Kaizen

Asian restaurant · Knoxville ·

Kaizen

Asian restaurant · Knoxville ·

Izakaya-inspired Asian fusion with steamed buns, fried rice

Information

127 S Central St, Knoxville, TN 37902 Get directions

$20–30

@eater

390,870 Postcards · 10,986 Cities

The Best Restaurants and Bars Around Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee | Eater Nashville

"A casual Asian fusion restaurant modeled after Japanese izakayas and sporting a covered patio, Kaizen offers small plates from steamed buns stuffed with seared mushrooms or Thai sausage to pad kee mao and tingly mapo tofu. The kitchen also rotates in specials like ribeye fried rice or Thai sausage green coconut curry. You can catch a live show at chef-owner Jesse Newmister’s other nearby restaurant, Tako Taco, focused on street food." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

https://nashville.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-where-to-eat-in-knoxville

Kaizen

@postcardnews

20,018 Postcards · 1,278 Cities

Jesse Newmister’s izakaya-inspired restaurant blends Japanese technique with Thai and Sichuan accents, from steamed buns to craveable fried rice. A fixture in the Old City, it’s often highlighted by local critics for inventive small plates and warm hospitality.

https://www.knoxkaizen.com/

Best Restaurants in Knoxville (2025)

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Kaizen

@postcardnews

20,018 Postcards · 1,278 Cities

Owner-chef Jesse Newmister channels an izakaya spirit with playful Asian-inspired plates, buns, noodles, and a strong whiskey and cocktail program. Frequently recommended by Southern Living, it’s an Old City staple for shareable, high-flavor dining.

https://www.southernliving.com/best-places-to-eat-knoxville-7550467

Things to Do in Knoxville (2025)

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Kaizen

Todd C.

Google

Amazing food. The buns were all great. We had pork belly and fried chicken fried rice bowls which were both outstanding. I got the feeling there was nothing bad on the menu. We ate outside with the dogs. Will be back whenever we are in town.

zachary K.

Google

Amazing food, amazing staff, they were very willing to make accomodations for food and drink. I was a little worried at first we may not get a table when asked if we had reservations, however the bar was empty at that time and they have a ton of patio seating here. I definitely think that the owner should add some more pictures of how nice the patio is and how many tables are out there. Also I think this place could be a runner up for Cintas best bathroom award.

Molly B.

Google

Kaizen was absolutely delicious. Everything we ordered was 10/10. Service was great and the waiter was very knowledgeable about the foods (which I love because I always have lots of questions). We ordered for an appetizer the Shrimp Bun and the Prawns and Shishito Pepper Special and for our entree (pictured) we ordered the Lemongrass Chicken Noodle and the Mushroom Noodle Soup. Highly recommend!

jason G.

Google

I sat solo at the bar and was lucky enough to have my friend, Rachel as my bartender—she is always incredibly attentive, genuinely friendly, and yes… super cute (don’t worry, she’s happily married, so behave yourself! 😄). The real surprise of the night was the hot and sour duck noodles. I always order the wings, friend rice or buns and decided to try another popular option. The flavor profile was wild—in the best way. Deep, complex, layered with heat, richness, and tang that made each bite something new. Definitely not your average noodle dish, huge portion too. This place is Perfect for a solo dinner or date night—just be sure to grab a bar seat if Rachelle’s on shift. She made the whole experience feel personal and polished. Always looking forward to my next visit, top 3 downtown spots! Thanks, Rachel!

Eleanor T.

Google

The wagyu and peanut fried rice was very good! A bit too salty, but the steak was fantastic. The tuna lettuce wrap was actually the best thing ordered- it was build-your-own and very generous with the tuna. The wasabi-yuzu sauce was very complimentary. The red bean bao bun was a great dessert, although offering other sweet treats would be a good improvement. Also, I'd make sure to call ahead for an indoor table, because they have a large patio but limited indoor seating.

Nicole Y.

Google

We gave Kaizen 3 tries and I don’t think we’ll be returning, unfortunately. The atmosphere is excellent - very cute and a lovely patio that’s dog friendly, well lit, and heated in the winter. The meat dishes aren’t bad according to my husband. Not amazing, not terrible. Just alright. For me, as a vegetarian, I do appreciate the variety of options on their menu. However, I need to warn others and hope that the chef will see that all the mushroom related dishes are FAR too salty. The texture is great but it’s so salty it’s nearly inedible. It’s a shame because I absolutely love mushrooms. Usually the service is decent but the last time we went, the waitress was non communicative and barely came by. There’s so much potential here but the mark has been consistently missed, unfortunately.

Kennon R.

Google

Kaizen is a treat on all levels. Our reservation was ready upon arrival, and we were warmly welcomed and rapidly seated. Our server was well versed on all menu options. We set in on our massive order of appetizers and sides, and boy, were they all fantastic. Some items were just bites, but some were much more, so be sure to experiment. The dinners we ordered included specials as well as true tried classics. On every level, each meal was well seasoned and expertly prepared. Portions were more than enough for each person, even with some taking home leftovers. The atmosphere at the restaurant was clean, bright, had fantastic background music, and a vibe of FUN! Kaiser should be a stop for every fun-loving person who wants a vibrant meal well executed. Give Kaizen a try! Solid A!

Earl B.

Google

We stopped in for lunch and left impressed and full. The hot buns are fantastic as are the salads and fried rice. You won’t be disappointed!