Zento Japanese Restaurant
Japanese restaurant · Old Town North ·

Zento Japanese Restaurant

Japanese restaurant · Old Town North ·

Fresh sushi, ramen & more in a modern Japanese eatery

sushi
freshness
bento box
friendly service
cozy atmosphere
ramen
happy hour
good value
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null
Zento Japanese Restaurant by null

Information

693 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314 Get directions

$20–30

Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Accepts reservations
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Dinner reservations recommended

Information

Static Map

693 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314 Get directions

+1 703 566 3695
zentorestaurant.com
@zentosushi

$20–30 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Dinner reservations recommended
•Cozy
•Trendy
•Good for groups

Last updated

Jan 17, 2026

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Philly Restaurants and Bars That Closed This Year | Eater Philly

"Old City sushi spot Zento at 132 Chestnut Street has closed and sliced its last fish." - Rachel Vigoda

https://philly.eater.com/2018/1/30/16950374/restaurant-bar-closures-2018-philadelphia
Zento Japanese Restaurant

Wandering R.

Google
Cute place with great energy! Food is fresh & great quality. Bento box is filling and a true star of the menu. Busy, but we walked in to a short 10 min wait on a weekend eve. Highly recommend!

Sarah K.

Google
Best sushi around. Friendly service. Cute little restaurant and they were playing the best music! Would definitely definitely eat here again.

Bob “f-stop” B.

Google
The sushi rolls were very good. My waitress, not so much. I ordered iced tea that arrived with very little ice, so I grabbed a few cubes from my ice water. I received only 1 refill of my iced tea. I received at least 3 refills of my ice water that was sitting next to my empty iced tea glass.

Angela Della C.

Google
My husband and I love this place! It's our favorite local sushi spot. Great for both dine-in and take-out. Atmosphere is cute and casual and service is pretty good. Food is delicious overall! My go-to is the Yakuza roll. Prices are on the expensive side but not egregious in my opinion. We typically get there before 6pm and have never had an issue getting a table.

Aston C

Google
I have dined at this restaurant more than 5 times. It’s a charming sushi restaurant with around 10-15 tables, and the experience was always delightful. The small size created an intimate atmosphere, perfect for enjoying the expertly crafted special rolls. Each bite was a burst of flavors, showcasing the chef's skill and creativity. The freshness of the ingredients elevated the overall dining experience. The quantity is very good and the you get a very good value for money. I will gladly pay 20% more for this type of food. The attentive staff and cozy ambiance make this hidden gem a must-try for sushi enthusiasts. Restrooms are clean and diaper changing station is available. Abundant parking available in the same building, just behind the restaurant.

AmyReviews

Google
Everything was real good, they're miso soup was beyond stellar, I was honestly tempted to just buy four cups of miso soup and drink only that. The Tofu Udon my girlfriend got tasted coppery if that makes sense? I have a strange taste when it comes to soup though. I got Tofu Ramen which was also good, but tofu for both dishes were on the blander side, I reccomend adding a few dashes of soy sauce to each bite of tofu. Wish I tried their sushi, I'll have to go again another time. Otherwise, good noodles and GREAT MISO.

Ben B.

Google
Drove 45 min in traffic to find out that they gave the wrong order and also smells rancid and sushi rolls were inedible and a mess! Frustrating when you pay $50 for a meal for two and receive such quality service!

Polina B.

Google
We've ordered multiple times, and it's always been a delightful experience. Each order arrives carefully packaged, and the freshness of the dishes is truly remarkable. It's so satisfying to enjoy food that consistently exceeds our expectations!
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Callyn R.

Yelp
I LOVE the Grilled Salmon, by far one of the best I have tried. Perfectly cooked, tender, and crispy on the outside. Zento in Old Town really delivers when it comes to quality Japanese food. The sushi is fresh and beautifully presented, the atmosphere is cozy without being too formal, and the staff is welcoming and attentive. Whether you're coming in for a casual lunch, a nice dinner out, or just craving top-notch sushi, this spot never disappoints. Definitely one of my go-to places in Old Town for authentic Japanese cuisine. Highly recommend!
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Lily D.

Yelp
Love it here! Friendly and quick service. The Zen Mojito is 10/10. It's our go to sushi spot in old town. Definitely recommend.
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Rachel C.

Yelp
We've been going to Zento for years, for good reason. This is a cozy and peaceful little spot in Old Town that happens to have a free parking garage nearby. Menu selection is great, and the sushi rolls are some of the best around. Servers are reasonably attentive without constantly interrupting the meal. We typically arrange a large group of friends to eat at Zento for a birthday/holiday once or twice a year, and they have always done a great job of handling groups of 8-10 people.
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Ariana B.

Yelp
Our second trip to Zento! Always great service, quick, very tasty sushi! This time we went on a Friday afternoon and it was so nice and quiet. Definitely recommend!
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Tara B.

Yelp
Quick service, easy menus, food came out super quick! $4.95 for 2 nigiri pieces during HH Quiet place, one of my favorites!
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Sean B.

Yelp
A friend turned me onto this place because of the extremely well thought out inexpensive bento box that's only available at lunch for the special lunch price which is a steal. The service is very good, just need to work on the deadly silent atmosphere.
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Sydney G.

Yelp
Zento is one of my favorite spots in the city for sushi. Their takeout is always spot on and cheaper if you order directly from their website vs a delivery app. Last time I ordered they forgot our miso soup which was annoying but not a huge deal. Tonight I came to pick up my order and was double checking that everything was there. The hostess asked if anything was missing and I mentioned last time our miso soup was left out and she went to the back and grabbed an extra for us to make up for it. Amazing customer service!! And the sushi is also so good. The Godzilla Roll is one I always order but you literally can't go wrong
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Bob B.

Yelp
The sushi rolls were very good. My waitress, not so much. I ordered iced tea that arrived with very little ice, so I grabbed a few cubes from my ice water. I received only 1 refill of my iced tea. I received at least 3 refills of my ice water that was sitting next to my empty iced tea glass.
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Rebecca F.

Yelp
A great value Japanese restaurant near Old Town Alexandria. Parking will be the typical street parking (metered Mon-Sat, free Sun). Nice quaint small restaurant. Certain items on their menu are great - calamari, sushi. Ramen is just ok, still good amount for the price, just taste isn't as good as say Marumen in Fairfax. Food: 4/5 Value: 4.5/5 Ambience: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Parking: 2/5 Calamari: well worth it, some of the best I've tried. Came nice and hot and crispy. Appreciated the presentation, nothing overlapped to prevent sogginess. Sauce drizzled on appropriately Chashu ramen: Meat was cooked well, could use more flavor. But you do get 3 slices which is more than most ramen places these days. Broth is good, not too salty. But everything else included: noodles, rice cake, egg, corn, bamboo shoots, spinach, seaweed just taste like themselves, no infusion of the broth as if they just quickly placed everything together and served it. The bamboo shoots especially were way too sour as if they were straight from a can. Did came with a side salad to start.
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Bob B.

Yelp
The fish was so fresh I can't wait to go back. The texture of the sashimi's firm delicious
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Yaya G.

Yelp
What a cute little restaurant. Went for lunch on a rainy day. Wasn't too crowded and got a seat right away. Ordered a seaweed salad, sushi, and ramen. Ramen comes with salad just FYI. Service was fine- average and no complaints. Ramen broth wasn't very flavorful, but it was fine for a quick lunch. Waitress was attentive.

Laurie M.

Yelp
Very charming place. Super friendly. Food options are plentiful, good quality and prices. Definitely coming back.
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Ryan S.

Yelp
Our go-to spot for sushi in Old Town! Always good quality and the staff is amazing. Intimate dining experience in restaurant as well.
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Jasmine T.

Yelp
Decided to try out Zento after seeing lots of glowing reviews about it and wanted to check it out myself! I went during lunch time, before they close mid day at 2:30 (kitchen closes at 2:20) and they open back up at 5:30. There was only one other person there when I arrived, so service was quick. The wait staff were very helpful and pleasant! I got the roll special, which to my surprise came with a salad and miso soup! Loved the food and that it was reasonably priced! I'll definitely be coming back!
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Jasmine W.

Yelp
My go-to for pick-up/take-out sushi. Good price for Maki (6 piece sushi). I wouldn't say the spicy tuna and salmon are actually spicy though. What caught me off guard was the wasabi hidden between the fish and the rice of the nigiri. So be careful.
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Cassandra C.

Yelp
YUM! So good, I frequented this location twice while in town. Dined in for lunch during the weekdays right when they opened around 11:30 and was seated and serviced promptly. My favorite thing to get is their salmon lover sashimi appetizer - 5 sashimi slices for under $12. The salmon is buttery and so fresh - delicious. I'll stick to the fresh rolls moving forward as I wasn't a fan of all the sauce included in the rolls I got.
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Roy A.

Yelp
This is a small neighborhood sushi shop with very fresh offerings. We came for Happy Hour and tried some delicious choices including hot sake and Sapporo beer. We then switched to the daily specials. The Red Dragon role was superb. Our server was attentive and sweet. The music was (meh) regular pop music. Plenty of free parking in the garage under the restaurant. A relaxing dinner in the neighborhood, give it a try.
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John B.

Yelp
Best sashimi and sushi in the area We've been to Zento numerous times and they never disappoint. They consistently serve some of the freshest sashimi and sushi we've ever had. In addition, there's a range of Asian entrees. Every time we've been, there's always Chef's Special sushi roll combos. We had the Green and Red Dragon special that night. This is an especially good deal if you go during their regularly scheduled Happy Hour and pair it with some choice sashimi. Every appetizer they have is good, but we especially like their calamari and spring rolls. It's a short walk from King Street/Old Town Alexandria and there's free garage parking in back, right off of Wythe Street, if you drive in. Their space is cozy so a reservation is recommended.
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Tom O.

Yelp
A great go to sushi restaurant. That's not to say that the cooked foods aren't just as good. Staff is friendly and attentive.
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Ray T.

Yelp
I never realized this place existed. Normally the go to sushi is Momo, but they have been difficult and different as of late. This is a small shop somewhat hidden off of Washington St. parking is a bit rough but it's old town. Entering the restaurant, the service is friendly, prompt and smooth; carrying through the rest of the meal. The place was busy but quiet. Service was responsive and direct. The food was fantastic, the spicy tuna roll has some kick to it. The speciality rolls like the dragon roll are great as well. The portion spices were good for the cost. They have much more on the menu as well but I was looking for easy sushi and got what I wanted. A small non-assuming sushi place on the edge of old town may just be the go to for me.
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Anna P.

Yelp
Well,sushi is my middle name,it's very humiliating to me feel disappointed after Saturday night sushi dinner with Kirin light beer. Restaurant was busy,they honored my reservation,even though we were 15 minutes late ,this is a big plus. Servers were pretty knowledgeable about menu items,ambience was nice,restaurant was very clean and designed well. Fried calamari was amazingly delicious dish, my husband didn't like katsu don,he thought it overly sweet and pork was dry. My rolls,and this was 2 most expensive rolls on the menu came a little sloppy and not holding shape. Maybe,because of busy night, but same rolls looked really sexy on the other yelp photos. Taste was good,rice was nicely seasoned and fish was fresh. I brought to their attention that my husband left food because he should be in control of sugar intake and menu didn't specify how sweet is the dish,but they ignored it. I don't mind to give them another chance,sometimes when we will be in the area since food taste was actually good,but overall I felt underwhelming.
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Daniel C.

Yelp
Zento is a standout spot! The Ramen here is an absolute winner, easily ranking among my local favorites. The noodles are cooked to perfection, and the portion size hits the sweet spot. The pork chops are a true highlight, boasting tender meat and an irresistible light char. The flavorful broth is top-notch, especially when you request spicy on the side. Warning: it can get seriously spicy, making it a spicy lover's paradise. The sushi is good with plenty of options. But my taste buds lean towards the ramen, overalls The atmosphere is casual, clean, and the staff members are quick to serve.
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KC C.

Yelp
Stopped back for edamame and ramen and continue to enjoy the food here. Service is pretty prompt and a good place to hang as long as you're not stuck next to a group and very loud couple. Learned about the parking garage in the back, which is really convenient since it's near the Trader Joe's too. Happy hour has been dropped to 7 pm, which is still reasonable.
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Hannah H.

Yelp
Zento is a small Thai-owned Japanese restaurant off of Washington, just a few steps from the Trader Joe's in OT Alexandria. They offer daily HH from 5-7, as well as all-night HH specials on Mondays. The menu is pretty extensive, offering soups, salads, various sushis, donburis, and bento boxes. The hubs and I came here for a later dinner, and we ordered the following: one of the 'Chef Specials,' the Scallop Bomb Roll (white tuna roll topped with scallops, shrimp, and spicy mayo, baked, and then topped with crunchies; while they were generous with the small baby scallops, the taste was just okay; it was super saucy and didn't have any off flavors, but I guess I prefer my maki rolls more on the spicier/savory side); a Steamed Tofu Udon (thick wheat-flour noodles with soy sauce flavor broth, dried seaweed, Kamaboko, spinach, and scallions; the broth, while piping out, while not watered down, was much on the sweeter end); and, a Deluxe Bento Box (assorted sashimi, NY strip steak (sliced), shrimp & vegetable tempura, seaweed salad, and 3 pieces of roll; I actually really enjoyed this bento box, as it's definitely one of the better ones I've had in the DC metro area! The sashimi was just okay, while generous in the thick-cut slices, but it could have been more fresh; the steak teriyaki was really delicious, as the meat was tender and juicy, and the teriyaki sauce was super flavorful and not at all close to the typical coagulated thick sauce that's served at other places! The shrimp and vegetable tempura were battered beautifully and super crispy and yummy; instead of the California rolls, I substituted Spicy Salmon, which were actually tasty (slight upcharge); the bento box also came with salad (which had a lovely sesame/nutty/ginger dressing, that is similar to the ones served at hibachi places), and a cup of miso soup (flavored and seasoned well!). I loved that the rice was cooked well, as other places usually serve up mushy or overcooked/dried-out rice! Service was friendly and somewhat attentive, and the place does get packed during the lunch/dinner rush. It's a smaller restaurant, so if you are seated at the corner tables, it is a bit of a tight squeeze. It's decorated well, as I love the little collection of the gosho dolls and the Maneki Nekos. I've been looking for some great bento box options in the area, as I miss the one back in Chicago so much; however, I'm glad Zento's here to alleviate and satisfy that craving! I may not come here for the sashimi/nigiri, but I think their boxed lunches/dinners are a great choice! +Deluxe Bento :D +can swap out the California roll for a slight upcharge +tasty miso soup! +great sesame/ginger dressing on salads! +friendly service +HH all day on Mondays; HH offered weekdays 5-7 PM +free retail parking garage in the rear +limited parking off of Washington
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Aston C.

Yelp
I have dined at this restaurant more than 5 times. It's a charming sushi restaurant with around 10-15 tables, and the experience was always delightful. The small size created an intimate atmosphere, perfect for enjoying the expertly crafted special rolls. Each bite was a burst of flavors, showcasing the chef's skill and creativity. The freshness of the ingredients elevated the overall dining experience. The quantity is very good and the you get a very good value for money. I will gladly pay 20% more for this type of food. The attentive staff and cozy ambiance make this hidden gem a must-try for sushi enthusiasts. Restrooms are clean and diaper changing station is available. Abundant parking available in the same building, just behind the restaurant.
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BreAna M.

Yelp
We just moved to the Alexandria area and were looking for a new sushi spot. We have now been here twice! The food and service is awesome. Zento is conveniently located and there is a lot of street parking around. The first time we came, we started off with the steamed gyoza which was delicious. We ordered a variety of different sushi: eel roll, hairy Mexican, salmon avocado, spicy tuna. All were very good and fresh! I recommend Zento as it will satisfy your sushi craving.
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Monica M.

Yelp
Fresh, nicely portioned, decently priced, and picture worthy! I'd say that $50 worth of sushi hit the spot for my husband and I. The rolls were loaded with toppings and evenly filled. For example, other sushi restaurants might pair a big chunk of cream cheese with a little piece of fish in a Philly Roll. But here, each bite perfectly portioned. Each sushi roll was nicely presented and picture ready. SO good. Our server was very friendly! We came at the perfect time because there was no one there but us in the restaurant. We brought our baby in a stroller so we had room to weave through the tables. By the time we left, the restaurant was about 80% filled and became a bit cozy. Leaving the restaurant with the stroller became a bit of an obstacle. The food was delicious and I'd recommend to anyone looking for a new sushi place to try out!
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Tonya C.

Yelp
Creepy host at the door. Sir, are you high? I had to knowledge him, still waiting on my friendly greeting. Dynamite roll was covered in some red and orange concoction. Way too much avocado in the roll. The spider roll was ok. Idk $40 down the drain. The shrimp wasn't cooked all the way.
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Carly C.

Yelp
Easy 5 in my book! Originally went there for 2 rolls but the menu sounded so good we got 4!! Mango salsa and Wasabi cream rolls are must tries!!!! Neither of these rolls are spicy but just have solid tastes. Jury is out on if the fish is just very fresh or the shrimp tempura is cooked that well. But these rolls just melted in my mouth! Can't wait till next visit!
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Boris W.

Yelp
My friend and I came here for lunch and we thought it was a good experience. We ordered the lunch Sushi & Sashimi Combo, Zento Roll, Green Dragon Roll, and a mixed veggies tempura (appetizer). The total was $68ish post tax. The sushi & sashimi combo ($27) was pretty good. We received two salmon, two tuna and two yellowtail nigiri sushi, 6 pieces of assorted sashimi and 8 California roll pieces. My friend and I really enjoyed this dish. The Zento ($15) and Green Dragon ($13) special maki rolls were also pretty good. My friend really liked the cream cheese in the Zento and I loved the eel and eel sauce on the Green Dragon. Nothing was overwhelming and the individual elements really complemented each other. For example, the crunch element was super apparent on the Zento Roll, but the crunchiness did not distract from the stars of the dish: the fish and cream cheese. The veggies tempura ($7) was a nice way to start the lunch. The oil get just right and the crunch was on point. The dipping sauce felt really smooth as well. Overall, the food was very solid. The price was reasonable. The portions were pretty good for the location and price!

Heather C.

Yelp
Great service. Great food. Have never had a bad meal here. The seating is comfortable and the atmosphere upscale. Highly recommend it.
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Laura H.

Yelp
Stopped in with my daughter and 8 month old grandson. Overall wonderful cozy vibe with excellent service. I know it is more sustainable to have the menu online, but the font for the special sushi was very hard to read. Please clear that up so your menu is more accessible to all. We always order food knowing we'll be taking some of it home. We started with the fried calamari with special salad and a veggie/shrimp tempura for our appetizers. Both were so tasty. We also got three different kinds of sushi for our in between course. I know one was spicy tuna - not sure what the other two were, but they were all excellent -fresh and flavorful. We ordered curry with fried chicken and miso ramen with tofu for our main courses. I thought the ramen was great but I wasn't as impressed by the curry - the chicken was a tad rubbery and there could have been more carrots and potatoes in the curry. I can see why this restaurant has such good reviews, and I'm glad we stopped in.
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Evangeline L.

Yelp
Such an amazing place!!! 10/10 would recommend. Atmosphere: 5/5. We came as a party of 5 on a Saturday night. I definitely recommend reserving since we waited 30 mins even with a reservation. Quality: 5/5. The sushi was extremely fresh and everything was delicious. You could tell that they used high quality products and every bite was savory. I got the angry dragon roll and volcano and shrimp tempura roll and WOW. So delicious and fresh and definitely some of the best sushi I've had in the area. Quantity/price: 5/5. For DC, the quantity (and quality) were definitely worth the price. The sushi is average to higher priced, but for the quality, hands down worth it. We came for my friend's birthday, and they gave her fried ice cream. The owner was super kind and the ice cream was amazing! Would come back in a heartbeat.
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Yuchen Z.

Yelp
5+++ stars for the sushi. Everything else though, was not very good. Yakuza Roll - delicious, top notch, love it, get it. The seared salmon was melt in your mouth. It was so so good. I LOVED this roll. Tako Yaki - only had one tiny piece of octopus in the center. The texture inside was off - too creamy. Not good. Chasu Ramen - very basic. Not very flavorful. Just meh. Pan Fried Gyoza - just a little pan fried on the bottom, the top where the crimping was seemed cold. They tasted like freezer dumplings pan fried just a bit. Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box - good deal, came with miso soup, salad, tempura, a piece of fried tofu, rice and chicken teriyaki. The teriyaki was lackluster. The tempura was really good though.
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Leyla M.

Yelp
my experience definitely fell short of expectations. the tako yaki came recommended and it was... just not good. the spider roll was not bad, but not the best that i have had. i wasn't expecting it to be fried but i must not have read the menu closely enough. the zen baked roll was just not good. first, it's nothing i've seen before and wasn't expecting it. the topping was so fishy and did not taste fresh. the roll underneath was decent and all i ate from all of the food that i got. the only thing that i can recommend is their zen mojito. i love the twist to the traditional mojito and the sake did not taste strong at all.

Niklas P.

Yelp
Great food at a reasonable price. Ambiance is great. Service was courteous and efficient. Everything you would want from a neighborhood sushi spot.

Dr Jason B.

Yelp
Upon entering you're greeted and asked which table you would like to sit at. The ventilation is very good. Very good amount of fresh free flowing air. There is sanitizer available also. Upon getting a menu. You could easily tell it was a clean menu which means they're sanitizing the menus here which is a MAJOR PLUS. The decor of the restaurant is very relaxed. The employees are very professional and social. The pricing is very good for restaurant sushi. As well as a wide variety of sushi mixtures available. The portion sizes aren't bad for the price either and the wasabi isn't watered down like some places. The overall cleanliness of the place was amazing. Tables were spotless as well as the floors. Upon receiving the plates and tea cups. They were very clean and spotless. Also the plates felt very high quality due to the weight of them which is a plus. They provide chopsticks for the sushi as well as a separate plate for wasabi. They're very attentive regarding drink refilling. Never had to wait for a water refill. Once the cup was getting low on water. Employees were on the way with a pitcher. Also upon asking for extra wasabi. They were also very fast and didn't even charge for extra wasabi which is a plus. Parking is fairly easy with nearby street parking as well as a nearby parking authorized by the restaurant. There is EV charging nearby at the Bank Of America less then a block away with Level 3 Superchargers for electric vehicles. Unsure if it's authorized by the restaurant. But I have parked there many times and never had a problem parking and charging then getting sushi. The overall general crowd is mainly middle to high-class. Very Mature. Mainly adults. Barely any kids really. The overall noise level was normal for a sushi restaurant. Quiet & relaxed. Overall A++++.
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Tucker H.

Yelp
For my money, one of the best and most consistent places in Old Town. Aside from good consistent food, we've also always loved the service. Jessie has been super friendly and efficient for what feels like a couple years now, and the greeter/host staff have always been cheerful as well. Neither of us are big into sushi, but the avocado and cucumber roll makes a nice vegetarian app if that's what you're looking for. Tofu Udon soup is nice and homey, a great choice for a cold day for sure. If it's hotter, the Hokkaido Chicken Salad is surprisingly filling, probably because they add a good bit of fried chicken to it! Also good if it's hot, and if you like sesame dressing, is the soba noodle salad, which has nicely chewy noodles but is served cool. For apps, the chicken kara-a-ge is always moist on the inside and crispy on the outside, and the portion is big enough to share. We're also fans of the gyoza, both ways. Small and busy on weekend evenings, so be flexible or make a reservation! Mid-week is generally pretty straightforward though, but we eat early so YMMV. All in all, an outstanding neighborhood favorite!
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Jeffrey S.

Yelp
I am done with this place. Last two visits were a fail. I'm not going back. Ordered mackerel (Saba) as part of my order one night. Wait staffed brought tuna. "Uh, I didn't order tuna, I ordered mackerel." "Mackerel is also tuna" "Huh?" So they brought out the mackerel and told me,... "sir we aren't going to charge you for the mackerel ($5.25) it is free, but instead we added the tuna ($6.50) to your check. That is a favor?!? Charging me more for something I didn't order? Wow Then today. Arrived prior to 2:30 - lunch cut off time. Waiting, waiting, waiting,..... "Can I help you?" Yes, I'd like to place a lunch order. "Sorry, its too late". Yeah, because you wouldn't even come to take my order and kept me waiting. This place has once again gone to the dumps. And all these "sushi lovers" and their 4 and 5 star reviews?!? Folks skip the mayonnaise rolls for just a second. Have you ever tried their raw fish? Plain? No wasabi or soy? It sucks!

Jerel P.

Yelp
Flavorful, convenient, quick and satisfying. Went to Zento twice already with the last few weeks! So good
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Russell H.

Yelp
Overall quite good, very much a local sushi hangout. I got the Godzilla roll and white tuna nigiri. White tuna was awesome, roll was good. Edamame was good as well. Service was good and ambiance was fine.
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Dani F.

Yelp
OMGGGGG! Mind BLOWN! We are hitting up random spots and today we were in Old Town and I had a hankering for sushi and Zento definitely came through. Small and cute establishment so we had to wait for about 20 mins and it was WELL worth it. Slid in 3 mins before happy hour ended (YES! This place still has a true happy hour!) so we proceeded to order the kara a ge chicken with sweet chili sauce, shrimp tempura, spring rolls and the salmon and tuna sashimi. It was SO good. Everything came out hot and the sashimi perfectly chilled. The tempura was cooked to perfection, as were the spring rolls. The kara a ge was so pleasant, I would even guess the chicken was deboned wings! The tuna was so soft and amazing and the salmon had the slightest sweetness to it - just simply amazing. Ww followed up with their miso soup (INSANE!!!) & we ended this excellence with the spicy scallop roll. Picture eyes rolling back and chef kisses on repeat! The accompanying pickled cucumbers had the most pleasant spicy finish. Every bite was better than the last. There is NO question - I WILL be back... but not Terminator style
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Jennifer C.

Yelp
The sushi was so fresh and delicious. I usually detest fish eggs in sushi so when I got my order and I saw roe I was super nervous. But it was good! Note: if you don't like something, it's best to double check it does not come in your order, unless you're willing to be adventurous! We made reservations about an hour before we stopped by. It wasn't busy but they seemed to appreciative that we made reservations. Service was super nice and very quick. It was NYE and the place was buzzing with excitement. They played the ball drop shows on tv which was fun.

Audra P.

Yelp
This place is so good! My husband and I loved every speciality roll! The service was also amazing- they are so nice here. Definitely coming back and recommend:)
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Mel L.

Yelp
Super slow service. Took over an hour and a half to get 1 order of ramen. Ramen was good though... Ambience - not sure about all the "cozy" posts because this place is small, and the lobby is tiny, especially considering the long wait time to be seated.
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Sarah L.

Yelp
Came here for HH as this place had a lot of Yelp reviews. It's been dofficult to find a good Japanese restaurant. We decided to stop by before a concert at national Harbor and we decided to get the fried oysters as an appetizer and ordered the ramen as well as some sushi rolls. Overall I would say the quality is pretty good and I would come back again
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Analie M.

Yelp
Everything about this place blew my mind. I wanted to go back the very next day. I'm allergic to seafood, their veggie sushi options, are the best I've ever seen. The sweet potato sushi is to die for!! I also got pork belly ramen, super yummy and filling! Great prices, I was amazed!! I never ran out of water. I love how everyone worked together to make sure everyone was happy. 10's across the board!
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Nadia R.

Yelp
I really wanted to like this place. I gave them three chances, I'm done. The first time, I ordered from UberEats and everything was good! The rolls were a decent size and everything seemed fresh. The second time, I called ahead and ordered. They put a ridiculous amount cucumbers in every single roll. Very weird I thought. The third and final time! I ordered from ubereats and I was delivered someone else's order, though my name was in the receipt. I then had to personally go back to the restaurant, and tell them the issue. There was no apology or anything. They just took my order to the back. I then waited over 25 minutes while several other to-go orders came and went. I asked the hostess if they were working on my order 15 mins in, she said yes. I would think this would be top priority, fixing someone's order. Later, when my order was given to me, someone else said "let me get you a drink for waiting" to which I declined. Because I would've just preferred quicker service or an update or maybe the drink WHILE I was waiting the 20+ minutes. I get home and the rolls are so poorly made that they aren't staying together when picking them up. On top of that, they used just about as little fish as possible. Never again. I really wanted to like this place. I tired.
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Charles C.

Yelp
Wow...this was a great little find while out and about one day. I went in to get some sushi and had to try their bento boxes. The server brought out the calamari - they were light and crispy...simply delightful. I received a lovely miso soup to start and a salad with the classic ginger dressing. The tempura was excellent. That is how tempura should be - light, crispy, and flavorful. The bento box with salmon and steak was one of the finest dishes. DJ_AZNSAYS: People who love to eat are always the best people.