Reviews of Zen Box Izakaya. (Restaurant) in Minneapolis (Minnesota).

Zen Box Izakaya

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362 Comments

Restaurant

Japanese restaurant

602 S Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55415, United States

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Information of Zen Box Izakaya, Restaurant in Minneapolis (Minnesota)

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Open hours of Zen Box Izakaya

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Reviews of Zen Box Izakaya

Joe M.

Good place. Food is good and typical Japanese dishes you find in the US. Food is a bit pricy, but I'm a fan of their policy on how they deal with tips. Basically, they add 18% fee to your bill to cover employee wages and benefits, and you no longer tip. It's a nice change and I wish more restaurants would move to this model. I understand that it can negatively impact certain wait staff losing out on tips but I'm a fan of paying a living wage to your employees and doing away with tip culture, especially in the US. Overall good experience and I would go back.

Beth Powers

Really tasty food! Waiter was very friendly...we had the option of ordering on phone or with him which we did-easier. Only draw back to the night was our food was slow to come out but we were not in a hurry. They brought our table a free dessert to share just because. Thank you! Will be back!!!!!

Peter Centner

Tucked into the Mill City area of Downtown Minneapolis, Zen Box Izakaya is serving up some of the best Japanese fare in the Twin Cities. The restaurant is packed with flavorful favorites like Katsu Curry, crispy gyoza, and one of the best bowls of ramen you can find in the state. They also have an excellent drink menu featuring Japanese beers, sake, and shochu highballs, proving that that they are calling themselves an Izakaya for a reason. The service is prompt and friendly, and the atmosphere in the cozy restaurant is buzzy and and filled with positive energy. I’d highly recommend Zen Box Izakaya to anyone looking for a wide variety of high quality Japanese appetizers and comforting, well-executed main dishes. Just make sure you don’t forget to order a drink!

Chinner

Zen Box is a very casual restaurant with a good Japanese aesthetic and upbeat Japanese music. The gyoza and curry we had was pretty solid as was the Peach Chuhai beverage and green tea mochi. The staff doesn't need to do too much other than seat you and bring your food as you order and pay through your mobile device, but all interactions with the staff were friendly. Overall it might be a tad pricey for what you get, but there are no complaints with quality or speed of food and service.

Andy Park

Potato salad is on point and authenthic. Yakisoba is okay, could use some torching to add some smokiness. Kimchi ramen is good but need more Kimchi. Not a lot of Kimchi for Kimchi ramen. But Kimchi was legit. Side of white rice needs price change to 2 dollar or increase the portion by 50%. $3.50 for that amount of sticky white rice is a major ripoff.

Cyrus Rezvanifar

Accidentally found this place to have dinner before a show at Guthries and loved it! VERY FRESH food, great taste, nice atmosphere with Japanese style decorations. I had the Hiyashi Soba Salad and liked it a lot, but simply LOVED their Chicken Teriyaki Bento! They also have other meat-based and vegan Bento meals (served in wooden lunchboxes), highly recommended!

Mahmoud elJazzar

My review is based solely on the taste and not the store place dynamics. The people working there are friendly, and the place is clean. I ordered a smoked salmon, however the sauce didn't taste good. The sauce should be revisited for adjustments. Will give it another try in the future

Lin Brown

I'm not a fan of ordering through your phone. No personal contact with any server. Nobody came back to check on us once our food was served. Gyoza dumplings were very good.. Ramen with pork was ok but not fantastic, looked better than it tasted. Bento box looked good. The treat of the night was the green tea tiramisu! Wow, outstanding!

Trina S

Delicious vegan options. Seating is a bit tight inside, but they also have a large patio. The Manhattan and Lychee cocktails are FANTASTIC. Food has bit of heat, but mild enough for those with a “midwest tolerance” for spicy food.

Emma Schultz

Had such a good first experience, the servers are amazing and work together so well. Nico (hope i spelled your name right) was so nice, i asked him about the sakes and was conflicted on what i wanted and offered me samples of a couple. As a server myself i appreciated that so much because that just shows you care about your job and want people to enjoy their experiences. Honestly 20/10 would recommend. Thank you again for the wonderful experience :)

Julia Lee

We ordered tonkotsu ramen. Pretty good. It was not too oily. It may need a wait for a table. We had waited for 40 mins for a table. 18% surcharge will add to your bill directly, so no need for additional tips.

Abigail

Cute spot for Japanese fare. Hubby got the tonkotsu ramen which he liked as it was very flavorful. However, the bamboo shoots tasted like the sea which he wasn’t a fan of. Got the curry karaage which I liked. No complaints there. Service is fine.

Brittany Peterson

I come here every year I attend Anime Detour! The atmosphere is so pleasant and the staff has been so amazing every visit! Bunch of rockstars when it's busy! You ABSOLUTELY need to have their chicken karaage! So crispy 🤤

Raul Cuellar

One of our favorite restaurants in the Mill District of Minneapolis, MN. Wonderful drink and food offerings in a welcoming setting with fun and friendly staff

Joe Driskill

Zen box has always been my favorite Japanese restaraunt. They have an I credibly fun and welcoming atmosphere, and try to show/give you an authentic izakaya experience. Their ramen is by far my favorite in town, as well as some of my favorite appetizers (karaage 🤤 ps.s ask for kamikaze and cabbage sooooooo good) they also at one point in time was bringing members of staff over to Japan in order to experience the culture firsthand so they can understand what they are doing. Truly amazing place, I'd give 6 out of 5 stars if I could. Literally, the best.

Andrea Kiepe

Not bad, but certainly not worth the price. The appetizers were good (Brussels sprouts and fried chicken especially) but the ramen tasted like it was made from a packet. I found the dining area confined, uncomfortable and drafty. Service is hard to define since they require you to order from an app and then people run food to your table. It’s very easy to think you’ve ordered something from the app and then realize 20 minutes later that you didn’t complete the transaction. Happened to half of the people at our table. Go to Ramen Kazama to experience what this place is going for but failing at.

Cody Hunt

Heads up before going: 1. This restaurant is outdoor patio seating only, at this time. 2. You order and pay for the food through your phone. Excellent ramen and a great spot for a Japanese comfort food restaurant. The soft boiled eggs and pork were great. We also ordered the age gyoza and the matcha tiramisu, both were very good. We will be back again.

Katie Bergh

The ramen here was amazing! The broth was so rich and flavorful. I couldn’t stop eating it. We also tried some sake which was perfect on a cold day. I also liked the contactless ordering.

Marlon Blake

Amazing spot with amazing food. This is a must try place! The French fries were amazing

Stephan L K

I'm so glad that Zenbox survived the pandemic. This is my goto place for ramen (when I'm not making it). Friendly service, a fantastic neighborhood Japanese Pub. It recently hosted my wife's surprise BD party, it was fantastic! Great crew.

Kevin M

Excellent ramen and very nice service. Nice, chill Japanese comfort food restaurant. As of now (covid) it is an outdoor only restaurant. There is about 10 tables on the sidewalk and street. You order and pay through your phone, but there is plenty of servers around to help out. The ramen was delicious and well done. Perfect soft boiled eggs, meat and broth was great. Nice spice in the kimchi ramen. Decent selection of sake and beer...but not huge. Will be back again.

Tommy Luu

Tonight was my second time coming in. This has easily become my favorite ramen spot in town. I have coincidentally had the same server each time and he has been great. I haven't had the chance to catch his name(the small one). Ramen is nice and flavorful and gets to you fast.

Susan Ramlet

We love the food. The atmosphere and food are very close to many of the ramen restaurants I visited in Japan. When you go, asked to sit in the front area, not the back room. It's nearly impossible to hear in the back room, but much quieter in the front part of the restaurant. The ramen was great, and the cocktails were fun. We will definitely be back.

synbios16

Delicious food, fun atmosphere. Looks like a popular spot, so you might hit a wait to sit. Parking could be an issue. I'm not real familiar with the area, so maybe there's a hidden secret parking place, otherwise it's just street parking. Annoyingly, you have to use your phone to order anything, which by default signs you up to both text messages AND emails, which I've already unsubscribed from twice. Lots of drink options, decent food selections. Will return.

Caren T

I came here on a work trip. The food was OK. Nothing too amazing but was ok. What really got to us was the service. They took a solid 30 min to bring out the first dish and then 15 min later, brought out the other 2, one by one. They also automatically required an 18% surcharge which would have been acceptable if the waiters were on top of their game and if the wait hadn't been that long. Needless to say, I would not come here again.

sabrina ferrell

This is our favorite spot for a date night. The ambiance is casual and upbeat and the happy hour is great for a super good deal on drinks and quality food. Enjoy the Chicken Karaage for sure and the Takoyaki! "When Midnight Comes Around" is my favorite cocktail when I want something interesting. Otherwise, the house red and white wine is great and the hot sake too!

D “Juanito” H

It is a small Izagaya style restaurant, a lot of drink selections and a small menu. The donburi and ramen and not very authentic but very good in their own ways. A lot of small plates to choose from. Will definitely come back if in the area. The prices are reasonable.

Khoua Eh Lee

We ordered the Tonkotsu and Kimchi Ramen. Ramen is delicious. Quality of the broth was really interesting, as it wasnt super thick and not super thin. The Kimchi Ramen broth has a nice spicey kick to it. The pork was delicious has well. The noodles were good but the broth lifted the bowl to be muuuch more tasteful. Wasnt too tender but it fulfilled my Ramen tastes. The Tonkotsu was alright. Overall, the Ramen here is solid. We went during the busy hours so it was odd to wait behind people eating at the bar. We only waited for 8-10 minutes, which was much faster than I expected it to be as there was many people coming in. Parking is easy as you can find parking around the block but it is a parking meter you will have to pay for. Overall, If you're in this part downtown MPLS, get your Ramen here. Employees were super nice and helpful as well. The environment was interesting to look at as well. They do have beer and local brewery beers options here as well. Would I come here again? Yep, I will. :)

Brian Reyes

Food was really good. Service was good. They were able to accommodate a walk in party of 5 on a Saturday, but it was the same day as the aquatennial fireworks so I suggest getting a reservation. We tried all the ramen, all were solid, but the tonkotsu was the best. Not sure if it's the best in MN, but I've had better in other states. Duck chashu was worth trying, but may not be worth the extra $5. The best food item though was the pork yakisoba. All the small plates we had we're just okay. If you're just visiting MN like me, I'd probably go somewhere else, otherwise I think it's a decent ramen place to go to once in a while.

Heidi

The ramen was great loved the broth and pork was extra extra tender! Wish the noodles were a little better tho they tasted a little stale or something or like package ramen noodles. And wish that they had a little garlic to add to your soup, also short ribs were a little chewy! Busy busy place and a little pricy! But friendly server!

Nathaniel Chew

Best ramen I've had in the twin cities! Everything in the bowl came together perfectly, from the rich tonkotsu broth and the tender pork belly to the Al dente noodles and the perfectly molten ajitama. I'll be back next time for the donburi!

Linda Le

This place is a must try and a must return!! We enjoyed the Takoyaki, Kimchi Ramen x2, ume shiso chuhai, local craft beer and mochi ice cream (green tea and sesame). The Takoyaki had dancing bonito on top and tasted delicious as it was seared on the outside and gooey on the inside.. the tako bits were tender and the batter was on point with the accommodating sauces. The ramen noodles we're extremely impressive, the soft boiled egg was a lovely touch because usually people over-boil them - Zen Box totally has major skills to make the eggs perfect! The chashu pork was so tender and tasty as well!! The kimchi wasn't too spicy but it had a small kick, absolutely delicious!! To finish off our lunch, we shared two mochi ice cream, it looks homemade and soooo super soft and flavoursome. Staff were amazing and friendly as well! We will be back!

Tom Severson

The staff was very friendly, the selection was pretty good. The ramen had great flavor, served with an egg like expected, and the alcohol that I tried was quite good (sake and beer). Would definitely go back.

Rich Jung

Place tries, but isn't the greatest representation of an isekaya. Don buri was tough and poorly seasoned. Ramen tonkatsu broth was lacking. Buta was rather tough, though the flavor was authentic. Mackeral was fine. Plating is nice

Hudson Knisely

Amazing ramen, full egg, great broth, and takoyaki was really good, it was a little expensive that’s why it’s a 4 star 8/10 on the moan meter👍

Bill Steinberg

Great experience and dishes. Wish the waitress would have explained the menu, but otherwise she was very attentive and polite. We had the ramen "main dish" as well as battered octopus and seaweed/cucumbers snacks. Delicious.

Elston Flowers

If you are a fan of ramen bowls, then this is a good restaurant to visit. I chose the a pork ramen bowl, which was quite good and very filling. Also, they have Japanese beers to have with your meals, which I prefer over American beers with Japanese food.

Dustin Kwee

I used to think this place was alright, but I now think it fits its niche very well: Japanese comfort food. Everything is shareable, tasty, and cute. A little on the pricy side, but a great place to come with friends and enjoy hearty Japanese classics.

Marianne Marchand

I love how these guys knows what a Japanese food should taste! I tried their pork tonkatsu ramen, yakiniku, takoyaki, chicken karaage and mochi ice cream - black sesame and strawberry, Amazing! My kids loved it too. Service was fast, orders are accurate. The decor and restaurant ambience, thumbs up too! Reasonably priced. My new fave spot in Minneapolis.

Jennifer Swagert

The takoyaki is perfect! I also tried brothless ramen for the first time with their Mapo Tofu Mazemen and it's a new favorite for me! So good. Give it a try. Edamame and miso were just average but everything else was so good that I didn't mind. Worth it!

Allen Tucker

I visited Minneapolis for a conference a few months back and randomly picked this restaurant to take 5 of my employees. We subsequently had possibly one of the best meals that I have ever had. The ramen was truly amazing and the sake was like I've never tasted before. I'd recommend ordering multiple things and trying as much as you can...it is all fantastic. Plan ahead though, this place is popular and in a pretty small location, but that makes it an even better intimate experience.

Christina Valdivia

There are plenty of pros and cons about this restaurant. The biggest pro: the food tasted great and portion sizes were perfect- not too big and not too small. Biggest con: I don’t think they have dusted in years. We sat at the bar in front of where they prepare the food and there was dust caked to everything, all of the decorations, the large fan vent in the kitchen and many of the high up areas. Not only that, but if you look at their happy hour menu vs their regular menu, the prices are the same for many dishes. How is it a happy hour special if it is the same price? I don’t plan to return in the future because if their restaurant isn’t clean where everyone/guests sees, I can’t imagine behind the scenes where just the staff goes.

Andrew Hou

A cozy little industrial themed shop with prompt service and a comfortable atmosphere. They offer a wide variety of shareable small dishes in addition to a few absolutely outstanding ramen options. Don't miss out on the tonkotsu ramen, and try something new!

Acacia Parks

Good Lord that food was good. I just had a fantastic tonkatsu ramen paired with my favorite sake ever (I had it at Morimoto some years back), Southern Beauty, and a black sesame mochi ice cream Attentive service, hip ambiance, definitely a place I would visit again.

Andrew Loo

We've been coming to zen box for years. They recently updated their menu and the food is much improved. Definitely the best ramen in town.

Jeffrey Martinez

Love this place so much! Anytime I come to Minnesota it visit this is a must for me always! Ramen is slamming and the mixed drinks are delicious. Atmosphere is great and you won't leave disappointed. Check em out if you're in the area

Cadee Qiu

Loved the food here, there's amazing authentic Japanese food and drinks! The small plates have good portions and price is very cheap. Good quality service as well, although we came with a large group so we didn't really need any servicing. Highly recommend the Tonkotsu ramen and the Lychee drink!

Linda Norland

Prompt service and a lovely comfort food type meal. Their cocktail menu is varied and playful, deviating from the usual fare. The tonkatsu ramen was tasty, but a bit salty and gravy-like.

Bill Lynch

Quickly becoming our default, go-to place. Last night we had the Chicken Teriyaki Bento and the Yakisoba dishes. Both were very good. As every other time we visited, the service was fast and professional.

Ian Allen

Great Japanese food with an authentic izakaya vibe. Service is always excellent when I go, and the food comes out pretty fast. I recommend going with a group who’s into sharing as they have an excellent selection of small plates (order some of the seasonal pickles as a perfect accompaniment!). I also love their katsu curry but they took it off the dinner menu (why?!). This place also has phenomenal cocktails—a totally welcome surprise. We were so impressed we kept ordering them and eventually moved into dangerous territory. This is a nice place to come before going to a show at the Guthrie as the service is fast and it’s a short walk (just a block away) so you can time your evening right to make it there by curtain.

Erick

Ordered the tonkotsu ramen with Nippon hot karage (NHK) and seaweed salad to share. Really enjoyed the spicy NHK chicken (super addicting!) and ramen! The broth was very rich and flavorful, with just right amount of toppings and noodles.

Nova Harahap

I made the reservation skeptically. Skeptic because, and not try to sound like 'uppity a$$', I've traveled to Japan twice (I know, only twice). Once as a child and as an adult. I love Japanese staple food, they tried to make everything perfect, even though it's a simple fried food such chicken karage. I've falling in love with Japanese food ever since. So, back to Zen Box. I told my SO, I will just going to order basic Japanese meals, to see if they really good. Because if you ruin basics, the other complicated food will def going to be awful. So, I order takoyaki, chicken and ika karage, and chicken yakisoba. It was good. It's simple and yet delicious as I remember it. The yakisoba sauce blend perfectly with the noodles. The chicken and ika karage was moist in the inside and crispy on the outside. The takoyaki.... meh... I've got better version than that before. Overall, I like it. If i live here in MN, I definitely will be back. But unfortunately, we have to fly back home.

Angela Sohyun Park

Their entrees and appetizers are all good. They've got the closest feel of real Japanese restaurants compared to other ones in MN. Workers are friendly. Parking is limited.

Amanda Thomas

Servers are soft spoken, and the restaurant is a little loud. The drinks had some odd flavors, but maybe I just need to try something different the next time. The food however, was delicious! Definitely worth the trip for the food alone.

Rich Harmer

We arrived at 5pm (opening) with no reservations and sat at the bar. There place was immediately busy. The bar tender was fast and efficient. We ordered tuna, beef, wings, ribs and salmon along with a beer and house hot Sakai. I am very picky with my seafood. The tuna smelled just a hint fishy and was chewy (like minutes chewing), the beef had a good flavor but pretty chewy as well. The wings were the star, delicious and hot. The ribs were pretty good. The partially torched salmon was not good in my opinion. My friend did eat it all but the taste was salty and it was chewy. The house Sakai was pretty good. I might go back to try some other things on the menu, but I would more likely try somewhere else first. The staff was great and the food came out quickly. No complaints with the staff, atmosphere, or price.

Andy Nguyen

Service was amazing. And food came out quick. Definitly love the atmosphere. The food was very good. The tofu was amazing. The chicken kaarage was very tender.

Staci Smith

The best ramen in town. Great atmosphere. It's first come first serve so I would recommend either waiting outside for them to open, they close mid day between lunch and dinner, or making a reservation.

Gabriela Rocha

The place looks authentic. Feels like you are in Japan. Staff was friendly and helped to get seating for a party of 14. Great food, enough options and clean.

Abby Dong

The quality has gone downhill since 2020. Before 2020, we used to come here a lot. It was top notch. Since then, flavor is lacking, and the new method of service is confusing. You scan a QR code that takes you to a website so you can order for yourself and/or the table. That's fine, and actually pretty cool. But when it comes time to check out, it's not clear who has paid what and who hasn't. The site could use some usability work. There is also no dedicated server for your table, so it's easy to slip through the cracks. We ordered drinks and then waited 20-25 minutes before we asked a passing server if they knew what was going on. They brought us our drinks right away after that. It just isn't the Zenbox I remember before 2020.

Steven Klankowski

Total Zen. Phenomenal Ramen, Avocado tempura, and those wings. Best stop I can recommend. Do get a reservation thou ahead of time, ~30 minutes wait. Will not disappoint. Another great recommendation from Eat Drink Dish Minneapolis

Kelly Maltbia

We got there early, per reviewers suggestions, and made a reservation. Service was good and attentive. Food was delicious. In town for a visit and we would go back.

Nicholas Knueppel

Everything about the this place was wonderful. 10/10 will go back. Tonkatsu ramen here was the closest to Ichiran I've had. Just call ahead to make sure you done have to wait!

Martin Kagermeier

Best place for ramen & other Japanese food stuffs in the city! (no sushi tho, but that's okay)

KALE BUKOSKEY

Food was good service top notch. Order through your phone online and they bring it to you. There's also a surcharge so no tip.

Dayne Katula

Food was good. The online ordering and paying was from your phone was awful. No table service at all. Mandatory 18% gratuity fee for nothing.

Ivy Tai

We ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen (pork bone broth) and the Kimchi Ramen. Both are very delicious, just wish the broth and the meat can be a little bit more. :)))

John L

Arrive right when it opens or else you'll have to wait in line. This place fills up quickly and rightfully so as their food is delicious. Everything tastes amazing but my personal favorite is the chicken karage!

Krysta Vancil

Came here on a Saturday night during happy hour, wait was about 15 mins for 2. Ordered kimchi ramen and chicken gyoza. Ramen was very flavorful and I loved the spice level.

Spriha Pradhan

Loved their service! I really enjoyed their fried chicken. While I did enjoy their ramen, i found it a bit salty and the noodle was not as smooth as I expected it to be.

Todd Rhinerson

My first Ramen experience and so far the best as I've had more since. Great drinks too! Small place but was packed and popular.

Rebecca Lee

Although I'm not a ramen person, my husband very much is and he had anticipated this visit very much. We both got their ramen and enjoyed it--I didn't finish all of mine (as the servings are pretty large), so I packed mine to go and was pleasantly surprised at 2 things: we were given 2 to-go bins, one for the broth and one for the noodles; and second--the broth settled nicely and tasted perfect the next day when warmed up. <3 We will be back when we crave ramen again. **The only downside is that the spacing between tables is limited--I could have stuck my hand straight out and touched the next girl's face. Aside from this, it was great!

Sarah Coulombe

We both had the Kimchi Ramen and it was so delicious! We also had a few small plates like gyoza that was also super good!

Camila Nitsche

I wish I could go back right now and get that same bowl of Kimchi Ramen with a ginger lemonade on the side. Amazing, amazing food. Super flavorful.

Mike Lichtenberger

Excellent ramen but be prepared for an 18% gratuity charge irregardless of the service or lack of service. Order from your phone and they drop your food and you don't get asked if everything is OK, had to flag someone down for a Togo container. Makes sure everyone at your table orders at the same time if on separate phones as my food came out at least 5 minutes before my friends. The service is the reason for the low rating but the food was delicious.

Nader Banilohi

Excellent food.. Best Ramen in the Twin Cities! The Chicken Karaage is a must for appetizer! For Ramen, can't go wrong with the Tonkatsu Ramen! Very rich flavors!

Theresa Luna

Amazing ramen for the Twin Cities as they have good tonkasu ramen and great short ribs too. Great place to have a gathering as they are large to have the space and take reservations. This place is great!

Albert Jonathan

Decent Japanese restaurant. The portion is a bit small (it's Izakaya so ... ) but the foods taste great and fresh.

Ariel Zrihen

Ordered delivery on 3/22. We had: Tonkotsu Ramen Chicken Karaage Curry Seaweed Salad The ramen was delicious. Reheating instructions provided were great and worked well. We subbed GF noodles and were not at all disappointed. The flavor of the curry itself was nice, but the karaage was incredibly dry and difficult to eat. We had to gnash and tear to get single bites. Might have been overcooked or sitting out for a while. The seaweed salad was mostly warm (travel hazard with hot food, no blame for the restaurant) and the portion size was very small for the price. Our container was barely half full - much less than I’d expected to get for almost $9. Overall, you’ll be happy with the ramen but it’s unlikely we’ll order from here again.

Ariel Koch

The Kimchi Ramen is still by far my favorite ramen I have ever had!

Anthony Hoffman

My favorite japanese restaurant in town. I havent been to them all but Zen Box tops my list of 10 or so places

Nian Liu

GOOD Japanese ramen with a variety of small plates. Short ribs is awesome!

Jane h

The food was great.....we walked along the river and had dinner there and walked back along the river. The server was excellent.

Charlie Tsai

Nice place, good ramen. The broth was beautifully flavored, but the noodle was a little bit too soft, or it can be perfect!

172 k

A little cramped and overpriced for what it is, but good food overall

Jiangnan Dun

Somehow Zen Box is slipping among the restaurants in Minneapolis. The food now is both greasy and salty, especially for the Ramen. Plus, a 18% surcharge is automatically applied to the order, but Service is not good enough. Anyway, still a good place for casual Japanese food, just no longer be the one before.

Amanda Helling

Zen Box is my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities. The staff is awesome. The food is great - whether you're getting the ramen, a bento box, the katsu, yakisoba, or Japanese curry (or basically anything else).

robert harrison

Absolutely amazing. Huge portions and fantastic quality. The staff was very friendly and sincerely grateful to me. Exactly what I was looking for. EAT FOOD HERE!!

David McMasters

I came here for a quick bite and a beer. The service sitting at the bar was quick. I got the Kimchi ramen bowl. It was delicious.

Justin Wiertzema

I like everything about this place. The atmosphere, the decor, the food, the staff, etc. Went here with my wife and sister and we will be back again. I highly recommend getting Bonbons after the meal.

Ben Quam

The depth and love that comes in each bowl is evident from the first spoonful! The staff is always friendly, and the drinks are solid. But the ramen is what calls me back every time. Cold day, hot day, it doesn't matter...sometimes that's the only thing I need! Love, in a bowl.

Christina Super

I LOVE this restaurant. I’ve come here numerous times, once for a bachelor party, and I have never been disappointed with the food, service, or drinks! I love Japanese cuisine, yet (ironically) don’t eat fish, so sometimes finding a menu item that doesn’t have a fish-based option can be hard. Not here!!

Kaili Simpson

Don't go here if you want good Japanese food. Flavors were underwhelming, sometimes downright incorrect or not good at all. Go to Tenka if you want good ramen. Everywhere else in the cities doesn't compare.

Brent Timm

Very authentic Japanese food. Ramen was amazing. Karagage wasn't my favorite.

Tam Do

The kimchi ramen is so flavourful! The broth is rich and deep but not overly salty or fatty. The service is fast and fantastic. Definitely the best ramen place in mpls.

Ozzie Valverde

The food is absolutely delicious and the service goes far beyond the expectations. I highly reccomend the pork ramen as well as the pork sandwich. They also have a great selection of eastern beers. The staff is knowledgeable and very accommodating. Highly reccomend this spot. Special shout out to Chad who works the line.

Eric Luoma

The Ramen kits they put together are awesome! It's not like eating at the restaurant but dang they know how to put it together. I live about a half hour away so the fact it is designed to be reheated at home is perfect! The gyoza reheated in the air fryer (my new reheating method of choice for anything non liquid) were excellent and that potato salad is something special! Give them a try you won't be disappointed!

Katarzyna Kiernoziak

Best food that is made/served by the best people... Sign me up!!! John and Lina are amazing humans who attract that same aura. It's hard to find that in this fragile industry. Every experience i have had at Zen has been amazing. I am very proud to love a place like this not only because they make great food but they make an effort to give/love back into the community. Keep it up! Love and light ❤️

Willard Puckett

In town and looking for something a little different Zen Box was highly rated so we thought we give it a try. A short walk from downtown there is indoor and outdoor seating. They feature a broad menu crossing a number of Asian cultures. We ordered tapas style so we could share a variety of dishes. The Tuna and the octopus balls were wonderful. The ramen was very good as well, albeit noting out of the ordinary. They feature what seemed like a good sake selection and there is a good range of beers as well. Its an eclectic crowd, both customers and staff. We had a great time and will definitely be back.

Chee Yi Ong

Great tonkotsu ramen, probably the best in downtown. I usually get the chicken gyoza with my ramen and it's perfect. Sprinkle some togarashi on it too!

Ben Chandler

Delicious Japanese street food. I HIGHLY recommend the Tonkatsu ramen and the takoyaki. Otherwise I also enjoy their donburi. I've tried about half of the menu, and I've never been disappointed with a meal! Update7/2/22: Since the covid reopening, ordering is now all online. The menu has some new items here and there, duck ramen, karaage sandwiches, etc. and they are all terrific. I'm happy to be a regular here.

Karin Blythe

My spouse and I had two of the ramens. They we're huge and tasted amazing. Tofu steak on the side - fried perfectly and tasted amazing, it was like a treat. Atmosphere was bustling - the place was packed on Saturday night. Quick seating, food arrived in good time, servers were very nice. Also tried some sake as dessert :) it was smooth, fruity and absolutely delicious.

Sid Safaroth

Good. Very Nice. My Server. She was very good. Nice. Fast. Food very good. Quality.

Sarah Norton

The owners and staff are fantastic people with hearts of gold. Without missing a beat, they worked through the troubles of 2020 and are still going STRONG! Owner Lina Goh is an inspiring, powerful woman who is greatly loved and respected. Her husband John Ng is intelligent and creative (also a fantastic visual artist). The food is spectacular, the atmosphere is warm and the service is prompt and pleasant. Would DEFINITELY recommend!

Joy Summers

It’s not just the incredible ramen and convivial izakaya atmosphere that make this place a gem, but it’s the beating heart and soul of owners John and Lina that make this restaurant a Minneapolis treasure. They have worked tirelessly to make this city a better restaurant town just by being incredible neighbors. The grace and kindness that we always receive from their entire staff makes this a place my whole family loves to visit. Great drinks and fabulous snacky bites for grazing, but also: get the ramen.

Joshua Swaner

This place is awesome. Some of the best ramen in the Twin Cities. Noodles are perfectly cooked, not too soft. Same with the veggies and fixings. Really good sake if you like that sort of thing, and the appetizers are great too. One or two craft beers on tap, and tons of Japanese spirits (sake, whiskey, shochu, and cocktails).

Mark Neilson

I love this place. The food is great and so is the service. My wife always gets the pork ramen. I'm partial to the chicken curry. One of these times we plan on getting the sake flight, but haven't had the chance yet.

Adam Thomas

Best Ramen in Minneapolis, but everyone already knows that. Their customer service is incredible as well. Messaged their social media for advice on transporting their ramen back to Fargo and they went above and beyond for me. I really appreciated it and the trip went smoothly with the ramen intact. Zen Box will always be a must stop for me when I’m in Minneapolis!

李佩蓉Pei-Jung Li

Pretty good Japanese cuisines! It's a pity that the Tonkatsu (fried pork steak) was not so authentic.

ZMR

Big fan of their happy hour menu, and I definitely recommend the Pork Yakisoba for dinner! It has a great flavor to it, just like everything else on their menu. I am however, not a huge fan of the staff. I've gone in there around 3 times, to which I've encountered folks that don't look like they're having a good time. Kinda just makes me wanna get outta there to be less of an inconvenience.

Sam R

Was seated quite fast on a Wednesday during lunch hour. The hostess was very nice and friendly. Atmosphere is great with sophistication the bartender was attentive and kind. I placed my order and it took no longer than 10 minutes to receive if even that. The broth was creamy a little bit thicker than I’m used to but it didn’t take away from anything and actually filled me up quite full as other ramens are more watered. Delicious and presented nicely and you’re given the chili spice and white pepper to which always completes the dish! Will be coming again to bring my sister! Loved it!

Haley B

This is a local favorite of mine; my friends and I often find ourselves coming back due to the amazing food and great service. The atmosphere is cozy without being claustrophobic, very charming. The menu is small, but they know what they're good at and stick to it. Never had a bad dish, but I personally recommend the chicken karaage, pork belly, and takoyaki. Make sure to come at right opening time if you want to get a table; it gets busy fast!

mnwild66

Delicious food great atmosphere friendly staff. Emma is terrific!!

Francesca D

Awesome little local place. They were super kind and served 6 of us just before closing. Great ramen enjoyed by all. Only reason I’m rating slightly lower is that the veggie option was a little weaker than other Ramen places I’ve visited. But highly recommend :-)

M. Doucet

Cool & hip place with some tasty flavors from the bar and beyond. Seated quickly, but in the private dining area where the decor felt like an afterthought. Wait staff was mostly professional and mostly knew the menu. Portions were too small and over-garnished, but food was fresh and satisfying. Experience marred by half a dozen babies & toddlers throughout which was a disappointing surprise for dinner service at a place with signature cocktails.

Cathy Zheng

I haven’t visited this place for like 3 years and just went again a couple weeks ago. The ramen was still phenomenal!! I loved the thick, flavorful broth and the type of noodles they use. Small plates are pretty good too. My fiancé didn’t really like the avocado tempura, I thought it was all right. I understand that it may be too rich for some people though.

Jaden Rich

Food was amazing. I was disappointed they didn't have a vegetarian broth option from ramen. However, they did have a dry ramen bowl that was vegetarian. The wait to get food wasn't long, even on a busy Friday night. They have a large drink menu starting at $7 and an expansive list of sake within that menu.

Rachel Mezey

Japanese cuisine is my favorite food and this place did not disappoint. Best $14 ramen I've had in the Twin Cities and I've been to quite a few. Great menu and happy hour options in addition to creative cocktails. 👌 …

Alex Baxa

Food tastes great. Love the tofu steak. Menu has great variety with an option for all tastes. Atmosphere and service were great. No complaints. Will very likely return to enjoy another great dinner. Metered street parking available.

Andrea Moore

The food here is sort of a mishmash of a lot different Japanese food, which is nice if you're trying to please a bunch of people. It's the kind of place that if the tables were bigger, it would be great for a large group, so you could try lots of small plates. The ramen was good, and when I took it to go, they packaged the noodles and the broth separately, which was nice, since it meant the noodles didn't get soggy.

laura h

They have a great late night happy hour if you can wait up. Overall pretty good apps and ramen. Not the best you've ever had but a nice meal. The kimchi pork belly however was very good and had a nice small bit of spice to it.

Angela Pearson

Super great ramen here! Husband and I shared a bowl as we had restaurant hopping plans that night... Now I just want to go back and get my own bowl! We also had the short rib and tempura avocado...both were mind blowing! This place fills up fast, so arrive early and enjoy your time. The decor is fun too, you'll see something new each time you look around! I can't believe I waited this long to get in there...

Oscar Cuma

Meh. Had the tonkatsu curry. That pork was definitely reheated in a microwave. Dry, rubbery and slat as a pancake. The brussel sprouts were good. But never having the pork cutlet ever again.

Chris R

Food is very great! Service is good. Make reservations no matter. The bad... reserved bar seating, over crowded in a small space. They should consider moving. I don't go there anymore because of these reasons. Ramen, in a bone broth (from scratch) is an easy dish to make to your liking at home. Check it out no matter my opinion. It's good

Vincent Coborn

Amazing! Finally Japanese cuisine that isn't messed about with. Japanese comfort food without the pretentious noise that other restaurants inject. The ramen is out of this world, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if that was all you ever got. The interior is really cool, and the staff have always been great.

James Gobble

Delicious food in a great environment. Would definitely recommend!

Josie G

Wow! This place was an awesome find while my husband and I were walking around. I was surprised and so grateful that they were able to accommodate so many items gluten free. We ordered drinks and chilled edamame with gluten free soy sauce. It was delicious! I have never had chilled edamame and was pleasantly surprised. We sat at the bar and all of the servers, hosts/hostesses, and bartenders were very patient and friendly, even while dealing with a huge crowd. Overall, this place has an incredible and truly authentic Japanese vibe. Incredible atmosphere. 5/5!

Michael D

I have been going to Zen box on occasion for a few years now and I always leave beyond satisfied. The food is incredible, their Ramen is so good and so filling. The service is great too! top notch waiters and their drinks are unique and classy. I love the location as well, as I used to live in Downtown it's great to enjoy some of the best food you can get and a view of the city.

Dan Christner

The Wife and I went here late night (11:00) on a Saturday and the place was still pretty packed, we had the pork Ramen and some kind of wing. It was very good, she liked her ramen a lot and the wings were perfectly spicy for my weak MN spice levels :) The service was really good for how busy they were and watching the people cook food (as we sat at the bar) was pretty neat.

Brittany Brama

Had multiple ramen dishes and wasn’t disappointed. Great portions and very flavorful. Called ahead to ask if they add MSG to their food - they do not (awesome). I’d give this place 6 stars if I could.

Pulkit Kashyap

It rare to get lot of vegetarian options in Japanese cuisine. I really loved it. I had Veggie Curry which was perfect. This place is busy most of the time. I would recommend to reserve a table and go. It's a must go Japanese restaurant.

Ian

I lived in Akita Japan for a year and this spot brought me back. When you enter you get greeted with “ Irasshaimase”! Great service. Great food. Ramen is excellent. Nice to have chicken and veggie dumpling choices rather than pork only. The poke was awesome! Go here on a cold winter day!

Steven Juracek

The food here is always fresh and amazing and the servers are fantastic. I absolutely love the Pork Katsu Curry and the ramen is to die for as well. The sake selection is phenomenal as well. I will continue to come back as often as possible.

Naomi Thyden

Update: tables available to eat your takeout order at! Wisely have not opened the dining room. We don't come here often because we always want so many things that we spend a lot of money! I haven't had anything disappointing here and have tried all sorts of things from the menu. There's a small patio that's nice.

Ethan Akerly

This place is pretty darn delicious. The ramen is perfect and when you get a bowl of ramen it's to share with another person,making this place more inexpensive than it seems at first. This is one of the few Japanese restaurants that I've been to that have shochu in addition to sake. Another note about this place, by chance I had the same server twice despite visiting randomly in 2 different months. He was excellent and it sucks that I can't remember his name to recommend.

Nevin Lyne

The food and staff here are both amazing! I grew up in Southern California and lived in the SF Bay area for years with access to amazing Japanese food and Zen Box Izakaya is up there with the best! This is one of my favorite places to eat in town, and I bring my staff along with out of town clients here all the time. I am not really sure if the 1 star reviewers are actually reviewing the right place because while yes this place can get crazy busy, I have never had bad service or bland food here, ever, and have eaten everything on their menu at least twice (if not many dozens of times!).

Zoe Zander

Fantastic! Best Tonkatsu I've had since my trip to Japan. Very rich with the most beautifully soft charsu pork! Melt in the mouth and flavorful. I also really appreciate how they're helping the community with the pay what you can take out menu - I know it's helping me and a lot of other people. Can't wait to come back again

Abhishek Reddy Chamakura

The is a perfect Japanese fusion restaurant. Tuesdays there serve veggie ramen. The service is good at this place and doesn't take long to get your food. Decent pricing. The desert - mochi is good here. I personally liked the mango and green tea flavour.

Grant Nelson

Went for happy hour,. Food was ok, prices reasonable.

Eric Martinez

Great ramen and takoyaki! The broth was clean and flavorful, the duck chashu, while unorthodox was excellent, and they have proper ramen eggs! Overall i would say this place is excellent, i will likely be eating here again next time i'm in town.

Steve Momcilovic

This place is a solid choice. Their ramen is right next to Tori in terms of quality. They give you more than expected extras when you order them, and they also have a nice selection of sake.

David Wittman

Great spot. They have good lunch specials and full menu. Drink selection is fun with a bit of local flare. It reminds me of my trip to Japan. In my opinion captures the feel of authentic style. NHK on the TVs is a nice touch. I recommend stopping in for lunch to see if it is your thing.

Paxton Thedford

Late Night and Early happy hours: two VERY different experiences. The only reason I'm not giving this place five stars is because I had a terrible late night happy hour experience. The daytime one was phenomenal. Great service, amazing food, and ridiculously affordable prices. 5 star, everything you'd want. Late night was awful though. Staff was visibly upset when we walked in, and was very rude. Everything took forever to come out, and one dish was forgotten completely. I understand that we came in late and you want to get home, but if you have a late night happy hour you should expect people to come in. But like I said you can't beat the prices and the quality, so 4 stars it is. Just don't go late at night.

David Davis

Absolutely the most traditional (and delicious) Japanese bar food in Minnesota!!! Zen Box's offerings are always fresh and delicious! The atmosphere is relaxing, yet fun. The service is always top notch - the servers make you feel welcome! Food and drink prices seem cheap for the quality/quantity. The only thing I would change would be to add pictures to the menus for people who aren't as familiar with Japanese food.

Rebecca Mazza

I know Japanese food in Minnesota doesn't sound like a great idea, but this is by far the best Japanese food I've ever had. The kimchi ramen is outstanding and the noodles are fresh. Service is great and friendly. Go right when they open for lunch, otherwise you'll be waiting.

Adam Morrison

Absolutely incredible ramen.@ramenarchitect is a master. Had the special ramen and was blown away. Also had to tuna poke and a couple other small shareable plates. Everything was great. Cool atmosphere and quick service. Outstanding establishment

Sigrid O

Really good food, especially the ramen. The fried avacado wasn't the most amazing thing, but it was still good and the drink Good Morning Kyoto (non-alcoholic) is the best drink I've ever had! Minimal dessert selection.

Christopher Wong

So Yummy! Great menu, great service, and great Ramen! I make it a point to take my friends and business associates here. Going out for sushi is old school lame as hell and if you want to impress your peeps with your knowledge of other Japanese food in Minneapolis take them here. This place reminds me of my time living in Japan.....

Nick Wilson

This place has never let me down, I've never had a bad dish here. Just thinking about their food makes my mouth water. One of those places you wish you could live next to so you could eat there every day. Creative and still firmly rooted in izakaya style food.

Matthew Erickson

Follow @fancydinnerclub on Instagram and read more at Fancydinner.club

Helena Way

I have been to Zen Box once before and this time around sealed the deal. We started with Maguro Poke and the tuna was extremely fresh. The greens were crisp and the sauce was delicious. I got the Tonkatsu ramen and the pork chasu was extremely tender and super flavorful. The broth was thicker than I remember but the flavor was rich and not too salty which I appreciated. Service was great and quick.

Bri Smejkal

If you aren’t already going for the amazing ramen and takoyaki, you should be checking out the cocktails. The bar program is unique and never disappointing. The staff is on point but still fun. I recommend stopping by before seeing a show at the Guthrie but be sure to make a reservation as they do fill up fast.

Jessica Rosenberg

I love this place! Authentic Japanese ramen and noodles!

Natasha Roozen

Food was excellent... got to try some new things that were different from the norm and was pleasantly surprised... the waiter was very friendly and helpful with helping me decipher the menu and his suggestions were spot on! I also had the ramen here too and was not dissapointed... excellent broth!

Anthony Kahane

I went to Zen Box last night for the first time, completely by accident, and I'm honestly not sure what to think. The ramen was very good, though the noodles are a little thin for my liking, and whereas I wasn't blown away by the gyoza my friend loved them. All in all good food, would recommend to ramen enthusiasts. The only hiccup I experienced was actually service related, and to me it was a pretty big hiccup. When I asked my server if it would be possible to try a sample of both the broths to decide which I liked better I was not only told no, but that "it's liquid gold, that's why we don't give it out." I assume that it's restaurant policy not to give out samples, but going just from how he said it, it's possible that he's just a jerk who assumed I would take the freebie broth and not get anything to eat or something. I just had to take his word for it, but as it happens he was right and the ramen was delicious; I highly recommend it. But if it's policy not to give out samples of broth for $14 bowls of soup, I think that's suspicious and irritating. If it's not, then fie on that man!

miji kim

It was okay, not amazing though. Compared to the price. For Lunch, Ramen & frozen dumpling was $19 before tip. It could be better for this price. I paid similar price in New york, Boston but tasty is way better, and dumpling is crazy good too.

Mary Ann Hofmann

Busy restaurant, but staff was friendly and attentive, and the food was delicious!

Boundary Creek Moped Club

Lunched here for the first time. About half filled at 1130am and asked if I had made reservation, but got a table anyway. Single sheet lunch menu includes bento and ramen. Couldn't decide on tofu bento or kimchi ramen. Waiter said the tamen was his favorite in the whole place. Got it, and daughter got the tofu bento. The bento was a good size, and Delicious! The kimchi ramen was Fantastic! Highly recommend both dishes.

Dharma

Good environment and excellent service (5/5). Food was average and somewhat expensive considering of what we got. Ordered the tonkatsu ramen and takoyaki. Not really impressed with the broth, the flavor profile was not what I was expecting (too salty without the deep flavor). The ramen noodle was coarse and a bit undercooked. Yes, I know what ramen should taste like. I have been to Tokyo and had ramen at Tsujita and Daikokuya (2 best ramen place in the US). The place had good selection of Japanese beer, which is a plus. Would return to try a different dish but unsure if i would order the ramen again.

Charity La Fontaine

Amazing. Super covid safe and very organized. Such an enjoyable dining experience and the food was absolutely delicious. Best ramen we've had in the cities.

Ben Lambert

Absolutely delicious ramen (personally haven't had anything else) and a wonderful staff. I've taken multiple out of town guests and strongly recommend it to anyone remotely interested in Japanese cuisine

Angie R

We used to go here for the delicious ramen, but the ramen was sub-par and the menu had been considerably pared down. Unfortunately, the quality of the food was not like it used to be. I'm rating with 3 stars as I don't believe we'll be going back with all the other options in the area.

Hayden Rhodes

The food was absolutely phenomenal. Ramen was extraordinarily flavorful/rich, gyoza was impeccable, and the shishito peppers were delightful. Our server was pretty much awful on the other hand. We would’ve probably spent twice as much if he would’ve simply been there.

Chad Johnson

Spent a year in Japan. This place is not great. 6 bites come in those rip off short ribs. Fried chicken needs help. I don't try the Ramen. Good luck

Clinton Kunhardt

This lively Mill City ramen shop is a hot destination for many a restaurant-goer; with mindbogglingly good soups, a tasteful menu, quirky decor, and stellar service, it's no wonder why this place is so popular. The head chefs and owners, a couple, travel to Japan often to stay current with trends in the Izakaya world. Make sure to call ahead well in advance if you're trying for a weekend dinner.

Sandy S

A welcome addition to Japanese options in the twin cities. Went there to try their Tue special veggie ramen and it delivered. The broth was delicate and lovely. Pretty authentic from what I could tell; glad they did not cop out with MSG and soy sauce. Ramen noodles were not chewy, but adequate. Chilled tofu salad hit the spot with its now salty, now cool bites. Veggie Gyoza dumplings and tofu skewers with teriyaki sauce were well made. Casual vibe, a little loud but then it's in the middle of downtown MSP. Needs reservation. Half hour wait otherwise. Will definitely go again.

Dou Her

I have been a regular for years, and my office recently moved close by so I'm only about a block away now. I eat lunch here every other week. Have not had a single disappointment or incident. Their ramen is always consistent and on point. Service is good and food comes out fairly quick. Zenbox has got it going on.

Kartik Radhakrishnan

Just had the wings and battered octopus. Both were very nice. The 4 acts and an epilogue drink was fantastic. Other folks at the table thoroughly enjoyed their meals and drink as well.

Jennifer Kwong

Great customer service and probably the best ramen place I've tried in Minnesota. Nothing else in the twin cities can really compare... and I'm extremely picky when it comes to well-made ramen. They keep the dishes simple, which makes it more authentic. Great broth, perfectly poached egg, and the pork was very tender. This place is almost as good as Ippudo in NYC (one of my favorite ramen places).

Rachelle M

Such a great neighborhood spot for Japanese comfort food. The kamikaze sauce is a secret recipe I wish I could have! Veggie gyoza and tempura avocado are two of my favorite things.

Matthew Sturgeon

Out of the 4 or 5 different ramen spots I've been to around the country, Zen Box Izakaya is by far the best one that I've had. The broth is perfect with a great throw-in of traditional meats and veggies. On Tuesdays they have a vegetarian version that is also delicious. The only challenge with ZBI is exclusivity - unless there is room at the bar, there is almost always a wait (good sign though for the food). And even if you do sit down, be warned - once they run out of their stocks of ramen for the day, they don't sell it for the rest of the evening. I sat down once at 730 and ordered a bowl of ramen - the woman who sat down a minute after me was out of luck. It's good, but make reservations and go earlier!

Andrea Batt

SO delicious. GREAT lunch deals. Always good service and even has a cute patio area in the summer! You get so much food in the bento boxes for only about $12. So worth it and easily my favorite Asian place in the area.

Josh Disher

O M G this place has the best ramen in town. The food here is so good. The atmosphere makes you feel like youre in a small izakaya in japan. The staff is very helpful and friendly when it comes to navagating the menu. This place fills up quick during regular dinner hours so be ready for happy noodle time!

Loulou Vang (Yuki)

If you're gonna go there, make sure you have a reservation before you get there. Sadly we had to argue with the people to let us have a seat, there was four table's that were empty and not being used. Finally we got them to sit us down, the takoyaki we didn't go all crazy for it, I've tasted better. We order both noodles of the Tonkotsu and Kimchi, and Katsu curry. I thought since this place got really good review, so I had very high expectation. But in the end the broth and noodles were nothing special. The noodles taste like they just took it out from the noodle packet and boiled it, the egg was over salted. I have tasted better homemade broth, then what they have served. Then we ordered the ribs, and I have to say. I'm even more crushed, the meat was dry. I've tasted Korean BBQ ribs that taste ten times better than what they served. So I don't understand why people over react, over the food. I think I'll just come over for the drinks, from now on. That's the only thing that haven't disappointed me. To my fellow Asian, heed my warning. Don't have high expectation.

Dayna “Artbyladyd” LadyD

Little crowded, but it was friday evening. food was good, a bit expensive but its downtown and its less than masu. so in comparison to other downtown spots totally within reason. I would do it again. Service was very good. If i had to change one thing.. even tho not traditional.. less fatty meats would be more pleasing to me personally.

Lindsey Jaeger

This has been my favorite dinner spot for about the past year -- everyone I've introduced to Zen box LOVES it. The atmosphere is wonderful (if you're at all interested in Japanese culture you'll love the figurines and decorations). I'm that person who always orders the same thing but I love to experiment here. We've tried almost all of the appetizers and several different entrées and have never been disappointed. The tonkotsu ramen and salmon sashimi or takoyaki are my personal favorites.

Michael Heveron

Service was wonderful and friendly, food was great for the price

Danny Burr

I really enjoyed my experience there! The server was friendly and engaging, very helpful and thorough with explanations of menu items, and very present when needed. I'll admit when I received my order I was taken aback at the size of the serving, but it was still very delicious. I can definitely see how the food is meant to be shared (it says so on the menu). I would recommend this to anyone.

Rob Nguyen

Best ramen I've had so far! This is in comparison to places like moto-i, obentoya, United noodles, byerlys, green spoon, raku, masu, ichiddo, and ippindo. Broth has way more texture and much more flavorful than the other places I have been too. Noodles are never soggy. Egg and pork belly are very tender. Presentation And servers are also great!

K-la Victory

Delicious ramen and awesome tiki drinks! My new favorite restaurant.

Vamsi Konchada

Fantastic ramens, and must go for ramen lovers in MSP area!! I wish they had a few more varieties of ramen. Currently they serve only 3 kinds with Tonkotsu being my favorite. This place was busy every time we went there but the service was fast and great.

Julie Chiu

Bf and I visited for the first time. We sat in the patio area, which had a lovely view, however, a strong sewage smell would frequently waft past us... we assumed it was from the storm drain near us. I tried the Kimchi Ramen which was very tasty. Bf tried the Kamo Donburi where perhaps 5 thin slices of duck were provided over a heaping mound of rice. We were disappointed in the amount of duck given, but we knew it could prove to be a risky choice. Takoyaki was very good. Service was fairly quick despite how busy they were at the time. We'll defintely return!

Morgan Shryock (morgzey)

Very good food and friendly staff. I definitely recommend the matcha lemonade!

chris henry

This is one of the better ramen places in the country. If you love tonkotsu ramen this is the place to go. The rest of the menu is also fantastic so you cannot go wrong! Short ribs are also fantastic!

Nate Nelly

Wow this was an amazing place to eat!! You have to try this! Omg so good words cannot explain it!

Laura Herbst

I loved this place, and wish I didn't live 5 hours away. Their special was duck ramen when we went, and that broth was amazing. They also have the best takoyaki I've had in the US.

Chris H.

Excellent romen in a tight but lively atmosphere. We sat at the high top bar facing the windows and it was a little crowded but service was good and food delightful. If you are downtown and want to scratch the noodle itch you will enjoy a stop here. I will go back the next time I'm in town.

Kevin Monzel

I love ramen and out of all the ramen joints in the twin cities I think Zen Box has the best. On top of that, the staff was great, the decor is super cool, I thought their selection of Japanese beers was impressive, and I enjoyed watching the Japanese news too.

Catherine Knutson

We love the Zen Box! I go there at least once a month with my coworkers since I only go downtown once a week. Today I got the short ribs bento box (I usually get the chicken karage) , others in my group got the salmon bento box, ramen noodle soup, and some sort of bowl. Something for everyone! The service was excellent, and the food was delicious!

Natasha Knoll

The food was amazing, but received terrible service. We walked in and we're asked if we had a reservation. We didn't. They turned around plopped us down. We then were not asked if we wanted anything to drink for at least 10 minutes. I was a little fed up so I said to my boyfriend, "give it ten more minutes then we're leaving". Suddenly we were asked if we were ready. It was frustrating that I had to make such a remark to receive service. Felt judged the entire time we were there. Moral of the story, do take out.

Alex Zuercher

Never had a bad experience here! The bento box is awesome for lunch and the Kimchi Ramen is my go to for dinner! Great spot to just grab a few drinks and appetizers as well.

Blake Von Haden

For lunch today I enjoyed the Meguro Poke' which reminded me what great tuna tastes and feels like. Nice pieces of tuna with perfect accompanying sides. The whole presentation was wonderful for a simple lunch box.

Matthew Wash

This is my go-to place whenever I'm in the mood for Japanese comfort food. The Hitachino Nest beers are awfully expensive but are delicious nonetheless. Adequate portions, great variety, and the staff are knowledgeable and courteous. Ask them for a recommendation!

Tom Cooke

What a great little find! Fun/funky decor and employees. It was busy on a Monday night which was a good sign. Lots of interesting things on the menu, which ranged far and wide across oriental foods. As mentioned on the menu, portions are smallish, perfect for sharing, there are only a few ‘entrees’. I’m not sure I could give you the names of what we ordered, but we did get the edamame, cool and crisp. We had 2 orders of brown rice, which was plenty for 3. We split up the fried calamari, teriyaki salmon, beef with potatoes and some sort of fried chicken pieces. Items came to the table as they were prepared, calamari and chicken arrived first. Calamari was crisp, lightly battered, perfectly cooked—not chewy, which can ruin it. Very tasty sauce with it. Chicken was nicely spicy with a soy sauce based sauce, wonderful. Teriyaki salmon was wonderful and fresh, tangy teriyaki sauce a nice accompaniment. Beef was thin slices, nice and hot, tasty veggies served with it. Nice quick, no fuss service, great prices. A treat!

Annie Shao

The food and service were great! The restaurant was pretty full on a Thursday night, but the wait staff were very on top of it, and we never had to wait long for our dishes to come. Lots of options, I would really recommend the short ribs. The dishes were on the expensive side to me, but the quality was very good.

Kristen Stacey

Best Ramen in Minneapolis. Hands Down, I've eaten Ramen in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, Edina... nothing compares! Their tempura avocado is also very memorable and drinks are on point (I get anything with Lychee in it). Great job! Treat your cooks and servers well because you don't want to lose them, they are very valuable!

Matt Smith

Super tasty. Been there twice in a month. The Bento Boxes are amazing (teriyaki to be specific). Comes with a pretty tasty salad, rice, and some edamames. The chicken is moist and flavorable - none of this gamey gross, cover it up with sauce type of chicken. I could eat it plain if needed. The rice is just enough to add and give you a nice side, but it's not overwhelming where you leave 80% of it. Edamames are fine (not a huge bean guy), and the salad is actually really really good. Kind of a light Italian/balsamic dressing - not overpowering at all. Really highly recommended. The only qualm I have is it does sometimes get a little cramped in there if you're thrown into a corner during the lunch rush.

Ben Klanecky

Food was awesome. Cocktails extraordinarily overpriced for being both tiny and not super awesome. $11 for a drink served in a 3oz glass is insanity. I'm all for paying for a good cocktail (Tattersall is probably the best place to go) but that was out of hand. Stick to beer if you go.

Nate

The ramen is ok. The broth is a bit too heavy in my opinion. They should try something like Star Noodle's Hot and Sour noodles: chili lime dashi, prosciutto, shrimp, cilantro, Thai basil, bean sprouts and fried garlic. That is the best noodles ever. If they made that recipe I would come back weekly!

Joel Abrahamson

Zen Box delivers on comfort food, Japanese style, with friendly servers and a warm atmosphere. Lots of Japanese art and souvenirs surround the walls, and you can watch sumo or NHK on the bar TVs. The food: umami! Many good choices for fried chicken or pork, and tofu as well on the veg side. Bento specials for lunch range $11-16. Also a wide selection of sake, neat or in cocktails. Note that it fills up quickly around noon, so I'd come on the early side. Gochisousama deshita!

Zayuri H.

I love this place. The servers are very friendly and are always checking up on you. The food is AMAZING specially the ramen noddles have a distinguish aroma and flavor.

I C

This is overrated for Japanese food in general, but unfortunately, it is already one of the better locations serving Japanese food in Minneapolis. Their ramen is decent, but their other dishes are only okay. I will visit again though if I crave Japanese food in Minneapolis.

Chuck Heubach

Excellent service. Waitstaff were attentive, knowledgeable and kind. Servers get a five. Food was ok. Dining room is very loud. I have hearing issues, couldn't hear normal conversation. Facility gets two stars. Rating is an average.

Will Dolezal

Quality Japanese food without the fuss. Been here several times and never disappointed. Favorite dishes are the ramen, especially the kimchi ramen. For an appy, try the octopus balls, delicious sauce with them. Of course, the sake is a must.

Jeff Peterson

The ramen tasted burnt! I got the miso ramen and while the broth was great, there was a constant burnt taste that lingered after the meal and left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. Nothing looked burnt so I'd guess they had burned something earlier that transferred its flavor to the stuff in my dish. Noodles also weren't anything special.

Todd Carter

Awesome, fun, and chill Japanese eatery. Go hungry because you're going to want to try everything.

Milton Coffey

The widest selection of authentic Japanese food I've had in a long time. I had shoyu ramen, takoyaki and karaage. And you can watch NHK (Japanese TV) with English subtitles. Great service too! Get there early or make a reservation, as it's very popular.

Kayla Joachim

Got the tonkotsu ramen. It seems like the recipe has changed slightly. It was still delicious, sure. However, I felt the noodles were too thin and lacked chewiness. My friend got the Kako Shoyu and that ramen had the noodles I remembered. So I was disappointed in the noodles.

Kelly B

On our whirlwind tour of Minneapolis, we made sure to stop at Zen Box Izakaya for lunch. I ordered the grilled tofu lunch bento box so I got to try a variety of their foods. Everything was spot on - I especially enjoyed the vegetable gyoza. My partner ordered the ramen, chicken gyoza and short ribs and was pleased with his choices as well. Our waiter, Bradley, was awesome. He was very welcoming and easy to talk to. My only disappointment is they did not have a vegetarian ramen option - Maybe next time :)

S Chang

; One of my favorite ramen home! You can taste the freshness in this ramen. Very small and intimate restaurant in downtown, but well worth it. Off street parking and nearby parking ramp. Favorite of course is the Tonkotsu Ramen, Kagare Chicken, Korean Short Ribs and of course the Black Sesame Mochi Ice Cream. And I know a lot us of have had frozen, store bought mochi ice cream. Zen Box's mochis will change your life! You'll never go back to boxed mochi ice cream. Happy eating!

Gavin Booth

Minneapolis gets their first real ramen shop and it hits the spot in the cold. The winter won't know what hit it when people are warm and happy in this downtown hot spot. The broth is king at Zen Box Izakaya and it's bold, porky, tasty, and almost gravy like displaying the time that they've given it to reduce and suck in flavor.

Rachel Klein

The best Ramen in Minnesota! Everything is made in house, using true bone broth and fermented veggies- which truly is in a class of its own. Feels like a real corner noodle shop, and you will leave feeling full but fresh- not sick or bloated like other places. You need to eat here!

Harley Jiang

Got there 8PM couldn’t be seated, and then got charged 18% for takeout orders. The food was nothing spectacular for how the restaurant carries themselves. Most likely wouldn’t go back.

K Wang

It was my first time in zen box a Japanese food.. the food so healthy and delicious 😋.service is fast n staffs are amazing 😉. Should definitely try again. Next time I will not forget to call for table reservation. Overall very good 😊 …

Aaron Furuseth

Great selection of authentic Japanese dishes. All cooked perfectly, quick and friendly service. Asahi on tap in the us?! Order one of everything. You won't be sad.

Christa Byler

Tasty ramen, customer service is good, they have some strange rules of where you can sit at certain times of the day and the place is already small. High quality and diverse beer on tap.

Abbi Carnahan

There’s an interesting mixture of chaos and control in the restaurant. It’s honestly perfect for people watching and the food is always satisfying as are the signature mixed drinks. I recommend this to people-watcher’s and people who enjoy Japanese cuisine.

Elissa Schufman

Lovely place! They've got a separate gluten free friendly menu, and a great cocktail selection. One of my favorite dinner spots.

Ali Ahmadi

Manager sat us down even though it was later and their kitchen was closed. Friendly atmosphere. Thank you

Steven Li

I visited Zenbox for more than 50 times in the past five or six years and I can say it is still my favorite Japanese izakaya in mpls! Solid food and their kimchi ramen is to die for. Short rib are also fantastic.

Rebeca Ho

Cozy restaurant near the Guthrie and walking distance from US Bank Stadium. Great ramen - generous portions. They also have other options such as bento boxes or yakisoba if you want to try something new.

Jen Hall

The ramen broth is unreal. Fresh flavors, great cocktails, courteous staff, and amazing sake selection. We will see you soon.

Miranda Stewart

The food was great. I will definitely go there again.

Don Raleigh III // Evolve Systems

If you are looking for a great space to invite a client to to enjoy an awesome experience of actually authentic food, this is your place to go. Amazing Ramen that is made in house, and the staff is very knowledgeable!

Anne Cooper

Tuna Poke was amazing, and the Ramen was really good. I would have liked to have more Ramen noodles in the bowl, but the prices are so reasonable you could just order a double helping...you probably couldn't finish them both, but you would have your ramen fix for the month.

Charles C

Japanese food isn't my first choice but my girlfriend loves it, thus I'm along for the ride whether I like it or not. I always go with gyudon at Japanese restaurants if they have it, and Zen Box Izakaya's gyudon was as good or better than other gyudons I've had. I will gladly return.

Minh Ho

I meant to take a picture to show how good the duck ramen looks. But I accidentally the whole thing.

Erik Laing

Great ramen, especially the tonkatsu. Get it before it runs out because every day is limited in quantity. Excellent selection of Hitachino flavors you will not find elsewhere.

Christopher M

The food is very good, however I need a bit more from the portions to justify the prices asked for the food. It all tastes very like authentic though.

Shela Usadi

The food and drinks here are fantastic. The food has to be one of the most authentic I've ever tasted in Minnesota. (I've traveled back and forth from the US and Japan so I think I know what I'm talking about.) I am also a big fan of the decor. It reminds me of my childhood - Arale, Ultraman, Astroboy, etc. I am deducting one star because: 1) The customer service isn't too great. They have been rude or annoying at times. 2) The place is so small and has so many arbitrary rules. But the food is damn good so I will be coming back. Pro trip: Try the Peach chohei/ chohai - It's yummy and alcoholic.

Shon Parker

So...I lived in Japan for a year almost a decade ago now. I was excited to see that there was someone trying to pull off the "Izakaya" here in the US. Izakayas (to sit, to stay) are pub style hangouts in Japan. They are all over the place and are a place to unwind, get good and sauced if you want and have a bunch of plates of food to share with the table. Very relaxed, its the perfect blend of "bar" and "restaurant". This place, in a lot of ways, immediately brought me back. Drinks: Sake(Hot, cold and room temperature), Japanese (and other) beers, Shochu and Chu-hai! Chu-hai is a fruity cocktail made with shochu. Ladies, go try it you'll love it. Food: I looked at the full menu and am excited to go back and try some things. We were there during the late night happy hour so it was a smaller menu, called "The Other Menu" on their website, but still plenty of choices. Off of the happy hour menu we had Gyoza(deep fried japanese style), butter sauce mussels, chicken kara-ge(deep fried chicken pieces) grilled hamachi collar, takoyaki, seaweed salad and cucumber, and deep fried and then grilled tofu. Aside from the seaweed salad, which is the typical salad you'll find in all sushi joints here in the states, Zen Box is doing Izakaya food proper. From the dipping sauce for the Gyoza to the proper side bits on plates that belong with particular dishes, it was all delicious. The takoyaki was done just like I remember it back in Osaka and the hamachi collar had a great miso glaze on it. The chicken kara-ge was EXACTLY like I remember it from izakayas in Japan. I mean EVERY place did it exactly the same, and this is no different. To say "its just fried chicken" is not doing it justice. There's a particular way the batter is made, the proper ginger/mustardy/sesame/soy sauce, the chicken itself. It was perfect. The wait staff was knowledgeable of the menu and very friendly. The owner is a really great lady and was very open about her concept and the izakaya, along with her travels throughout the east. :D She's Malaysian by birth, but you can tell she's done her homework and has a great thing going. My wife and I had drinks, a great amount of food and an awesome experience for just under $50. I would encourage you to be DARING and try some things that might be different. No one in the world wants to eat food that tastes bad! I'm waiting to see what else they have in store to offer. Definitely check it out!

Naga Nismo (Naga)

First time here and I am completely blown out of my mind. The kimchi raman was so good, that I can't really express it with words. The broth was just perfect, not too salty and with a little kick of spice to make it perfect. Definitely will come back

Miles Peterson

They changed their previous menu which featured Japanese curry. It was the most authentic Japanese curry around, but they no longer carry it after the menu change. They still have very great food, just disappointed about the curry!

Edgar Jimenez

Excellent takoyaki. The octopus inside was softer than other places. The one thing I disliked was that the regular menu was not available during late happy hour. Other than that, everything else was quite enjoyable.

Nina Koller

The apps were good and the pork ramen is the best ramen I've had in the Twin Cities so far. Lots of fun decor inside the restaurant.

Koken Ozdogan

Zen Box is a great restaurant. Their food is amazing. My son loves their chicken Teriyaki. Zen box ussualy is very crowded so I would recommend making a reservation with open table, an online program.

Johan Podlewski

It has a very... Faux Authentic atmosphere. It is impressive the first time but not successive times. The ramen is OK, but there are much better places nowadays that serve ramen as their main dish.

Christy Ruedlinger

Not worth all of the hype- seating is uncomfortably close, service is moderate, and food is also moderate. The best thing about this place is the ginger lemonade. Although $6 a glass, I would go back just for that!

César Yaroslav

Amazing place!! The Ramen it's wonderful :)

Andrew Plocher

Fantastic! The food was delicious and the waitstaff was courteous and helpful. For a 'businessy' spot they were super kid-friendly. We'll definitely be back next time we're in the area!

Aaron Adam

First time back since March. Good safety protocols in place. Great food as always. My favorite ramen in the cities.

Lauren Madden

Awesome food. Had ramen and the brussel sprouts and both were delicious. Our waitress Elizabeth was spectacular.

Benjamin Peterson

Nice modern-Japanese atmosphere and convenient location. Good service and delicious ramen. I just wish they had a little more variety in ramen options.

Regina Hernandez

Zen Box Izakaya is an unexpected gem that shouldn't be missed while visiting Minneapolis. The cozy interior, bustling with activity, is a warm refuge from the chilly Minnesotan air-- the Tonkatsu Ramen an absolute gift from above when the weather dips low. I highly recommend the Pork Belly, which nearly melts in your mouth, as it's a well balanced blend of savory and salty flavors (exactly what one wants from Ramen!)

Tom Meyer

Zen box is always good. They used to have these great noodles, but changed them for some reason. The broth is the best in minnesota though!

Blake Hummelgard

The ramen here stands its ground with lots of the ramen I've had in Japan. Good stuff.

Pamela Cree

Have eaten here many times. Very good staff. This time I came for ramen. Just nothing to write home about. They have many dishes that are excellent.

Alicia O

Every time I go to Minneapolis I make sure to stop here because of one thing, takoyaki. It was my favorite thing to eat while in Japan and as one would imagine, it's quite difficult to find in the Midwest. Thank you so much for having this on your menu. We usually try a variety of different things when we go there and everything we've gotten has been delicious!

christopher Vaughn

Food was wonderful, amazing flavors and great service!!!

Michael Gabriel

Each and every visit is an experience... a very enjoyable experience. The staff is knowledgeable and considerate. The food is always an enjoyable, and everyone is having a great time... it's contagious... and addictive.

Paul McEnaney-Rodriguez

What a great experience. I went here (solo) before a show at the Guthrie during Happy Hour and was blown away by the food. Some of the best gyoza I've had.

Giovanni G

Favorite restaurant in the twin cities. If like authentic (not a sushi or hibachi restaurant) Japanese restaurant this is there place to go. Must try the ramen, tonkatsu is my preference.

Leslie M

I've been eating their food since they were a hole in the wall on the skyway level and only open for lunch. Really awesome food and service. I would suggest making a reservation if going on a weekend evening if you don't want an hour or more wait.

Matthew Dowgwillo

Best Ramen in the Twin Cities. Great happy hour food too and amazing Japanese Curry. Good prices, great value

Christina Frey

Yummo, friendly fast service!

Stacy Welle

I love the fun and busy environment. Great things to look and a nice location. I thought the food was good, but was expecting excellence. Great wine, beer, and fun drink selection. Servers were great!

Miao Beck

My go to place for Japanese food! Love everything on the menu. I will definitely miss this restaurant after I move. (P.S. Just wish the opening hours can be longer on weekends)

aaron ackley

The eggs in the tonkastu ramen were *perfect*. Ramen broth is full-flavor and substantial. Proper ramen noodles. Generous but not ridiculous pork. Overall this is a fantastic ramen, worth the 5 stars easily.

Luke Dillon

The Tonkotsu Ramen and a glass of Asahi is my favorite thing to eat in this city. I've tried a few other things on the menu, which were good, but nothing satisfies me like a bowl of that.

Orrin Dabney

A good place to get to try a lot of different Japanese foods. The Asahi dry beer is actually imported from Japan. It goes best with salty or oily foods. Get a pint with the chicken Kara age

Marc M.

this place was great! My friend and I got two rice bowls, the Gyu and the Chashu. The small portion is extremely filling, absolutely no need for the large unless feeling really hungry! #WouldRecommend 😀🤗 …

Melissa Schrodt

My husband and myself Wet here on our honeymoon and I have to say that this place was absolutely spectacular! The sashimi(raw fish) was fantastic, even when they were relatively full we had fast service. 5 stars!

Tamella H

I love food here, but i hate how short their hours are. Never can get a rez because it is all booked million years ahead. Plan accordingly if you are with a bigger group otherwise you would need to wait for 30-1 hour to get a table for 2-3 people .

adam eggert

BUTA NO KIMCHI was awesome. $9 a pretty good size 'small plate'. Good level of spice. Not too crazy, but had a good kick. Kimchi was pretty mild, not too funky. Pork belly was fantastic.

Alex Behrens

Great choice of plates and sides. Wonderfully prepared, savory plates.

Dylan Bode

Small plates were just ok.... Tonkatsu is really good! Tables were so crammed in and the Friday night I went was crammed. Great for people who love a loud dining environment.

Kuj4k “Cardboard_x”

I've been to Japan and have had my fill of Ramen. This is as close are you are going to get to a Japanese experience in Minnesota. Amazing food and large portions.

Bradley Service

Absolutely love this place. So much care and thought put into the food. Easily the best ramen in Minneapolis.

LB1989

Pretty good ramen. One of the only places in the Cities I could find that serves natto which was interesting to try. Good cocktails. Very hipstery vibe

Anthony Steyermark

Great place to share plates. Ramen us excellent. Seaweed salad is very good. Kimchi dish is also very good. Rest is OK.

Silvio Padron

Delicious Ramen, the broth is amazing, used to be the best ramen in town until they switched their noodles a few months ago. Please bring back the old noodles!

Will Hayward

The best ramen I've had. It's hard to find authentic Japanese food in Minneapolis, but this place knows how to do it.

Jeremiah H

Good Japanese food, nice vibe. Cocktails are inventive, if a bit on the sweet side. Fair prices for reasonably large portions.

Jonathan Kloeckner

Perfect sized portions, delicious ramen, and fast, friendly wait staff. The food is always fresh, and the weekend specials are to die for!

Richard Mackay

Spent a few weeks in MN for work. Kept coming back here for the delicious food. Fantastic pork Ramen, wide variety of great dishes. Definitely recommend this place.

Jarrad

Honestly the best Japanese food in my life. Our table fought over the ramen and the fried chicken melted in your mouth. Absolutely fantastic.

Grant Simons

Absolutely love having more authentic Japanese food in Minneapolis! Never had a bad meal here, and they continue to amaze me with how busy it is.

Shawn Karber

Fun atmosphere. Good food. Heads up if you're looking for sushi, they don't have it; but they do have sashimi and some good ramen.

Vladimir Tsoy

Great atmosphere. Very good service. Kimchi ramen was amazing. I will definitely come back to try the rest of the menu!

Matt Viscasillas

Trendy, great food. The portion size appeared small, but was incredibly filling. Service wasn't the best, but staff was friendly. Great spot for a small groups for lunch.

Wyatt Kosmatka

Great food! Wish they were open for longer hours.

Romy Vreeland

Excellent food, laid back atmosphere, interesting drink menu. Service was good. Solid bet to try some interesting flavors, freshly prepared.

Jason Schmidt

We ordered small plates and everything was great. Service was wonderful and the atmosphere was very appropriate for the location and fare available. I would definitely come back!

Russell Xu

The place is nice. The Tonkutsu Ramen and Takoyaki are my favorite, but others are also tasty. I'll say it is a little bit pricy but the food definitely worth the price.

Nicholas Leeman

Best Ramen downtown. Lunch bento boxes are quick and filling. Pay attention to the hours, as they close between lunch and dinner.

Sara McClendon

Delicious food, great atmosphere, super friendly staff. Various vegan options that are marked as vegan on the menu! I’m 100% going to eat here again... and again...

Matt Hardy

I've had lunch here 20+ times and gotten the "Tonzen" (Tonkatsu Zenbox) ramen *every* time. No need to branch out. It's perfection. Order it. And add the veggie gyoza for $3.

Nhou Xiong

I have gone to Japan, and the food at this place has the most authentic Japanese cuisine that I have had so far in Minneapolis. My personal favorite is the takoyaki dish (it's like octopus-stuffed pastry balls), especially during happy hour!

Jonathan Lin

Best ramen in the twin cities by far! Bomb broth and good portions. Make sure to try their appetizers too.

Joel Pomales

Described as 'Japanese Tapas'. Very apt. Small, but delicious portions designed to be shared. A bit steep if you're on your own, but if you're on a group and everyone orders something to be shared with everyone else then it makes sense. Try the Grilled Pork Belly and the Takozuki. Chase 'em down with a nice cold Kirin. Kampai!

Leticia Berry

Came here for lunch on a Friday. Delicious!! Fast service and great flavors. We drove 5 mins to get here and still we're back to an hour.

Joseph Peo

Amazing Ramen and other food. Location is small, but the quality of food and service makes it impossible to give less than 5 stars.

Paul Doyle

Fantastic food. I would come back here on every trip to the area. I had the pork ramen and couldn't stop eating, even after I was full

Larry Imperiale

Not my favorite ramen but still good. Others in our party really liked other dishes.

Leon Sanders

Great food and delicious ramen with nice staff catering to your needs. They also have a solid selection of Japanese alcoholic beverages.

Bruce Golob

Great food. Unusual choices. Excellent friendly service

Karl Aarsheim

Ate ramen and wings. Ramen great, wings fabulous. Sexy staff happen to be smart and good at their jobs. Also, don't get the veggie curry, ew!

Lianne C

Decent spot. The ramen tasted bland. There wasn't anything special that made the dish stand out. The gyoza was good.

Rodney Vizer

Ramen, Japanese beer and television, cool decorations, and much more.

Charlie R

Definitely a good sign when you walk in and half of the patrons are Japanese. Tuna Poke was fresh and delicious! Service was A+.

Bradley Andres

Fabulous Ramen, and great drink selection. Whisky was a tad overpriced but they did have alot of varieties and rarer stuff available.

John Frankenfield

Great food, friendly wait staff, and a comfortable atmosphere. Would HIGHLY recommend Zen Box. The Takoyaki was the talk of the table. Try it and decide for yourself:)

Andrea Pesola

One of my favorite ramen spots in Minneapolis! It gets busy at lunch time so get there before Noon if you can.

Forest Eidbo

Fun atmosphere, food is good. Very expensive but for the location, atmosphere and quality of food the value is fine. Known for their ramen and Bento box lunches.

Dan Mason

Great ramen, the weekend specials almost always sell out, make a reservation if you want to be seated at dinner time.

Kent Sklarow

Average to below-average interpretation of Japanese food. Hoshino on tap is a nice thing to have and the location is a plus. Otherwise, this is in line with the majority of Japanese places in Minnesota -- slightly worse than hospital food from the homeland. 3/5 is in context only.

Angie Heitz

My favorite spot for ramen! The staff is top notch and the owners are amazing!!

Fong Vang

I go there once a week for kimchee ramen and chicken karage during lunch time. It's a 10min walk from my work. I go there so much the a couple of the servers knows exactly what I want.

Chris Nguyen

Good food, fair prices for the most part (some stuff is a little high), and good customer service. My friends and fiancée all love this place and we go here quite often. Highly recommended.

Evan Gorton

Believe the hype. Do some people watching, count the man hair buns and enjoy the best ramen in town. All the apps looks great.

Kerensa Erickson

I lived in Kumamoto, Japan for 4 years. Their tonkotsu ramen is pretty darn authentic. Whenever I feel "homesick" for Japanese authentic ramen, this is where I go.

Sarah Karber

Most of the dishes are small platrs, except the ramen which is a huge serving. Shared 2 small plates and the ramen bowl and left very full.

Collin Voyles

Interesting food, all of it quite tasty! Some of the best ramen my wife has ever had.

Nicholas Willette

Nice place, good staff, the ramen is a bit pricey for the stuff that's in it. But it was enjoyable.

Mac Broadway

8 here w/ my daughter & son-in-law. Zen Box definitely lives up to their motto "Japanese Comfort Food." The appetizers & happy hour menu plates were luscious. The Japanese version of "ribs" was mouthwatering, should've stopped ½ through, but I ate them all. There was about a 10-min standing wait before we were seated. It was VERY crowded. It was loud. It was fun❗It was moderately priced (aka - not cheap). It was not a place to go and have an intimate conversation. But if you're looking for great food, good drinks, and a lot of fun fellowshipping with family, this is the place! ② Went again. 3 at lunch. No wait. 👁 had Maguro Poké & side of brown rice ↝ $16.⁶⁵ + tip, daughter & son-in-law had Miso Soup (appetizers), salmon Shashimi & Age Gyoza (a.k.a pot stickers), Atsuage Tofu Bento ↝ $34.⁹⁷. Thought it couldn't get any better. Fun gourmet food, very attentive, informative waitress (Thx Amy!). 💲 Maybe a little pricey. 🔙 Next time back in Twin cities will definitely visit Zen Box Izakaya...

Abhishek Mathur

Good place for a nice hot sake and some chicken dumplings

Andrea Olson

Kimchi Ramen was good, but maybe not great. I should have picked the signature dish as a starting point. Service was great...very friendly.

Cameron Allison

The tonkatsu ramen is delicious. Good broth, pork belly was a little fattier than I like it, but it's pork belly so oh well. The takoyaki were fried to perfection and the seaweed salad was fresh. The waiter was responsive and friendly. Good value, too. If I'm ever back in MSP, I'd return to Zen Box Izakaya

Jason Winget

Excellent service, great food and easy access with a parking ramp to the West of the restaurant. The staff were very helpful in educating our group on the menu and throughout the meal.

daniel kessler

Our favorite happy hour place after a show. The 10 p.m. to close happy hour is an amazing value for really good quality food.

ratterbot

Food portions were small but the food is fantastic. Posted pictures of sashimi, not bad at all for raw fish.

M H

I had some amazing ramen here a few times!! Can’t wait to come back for more.

Mike Ricker

Very good. I would actually give it a 4.5. great service and excellent food. The only knock down I would give it is that it is slightly more expensive than it should be.

Ricky Chan

Tasty Ramen! Great service!

i love street

...Killer atmosphere and after a Twins game the service was above average considering. Prices are awesome and the food is extremely tasty.

Ryan Staats

Tonkotsu was very very good. Rich broth, not super flavorful but very good. Chashu was perfect. Takoyaki was excellent as well.

Jerry Besch

Good place to go sit at and slurp down a big bowl of ramen. Probably the closest thing to authentic Japanese food.

J P

Although this place is not specialized in ramen, their ramen is the best in town and I assure you that. I have had many real ramens in Japan. The newer ramen restaurants in Mpls are NOT good at all in my opinion. Great and interesting interiors. Always super busy. I only wish they would remove MSG from their food including their ramen. That is why I took off one star.

Heather Kremen

Good everyday Japanese bar food. Good drink menu. Their food service is slightly unreliable but never bad.

Madison Foerderer

Love this place. Food was great, and the drinks were awesome.

Abby DuPree

Fantastic food! The staff was delightful, they were both friendly and knowledgeable about the area. You've got to check this place out!

Seansii

Excellent tonkatsu ramen. Very warm atmosphere and awesome customer service. Going back for some takoyaki for sure.

James Smith

This place is amazing, we came on a bizzy night was told 45 minute wait. It was only 14 minutes, the food was fast and wonderful extra praise and thanks to are waitress Amy

William Thompson

This is my goto restaurant in Minneapolis. Lunch box is almost to big for one (without a nap) and has been consistently excellent for 5 years. For lighter fare, order some sushi and add in an authentic Japanese beer and you have it made. Dinners are traditional Japanese so do not hesitate the inquire about the menu options. This is a must do stop for those attending the Super Bowl!

Aaron Backlund (Aaron Backlund)

The Food here is great and the dish I got was great. The decor is very interesting and something I liked if you enjoy Japanese maga you will like the decor.

Brant Egertson

Great lunch service! I had their signature ramen and really liked it! Would recommend!!

Karthik Viswanathan

Big fan of this place. We have been coming here for years and the quality, service and ambience has always been outstanding. Big fan of the yakisoba and ume onigiri.

Kristen Hare

The service was good, and the prices were good, but the food is just so-so . Nothing blew me away. I have a lot of favorite places here that do this sort of thing, so I think I'll stick to those.

Parker Alton

A wide variety of tasty food. The happy hour is pretty good as well. I can't wait to go back to try more.

Dr Kari Boudreau

I love their concept, love the food, staff are great, location is easy!

Jordan Langen

Loved the Kimchi Ramen here! MmmM! Also have draft Kirin/Asahi beers! The curry rice is also good.

kristen kator

Amazing ramen! Soooooo good. I tried the matcha lemonade and loved it. Service was great and speedy.

Cassidy Peterson

BEST RAMEN IN THE MID WEST! It's our go to date night. Amazing staff, amazing food, amazing atmosphere.

Julius Roberto

They did a great job designing this cafe- tastes, smells and feels like being in a little diner in Japan. Priced similarly too--kind of high 😂 …

Sophie Jiang

Nice place. Better than most of other Japanese restaurants in Minneapolis. Good price. Love the atmosphere.

Aaron Schwartz

The food here was good but I didn't feel inspired or amazed by it. The service was a bit sloppy and I would go back but only to try something different.

Ryan Choi

Tonkotsu Ramen, I just got back from Japan and have to say this is just as good if not better than some of the ramen I ate there. Definitely recommend and will be back.

Alex Cho

Great place nice drinks

Kyle Bongard

I have been to Japan multiple times, and Zen Box is not too far off the same experience you would get there. Authentic for sure, and friendly staff. GO HERE!

Matt Wendt

First timer. Really interesting menu items. We loved most everything we tried, even the cocktails. Can't wait to return and try more.

Mary Van Hale

Delicious ramen. I also enjoy their bento boxes, with salmon being my personal favorite.

Scott Love

Maguro Poke was great, agadashi tofu was the jam too. Busy but fun. Well done folks, I’ll be back!

Jordan H

The service was decent, but the ramen in particular was lacking in flavor compared to similar restaurants

Valentine Nde

Great lunch options at an affordable price. Had the grilled Salmon with rice and a salad. Overall I'll go here again

Aimee Stolt

Kimchi ramen, every time, we come here almost once a month!

John Fields

Literally my fave Japanese place in the Twin Cities. Cool space, excellent cocktails, and the food is so good.

Ashley Steevens

The ramen was so fishy I couldn't finish. The drinks were good and so we're the fried dumplings.

Tyler Berry

Good Ramen. Sometimes the quality is not consistent between the times I have been there. But when the ramen is good the ramen is GOOD.

Scott Perrault

Incredible Ramen, as always! The broth is so rich and delicious! Try the Golden Treasure Sake!

Rebecca A

It was alright, but I've had better ramen at other places. The service was really good.

Nuvia Sandoval-Torres

I love ramen, and this place had the best kichimi ramen I have had. I'd going again.

Maggie Melville

Went on vacation to Minneapolis and this was my favorite part of the whole vacation, best ramen and best drinks I've ever had. I want to go back!

Eric Majerus

The ramen is legit and reminds me of what I ate in Tokyo. Great experience every time I come here

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