Zum Sushi

This is a cute, cozy yet bustling sushi spot, always buzzing with people. Despite the crowd, you’ll get a table quickly thanks to the staff, who are running around efficiently to keep things moving. The indoor space is a bit cramped - but that’s part of the charm. There’s also outdoor seating with a fireplace, which is a nice touch. We ordered the Creamy Crab, Salmon Skin Maki, Monterey Roll, and Hawaiian. They were served on a boat, and the presentation was impressive. Of the four, the Monterey Roll and Creamy Crab were the standouts - absolutely delicious. The Salmon Skin Maki was a bit too crunchy and chewy because of the skin, and the Hawaiian was just okay. The Maki rolls were quite filling, so we left satisfied. We’ll definitely be back for more! The staff are doing a commendable job - kudos to everyone for staying on top of things and keeping those happy faces.

My kids love sushi, so we decided to stop by this place on our way to Monterey. I ordered sushi, a California roll, fried chicken... and finished with ice cream for dessert. Everything was very satisfying. The side miso soup was a nice touch, helping with digestion and adding to the overall experience. The server was polite and attentive. After the meal, I felt comfortable and full the whole day.

Stopped by late at night after a 10-hour drive, and they still welcomed us even though we got there five minutes before closing. The staff was super kind, the place was clean, and the service was on point. They even took time to recommend some sushi rolls and let us relax for a bit instead of rushing us out. Met the owner and a few of the team — James, Debbie, and Jiji — all amazing people. Definitely the kind of place that makes you feel taken care of.

Brilliant place with affordable and delicious sashimi and sushi. Went for NYE lunch at about 1:30pm and didn’t need to wait. Great service as well, would 10/10 recommend.

Visited Zum Sushi for thr first time. The staff are awesome, very friendly and they take the time to get to know you. I enjoyed the Sake, the food and the atmosphere. Plus I got my special sake cup which is stored on the display shelf with my name !!!. How awesome is that 😍

The sushi was delicious. It arrived in style atop a small boat, adding to the fun atmosphere and experience. The seaside roll offered a few different options of fish, and it did not disappoint! The menu had pictures of all the different rolls, which is immensely helpful. The staff were very helpful and attentive and service was very quick. Every bite was delicious, and I left wondering if I should have ordered one more roll. Definitely recommend this place!

Small little sushi place that was delicious and reasonably priced. Vegetarian sushi roll presentation was cute and flavors were spot on and creative. They had quite a bit of vegetarian options which I loved as not all sushi places do. Our server was attentive and service was quick. Definitely recommend!

Went here with a group of four after visiting the aquarium. My yellowtail rolls were great and everyone enjoyed their meals. Good variety of things to order. We were given cold glasses to pour our beers in. The market price fatty tuna was also enjoyed at our table.

Food was amazing. Service was great. Owner was super cool. It was our birthday and they gave us the best experience!

9/10 Amazing sushi, fresh and enjoyable from start to finish. Starting with the sashimi, which was incredibly fresh and delicious. Every piece was well-prepared, with clean, precise cuts that really stood out. The Tekka maki rolls were also fresh and flavorful; however, some of the cuts weren't as precise, causing a few pieces to unravel. Still very good overall. Service was fast and efficient despite how busy the restaurant was. The seating is on the smaller side, with tables fairly close together, but it was still comfortable.

This is a good sushi spot, and everything that we ordered was good in terms of flavor. We ended up ordering 3 rolls and it was about enough for 2 decently hungry people. Service was great; even though the restaurant was fairly busy and a bit crowded, we were always able to get someone's attention. I will say, don't come expecting anything exceptionally fresh (even though it is located right by the sea) -- this is a pretty standard place. The taste is about equivalent to what you can find farther inland.

Waiters and other staff were very friendly and helpful! It was very comfortable and the decor and temperature was perfect. We got seated without delay around 530pm and glad we did as people had to wait after that. They do have a nice outdoor area with outdoor heaters and a fire table - to wait or to eat outside. Food was great, but Eel was slimy which we didn't know was regular or not. Went with 7 other people (party of 8).

I came here for dinner during a work trip with a coworker based on the good reviews. I had the Katsu and a lion king roll. I liked both and the gyoza were really good as well. The staff were friendly and the food came out quickly. They have both inside and outside seating areas. I recommend giving them a try!

Züm Sushi is a small restaurant that attempts to serve Japanese inspired cuisine. The restaurant is a small converted house which has been converted into a restaurant. The owner Young Choi and his brother serve food with their own inspired twist which is more like Korean food than traditional Japanese. The customer service is hit or miss depending upon who is serving and the food is mediocre at best. Prices are a tad higher than many other Sushi restaurants but the location in Pacific Grove has a lot to do with the prices. Overall I would rate this restaurant with 2 /12 stars but because this is Yelp I will give Züm Sushi three stars.

The service was good was great! We went a little after opening on a Friday night and were seated right away. The fish was very fresh and presentation was great!

I've been to Zum Sushi twice now while visiting Pacific Grove. Both times I ordered takeout, and the experience was consistent--good, but not great. The sushi is fresh and reasonably priced, but nothing really stood out in terms of flavor or presentation. On the plus side, the packaging is solid and travel-friendly, which I appreciated. It's a convenient option if you're in the area, but next time I'll probably try another sushi spot nearby just to compare. Zum Sushi is decent, but I'm still looking for that standout sushi experience in Pacific Grove.

Sushi by the beach (ish) 5/5 stars because staff were super accommodating Pretty solid! I didn't have to wait too long on a Saturday around 3pm. It's a small restaurant with a good amount of street parking. * I got: - Salmon Lover Roll: this is as it. Having raw fish now inside the roll and outside is what I've been craving. Wish they carried mango sauce tho.. 5/5 stars - Tuna Onigiri: meh. The Tuna was flat. Not the freshest 2/5 stars The staff were wonderful! I don't eat dairy so they were able to swap out my cream cheese which was nice. I'd definitely come back!

I stopped in for a quick bite at the sushi bar after a three-hour drive from the Bay Area. It's a small restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, so plan accordingly if you're going on the weekend. The staff were all friendly and helpful. I trusted the sushi chef to recommend the freshest fish. The hamachi was amazing!! I also had an unusual roll that was served on a small boat. I would definitely go back the next time I'm in the area and craving sushi as the quality was excellent and the prices were reasonable.

Great restaurant with a fun atmosphere, quick service, and very tasty food. I don't have a good feel on the food prices of the area, but they felt fair for fresh sushi. Chris was amazing, preparing many orders while chatting and describing his experience starting as a dishwasher and working up to becoming an experienced sushi chef. Had a great time and the atmosphere was relaxed as I got to chat a bit with the others at the small sushi bar. Would highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun meal with tasty sushi options.

I've driven / walked by this place many times, an older home remodeled as a restaurant. It required a few steps to climb. I was always curious about this restaurant, then a friend recommended this on social media. Then another friend posted a pic and said how much they enjoyed, so I had to check it out. I'm really glad I did! My friend had recommended the bento which she ordered again. It looked marvelous, generous portions of tempura and teriyaki salmon (there are several other choices) accompanied by a salad and a scoop of rice. There was enough for her to take home leftovers. I decided to try their chirashi sushi (I asked the server if she recommended it, of course she did, not my brightest inquiry). I've never had such thick pieces of sashimi! Quite tasty, served with a portion of seaweed salad and just enough warm rice (the way it should be). I was very satisfied, indeed! Service is outstanding, friendly and prompt. I'm so glad I checked out the old white house, looking forward to my next meal!

Delicious food and quick service!!! Loved the setting and will definitely be back, my new favorite.

Hidden gem sushi spot. You can easily spot the establishment as it is always crowded with lots of people waiting outside. Parking though, is something else We tried visiting last night but wait was 3 hours lol. We revisited this am and ordered too much (always). Everything was delish and would return to try other items.

The sushi was delicious! Huge slabs of fish so big you couldn't see the rice underneath. Very fresh and amazing. I can't wait to come back.

Go early. They get busy and it's not a big place. So large parties of 6 or more would be hard. No reservations. You put your name down when you get there. Street parking. I love the rainbow roll My son loves the spider roll. My daughter loves the caterpillar roll -veggie. Husband loves the hamachi rolls. Bento box is ok. First time the salmon was super melt in your mouth. Today wasn't like that. I like that they also have plain udon for a decent price. Great for kids.

Party of 8 Well accommodated Food was very yummy and filling Service was excellent! Great suggestions, friendly employees, and perfect ambiance. Special thank you to Jason for making our friends birthday dinner a great experience. He walked around pouring sake shots and made us feel very welcomed! 10/10

Delicious sushi! I was in the area for 2 days and ended up eating here back to back lol. My favorite was the PG Daddy, it's a fried roll with different kinds of fish in the inside and a sweet sauce on top. The flavors work so well together, it's delicious. I also tried the Spider-Man roll and the XXX roll. Both were pretty good, the XXX roll was very spicy.

We enjoyed the food at a 4 star rating. The seating is pretty close to other guests making it feel super cozy, or intrusive depending on your neighbors. 3 stars The menu seemed to elude many guests as I heard repeats of the necessity to clarify the menu that lunch specials were not served on Saturdays. If this has to be repeated for 3 out of 4 guests, maybe it's time to rewrite the menu? 3 stars The service was a 3, although fast to take orders and deliver, the way plates were delivered was questionable (thumb inside the bowl nearly touching the food.... Not good- especially sushi) The fish in the chirashi seemed fresh and of good quality. The sake selection was good. There are other sushi places to try in the area still. If they work in the service, they might earn another star.

The rolls are the best! I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner tonight. The place had some work done I think as it looks brighter and feels warmer. Service is always excellent and fast.

We got here around 1:25, they close at 2pm and then reopen for dinner later. The server was really kind and she remembered me from the day before. The service was great. It was busy but still not too loud and it's a nice ambiance. I have been here twice for lunch and both days it did not disappoint. I got the lunch special, 6 prices of assorted fish, tuna roll and I picked miso soup. The fish was fresh. We also got the seaside roll. It comes with a piece of lemon and gives it a bit of like a refreshing feeling. I will go back.

We started with the gyoza and tempura appetizers. Gyoza: I liked that you could choose whether you wanted fried or steamed gyoza. We went with steamed. Unfortunately, it seems like it may have been a tad underdone. But the flavors were great. Tempura: most of the tempura I've had is a bit more delicate/light. This seemed like they used panko bread crumbs so it was a bit heavier. Good taste, just not something I'm used to. My husband loved it. For dinner we had the chicken teriyaki and Nigiri. I typically order a roll at a sushi restaurant but I couldn't find any I liked that had REAL/only crab meat vs "creamy crab". I like to taste the fish not a bunch of mayo. So I ended up with chicken teriyaki which I've never been disappointed with at a Japanese restaurant. Chicken teriyaki: overdone, tough and a lot of gristle and fat. Nigiri: The best part of the meal was the hamachi and maguro nigiri which were both very good and fresh tasting. Nigiri / Sashimi is fresh - but big, big pieces overwhelming the rice. There's just something about sitting at a sushi restaurant and watching a sushi chef perfect the piece of fish that is atop Nigiri. That was not done here with the huge pieces.

We ordered the seaside, XXX, and king kong rolls along with some spicy edamame which were all amazing options, even after a doordash journey the fish we ate from the comfort of bed tasted super fresh and was packaged very nicely for the trip which i appreciated. you could tell this order was made and packaged with care - would def return on my next trip to carmel

Here is what I ordered below, 1. Spicy tuna roll- it was not minced tuna in chili, just tuna with fake siracha. Also extremely small portion with a lot of rice 6/10 2. Salmon roll- super tiny portion with barely any avocado. 6/10 3. Baked salmon roll- too much mayo 6/10. 4. Gyozas- 7/10 nothing special IMO. I would give this restaurant 6/10. Nothing special, just another sushi spot selling MID level sushi.

It was a nice cozy spot for sushi. Super walkable after a day at the aquarium. The food was tasty, but took a while to get out. The service staff were very nice and accommodating to my toddler. The only reason it's 4 stars and not 5 is because of some communication problems. We ended up with more food because server said something I didn't understand and we ended up with an extra order of sashimi. It was good, but it was a pricy accidental order we didn't really want.

The sushi here tasted so fresh and the combinations they had worked really well together. My favorite roll was the lovers point. Although the place is really small and it gets busy, we still got seated pretty quickly. The service was also great, they are very attentive.

The food and service was amazing!! They made our friend's birthday special! It was awesome!

3.5 stars - decent sushi! We arrived 15 min after opening (5:15pm). We wanted to sit inside, so had to wait and write our name on the waitlist. We still waited an hour. However, the waitress crossed our name out thinking we were seated. We didn't know until the people behind us told us, and we told the waitress. She was really nice about it, but she said someone probably called and we weren't there to answer (we waited the whole time in front of the door, so that wasn't true). We ordered a maguro, hamachi, sake nigiri, Monterey roll, tekka maki, and sake maki with a hot tea. I had a bone in my hamachi nigiri. The fish was really fresh, but the salmon maki cut was also a bit chewy. The Monterey roll was really good; the tempura was so fresh and crispy! Overall, I think this place is decent for the price. I wouldn't say it's worth the hour wait, but it's decent and gets the job done!

As a vegetarian I was so happy to see the extensive choices in sushi!! It was extraordinary by my tastes! I will definitely be back if ever in the area again!!

We had a house salad, a couple sushi rolls, and a yuzu lager here. All was all very tasty and the staff were nice and it's a cute old house turned into a restaurant. Outdoor seating with fire pit looks nice too. It looks like it was remodeled since the last time we visited years ago. We don't live in this town but visit often and will be back.

The food was amazing, tried the Lighthouse, King Kong, & Toro Maki rolls. Also ordered the steamed gyoza and chicken karaage. They reopen for dinner at 5pm and we thought we were crazy for showing up exactly at 5 but apparently there was a line already built up and the place was already packed exactly at 5:04pm! If you want to eat here (which you definitely should if you want good sushi) I recommend coming exactly at opening or being prepared to wait. The space is very authentic to a sushi house and it's a small space with 6 -10 tables depending on the size of the groups coming in. The servers try to be as helpful as possible with the larger amount of people that come in and only 3 of them working to help, besides the cooks/sushi chefs. If you really like sushi, I highly recommend!

We were seated almost immediately. The staff was very accommodating, we had the choice of indoor or outdoor there are outdoor heaters and a fire pit. We ordered two appetizers that came out in a timely manner and both were delicious. The rolls were good and I would order them again.

My friend and I were in the area on a Tuesday afternoon and stopped by to try their lunch menu. The placed quickly filled up after we walked in about an hour before lunch time ended. The service was friendly and quick. They attended to us throughout our meal despite being very busy. The restaurant is cozy, but there is an ample outdoor patio in the front with a fire pit.

Came here because it had such high ratings. The quality was disappointing and I'm puzzled as to why this restaurant has such high ratings. Hamachi Carpaccio - one of the better dishes of the meal. Decently big slices of hamachi. Uni spoon - the uni was really average. Rolls and various nigiri - presentation was nice but everything was mediocre at best. Nothing really stood out. A bit underwhelming. Perhaps this is not really a place for nigiri and sashimi lover but more geared towards hot dishes or Americanized Japanese food like Teriyaki chicken and such. Based on what we ordered, it was a bit underwhelming. Don't plan to return any time soon.

sat for 20 minutes before anyone even came to our table. The seaweed salad, which I normally love, was gross. the sushi was bad, old, low quality meat. Every thing was off. The waitress who was the only one working the whole place was nonexisten. the only thing I enjoyed was the tea. had to wave down the waitress three times to get our bill. left upset and sick to my stomach. do not go to this restaurant

I love how the sushi arrives to the table in boats! That made the experience more fun. We ordered the seaside roll, King Kong roll, firefighter roll, Hawaiian roll, lion king roll, spider man roll, toro sashimi special, and the chicken udon. We also had miso soup and cucumber salad as appetizers. The cucumber salad wasn't what I expected, but it was good! It tasted more like pickles than cucumber salad. My personal favorite was the seaside roll, I enjoyed the lemon on top and the crab mix inside. We were disappointed by the firefighter roll. It was a fried roll, but it was super fried to the point where the tuna inside was overcooked. It had the taste and texture of canned tuna because of how overcooked it was. The toro sashimi was great, but a little more fatty than expected. The chicken udon was flavorful and packed with vegetables. The patio seating area was nice and spacious. It was a little cold and we asked if a heater could be moved closer to us, but instead we were given the option of switching tables. We opted not to switch because we already had food on the table by then.

Still my all time favorite sushi spot. We've been coming here for the past eight years. We come here every time we are in the area. I actually plan trips to this area just for the sushi if I'm being honest. The ambiance on the patio is great, staff is always friendly. This trip we spent $110 here and had two beers, a pork katsu plate that comes with miso soup. 5 rolls, baked myself and vegetable tempura. That's a lot of food for $110. Every time we try another sushi spot it's disappointing in comparison. Can't wait to come back again!

Stopped by here to pick up a light lunch for takeout. We ordered The Hawaiian, waitress was friendly, greeted right away. We looked at the menu & made our selection. The wait wasn't bad, maybe 10-15 min. It was Hawaiian Maki roll $9.95, rainbow roll, $17.95, & mixed zone $$13.50. The rainbow & mixed zone were so similar that we prob could've ordered 2 of those & saved a few bucks! It was a to-go order, & I didn't check the box before leaving, but luckily we were having this at home...no soy sauce in the box. The wasabi wasn't strong enough & the amount they gave us was a bit skimpy. Same w/the ginger. Overall, not the best, but hits the spot if you want sushi. If you pay in cash, you get a little discount & if you pay w/card, i think I saw that there's a 4% fee. If I were to go again, I'd make sure to ask for a little more wasabi & some soy sauce before leaving w/takeout order.

Recently visited again, and updating my review! They totally revamped the interior, and I loved how it felt very cozy and all the workers were super friendly. I finally had the chance to sit at the bar and enjoy some sake with good food. I highly recommend the sashimi-- which is served fresh and I love how they cut it thick rather than super thin. I also love their hamachi kama-- the portions are huge and I love how it's cooked to perfection and it's super moist on the inside and but crispy on the outside. The best thing about this restaurant is their superb service. This will always be my go-to Japanese place whenever I visit Monterey area.

The food is amazing and they had real wasabi which was awesome. The staff was attentive and everyone stepped up to help. The small house provided ample seating and they offered a nice outdoor seating option. Fresh and tasty this is a must go. Try the chicken teriyaki sushi.

We ate outside on their entrance patio. It was pretty! The sushi rolls were fresh, the katsu was a nice texture and delish. The service was sweet, very attentive as one server would check on us and then 1 minute later another would.

Most FAVORITE RESTAURANT ON THIS PLANET, to be clear.. The BEST staff ever shoutout to Debbie & Susan for being my most favorite waitresses. I have easily 1,000 pics from this restaurant the bottom line is my favorite rolls are the lighthouse, salmon lover, toro tartar, seaside, and mixed zone. I usually get either the mixed tempura or the chicken appetizer to start. I also get the green tea which comes in a little pot and goes well with anything you order. Sushi is my favorite food and I've been to a laundry list of places in my lifetime, this is my favorite please try it out if you are a true sushi connoisseur. Smallish location in Pacific Grove but seating outside by the fire is always the best choice in my opinion.

A new favorite! Outdoor dining is dog friendly tooHamachi-kama was perfect.. baked muscles- topped with tobiko ( bummed it had a mayo based scirracha, my beloved loved it ) salmon skin roll - memorably yummy - with perfect crispy bits. Lovely warm saki ... Service was gracious, offering us a water bowl for our dog. Outside seating is surrounded with plants... casual yum - Zum ...on in .... for affordable fresh sushi

This place is going down hill fast!!! Worst customer service I have experienced. Avoid this place at all costs. They have the rudest staff and the owner is terrible.

Their yimmy yam roll - bomb! I prefer vegetable items and this was a hit. (Honestly, I forgot the name but it has fried yam in it.) the chicken katsu was so good, big portion! Love the place, it's like someone's home - or maybe it is?? It's so cute! Street parking only

BEST SUSHI IN MONTEREY AREA! I have tried many sushi restaurants in the Monterey area and Zum always ranks king. Overall well made sushi with high quality fresh ingredients. Cozy atmosphere near cannery row with calming Monterey views if you sit outside. A must try. 5 Stars!

Food: - really good - lots of options - my boyfriend and i enjoyed it! Ambiance: - feels very home-y - really nice and neat - bathroom was very unique compared to other restaurants i've been to but it was really clean, organized, and neat Service: - called ahead through a phone order - said it was about a 40 min wait so we waited - when we got there after 40 mins, it was about a 20 more min wait - employees were nice when we went inside to pick up, they told us to sit & make ourselves comfortable while we waited Overall: Really yummy & enjoyable! Love me some sushi and as someone from out of city I enjoyed this!

Absolutely delicious! We came here after spending the morning in Santa Cruz and were happy to see that they reopened right at 5 PM when we would arrive back in Monterey ! Once we arrived we were seated by the window right away, and the service was great! The place is small but has a peaceful vibe. Our food took a little time, but it was definitely worth the wait! The presentation was beautiful, and everything tasted amazing. My husband and I are picky eaters, and this was honestly some of the best sushi we've ever had. We're from SoCal, and nothing compares--everything was fresh and full of flavor. Highly recommend this spot, just try to come right when they open to avoid a wait!

This place was absolutely delightful. The fish was so fresh, the ambiance was unbeatable - we sat outside - and the service with Hawa was amazing :) thank you!