In anticipation of our first visit to the new site of Ocean Zen post-move, we looked forward to seeing what they had to offer beyond their new digs. First and foremost, their entrance is bright, clean, a little luxe, CA - Style (being from CA, this was clear) and spacious. On the same note, it was immediately evident that the bar and dining areas blend into one another, which I think is nice as long as there are other areas for diners to enjoy some quiet and privacy. Upon being led to our table, we could see that there was only one signature saltwater fish tank in the room and it struck me as odd why they did not add another tank or water feature given the enormous floor plan. Certainly a waterfall could have broken up the ambient noise since there is loud acoustic value in the dining room. In other words, you can hear everyone's conversation and the place can become really loud. It was only about a third full when we were there and it was already quite loud for us. The techno was a little out of place, but I know they're trying to invoke a California feel in their restaurant with a more sleek appearance. On a positive note, I really like the way the restaurant felt and smelled. Maybe people don't really know the difference, but modern dining and entertainment establishments nowadays upgrade to a superior air purification system so that the air smells really fresh and clean and they definitely installed something of that caliber in their new place. It reminds me of how clean and contemporary restaurants feel in California as opposed to a lot of them in the Midwest where they smell like smoke and feel dank. Our service experience was definitely a cut above. We've always had good service at Ocean Center at their prior location, but last night server was definitely one of the better professionals we had! He was very polite, very considerate, very reasonable in explaining the differences between the old and new buildings and really thoughtful when he recognized that we were existing customers from their old location. He even asked if it was ok to shake hands when we left, which I thought was really friendly and nice. Frankly, I agree with the other Yelpers who commented on other guests in the way they arrived. I totally agree that there should be some sort of dress code because we were dressed in business casual which is considered California casual, but there were a great number of people wearing hunting apparel, tank tops, cargo shorts, sweatpants and I think that's pretty trashy for a non-franchise, classier and pricier establishment. At one point, a few teenagers in tank tops and sweat pants shorts walked in and while they are paying customers, they look totally out of place and actually a bit embarrassing. While they may be paying customers and the restaurant has a rate to refuse service in their own right, I feel like they should have been seated elsewhere. For a few cocktails and an expensive dinner out with my husband, I would prefer not being seated next to riff-raff/McDonald's loungers. Back to the meal: our cocktails, appetizers and dinner were excellent! We ordered Cabernet, the calamari appetizer, a sushi roll, the sea bass and the macadamia nut chicken. This is all pretty standard fare for their menu because it did not change too much, but we thought everything was tasty even though my entree could have been a little bit hotter. Again, our service was excellent throughout the meal and our waiter was incredibly nice and friendly. My recommendation to others who might be sensitive to their noise level, be mindful of the time since you go there because their acoustics are limited and allow for a lot of ambient noise to become too loud. After 8:30pm, for example, is when we went and it was manageable. In light of the sound level and size, we will probably patronize then again during their off-peak hours for conversation reasons, but we will definitely be back again! Congrats on your new place, Ocean Zen! It's lovely!
(5)
Jeff H.
I've been a loyal customer for many years, until now. After their move, the owner decided to remove their staples (menu items they served for years). We ordered anyway and the food was good. However, I'm reducing my rating as it's common knowledge for a restraint to keep items that sell. We were told by the waiter, nice gentleman, that the owner wanted a new menu to go with the new location and new look. This doesn't work for me and others I spoke with agreed. Taking my business elsewhere.
(2)
Brooke B.
It is a completely different atmosphere from their previous place. Went the first time and wasn't especially impressed with the noise level. The decor was beautiful and the food was delicious. Went the second time and probably won't go again. To me it seemed like a glorified cafeteria. The sushi was not up to par and we couldn't hardly have a conversation because it was so noisy. To have that elegant of a restaurant, I would expect a dress code (not cut off jean shorts and tank tops). Also, there is no privacy, the bar is completely open for all to view. I hope they succeed with their new concept, but I will be finding a new restaurant. It's sad because it was my favorite.
(3)
Lindsay W.
Ocean Zen has wonderful ambience. It's a great establishment for date night. We love their sushi happy hour! My husband and I have been many times, and only had one bad experience (over the wait on a reservation). We were apologized to by the owner! He went out of his way! That gesture meant a lot to us and we continue to enjoy Ocean Zen!
(5)
Bradley R.
First off the place looks great. Modern upscale where dressing up feels right. Love the couches and decor so top marks there. When we showed at 5:30 on a Friday it was about a 45 minute wait. So making a reservation would be ideal. Noise level. I wouldn't bring it up before food but we got both barrels of it. It was loud. Music was pumped in, so people talked louder, and everything drones to a mid roar. No so much that you can't hear the wait staff but you might have to have something repeated now and then. We had the appetizer sampler. Good all around with the spring rolls and Mongolian BBQ getting stars as our favorites. We both ordered the Salmon. It came with a sweet/savory glaze, jumbo scallop, mashed potatoes, carrots, and tempura fried avocado. Mine ordered medium, hers ordered well done. Both came out well done. Not ruinously bad bad but was let down a bit considering the get it right the first time prices. I probably could have gotten it fixed but didn't feel like hassling an already busy kitchen or wait another 25-30 for a refire. First time at the new location and this place just opened so things might be a little off as they get going. We will be back to give them another try. Hopefully with the music turned down a tad and probably go for another dish.
(3)
Shannon O.
We enjoyed Ocean Zen at its original battlefield location to the upmost, and this new location has not only shown improvement, but the quality of the food and service has excelled beyond expectation. This is still by far our number one choice whenever we want lunch, happy hour specials, or just a gorgeous evening dinner. The atmosphere is very soothing and open in the perfect way. We've already been to this location over five times and have enjoyed the experience every single time without a doubt. The sushi rolls offered are amazing and have a wonderful variety of combinations to choose from. The Rainbow Roll is our favorite, with the Crazy Monkey Roll a close second. The sampler appetizer is delicious, I wish I knew how to make the delightful cucumber and pineapple salad they add to it, so yummy! We almost always order drinks as well and have found their Long Island to be one of the best in town. I myself enjoy the sake bomb with the Japanese beer, very refreshing. Honestly, in my opinion it is the best sushi restaurant in Springfield, MO. Thank you Ocean Zen, you are the reason customers like us enjoy spending top notch money for absolutely nothing short of a top notch experience in every aspect!!*
(5)
Gay E.
First visit since their move. Prices are up, quality was so far down on what we ordered (which we have had before) it was unrecognizable. My food was cheaply made and served cold. Huge disappointment. This used to be by far our favorite place. Sadly we won't be back.
(1)
Laura D.
Lovely decor and the food was just as good as it was at their original location. The bar area is very open. Great place for date night:)
(4)
Clay W.
Outstanding food and lovely atmosphere. Great service. Macadamia Nut Chicken paired wonderfully with my grape-flavored oral laxative. That's not on the drink menu, by the way. A++ experience, will come again. Now, off to the shitter.
(5)
Belinda B.
The sushi was just ok. Salads were very good. Portion sizes were very small for the prices. Beautiful inside. Service was slow.
(3)
Shelly D.
The new locale is beautiful. The food was good - if not a little overpriced. And $9 for a glass of Kendall Jackson when you can buy a bottle at Walmart for $13? The place was too loud with techno music, no privacy, not as intimate as the other location. Won't be my first choice for dinner.
(3)
Tiana F.
Loud. So loud. But everything looks really good and foods good as always. Complete change in atmosphere.
(3)
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Address :4117 S National Ave
Springfield, MO, 65807
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Noise Level : Very Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Rose A.
In anticipation of our first visit to the new site of Ocean Zen post-move, we looked forward to seeing what they had to offer beyond their new digs. First and foremost, their entrance is bright, clean, a little luxe, CA - Style (being from CA, this was clear) and spacious. On the same note, it was immediately evident that the bar and dining areas blend into one another, which I think is nice as long as there are other areas for diners to enjoy some quiet and privacy. Upon being led to our table, we could see that there was only one signature saltwater fish tank in the room and it struck me as odd why they did not add another tank or water feature given the enormous floor plan. Certainly a waterfall could have broken up the ambient noise since there is loud acoustic value in the dining room. In other words, you can hear everyone's conversation and the place can become really loud. It was only about a third full when we were there and it was already quite loud for us. The techno was a little out of place, but I know they're trying to invoke a California feel in their restaurant with a more sleek appearance. On a positive note, I really like the way the restaurant felt and smelled. Maybe people don't really know the difference, but modern dining and entertainment establishments nowadays upgrade to a superior air purification system so that the air smells really fresh and clean and they definitely installed something of that caliber in their new place. It reminds me of how clean and contemporary restaurants feel in California as opposed to a lot of them in the Midwest where they smell like smoke and feel dank. Our service experience was definitely a cut above. We've always had good service at Ocean Center at their prior location, but last night server was definitely one of the better professionals we had! He was very polite, very considerate, very reasonable in explaining the differences between the old and new buildings and really thoughtful when he recognized that we were existing customers from their old location. He even asked if it was ok to shake hands when we left, which I thought was really friendly and nice. Frankly, I agree with the other Yelpers who commented on other guests in the way they arrived. I totally agree that there should be some sort of dress code because we were dressed in business casual which is considered California casual, but there were a great number of people wearing hunting apparel, tank tops, cargo shorts, sweatpants and I think that's pretty trashy for a non-franchise, classier and pricier establishment. At one point, a few teenagers in tank tops and sweat pants shorts walked in and while they are paying customers, they look totally out of place and actually a bit embarrassing. While they may be paying customers and the restaurant has a rate to refuse service in their own right, I feel like they should have been seated elsewhere. For a few cocktails and an expensive dinner out with my husband, I would prefer not being seated next to riff-raff/McDonald's loungers. Back to the meal: our cocktails, appetizers and dinner were excellent! We ordered Cabernet, the calamari appetizer, a sushi roll, the sea bass and the macadamia nut chicken. This is all pretty standard fare for their menu because it did not change too much, but we thought everything was tasty even though my entree could have been a little bit hotter. Again, our service was excellent throughout the meal and our waiter was incredibly nice and friendly. My recommendation to others who might be sensitive to their noise level, be mindful of the time since you go there because their acoustics are limited and allow for a lot of ambient noise to become too loud. After 8:30pm, for example, is when we went and it was manageable. In light of the sound level and size, we will probably patronize then again during their off-peak hours for conversation reasons, but we will definitely be back again! Congrats on your new place, Ocean Zen! It's lovely!
(5)Jeff H.
I've been a loyal customer for many years, until now. After their move, the owner decided to remove their staples (menu items they served for years). We ordered anyway and the food was good. However, I'm reducing my rating as it's common knowledge for a restraint to keep items that sell. We were told by the waiter, nice gentleman, that the owner wanted a new menu to go with the new location and new look. This doesn't work for me and others I spoke with agreed. Taking my business elsewhere.
(2)Brooke B.
It is a completely different atmosphere from their previous place. Went the first time and wasn't especially impressed with the noise level. The decor was beautiful and the food was delicious. Went the second time and probably won't go again. To me it seemed like a glorified cafeteria. The sushi was not up to par and we couldn't hardly have a conversation because it was so noisy. To have that elegant of a restaurant, I would expect a dress code (not cut off jean shorts and tank tops). Also, there is no privacy, the bar is completely open for all to view. I hope they succeed with their new concept, but I will be finding a new restaurant. It's sad because it was my favorite.
(3)Lindsay W.
Ocean Zen has wonderful ambience. It's a great establishment for date night. We love their sushi happy hour! My husband and I have been many times, and only had one bad experience (over the wait on a reservation). We were apologized to by the owner! He went out of his way! That gesture meant a lot to us and we continue to enjoy Ocean Zen!
(5)Bradley R.
First off the place looks great. Modern upscale where dressing up feels right. Love the couches and decor so top marks there. When we showed at 5:30 on a Friday it was about a 45 minute wait. So making a reservation would be ideal. Noise level. I wouldn't bring it up before food but we got both barrels of it. It was loud. Music was pumped in, so people talked louder, and everything drones to a mid roar. No so much that you can't hear the wait staff but you might have to have something repeated now and then. We had the appetizer sampler. Good all around with the spring rolls and Mongolian BBQ getting stars as our favorites. We both ordered the Salmon. It came with a sweet/savory glaze, jumbo scallop, mashed potatoes, carrots, and tempura fried avocado. Mine ordered medium, hers ordered well done. Both came out well done. Not ruinously bad bad but was let down a bit considering the get it right the first time prices. I probably could have gotten it fixed but didn't feel like hassling an already busy kitchen or wait another 25-30 for a refire. First time at the new location and this place just opened so things might be a little off as they get going. We will be back to give them another try. Hopefully with the music turned down a tad and probably go for another dish.
(3)Shannon O.
We enjoyed Ocean Zen at its original battlefield location to the upmost, and this new location has not only shown improvement, but the quality of the food and service has excelled beyond expectation. This is still by far our number one choice whenever we want lunch, happy hour specials, or just a gorgeous evening dinner. The atmosphere is very soothing and open in the perfect way. We've already been to this location over five times and have enjoyed the experience every single time without a doubt. The sushi rolls offered are amazing and have a wonderful variety of combinations to choose from. The Rainbow Roll is our favorite, with the Crazy Monkey Roll a close second. The sampler appetizer is delicious, I wish I knew how to make the delightful cucumber and pineapple salad they add to it, so yummy! We almost always order drinks as well and have found their Long Island to be one of the best in town. I myself enjoy the sake bomb with the Japanese beer, very refreshing. Honestly, in my opinion it is the best sushi restaurant in Springfield, MO. Thank you Ocean Zen, you are the reason customers like us enjoy spending top notch money for absolutely nothing short of a top notch experience in every aspect!!*
(5)Gay E.
First visit since their move. Prices are up, quality was so far down on what we ordered (which we have had before) it was unrecognizable. My food was cheaply made and served cold. Huge disappointment. This used to be by far our favorite place. Sadly we won't be back.
(1)Laura D.
Lovely decor and the food was just as good as it was at their original location. The bar area is very open. Great place for date night:)
(4)Clay W.
Outstanding food and lovely atmosphere. Great service. Macadamia Nut Chicken paired wonderfully with my grape-flavored oral laxative. That's not on the drink menu, by the way. A++ experience, will come again. Now, off to the shitter.
(5)Belinda B.
The sushi was just ok. Salads were very good. Portion sizes were very small for the prices. Beautiful inside. Service was slow.
(3)Shelly D.
The new locale is beautiful. The food was good - if not a little overpriced. And $9 for a glass of Kendall Jackson when you can buy a bottle at Walmart for $13? The place was too loud with techno music, no privacy, not as intimate as the other location. Won't be my first choice for dinner.
(3)Tiana F.
Loud. So loud. But everything looks really good and foods good as always. Complete change in atmosphere.
(3)