, which I appreciated greatly. Definitely a solid find, and I'll be back.
(4)Abbe N.
Great sushi! My friend and I met at Zen 320 for lunch one afternoon and it was just what I needed. The miso soup was so good, especially since it was a cold and rainy day. I ordered 3 rolls (avocado, cucumber and spinach) and it was just right! The spinach sushi was my favorite, surprisingly. The waiter was great and the atmosphere was very laid back. This is an especially great place for college students on a tight budget who are craving sushi. It's best to call and place your order before you arrive so that you have a shorter waiting time.
(5)Dave M.
great tasting sushi. ONLY BAD THING.......service is slower than molasses whether there's 2 people or 20. other than that it's great. UPDATE: went in on Mar 2012 and it hasn't changed. my review still stands.
(4)Ange A.
I've been going here for about 3 years now and I won't stop unless the places closes. You can't beat the price and the quality of the sushi! I highly recommend their lunch/dinner boxes. My favorite is their Texas Box that comes with: Soup, Salad, Beef Teriyaki, 2 Fried Scallops, a Fried Dumpling, White Rice, and 6 pieces of Shrimp Tempura Maki, ALL under $9 if ordered before 3 p.m.! Although, if you go there with a large group, expect a wait on your food. There's usually only 2 people running the place. One making the sushi and the other taking orders and preparing the rest of the food. It's the only big downside I can think of, and it's never been a deal breaker for me! I mean, 1/2 off sushi! Does it get any better?!
(4)Olga Y.
The tea is amazing. The miso soup had too many scallions. The sushi? A prescription for diarrhea. Don't order fish on a Monday.
(2)Tiffany L.
This sushi place takes ridiculously long for its service, but I don't blame them since they only have ONE sushi chef. The quality is consider good for how much it costs. 12 rolls for fifty bucks...a pretty good deal. i have eaten there quite a bit and I am still alive--have not suffered from any stomach illness for the matter. If you guys don't mind the wait then... i say it is a good go!
(3)Jared S.
You get what you pay for. Ultra cheap sushi = nearly rotten fish. I used to love Zen 320. Between eating-in and take-out, I must have made 1000 orders over the last 5 years. But the last few times I have been served some very questionable food. Gray shiny tuna, slimy salmon, smelly yellowtail. I stick only to rolls with cooked ingredients now. It has also been my experience that the slightly better fish goes to the dine-in patrons and the worst scraps are given to the take-out crowd. Caveat emptor.
(3)Katie W.
Half price sushi--Most say don't play with fire unless you expect to get burned, but I have yet to be burned by Zen320. I usually would go here mid week with my roommate for a little sushi night that wouldn't break our bank accounts. We stuck to the basics--rolls that have a high turnover rate in other words so you know the fish is fresh--spicy tuna, spicy salmon, California roll etc, save your adventurous side for a more trusted Duzo. But the sushi was always great and cheap! Service is on the slower side but if your not in a rush and just looking for a relaxing cheap meal, this is a great spot.
(3)Kelly K.
I've been coming to Zen for more than 7 years and I just can't quit them! The sushi is good and extraordinarily cheap, even better than those all you can eat places. I was there last week, stuffed myself and my bill was less than 20 bucks! I love them so much that they only lose one star for all their faults, and believe me there are plenty! Decor?! What decor? Service.... is.... SLOW! Plan on being there for an hour and a half. There's a funky smell that I just can't place. Ewww. Oh yeah, the booth seating is disgusting, soaked in soy sauce and God knows what else. I just can't break up with them... :/ Zen, I'll always love you....
(4)Thana T.
Holy sushi! Seriously. So much of it. And so good! And SO fast! Also, 'half-price all the time' just means 'I am regularly priced sushi but this ploy makes you think you're getting a deal!'. $5-6 for 6 california rolls is pretty standard, I don't know where you've been eating your sushi at. In other news, their menu is quite long and made decision making quite difficult. How can you expect me to choose?! Philadelphia rolls make me happy, though, so there's always that. Wait staff and ambience was normal and what you'd expect for a restaurant of this caliber. Nothing too fancy and it was just right for a Friday after-work meal with coworkers. I will definitely be back again. In other news, I can't comment on what I think was a group bringing in their own beer? Intriguing...
(4)Sarnie M.
This was my first time going to this place so I had no clue what to get. But they have these great dinner boxes that have a little bit of everything and it's only $10. Also the sushi is half off. I recommend this place to check it out!
(4)Chelsea W.
YES! This place is a little sketchy, with its fake trees, prints of some european waterfront, and stained seats. But you can enjoy yourself here. The sushi is "half-off", equals about $4/roll. The waiters and waitresses are attentive, yet give you plenty of space to enjoy your sushi with as much wasabi, ginger, and soy sauce as you desire. Since this place does not have high traffic, the freedom to enjoy your meal without being stared at by the waitress is important! I have eaten sushi from a variety of places in boston, and this place makes the best spicy tuna roll. I have been back 3x already for it!! Visit this gem of a place, it is definitely an experience.
(5)Jeremy K.
4 stars and here's why 1/2 price maguro, my fav! i could eat a ton of this stuff, and when i do, its only 1/2 the price! its true the one server and the sushi chef are like a comedy routine, he screams at the waiter, the waiter freaks out, you get your food, the last part is the only important thing in my book, oh that and the half price sushi! I use to go often due to proximity, now i almost never go also due to proximity, but when I'm in the area and they are open, I'm there for the sush! beware tho, sashemi is NOT half off, but still yumyum.
(4)Bria S.
You really can't beat a sushi menu that's HALF PRICE all the time. The quality is good, not great, but can you really argue for the price you pay? A word to the wise - ONLY DO TAKEOUT at this place. The service is incredibly slow, and they don't always get your order right. So, make sure to order take out and actually open your order before you leave to make sure there are no mistakes.
(4)Thuy T.
This place is alright, decent sushi for a decent price. I come here mainly on weekdays because when they are busy its crazy in there but even being the only group in the restaurant, it takes a bit long to get our food. I guess its because there is only one waiter there and i can tell he is trying his best. If your looking for a decent sushi place for a decent price and have time to wait, this place is a good place to come to but if you come here on a weekend and it is pack, expect to wait a very long time for your food.
(3)Kay A.
1/2 Price sushi all the time!!! Well, maybe they just don't want to update the menus or they enjoy the gimmick, I dunno. This place is okay, whenever I go, I get wasted on sushi, full on food baby, folks, so it's good it's cheap. At first it's a bit hard to find, but I've gone enough times that it doesn't matter. As for the service, takes a real long time, well in Zen's defense I do order a buttload of sushi, but everytime I go there, I feel like i'm going to die before I get fed. So I give it 3 stars, sushi's okay, service is kind of slow, the location is a bit out of the way, but price is ver decent, I think it maybe the best priced sushi in boston, well I need to explore sushi bars before I can state that as fact...
(3)stephanie c.
4 stars for good deal! Sushi is half-off all the time. Can't beat that. Came here for late night dinner with my girlfriends. We ordered 5 types of sushi, fried rice, 4 large sakes, 6 beers...and ended up only paying 25/person including tip!! Sushi portions are decent and the sake was delicious. Can't beat the price. I wouldn't pin it as the freshest or most authentic sushi experience, but definitely a good place to hang out with friends and munch. Service is incredibly slow though...and the atmosphere is a little interesting. A causal place. I'd still go back for the great deal!
(4)Emily S.
So. I've been to this place twice. The first event was completely unremarkable. Yes, it is half price. But what people seem to be forgetting is that they bump up the initial menu price so that if you were paying full price it would be overpriced. When you mark it down by half it comes out to be a pretty good price but it isn't the OMG LIQUIDATING EVERYTHING MUST GO! price that it would seem. Which, when you're dealing with raw foodstuffs, might not be such a bad thing. Granted, I'm also used to Sushi Express on Beacon by Johnny's Fresh Market and THAT is cheap sushi. Speaking of bad sushi...we ordered a lot of sushi. Some of it was ridiculicious, no kidding. Anything with fried and sweet sauce. mmmm...Much of it was also mediocre. Service was medium. Neither rave nor terrible. Perhaps it was just very zen. The unfortunate part about this evening was my friends' salmon nigiri. These two are sushi aficionados; one recently returned from a trip to Japan and the other simply an addict. And their salmon sashimi was so fishy tasting they wouldn't eat it. And these people eat whole baby octopi like potato chips. It was especially orange, smelly, and lacked the smooth, translucent lustre healthy, fresh raw fish should have. When my buddy popped it in his mouth he immediately said, "Wow, I can't eat that. It's way too fishy." They're also not ones to complain, but we called over the waiter for this one. I'm not particularly thrilled with the way they dealt with this. In a fish restaurant, especially one with raw fish, if someone says something is bad you take it away immediately, no questions asked, right? Because that could make somebody seriously ill and no restaurant can afford that. That's not what they did. They weren't rude or argumentative, but they didn't seem to respond to the issue with the sense of gravity that bad sushi deserves. Maybe it's because they've seen enough sushi to know that wasn't that bad, but did I mention my friends are ridiculous sushi addicts? So it clearly wasn't fresh or good. So instead of removing the bad sushi he grabbed the chef who came out. The chef comes out and instead of saying, "oh, it's bad? I'm so sorry!" he tells us matter-of-factly that it was fresh today. My friends smelled bullshit. So they nicely insisted that it was no good and that he should smell it. He replaced it for them. The new sushi was fine and as of yet nobody seems sick. We heard not another word. Nothing comped. No apologies. They didn't do anything wrong per se, but I was underwhelmed by their response. I know it seems like I'm making a big deal out of it, and they did replace the bad sushi, and they were never rude about it (not like that God awful manager at Villa Francesca's), but I just find it a little disconcerting when a restaurant treats bad sushi like it's no big deal.
(3)Sara S.
Half price sushi. Yes. it's true. All day, all the time. I thought everything would be marked up double to make the "half prices" normal prices, but no... this place is cheap! Susie A. and I went all out and got three rolls a piece and salads to start. I got the Spicy Tuna Roll (whole pieces of tuna, not mixed with tempura flakes and mayonnaises), Mexican Roll (spicy crab and avocado), and Unagi Roll (eel and avocado). The Mexican Roll was awesome, and the Spicy Tuna Roll and Unagi were very, very good too. For the price, you really can't beat it. The sushi isn't QUITE as pretty/put together as other places, but it's not like it's falling apart. I've seen worse. Someone compared it to Stop and Shop sushi. It's much better. I got the house salad which was good, but warning, it's not with ginger dressing. I was excepting ginger, it was something else asian-y. Still good. Came topped with seaweed salad. Service wasn't great, but it wasn't terribly slow like everyone else complained about. The reason why 4-stars is because the waiter knew absolutely nothing about the wine menu, couldn't get the bottle open forever, and didn't pour our wine for us. Going back ASAP!
(4)Anh H.
Zen 320 is a hidden gem in Brookline. They have half priced sushi that is very fair. The quality is not as good but they are very tasty for the price. Their cooked food is also very good. I always get their bimbimbap, teriyaki chicken bowl and their baked mussels. Never had anything from there that I did not like.
(4)Susie A.
I went here with Sara S. and like she said, we were impressed. Of course we were a little skeptical at first. 1/2 price sushi all the time? Um, why?? There has to be a reason. But if there is, we couldn't discover it. I went back the other night and got some take-out. I'm usually not the biggest fan of take-out sushi, so I was a bit worried to get it from here. But again, I was impressed! The guys working were super nice and friendly. And I got a seaweed salad, spicy tuna roll, and New York roll (salmon, apple and avocado) all for under $13. Amazing! And when I got it home, I completely enjoyed it. Also, I highly recommend the New York roll with apple- so unique and good! This place is about a 15-20 minute walk from me, but I have a feeling I'll be finding more and more excuses to go! Don't be sketched out; go and get your 1/2 price sushi!
(4)Marina W.
Direct quotes from the evening, "let's make a deal: no matter how good of an idea it seems, let's never come here again, ok?", "it's strange because none of [the rolls] taste quite as you expect them to. They're...different in a way I can't put my finger on it..", and "the only redeeming thing about this is that it's wheelchair accessible. That is how it will earn it's one star." I've been here two times now. I love cheap food, don't get me wrong, but I also like tasty food. As noted above, things don't always taste as you expect them to here. The best part of either meal I've had here is the tea- it's not quite as bitter as other pan-Asian restaurants serve. The service is so-so. The waitron from this most recent experience mumbled a lot and spoke quietly, otherwise it was clear she was trying hard and doing her best and at the end of the day, that's all I can ask for.
(1)Jamie F.
Cheap sushi? I like. ..but BOO to unsatisfactory service! Our party of 15+ arrived on a random Saturday evening without reservations or calling ahead, and discovered that they did have seats available, all in one section, too! But what I don't get is, why did they walk us over to the tables when they weren't even set up yet? Our waiter also forgot to give us our table settings/chopsticks until after the food arrived. Service was incredibly slow despite a fairly empty restaurant. We were also 99.99% sure that they forgot 2 of the many makis and sushi we ordered ... but there's no proof of it because we devoured all the sushi in literally, 5 minutes. The quality of the sushi is pretty good, as with the variety. Again, I'm here for the price and no table wait. Went back recently on a Saturday afternoon. The door sign says it's open at 12:00. Well, my watch said it was 12:34PM and the door was locked. A young gentleman (works at Zen 320?) came over and informed us that the manager was on his way. Yeah, we didn't stick around, even though we just wasted 4 quarters in the meter. How do you do business if you're not even open on time? I don't understand...
(2)Elana S.
Friends introduced me and my husband to Zen 320 (which, up until about 2 minutes ago, I was convinced was called "Sushi 360." Since I loved the show "Dance 360," I thought my interest in "Sushi 360" made a lot of sense). I, being the clueless person I've so eloquently described above, TOTALLY missed the 1/2 price sign in the window, and didn't have a chance to read any reviews on Yelp before going there. So, I was just as shocked as everyone else to see that the price deal is for real. I did expect to get food poisoning. Really. But, we have been alive and well for over 12 hours, so I think we're good to go. The sushi, as others have said, was not amazing, but was not downright bad, particularly for the bargain price. The atmosphere was kind of icky, but you really do get what you pay for in that respect (Fugakyu, hello!?). The service was terrible, but what's the rush with sushi? Given the much-talked-about current economic situation, Zen 320 gets a passing grade in my book.
(4)Becky C.
This place was amazing. We got loads of sushi for really cheap. 9 rolls plus sashimi for $30! We can with two bottles of wine and there was no corking fee. They were really attentive and the whole experience was fantastic. YOU SHOULD GO THERE NOW!
(5)Victor P.
This is the most horrible experience at a resturant I have ever had. Me and four of my friends came in on a Friday night, at around 9 pm. We waited to be seated until around 9:30. Then we ordered, and waited for our food. After about an hour we started asking the server how long it would take for us to get our food - the response was 20 minutes for the first half an hour. Then we went to ask the chef who my friend that he has already had a lot of complaints tonight, and he doesn't care so if we want we can stay or leave. We left at 11pm, after being at that place for over 2 hours, without getting any food. I guess it might be ok for smaller parties, or if you go there when it's less busy, but make sure you have a back up plan, and leave earlier, not later.
(1)Vanessa F.
Pros: 1/2 price sushi Cons: 1/2 the quality After looking up other restaurants on Yelp and swayed by the 1/2 price sushi sign, I decided to give Zen 320 a try based on the mixed-yet-not-scathing reviews. While I don't often feel the need to write about every sub par dining experience, I felt this was worth an exception. Even taking into account the adjusted expectations of 'discount sushi,' the quality of the sushi here was sadly underwhelming. Most of our rolls had a hefty amount of wasabi already included inside - something I haven't actually encountered at any other restaurant, since not everyone likes wasabi with their sushi (in some of the larger pieces of irregularly cut sushi, it's enough wasabi to make your eyes water). The rice was vinegary, but couldn't really hide the fact that the fish was just not very fresh. I can't remember the last time I felt sad that there was more sushi left to eat. Overall, you get what you pay for. I don't consider myself particularly snobby when it comes to sushi, but would not eat here again. I'd recommend that it's probably worth the extra time to find somewhere else.
(1)Becky B.
Ok....so you get what you pay for....but if you know what to order you can seriously make out here!!!!! Id like to start off by saying that my ingestion of sushi knows no bounds...from the seriously high end (think $150/per person in Los Angeles at the kind of places that only celeb insiders know of) to the seriously cheap (on a recent trip to Vancouver, B.C. I payed a bill of $35 for myself and two others to eat till we couldnt breathe) Id put Zen 320 on the middle ground of all that. Its amazingly well priced when you take advantage of ordering exclusively off the 1/2 price sushi menu....and considering the general state of the quality of sushi in Boston...not half bad (damn it...I have have a pun problem) When in doubt stick to the rolls....the sushi is honestly just ok... the best rolls are the Candy roll..which in any other joint is known as a caterpillar roll...and here only cost you $4.50 instead of the usual $8-10. and honestly its just as good...sometimes I dare say better than its rival down the street at Fugak-you know who. and anything..spicy.. the spicy scallop is my fav. I usually just order some Tomago (egg omlet) 2 candy rolls and a spicy scallop..and im never dissapointed... also great for big events...every year for my birthday I order roughly $200 in sushi (read $400...anywhere else..or more) and have a regular eat fest with friends...can you say YUMMMMM!
(4)Justin I.
We came here for the first time the other day and we are now fans. The sushi is not anything crazy but it is tasty and they have everything you want on an Asian menu. The miso soup and edamame are good and the rolls are solid. The dinning area is not super fancy but it is nice for lunch or a casual dinner.
(4)Alison B.
Best bang-for-your-buck sushi in Brookline, maybe even Boston. As soon as I come out of the tunnel at Fenway, I call Zen and place a pick-up order for the David and negi hamachi roll. It takes about 20 minutes, so by the time the train arrives in B-Vill and I walk up the street, it's ready and waiting. 10 bucks. Two rolls. 12 pieces. Great sushi. Done. Kind of a small place inside, but there's hidden seating in the back and they're open til 11:30pm every day but Sunday. It's a cheap place to take my friends when they come to visit, just around the corner! I recommend Zen for those with small budgets and big window for eating.
(4)Jamie M.
This place fits the bill for when you're starving and you're broke because you just made payment on your college loans... the perfect marriage between stingy spending and satisfying sushi! We went on a Tuesday night and there was plenty of seating in their Japanese-centric decor filled dining area - loved the sumo print and the painting of swimming "pre-sushi"; but we weren't the only ones there - so that was reassuring! We were promptly seated and the waitress was with us quickly. A twinge of disappointment when informed Sapparo was not available but Kirin Ichiban quenched our thirst. There was some confusion about what we could select on the 30-piece combo platter but finally were instructed that we could pick half of the platter and the chef would decide the rest. A good mix of rolls and nigiri-sushi with just enough wasabi to give it a lil' kick in the pants. They even provided both regular and low-sodium soy sauce (for all those health conscience folk in Brookline). Best part came with the bill: $44.00 for 30 pieces, 2 beers, 2 Miso soups, and 1 coke. Can't beat that with a stick - come to find out 1/2 price sushi All-The-Time - a very pleasant surprise and left you wondering: "why not just change the menu?". Overall, a fantastic experience that will keep me coming back!
(4)Jay P.
It is what it is - cheap sushi. There's nothing here that I would go out of my way for. I certainly wouldn't patronize this place if it wasn't immediately around the corner from my apartment. With that said, it's not terrible either. They have a large selection of standard maki rolls. I've never had anything that did not seem fresh and I've never been overly disappointed with any of my orders. And of course, the prices are good. Basically, just don't go in expecting too much. Any sushi fan knows that quality can vary greatly. If you're looking for half-way decent sushi without dropping too much cash, I would say give Zen 320 a shot. Just keep in mind that it is what it is - cheap sushi.
(3)Sami W.
It is half priced sushi believe it or not! I only went there recently and got some take-out. The service was very slow. We went to pick up our order 45 minutes after we called it in, and it wasn't ready, it was a Saturday night, but still!!!! The food was good, not impressive, well you get what you pay for! I would most definitely come back for only one reason: IT'S CHEAP!!
(3)Sergio V.
This is hands down the best sushi in town for the price. Not the best sushi in the world, but always fresh and always cheap (they have a never ending 50% off sushi at all times of the day). The actual venue is a bit tired and in need of updating, but if you want good take-out sushi for around $30 for two this is the place. I tried other cheap sushi places around Brookline and none compare.
(4)Ashley F.
A date night under $25? In Brookline? Quattro stars for Zen 320. Great veggie sushi options (I recommend the sweet potato tempura, avocado, and cucumber roll) and beers under $4. The service is slow, but that's why I like it. Go to enjoy the meal. Ignore the sticky table and don't feel strange you are the only ones in there. Try your best to understand the server and s/he understand you to avoid ordering mishaps from a language barrier. Enjoy three rolls for $10 and grab a menu for pick up on the way out!
(4)Irina G.
Beware of half price sushi. A small, laid back group of six went to that half off sushi place in Brookline Village. I warned our friends that no matter how many people are in there, it is typical for the poor waiters being always seem to be a panic. This particular night it proved to be very true. We waited 10 minutes to get a table assembled for our group (even though there were tables available). Then, it took about 15 minutes to get menus and another 20 to get someone to take out order. Finally, we ordered, one of us ordering a salmon teriyaki bowl. The rice bowl was delivered in about 30 minutes. We encouraged N to go ahead and eat, for we were confident that our food would arrive shortly as well. But no, the 5 of us waited, and waited, and waited, as we watched the poor waiters get yelled at by the sushi chef and run around confused about where which order goes. Alas, our sushi came (45 minutes after the rice bowl), and we scarfed it down in 15 minutes - but not because it was so delicious. Au contraire! (I prefer the rolls at Stop&Shop.) (The salmon sushi was particularly bad.) But, good part is that there was certainly no delay in getting the check and having us pay! So, that night, we discovered that not only is it half off the price but also the quality and service. Two thirds of us reported feeling sick shortly after or the next day. I don't know why I keep coming back for abuse! I guess it's the half off thing. That is the only reason it gets two stars. Another tip: Usually multiply the estimated time for take out that they tell you by two.
(2)Erin B.
My girlfriends and I have been coming here for several years and will continue to go back again and again because it is delicious and cheap! I've been to other Sushi spots like Fugakyu, and honestly would rather be at Zen. The ambiance is nothing to write home about but I think the sushi is great. For the number of times I've been there I've NEVER gotten sick or left there unsatisfied. It is true that the service is slow. They only have 1 or 2 servers for the entire dining room. Sometimes it takes a very long time for the sushi to come out but I think that is because there is only one sushi chef and if it is crowded or there is a lot of take-out orders things can get backed up. I personally find the wait worth it given how CHEAP it is. I'm not sure why they don't change the menu prices since it's been half price for over 4 years, but frankly, I don't mind. I went there last night with my little sister and we ordered a Tuna handroll, Taekwondo roll (spicy crab, unagi, avocado), Spider roll (soft shell crab tempura), Rainbow roll (tuna, salmon, whitefish), Salmon nigiri, Unagi nigiri, Cucumber roll, Candy roll (avocado, unagi, awesome sauce), edemame, a soda, and the bill was under $40!!! Try to get that somewhere else.
(4)Ethan M.
I've been going to zen320 for a while now but I never got around to writing a review. Zen 320 is your local dive Japanese restaurant that offers a fantastic menu at cheap prices. The decor inside looks a little suspect but the food totally makes up for it. Their sushi is fresh and cheap and taste great. Their bento boxes are awesome and their chicken teriyaki is great for those who don't eat raw fish. I went their once to do sake bombs and they waiter did not mind at all. Great fun place to dine and to have a good time.
(5)Ray F.
I am a major fan of Zen 320 for many of the reasons people have already described. I strongly disagree with Chris A. about the quality, and since I know Chris A. very well, I can mention that he hasn't been to Zen in well over a year, so what does he know anyway? (Though he is a rad friend). If you want a ridiculous deal, you can go for the sushi OR one of the bento boxes (for lunch or dinner). The boxes come with enough food for two, and they are very tasty. Lots of places give you a bento box and say it comes with "sushi" but mean it comes with two tiny pieces of a California roll. At Zen, the Bento boxes come with two pieces of nigiri salmon with huge, tasty slabs of salmon, as well as three pieces of the ol' standby, California roll. And then there's the sushi, which I enjoy. Chris A. is right in that the sauce they use for unagi and tempura rolls is different from other places, but I like it a lot. I've tried pretty much every type of sushi they offer, and of course I have my favorites, but all of them have been pretty good. I will specifically recommend the Spicy Maguro (Tuna) because they make it fresh for you any time you order it. It's not some pre-made, old, gross spicy tuna in a tupperware container. The sushi chef pulls out the mortar and pestle and makes it happen right then and there. Mmmmmmmm. Finally, the staff are amazing, and definitely very interesting characters. They remember us whenever we come and are friendly and, if I can say so, adorable. The "show" they put on is great fun, particularly if you have our favorite, the "anxious waiter," who will run full speed up and down the restaurant if the sushi chef calls him or if a table dares to lay uncleaned. We love the anxious waiter and very much appreciate his attentiveness. Oh, also, they are open pretty late... until something like 11, I think. And you get free soup at lunch and free salad at dinner. Good deal, eh? Now I'm getting hungry, so I better stop before I have to go immediately to Zen for a treat. I just ate there yesterday, so I feel like I should wait at LEAST 24 hours.... hmm....
(5)Chris A.
Oh boy. People seem to like this because the sushi is cheap and there's quirky charm to the place. But I can't just get over the fact that the sushi is bad. There's a strong correlation between the price of sushi and its quality, and Zen is a good example. They put too much rice for the nigiri sushi, the pieces of meat are small (hence the cheap price), the miso soup is okay. But most importantly to me: their unagi is awful. The eel sauce they use tastes like catfish-flavored maple syrup. Think about that for a moment. The tablecloths aren't sticky which is nice. On the flipside, I have a very good friend who has excellent taste in food (she's the one who told me about Joseph's Pizza in JP - check it out!) and she used to go to Zen every week. So they must be doing something right...well, or my friend is crazy. That's possible.
(2)Richard R.
I don't know, I'm not a sushi expert, but for some reason, maybe the temperature of the food, the sushi here is sooooo good. The prices are incredible. Service can be slow at times, so bring a book. Decor is so ugly it's funny - but I don't care about that. I looooove their sushi. I've probably been there 30 times, and have never been disappointed by the flavors.
(5)Tony K.
The only positive I can say about this place was that its cheap and good for the price. 2 people got completely stuff for $30 including drinks. The waiter was rude and liked to bang things on the table. I don't think I'll be back - there are a babillion other sushi places of similar quality.
(2)Kayla R.
This place is incredible. I come here at least once a month with a group of friends and I'm constantly recommending it to friends. The Sushi is delicious. I have never had anything bad from here in the dozen or so times I have been. My friends and I usually order a bento box, which is only $10 and if more then enough food to leave you full. The tempura is really fresh and crispy, I highly recommend it. The service is a little slow because they have a very limited staff, but its well worth the wait.
(4)Linh V.
We were the only ones in there! Should have taken that as a hint.. This place is disgusting and that's all I have to say.
(1)Matt T.
They have 1/2 price sushi everyday but you can only dine in or take out. Would be a 5 star if they delivered. All the prices are great and the food is top notch.
(4)Daniel S.
I need to write this before I go nuts. I've always been a big fan of Zen 320. But I've had the most terrible experience tonight. I invited some friends to join my wife and I at Zen 320. We've waited at least 3 hours in total to get only 50% of what we requested in the menu. Yes, they were busy. But after complaining, they simply decided to ignore us. We've cancelled our order after the delay. Do you imagine what they did? They said "ok" and charged us for the whole thing!!! Do you imagine what they said after we complained? "I'm sorry." You can't imagine how sorry I am. We left the restaurant hungry, irritated and unable to go anywhere else, since it was too late. I do not recommend it to anyone. They don't care about their customers. But if you're only concerned about price, it may be the place to go. But be patient!
(1)Damien P.
Like pretty much everybody else, I got sucked in by the half price banner. It's always half price... so I guess I fell for it. The hot dishes are rather dull and are definitely less of a value than the sushi. The sushi is very decent for the price. It's not great, but it's really hard to beat it for the price. Not that great on the presentation, but hey, it's cheap. As an aside, for some reason, they seem to randomly include free salad or soup sometimes, but not all the time... not sure why exactly. Great choice for the budget-minded utilitarian sushi lover.
(4)Maria B.
cheap delicious sushi. what more could you ask for? Go there. Order sushi. You're welcome for the best advice you've ever gotten.
(5)Brian F.
After another visit, during which the restaurant was completely empty minus the 2 of us, I realized the poor service here is not a reflection of how busy they are...they just aren't very good at it. Bumping down to 3 Stars...
(3)Kristin S.
This place is a complete hole-in-the-wall - tiny, dark, old/stained/faded/ripping furniture. But there gimmick is 1/2 price sushi all day every day, so when you see a $6 roll on the menu (which itself is a decent price) it's actually $3. Of course, with the ridiculously low priced sushi comes a trade-off in quality. There have been times when I've ordered sushi that has smelled fishy - sushi should never smell fishy. Of course, I've eaten the fishy sushi and have never been sick, so that's a plus. I normally order take out from this place, and "20 minutes" usually means at least 45 - there have been times when I've placed my order, arrived at the specified time, the place is empty, and the sushi hasn't even begun to be prepared! Oh how I love standing and waiting an additional 15 minutes for my order to be prepared. But, all that being said, I keep going back - at least once a week. For $20 you can get enough sushi to feed an army. Can't beat that.
(3)Jamie N.
Whoa, lots of naysayers. I guess it takes a special breed of person to enjoy Zen 320. Nestled in Brookline Village, you can stumble out of the Brookline public library across the street, arms filled with Buffy the Vampire Slayer Comics, and head directly to Zen. I eat here by myself about once a week. Taking other people may require listening to naysaying. "Why would anyone talk poop about the gloriousness that is Zen 320?", you may ask. Well, sushi here is half off. Not just on weekends, or special occasions, but EVERY DAY. One is inclined to think this is a joke, but it's fo' real. You can pretty much order any standard sushi. I prefer to load up on Maki rolls. The baked eel roll is warm and yummy. Get yourself some edamame or crispy spring rolls as an apetizer. Know that you will always get a fresh salad with magical ginger dressing no matter what. And water with lots of refills. If you are used to eating beautifully prepared sushi with flying fish roe and adornments, this is not the joint for you. Zen is like the dive bar of sushi bars. One more thing to mention: the waitstaff is absolutely insane. The sushi chef lords over the place like a king, often yelling wildly at the servers, particularly the overworked dude I see there every time. You will know him by his trademark black slacks, glasses, and panicked demeanor. If I knew what they were saying (they're speaking what I assume is Japanese or Korean), perhaps I could tell you more. But all I know is that they are both quite nice to me as a regular. The waiter runs back and forth, RUNS, from the kitchen to the sushi bar. This can be quite comedic. Perhaps I have a sick sense of humor. Regardless, take your comic collection, library books, and your appetite to Zen and expect a rewarding solo dining experience.
(4)Vanessa M.
Hella cheap for decent sushi. Atmosphere is a decent and you never know what type of music will be playing. Have a craving for sushi but not a lot of money? This place will soothe your sushi call.
(3)Aimee B.
half-priced sushi is always good. kinda like the phrase "the warmest beer is just cold enough." it was a decent enough place, but there's nothing that really says "you must come here!!!!" except maybe the price.
(4)Rachel F.
I stopped in for lunch, and although the decor was lovely and the service very good, the food itself was mediocre.
(2)Julia W.
Top 10 reasons why I love Zen 320: 1. Beatles string tribute music not found at any other Sushi restaurant in the country let alone the Boston area. 2. 1/2 price sushi all the time. 3. 1/2 price sushi all the time that doesn't give you food poisoning. 4. Slightly a-social waiters who you would love to know how they act in their day-to-day lives. 5. Random fish and boat pictures with Geisha pictures in the mix as well. 6. Handmade menu covers with the words Zen 320 in sloppy gold glitter. 7. The 50-50 chance that on any particular night you get Miso soup and salad for free, at other times you don't but you don't really question the reason why, 8. The sushi rolls are cut in strange sizes. You might get a 3" California Maki on the same plate as 1/4" slice. 9. The waiters seem slightly frightened by the sushi chef. 10. The best inexpensive sushi in the Boston area. Seriously great bento boxes and a fun atmosphere. I highly recommend, if anything, for the amusing experience alone.
(4)Laura P.
We avoided this place for a loooong time because the 50% off sign just freaked me out. Finally, we went because friends like Zen 320. There's really no excuse to not go to Zen 320 if you are a sushi fan. We've had no problems with freshness but feel that they get the less attractive, non-center cuts. Still, it's not enough to make me sushi eat elsewhere for good. The bento boxes used to be a really good value and still are to a degree. They've been cutting back on the portion sizes in the bento boxes- smaller pieces of salmon, less noodles, etc. Tonight we were subjected to a compilation of "classics" all on what sounded like the biwa (Japanese lute)- from the Beatles to Vivaldi's Four Seasons. whoa.
(3)Arestia R.
Yikes. While the sushi wasn't bad, the service was incredible...and not in a good way. It wasn't crowded, but it took our server forever to come over and simply take our drink orders. Then, it took forever to get said drinks. Then additional eons for him to come back and take our food order. Add an eternity for him to come back and bring our edamame. I thought maybe then I'd only have to wait another lifetime until our sushi came, but no, it was a salad. Perhaps then I could fast forward to our sushi? Sure, but only a couple of the rolls will come and not for the whole table. Dude, we've been sitting here for 3 hours (I'm not exaggerating), and yes, there are 8 of us, but that's no excuse, especially since I told him we were kind of in a rush (had a concert). Half price sushi all the time can be awesome, but unless you have the time, skip Zen320.
(1)I D.
I have been going to Zen 320 for nearly 2 years now since I live in the neighborhood. I just read all of the descriptions about it, and they are so dead on. I love the waiter that runs around and is always freaking out. I'm what some people might call a "regular" by now. I go to this place whenever I really need sushi, and don't want to spend too much, (which is about once a week). It's hard to cut down when I want it every day. It is always pretty consistent with the quality, and the slowness factor, but it is always satisfying at the end. I usually take out, but when I eat in the restaurant I'm always filling up my cup with their tea (it's soooo good), and I like that they give a free house salad in the beginning of the meal. Mmmmmm sushi.
(3)Emily C.
You can't really beat half price sushi all the time. The ambiance of the place isn't stellar, but I've only ever gotten takeout so that doesn't really factor into this review. The sushi is fresh and as good as most of the full priced places I have tried in the area. In sum: half-price, around the corner, yummy, I'm there.
(4)Anna F.
I came for the banner that said "half price sushi". I inquired about the restrictions. It couldn't possibly be all day, everyday. I was wrong. It is. I guess you can't say cheap sushi. Fair enough. The sushi is good and the service is adequate,. The decor is nothing special and the music can certainly verge on the bizarre (all manner of elevator style renditions of movie scores). If you want to impress a date, take them to Fugaku. If you want some good quality, inexpensive sushi- hit the Zen.
(4)Fred P.
basically a Korean place with Japanese menu items too. Cheap good sushi. Try the 'hot bowl BiBimBap!
(4)Victoria S.
I can't say anything bad about this place. I have been here many times. It is very affordable and the food is pretty good, and the atmosphere...? umm, well you can always go with takeout ;-)
(2)Sarah M.
Great sushi half price, satisfactory ambiance (cheesy, but fine), and it's cheap! Be careful what time you get there (earlier, the better), because you'll end up waiting FOREVER for your food. I've waited almost 2 hours before. Yes, I'm crazy, but talking with friends, drinking hot saki and eating edema me passes the time...
(4)Kristine M.
The half-price thing is a little weird, but I guess it's a gimmick that works for them. Decent sushi, but even after the 50% off, it's not all that cheap for the caliber of sushi. I didn't care for their miso soup :-(
(3)Gina H.
I can say I haven't cooked dinner at home in over three years. Therefore I need reliably affordable restaurants that allow me to either dine out or do take out . Zen 320 is it. Although it doesn't have a great atmosphere I give it 5 stars for value. Dinner bento boxes for 10 bucks. The rolls are better in value than Sushi express. I ordered $60 worth of sushi rolls last fall for a party at Sushi Express and over half was left untouched. Yes, after the half off price the rolls are cheaper than other places. You can easily do dinner for two on a budget at Zen 320.
(5)Bryce S.
I haven't had problems with the freshness, though I have noticed that sometimes the salmon sushi isn't as buttery soft as it should be. Might have to do with the quality or the cut of the fish. I was going to note that service is notoriously slow on the weekends, but this weekend they had 3 wait staff, instead of 1 on a busy night. That being said, the food's well-priced and parking on the street's relatively easy; these two reasons explain why we keep coming back.
(3)N A.
Let's be honest if you are looking for really good sushi, and by that something you can't find at whole foods, or remotely good service you aren't going to find it. The plus is the place is really cheap, average $5 per roll, and you can bring your own beer, wine and liquor which makes for a fun and reasonable night out with friends. The party next is brought beer and a bottle of nice vodka. 8 rolls took about an hour to deliver but the las Vegas was really interestingly sweet and the Mexican wonderfly spicey. Give it a try with friends but awful date spot.
(3)Theresa C.
I was not a fan of zen 320. The service was not very good. We waited a rather long time for our orders to be taken and an even longer time for the sushi to arrive. It seemed as if they were understaffed because waiters were constantly running around. When we did receive our sushi the sushi was not fresh, and the rolls were not flavorful. I was really disappointed with this overall. Although the price was low I would rather pay a little extra to have better tasting food.
(2)F C.
The first thing that I noticed is the 50% off sushi. This raised a flag in my head so I avoided it for about a year, until a friend dragged me there to try it out. First of all the prices were not inflated so that the 50% would be normal priced, but the prices are in fact cheaper than an "average" sushi place. Upon entering you will notice the dimly lit green coloured room and the rather strong smell of bleach and other cleaning agents. The atmosphere is not exactly Japanese; there is always European music playing and the room looks like a mix of Indian and European decor with a few Asian-esque plants stuffed in one corner. Also the bathroom is a little below-par in terms of cleanliness. The menu has the traditional sushi options and a large quantity of creative and unorthodox sushi options (BBQ beef? in sushi?!). Nevertheless, the traditional and unorthodox sushi options were surprisingly good. For maki rolls, they leave the end pieces in, but they taste just fine. The non-sushi menu's food does not look like the food you would expect, but the food is still good. Note: Non-sushi is not half off. They gave us free miso soup as well. Overall, Zen is like a frugal Japanese place which has pretty good food. The only minus is probably the atmosphere and slow service, but that's why most people get take-out from this place.
(4)Marisa L.
Found this place walking home and saw the '50% off all sushi' sign....naturally, I went in. The sushi seemed pretty fresh, no yucky fishy taste I've experience before at some sushi joints, so that was a plus. I haven't actually ate inside the place but I can speak for the take out sushi...yum yum. Been there after work on the regular. Good eats, and at really good prices, what more can you want?
(4)Rebecca Y.
I've had the same problem with the freshness. Nothing beats the prices, but sometimes it is not worth it.
(3)Mini S.
50% off from Sushi Menu. Cheap, but very good food!
(4)Julia C.
Well, make sure your food is fresh. One day I walked into the kitchen and I decided not to eat there anymore. I know that the sushi is cheaper than any other places, but is it worth it?
(1)Jimmy B.
It's really hard to miss the huge sign that's been hanging outside Zen320 for years. In fact, if their 1/2 Price Sushi banner wasn't there, you'd probably drive right by the place. I've eaten here a few times and have a few friends that love the fact that everything on the sushi list is 1/2 price. The sushi is okay. It doesn't have the freshness and nice appearance most other sushi places in the area have but it's cheap. So I guess if you want to spend $20-30 and eat a ton of sushi, this is the place to go. The restaurant itself is insanely dark, kinda creepy, and if you've ever eaten there, did you notice the dj/karaoke booth that is hidden in the back corner? I know crazy stuff happens there at night after closing. But the service can be pretty slow most nights, probably because there's only one guy who's always running around taking orders. I call him "white lightening" and i've seen him stop moving one time. He's the best.
(3)