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    Zaru

    4.6 (538 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese, Noodles
    Open 11:30 am - 9:30 pm

    Zaru Photos

    Business Info

    ZARU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Zaru

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    Reviews With Photos

    Hokkaido uni udon
    Larry S.

    Stopped in for dinner over the weekend. I was told there was a 40 minute wait. I put my name on the wait list and we sat down 20 minutes later. The waiter was fantastic. He explained most dishes on the menu. The udon noodles were fabulous. The sauce on the uni udom was outrageous. I recommend the Japanese eggplant too. Nice firm pieces of eggplant in a delicious sauce.

    Menu
    Sarah W.

    Amazing experience during my first visit to Zaru! I first discovered cold noodles during a trip to Asia a few years ago, and was so excited to find a place that serves this authentic dish here in Orlando! It's the perfect lunch to beat the summer heat. I ordered the Yamakake Udon, which the waitress said was one of the most niche items in the menu, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. This specific dish was definitely unique and maybe not for everyone texturally, but prepared expertly and the flavors were amazing. The presentation was also beautiful. Service was also outstanding, explaining everything thoroughly and happily answering any questions. I can't wait to come back and try some of their other dishes!

    Menu, order by marking what you'd like!
    Maria L.

    Sometimes I worry about going to places that are really highly rated, wanting to try something that I don't understand and being afraid I won't like it. This experience was so nice! None of my worry was necessary! The server asked if we were new, it was a cold day and she went over all the options with us assuming we would want hot soup but also asking us! Then when the food was delivered a different server asked if she could go over everything on our plates and what it's for! Thank goodness for that because I would have been lost! I loved my noodles, so fresh. I also liked the space, although if Mills is busy it's hard to park...but hey, what real city doesn't have parking problems! I'll be back.

    Menu as of February 2026
    Katherine S.

    TL;DR: really good tempura, okay udon, diverse/unique menu Came here for an early dinner and was easily able to get a table. Interior is very welcoming and cute. Service was very nice, but it was a little slow for us but nothing terrible. FOOD: ~Yaki Nasu (3.7/5): eggplant was cooked nicely, but the sauce was a little too sweet. If I ate this with rice or as a side dish when eating meat, it would have been very good. ~Ikura Onsen (4/5): what a unique dish! It was like a steamed whole egg with ikura (salmon roe), beans (tasted like edamame to me?), and crispy garlic. I thought it would taste muddled, but it was really nice. Portion size is a little small at $12. ~Mentaiko Tsukimi Udon (3/5): this is a cold noodle. solid amount of mentaiko comes with it. It comes with ice, which keeps it nice and cold, but can water it down. They bring you some soy sauce to add as it gets watered down, but I felt that it killed the flavor of the broth. Additionally, I think they might make noodles in house. The texture was fantastic, but I think the shape/size was a little too thick for my liking. ~Hokkaido Uni Udon (4.1/5): Really enjoyed the flavor of this one. Comes nice and hot but smaller portion of uni. Same issue with the noodles for me, but could be fine for most people. ~Tempura (5/5): we got shrimp and sweet potato. The batter was so crispy AND flavorful on it's own. It didn't come with any tempura sauce, but it honestly didn't even need it. Overall, this place is a cute spot. If I ever visit Orlando again, I would definitely come back here just for the tempura.

    interior
    Amy Y.

    Homemade udon must be a rarity in Florida, but Zaru paves the way with its udon-centric offerings. The flavors are very traditional yet modern - even the beverage and cocktail options utilize Asian flavors with some elevated applications. As for the most important part - the udon - they are fat, thick, and firm; it could be perfect if it had a little more chew. The noodle length is quite long, so you must bite some noodle while drawing a spoonful of soup separately! I like that each udon set comes with its own small plates of tempura bits, kombu tsukudani (seasoned kelp), grated ginger, sesame seeds, and sliced green onions. - Viet Coffee It's a foamy and creamy Vietnamese coffee and black sesame hybrid, and was surprisingly earthy and tasty! Because of the cream, it was a little filling and hearty on its own. If you need caffeine, this is great. It's much better than a lot of the new Viet coffee places I've been trying out in San Jose, CA (which says a lot). - Tatsuta-age I was disappointed by this fried chicken because it wasn't crispy whatsoever, nor did I think it had too much flavor. I think the chicken meat was also just okay. It needed the lemon and roe mayonnaise that came with it. If I ever came here again, I imagine any other appetizer would have been better. - Shrimp Tempura Udon I just wanted some simple tempura with my udon, and that's what I got. The dashi was nice, subtly sweet and smooth, though not something I've never had before. The tempura was fresh and meaty. I think it's a good introduction if you're trying udon for the first time, or if you want a simpler and cleaner meal. While I enjoyed this, I think I should have been more adventurous since I can get the same flavor at home. - Nikutama Udon They are very generous with the sweet slices of beef. We liked that it was mostly beef more than onion, too. It's a good dish if you want a meaty, sweet and soy-flavored broth with your udon. The onsen egg was cooked perfectly, and added a great creamy texture when broken. I would be curious to come back and try other unique flavors, though I am spoiled by great udon establishments near my hometown and do prefer those. It is pretty admirable for Zaru to introduce authentic udon to Orlando, and you can taste their utilization of better ingredients and effort in all their offerings.

    Yaki Nasu ( Miso grilled eggplant )
    Carnette V.

    Udon during a cold night definitely hits the spot just right. I've been wanting to come to Zaru for some time now, but have been hesitant since I've always seen lines out the door. But luckily I was able to come with a friend on a Monday night and there was no line! We were able to sit where we wanted and the staff was so kind to explain their menu to us since it was our first time. All of the food was so flavorful! When our server explained what their mocktail of the day was, I couldn't pass up a mango drink! It was fruity, bright, and refreshing. For our appetizer, we shared the yaki nasu (Miso grilled eggplant) which I was pleasantly surprised by since I don't normally gravitate to eggplant, but I wanted to try it since it was something new. My friend got the nikutama udon, while I got the shrimp tempura udon. I loved the crispiness of the tempura and the chewiness of the udon. I would definitely love to come back and try more of their menu, especially their cold noodles.

    Long H.

    Definitely worth a check if you're in Orlando! Staffs were extremely nice. There are plenty of great choices to pick from and every order is unique.

    Hokkaido uni udon
    Emily L.

    Even in an area with phenomenal food, Zaru stands out for its high-quality ingredients, balanced flavors, and smooth service in a beautifully designed restaurant. I ordered the Hokkaido Uni Udon and was so incredibly happy with the selection. The noodles were the perfect texture, the Hokkaido uni was deliciously sweet, and the briny salmon roe was complemented by the shiso and creamy sauce. The tempura flakes stayed fairly crispy when mixed in, and the marinated seaweed on the side was a nice touch. Really loved that service was friendly and efficient for a quick lunch stop-in on a work day. They made sure to explain the menu and check in several times. Convenient parking is also in the back. I hope to stop in again in a future Orlando trip, as it seems you can't go wrong with their menu.

    Fried chicken
    Vincent L.

    Everything about this place did not disappoint. From food, to service, to the environment, all of it was really amazing! For the food,, we ordered the recommended apps which were the fried chicken and the eggplant. Solid choices. They did not skimp out on the portions too. Both were great, but if I had to choose, I'd choose the egg plant! Seasoned very well and very balanced! For the udon, I ordered the shrimp tempura with a side of the Shishito. Very delish! Highly recommend and I would definitely come back to try other dishes here. Can't wait to go back!

    Crab Udon special
    Ra S.

    I'm going to keep this short and sweet. Go to Zaru eat some tempura, slurp some udon! That's really all that needs to be said. The spot is intimate, minimal noodle house vibes, and playlist was fire. The menu is just enough and not at all overwhelming. Cocktails and drinks are limited to beer and wine; I went for a yummy red can sake to pair with my crab udon special in a slightly spicy red sauce. It smelled and tasted amazing. I also had one piece of shrimp tempura on the side just to taste and maaaaaaan, I could've eaten ten! So good, crunchy, cooked and salted to perfection. I also had a taste of their TanTan style udon and let's just say Im glad my friend shared when they did bc that bowl was cleaned in no time flat. Highly recommend.

    Viet D.

    Cute little Japanese cafe. Zara's food was good and food came out fast. The udon was comforting and had nice texture. Great option for a cute date night!

    Chicken Nanban Udon
    Andy L.

    Had to check out the famous Zaru while in the Orlando Area. Famous for its Umami flavor, the food was worth it. Soup was flavorful and the chicken was delicious! Unfortunately the wait time to get a table then after ordering was more than expected. Check it out!

    Alice Z.

    Very delicious place for udon! I tried the beef udon and grilled eggplant on the side. Noodles were delicious and fresh. Loved the broth. Would love to come and dine in next time to try more

    Shrimp udon

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    Page 1 of 14

    Zaru Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Zaru

    What service style is this restaurant? (Walk up to the counter and order or table service with wait staff)…

    45 minutes is really pushing it. The restaurant has limited seating, and waits can be common, especially on weekends. It's the type of place where you’ll want to savor your meal without feeling rushed.

    Are there matchbooks available here?

    No I didn’t see a matchbook when I went there.

    Can I order food to go?

    Yes

    Are any of the broths for the soups made vegetarian (no fish flakes or animal by products)?

    Do they take reservations?

    Reservations can be requested through their Instagram page, direct message. But if you walk in around 5pm, the wait is not bad

    Is it kid-friendly? I have a one- and 3-year-old.

    It's small and intimate but casual. I don't think there's even high chairs, my gut would say no.

    View All 7 Questions

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    4.4
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    Just like my review from before, Susuru is still one of my favorite restaurants in Orlando. It's…read morestill such a fun retro izakaya whenever I'm craving ramen or Japanese style tapas, and the service is always top notch. We almost always have Asuka as our server, and she's seriously the sweetest. She's always so welcoming and somehow always recommends something that ends up becoming a new favorite. They've added more ramen to the menu since my last review, and the Tan Tan ramen has quickly become one of my favorites. The spicy sesame peanut broth is rich, flavorful, and has just the right amount of heat. If I'm not in the mood for ramen, I always go with the shiso butter yaki onigiri with a side of pork chashu. They torch the butter right at your table, which is such a fun touch, and it smells incredible. The mentaiko fries are still a must order every single visit, and for dessert you can't skip the matcha tiramisu or the taro ice cream with the hot green tea. The ramen, grilled meats, addicting appetizers, fun drinks, awesome atmosphere, and consistently amazing staff are exactly why I keep coming back. Easily one of my favorite spots in Orlando.

    Tried this place after hearing so much about it on socials. Pulled up and there was a small line…read morewaiting for it to open. Really cool place with an open atmosphere. Kitchen is also open with a bar that looks directly into the kitchen as you dine. Drinks are simple. Plum wine, Japanese whisky options, beer, and soft drinks. Also a few mixed drinks, but again nothing crazy or exciting. Food was fresh and pretty good. The tuna sashimi appetizer was fantastic! The sauce is like a yum-yum and black sesame blend. Incredible. The bowl was wayyyyyy too sweet for me. Too much of the sauce. But the rice and chicken were pretty good. The pork belly is grilled and not seasoned much. So added it to the bowl to calm the sweet and it worked well. Overall, this place isn't worth queuing for, but still pretty good considering its location. Solid 6/10 for me.

    Photos
    Bar seating area
    Bar seating area
    Soriresu Yakitori (~$5) & Momo Yakitori (~$5)
    Soriresu Yakitori (~$5) & Momo Yakitori (~$5)
    Wagyu Short Rib Kushiyaki (~$12)

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    Kabooki Sushi

    Kabooki Sushi

    4.4
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.3 mi
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    Just wow to Kabooki!!!!! Been here twice now and just getting to reviewing this spot…read more Let me first start with the staff! Great service from start to finish. Our server Michelle was very nice and offered good input to our questions about the dishes. We also had the honor to talk with Chef Henry Moso- we had a great conversation about the sushi and he even presented us with a dish. Grateful and delighted! kabooki's quality and execution of the dishes are a work of art! Both times we sat at sushi table and watched all the sushi chefs doing their magic was a great show. We started with the hamachi carpaccio and the beef carpaccio and both were chefs kiss We had the bluefin tasting which was great progression of variety of bluefin. Mauro Truffle, Kona Kampachi, leche de Tigro were tasty unique options. The use of micro greens and flowers was really pretty besides being tasty!! Definitely worth checking out!!

    FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! And let me tell you that you need to ask for KAYLEE!!!!!!!! DO IT NOW! This place…read moreis INCREDIBLE! The drinks... 10 The food... 10 The hospitality... 10 The service... 10 The vibe... 10 FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Kaylee knew EVERYTHING there was to know and those bartenders WERE AMAZING (especially Jan)! And don't get me started on the chef!!!!! SOOOO FIRE!!!! 10/10 for all 4 of us!!!! When we come back to FL, we will definitely be returning!!!

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    The karaage
    The karaage
    Shishito Pepper

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    Shishito Pepper
    Sushi Tomi

    Sushi Tomi

    4.6
    (558 reviews)
    8.5 mi
    $$

    My daughter and I found this place. Amazing. Food was so good, I had the spicy tuna roll and…read morenigiri salmon and tuna as well as steamed dumplings. Excellent. Food was great, if you like sushi this is the place.

    Was craving their $17 lunch specials (Mon-Sat from 1130-2pm) - My go to is the chicken teriyaki…read morewith shrimp / veg tempura, fried rice, 2 miso soup (Instead of salad) and CA roll. The water here is clean tasting. To save the turtles they do not provide straws. I usually request the tempura and CA roll dine in and the rest is packed to go. (I get full fast). I always request to replace the side salad with the miso soup instead and they are ok with doing that. The tempura is lightly battered (2 shrimp, 2 green bean, eggplant , sweet potato). The tempura sauce is delicious. The CA roll is ok I mean its krab, avocado. Nothing fancy. It is rolled in masago. Staff here they have tendency to forget to refill water so try to request 2-3 glasses in advance when they ask for drink orders. Always check out the menu board - The specials can be interesting. My fave on that board that they offer sometimes is the beef tendon with tofu for like $6 ish. Love it with a side of white rice . The sauce is delicious. Reminds me of beef gyudon sauce. This place can get busy with japanese customers - especially lunch hours. The lunch bento specials only are for lunch. Dinner do not have bento specials. They are closed for summer vacation and will re open on June 19th - I am not sure the start date of the vacation - I know its sometime early June.

    Photos
    Good Start!
    Good Start!
    Negi toro roll
    Negi toro roll
    Fatty Tuna!!!

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    Fatty Tuna!!!

    Zaru - japanese - Updated June 2026

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