Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Kaizen

    4.3 (373 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Kaizen Takeout or Delivery

    Kaizen Photos

    Business Info

    KAIZEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Kaizen

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Mochi buns (bang bang shrimp on the left and shitake mushroom on the right)
    Tony S.

    Cute little Japanese restaurant in Old City. Service was good and the food was between 4 and 5 stars, but I'll go with 4 (for reasons explained below). We went for lunch, which they serve on weekends using the same menu as for dinner. It's nice that they offer many "tapas" style small plates, so you can try various things. We started with the red curry crab cakes. The cakes were tasty, although we didn't get a lot of red curry coming through. They went well with the beets and edamame served along with the crab cakes. It's a nice combo both because you get sort of a side salad to balance the crab cakes, and because the beets and edamame are great when shared in the same bite with a piece of crab cake. Plus visually, it makes a beautiful dish! Also beautiful were our mochi buns, one bang bang shrimp and one shitake mushroom. Both were quite tasty, but the bang bang shrimp was my favorite. We also had the noodles with chicken and lemongrass teriyaki sauce. This one was a little disappointing. It wasn't bad and it got better as it sat for a little and the flavors melded together more. But again, we got zero lemongrass coming through in the teriyaki sauce. The sauce itself was a little too salty. The chicken (thighs) also could have been better. The noodles were good and the saving grace of the dish was the crispy wontons on top, which provided a nice contrasting crunch. Overall an enjoyable experience, but a little mixed.

    Bang Bang Shrimp Fried Rice
    Mai L.

    I went here on a Wednesday night. I found a paid public parking lot across the street which was super convenient except that the price to park was a bit high so you may want to plan to go early to drive around to find better parking. We were able to be sat quickly without a reservation that day which was lucky and nice! Lots of choices on the menu and great for sharing! We started out with our own Bao buns. I got the mushroom one and it was very good!! We both shared the dry fry eggplant which were like fries and had a good spicy kick to them. Very delicious. We also got fried rice with bang bang shrimp. It came with an over easy egg that we broke before digging in - yum!!! Lots of flavor and very good! I'm excited to come back and try more items from the menu!!

    Drunken Pork Noodles
    Isabelle Z.

    Overall quality was fabulous and portions were perfect! Spice level on this drunken noodle with pork was higher than expected with all the chilli in it but overall flavor was top tier! Would definitely go here again, the appetizers looked great also.

    Spicy Chicken Steamed Bun
    Jordan A.

    Went here last week and loved it so much and will be going back. Menu is clearly labeled gluten free and t was such a cute building in old city Knoxville! Will be coming back here again the service was very friendly and very quick. Got the fried rice with grilled chicken and it was so yum.

    Lindsay H.

    We finally made it over here for lunch on a Friday. We ordered: Sesame Salad: fresh, beautiful salad ingredients. The egg was perfectly cooked and the sesame dressing had a great base of flavors...just not nearly enough salt and seasoning. Loved the egg the most. Bang Bang Shrimp bun: this was tasty. The bao was so soft and delish. Wish there had been more cabbage Pork belly bun: we won't order this one again. Half was chewy and inedible. The risk you take with pork belly, though. Shrimp fried rice and Pork belly fried rice entrees: identical except for the protein. The shrimp was unfortunately very overcooked in this dish (but wasn't on our bun). The pork was again, hit-or-miss with what was edible. The meaty bits we did get were crisp and delish! The rice itself was amazing and the egg a perfect sauce when broken over top the dish. One of my favorite parts of our visit? When I cleared my rice into a takeout box, my plate had a cat on it. So cute! Love the lucky cat theme throughout.

    Lemongrass Lemongrass Teriyaki Chicken Noodle
    Katie G.

    I ordered the lemongrass chicken noodle dish. It was delicious! I cannot recommend enough. The food took a minute to arrive, but it was worth the wait.

    Fried Chicken Rice Bowl ($17)
    Ame G.

    We ate here for an early dinner and enjoyed it. We were dining with our small dog and love that they offer a dog friendly patio outback. Just check in at the front, and a staff member will escort you and your dog straight back to the patio. The patio was nicely shaded and had fans going. This helped with the evening heat and kept the bugs away. Service was quick and friendly. We decided upon a roasted pork belly steam bun ($3.50) to start and a roasted pork belly fried rice bowl ($18) along with a fried chicken rice bowl ($17). The bread of the bao bun was soft, and the pork belly slice with sauce was tasty. Both fried rice bowls were good, although, personally, I thought the pork belly in the fried rice bowl was a bit dry with hard bits of texture. Almost like it was cooked and then deep fried. I was lucky that pockets of pork belly fat helped to "rehydrate" the meat texture so to say. Nonetheless, the service was great, we enjoyed what was offered, and we loved sitting outside. Would recommend you give them a try.

    Mushroom-Shoyu Noodle
    Riley K.

    Amazing experience -- delicious food, great vibes, and exceptional service. Couldn't have asked for more!

    Duck Noodle Soup
    Danielle R.

    The duck noodle soup is definitely something to write home about. One of the most unique menu items I've had in some time. Amazing flavor! The atmosphere was cozy and inviting. Service was a little slow but the great food made up for it.

    Shrimp steamed bun
    Andy H.

    Food was great. We had a bunch of appetizers to get going and they didn't disappoint. Shrimp steamed buns were excellent. Eggplant was great but be careful there are some peppers hidden in there and they are SPICEY. Wings were crazy good. Wouldn't have thought watermelon and tuna went to together. IT DOES!! Get it. Tomato salad was great so I'm told. Fried was was fantastic along with the drunken boneless. Mochi to finish it off.

    Bang Bang Shrimp Fried Rice
    Iva C.

    I've heard amazing reviews this about this place and I can't believe it took me years to finally try it. My husband and I walked in on a Friday night and were lucky enough to snag a table. The atmosphere is great and our server was wonderful. Everything on the menu looks fantastic and they have great looking specials. We both decided on the fried rice bowls. I got the fried bang bang shrimp and my husband got the wagyu steak. They were delicious and full of flavor! We were very happy with our experience here and can't wait to come back and try some other menu items.

    Stir fried Lemongrass chicken
    Maureen N.

    I first visited Kaizen for a Christmas party and enjoyed the food so much. So, j decided to visit again and have access to their entire menu. My group was sat in the outside tent with a heater in place. It would have been an okay spot if the cold was able to be contained by keeping the door closed at all times. Sadly, that didn't happen. So, I wouldn't recommend sitting in the outside tent. I ordered the stir fried lemongrass chicken. And the wait for my food to arrive was ridiculous. They didn't just open and so, I expected the food to take less than 30 minutes. But it took longer. It would have been great if our waitress had informed us of the wait time ahead of time. Regardless, the dish was amazing. Not oily. Well seasoned. Easily digestable. There was a good amount of chicken in the dish and not just noodles. The noodles were not soggy as well. So, overall, a solid dish. I will revisit to try more of their dishes. Just do not come extremely starving unless you want to shrivel up before your meal arrives!

    Fried Bang Bang Shrimp Fried Rice
    Sabreena S.

    Arrived early for our lunch reservation. We were greeted with a smile and were seated right away. The server had a calm and welcoming demeanor. The walls had some movie posters from Asia and some fun wallpaper. There was 3 of us and we started with the wild boar lumpia. That was the bomb!!! Ate it so fast. We then shared a few of the steamed buns. They were too salty for me but I'm a little salt sensitive. My husband and son were not phased but the salt so no points deducted. We each had a fried rice dish. The flavors melded well together. Love the fried egg! Yum! Large portions. We were only able to eat half and took the other half home. We would definitely return.

    See all

    20 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John E.
    1396
    941
    13354

    5 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mai L.
    307
    781
    1877

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 22
    Thanks 5
    Love this 16
    Oh no 2

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 4
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andy H.
    4
    67
    157

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sydney W.
    2
    57
    141

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Great tasting shrimp fried rice. Service was a tick slow. Overall very plant, hope to return again soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Inattentive service. Ordered ramen and got spaghetti noodles. Mapu tofu was listed as "very spicy" on the menu and came out barely spicy.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    The people working there are awesome. The vibes are great , the food was perfect, the drinks were also good. I'd come here again

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J H.
    716
    145
    37

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Jerden H.
    37
    23
    12

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ivan S.
    0
    18
    15

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Amazing food, service, and location. Consistent, too. The staff is so welcoming and kind.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Diana K.
    12
    43
    19

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lex I.
    1
    22
    51

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 10

    Ask the Community - Kaizen

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Asian Fusion 246 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Alice In Appalachia - Macaron and delectable cupcakes

    Alice In Appalachia

    4.5(49 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    I love a kitschy bar and this is definitely it. They have fully committed to the theme and the gift…read moreshop next store is filled with Alice and wonderland themed trinkets and treasures. It's quirky and the staff is super friendly making this all around a great experience. I got a magic potion drink because you got to keep the glass bottle it came in and it sparkled which came out to $12 plus a tip. What more could you want really. The drink was some kind of party punch, it was a little stiff but pretty tasty. If you're in the area this is worth checking out. It's a one of one and the drinks were reasonably priced for it being a novelty experience.

    So I didn't actually get the chance to try a drink here: I came on Thurs around 3p because Google…read morelisted Thurs hours as 11a-2a. They are wrong, they don't open until 5 on Thurs and I had to get back to the airport by then! That said, there is an adjacent gift shop store that is also Alice themed - it was quite cute! I didn't buy anything but the clerk told me all this about the hours. I could see inside the bar and it looks really cute and fun - shame I couldn't actually get a drink because the menu looks awesome! Overall even though I didn't try anything I am certain this bar would be a great spot to hang in Knoxville if trying to unwind or hang around the social scene.

    Photos
    Alice In Appalachia - Very Merry Unbirthday

    Very Merry Unbirthday

    Alice In Appalachia - The moon hatter

    The moon hatter

    Alice In Appalachia - Prix Fixe Brunch Tower - all the best parts of brunch!

    See all

    Prix Fixe Brunch Tower - all the best parts of brunch!

    PostModern Spirits

    PostModern Spirits

    4.3(45 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    We stopped here as part of the Whiskey Trail experience, and not only was it the worst customer…read moreservice of the 28 distilleries we visited, the female bartender (red hair, black glasses) was the rudest bartender I have met in my 20 years of being in hospitality. When we walked in, she glared at us as if we had interrupted something. She didn't greet us, didn't ask what we'd like to try, only gave us one word answers to any question that we asked. Never once smiled or tried to engage us. My friend was so frustrated with trying to get information from her that he stood up and almost walked out. I kept trying to engage her and even complemented her cute dress. Nothing. Stone face. I wanted to try the amaro flight and asked for it. She prepared it, set it in front of me, and said "so you'll want to close out now?" I told her "yes, that would be great, when I'm finished with my tasting". She proceeded to lean up against the bar with her back to us and didn't say another word. I had to get up and walk to the register, and when she finally turned around, I asked her "have we done something to upset you?" She said "no, why?" I said "because you seem REALLY annoyed that we're here". Her only response was to turn the register screen around and tell me the total. I'm so sad about this because I really wanted to taste other items and get a cocktail, but she was SO unpleasant and we felt SO unwelcome., Seeing all of the other great reviews, I can only imagine that they were with other people. I wish those other bartenders had been there.

    Boozy grapefruit slushy? YES. Just say yes. This cocktail bar distills their own booze right next…read moredoor (you can be a creepster and peek in!). They sell bottles of varying sizes at the bar and also at other places around town, including Total Wine. We love that they offer sampler flights with different liquors and also different size pours. They give you a tray with a sheet that describes the flavor profile for each offering. We also were given slushy samples and a customized gin sample, mixed with another shot to sip. We ordered slushies to enjoy on the patio and a flight with Hi Rye Whiskey, Ginferous Gin (favorite!), Uproot Gin, and Barrel Rested Cacoa Liqueur. I can't believe the differing flavors they can produce within the same type of booze. Masterful! The bartenders are friendly and so dang knowledgable. We purchased a bottle of Ginferous Gin and have kept the party going at home. Can't wait to go back! What a cool spot.

    Photos
    PostModern Spirits
    PostModern Spirits
    PostModern Spirits

    See all

    Monkey’s Bar

    Monkey’s Bar

    4.6(5 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    I love Monkey's bar!! It's the perfect meet in the middle between fancy cocktail bar and relaxed…read moreenvironment! Bartenders are so friendly and even let me sample a pre batched cocktail to ensure I'd like it! Will definitely be back!

    If you like near downtown and own a dog, this will become your go-to spot! It is pretty bare-bones…read moreinside, with a few high-tops and bar seating, a separate space you can step up into with more wooden tables and bench seating and not much in the way of decor. They have some really fun drinks with pop-culture references, a sizable list of mocktails, booze list galore, and keep beer flowing , too. The service is friendly and the prices in line (if not cheaper) with other bars downtown ($11-12 per cocktail). We loved that people are allowed to bring in their own food (they have a few snacks you can order) and that dogs are welcome. In fact, word has it that the bar is named after the owners' dog, Monkey, so it makes sense that they pass along their pup love to our community. Note that huge (but very sweet) dogs may be freely roaming and were knocking into people carrying full drinks and begging strangers for food. Also, we were with a group across from the bar and I will say that it was absolutely deafening. We were next to each other and were yelling, "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!?" They could use a few items to soak up some sound like cushions on the bench seating, some rugs, etc. It would also make the space a bit more homey and inviting.

    Photos
    Monkey’s Bar - Monkey likes the pizza!

    Monkey likes the pizza!

    Monkey’s Bar
    Monkey’s Bar

    See all

    The Vault - My knockout date for the night

    The Vault

    4.2(51 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    The Vault was our second stop on our cocktail hop night, and I'm so glad we found it!…read more First off, the interior is chef's kiss. The dark, glamorous aesthetic is stunning--perfect for date night or for impressing out-of-town guests. I loved the gold accents, layered textures, and thoughtful lighting. Everything worked together beautifully. We chose to sit at the bar to watch the mixologists work their magic. They were incredibly helpful in guiding us toward drinks that matched our preferences. I absolutely loved my cocktail--even if I can't recall the name--because it delivered the spicy kick they promised. We also ordered several shareable plates, all of which were delicious. We tried the Carnitas Tamales (shredded pork, ancho mole, fresh corn, masa, cilantro, yuzu arbequina oil), the Vegetable Empanadas (house-made pastry, wilted kale, roasted sweet potato, Oaxaca and cotija cheese, black bean purée, and adobo & chile-lime aioli), and a salad. I'd happily order any of them again. I did find myself wishing for a bit more heat, but I've learned that's hard to come by in Tennessee. At least the staff gave us a heads-up that the spice level is toned down. I'm already looking forward to coming back and exploring more of the menu. The vibe is fantastic--and while they have a nice outdoor space, the interior is so eye-catching I'm not sure I'd want to sit anywhere else.

    Cool atmosphere it's an underground speakeasy type of deal and had a cool list of cocktails…read more My cocktail was pretty good I wouldn't get it again but I liked it and the banana and gin was fun and new. Tapas were good the carrots were by far the best roasted perfectly and the sauce was so flavorful. The crab dip was good but typical same with mushroom truffle pizza. The empanadas were good but a little dry I was glad they had sauce. Would go again and get the carrots and new items!

    Photos
    The Vault - A bottle vault.

    A bottle vault.

    The Vault - Inside the actual vault

    Inside the actual vault

    The Vault - Tables in the vault

    See all

    Tables in the vault

    Fiori - Lobster Ala Vodka

    Fiori

    3.5(42 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Fiori in Old City downtown Knoxville is such a cute spot with an amazing ambiance--perfect for a…read moregirls night or a special occasion. The atmosphere alone makes it feel like a little escape. The service was good, and my friend and I both really enjoyed our cocktails and entrées--they were definitely the highlight of the meal. We weren't huge fans of the appetizers we tried, but we found out they're leaving the menu soon anyway, so that made sense. On a high note, the pistachio cream dessert was an absolute delight and the perfect way to end the night. Overall, a really lovely experience and I'd definitely go back!

    You definitely are paying for the ambiance. The food itself isn't anything to right home about,…read moreespecially for the price. But I will applaud that the portions are decent sizes. I wasn't blown away and felt like the flavors were lackluster. The pasta was an alright red sauce, flavors could've been a bit more complex and boldly fresh. The Arancini tasted like a bland mushy hushpuppy in marinara. The best dish was the salmon, if I had to recommend anything! Super flaky with a crispy fish, paired nicely with the salad and potatoes. Service itself was good and the drinks were just okay. I like that they have many cocktail options to choose from, but my drink was honestly straight juice. As someone who's lightweight, I was shocked to find that the portions for drinks for the little amount of alcohol for $15 is a bit absurd (I got the st Richard ride). I'd only come once for the ambiance but it's pretty disappointing for what you pay. 6.5/10

    Photos
    Fiori - Some Appetizers

    Some Appetizers

    Fiori
    Fiori

    See all

    Kefi - Buttered Lobster Pasta

    Kefi

    4.6(285 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    Finally, a restaurant downtown that's not insanely loud. Loved the fact they had booths all around…read morethe outside of the room. Made it much easier to have a conversation. Also loved the fact there was a mocktail flight. As a sober couple this is huge for us. Portions were good sized and although a bit pricey, we'd come back and make a dinner out of like 3 apps.

    This place needs to do better. I searched what places in East Tennessee sell grilled octopus and…read morethis place pops up. So of course I naturally look at reviews and pictures and people posted pictures with two or three good size pieces of octopus. I figure perfect, it looks delicious I'm gonna order. So I ordered the grilled octopus and also the tzatziki. My total was about $35. I get to my car and I look in the bag and instantly think "WTF are you kidding me?" What I got was a complete and utter joke. I had asked for veggies instead of the potatoes and I get what is shown in the picture a couple teeny tiny carrots and radishes and I'm kind of laughing as I eat them because I'm thinking damn... Each of these cost me a dollar so I better actually eat them. I look at how tiny my portion of food is and I think wow I wonder if I would've actually sat in the restaurant if it would've looked anything like the picture or if I would've got a decent size instead of this teeny tiny little container. The octopus was overcooked, it was tough and hard to chew. All they did was put it on the grill it had the char flavor but that was it no other flavor. Definitely would not recommend this place.

    Photos
    Kefi - The Saganki experience

    The Saganki experience

    Kefi
    Kefi - Tear's of Chios

    See all

    Tear's of Chios

    Kaizen - asianfusion - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...