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    Zaru

    4.6 (528 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese, Noodles
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:30 pm

    Zaru Photos

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    ZARU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Zaru

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    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.

    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!

    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!

    Udon noodles with tempura chicken and veggies, and soy marinated eggplant. Spiced fig cocktail (pink), Yuzu highball (yellow).
    Jordi Z.

    Zaru is located in Orlando's Mills 50 District, commonly known as Little Saigon, with top-notch Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese, cuisine in surrounding the area. We sat in the front of the restaurant, small tables but there are big floor to ceiling windows that let in a ton of natural light, making the place feel bright and attractive from the street. The food really is amazing, lots of vegetarian options and perfectly chilled cocktails. Portions sizes are moderate but very filling, and this place is praised for their amazing udon noodles. Definitely order that, but they also have some of the best tempura and eggplant I've ever had. Everything is thoroughly cooked inside while remaining perfectly crispy, and most of the dishes are served with garnishes and toppings on the side to share or add as you'd like. Service is super helpful and willing to explain the ingredients or preparations of any item on the menu (which is simple and both in Japanese & English).

    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.

    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

    Vietnamese coffee
    Mike P.

    Absolute top notch. If you are considering it, just go there and thank me later. Ive been to Takamatsu, Japan. The birthplace of Udon. This matched it.

    Tatsuta-age
    Briana N.

    Udon is always one of my go-to's so I was so so excited to try Zaru. And while I've had better, it's pretty good for Orlando! The udon didn't have the same bounciness that I associate with handmade udon, but maybe that's bc it's sanuki style which I associate with grocery bought udon. The broth wasn't as flavorful as I was hoping for either. But they don't skimp on the toppings which is a big plus. I did really enjoy the tastuta-age though. The chicken was really crispy and flavorful, but the highlight for me was the creamy mentaiko sauce that came with it. I'm also intrigued by the cold dishes, would try those next time!

    Karaage. Super crispy
    Lynn C.

    It was really busy when we came in. Tables were packed and we had a 30 min wait. Tables are kinda small. Prices are a little higher than average. The udon here is delicious and fresh. You can see them through the window making the food which I love. Had the Karaage. Which was crispy and so good. Highly recommend Got the beef udon and the Dan Dan and one tempura to try on the side. Food was great but I couldn't justify the price. Serving portion was a little less than normal. They don't expect you to take food home. So you shouldn't either. Overall, it was an okay experience and good food.

    Shrimp udon

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    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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    Twenty Pho Hour - Beansprouts, lime, jalapeños, basil

    Twenty Pho Hour

    4.2(912 reviews)
    12.9 miInternational Drive / I-Drive
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    When you walk in, it is so cool to look at all of the different drawings…read more Ordering was super easy with Joni. She's awesome and super sweet! The food is soooo flavorful, new for me to try a veggie broth I always opt in for the meat. They have changed me, I'm coming back for their veggie broth. Staff is very quick and attentive as well, I love that they don't leave dishes on tables and clean up immediately. Especially not making you feel rushed. Overall, great experience, great food, lots of flavors. Please check them out when you come to Orlando area

    I visited Twenty Pho Hour mainly because I was craving soup noodles and the 2D cartoon concept…read morecaught my attention online. The exterior and interior both follow the same black and white illustrated design style. The only thing missing was the chairs not being outlined as well, because that would've tied the theme together even more. Lots of parking available. Ordering is done at the counter before being seated. Service was friendly, and teachers get a complimentary drink with their entrée. I ordered the Black Ox noodle soup, which costs $28 and is tied with the short rib pho as the most expensive pho option on the menu. The bowl only comes in one size. It included sliced beef, beef brisket, and two pieces of oxtail, one large and one small. The oxtail was very tender and fell off the bone easily although I wish I had more oxtail since two of the pieces were bone only. The brisket was also well cooked and flavorful. Noodles were on the firm side and I wish the broth was a lot more hotter. On the side they provide bean sprouts, jalapeños, basil leaves, and two lime wedges. I also tried the Thai iced tea. It was a bit too sweet for my preference, so I wasn't able to finish it. They have one family washroom and one regular washroom available. Wooden chopsticks are provided, and plastic forks are available too. The food was solid, especially the oxtail, though the pricing does lean on the expensive side.

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    Walala Hand-Pulled Noodles

    Walala Hand-Pulled Noodles

    4.5(165 reviews)
    5.1 miHorizons West / West Orlando
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    Speaks Mandarin
    Family-owned & operated

    Finally tried Walala Hand-Pulled Noodles and they did not disappoint! My husband and I shared the…read moreboiled dumpling sampler (pork, beef, and chicken), chopped cucumber salad, beef skewer, and their ever popular spicy braised beef short rib stew with hand-pulled noodles. Everything was super good, especially the dumplings and the stew. The broth is very flavorful and the short rib was nice & tender which is always my biggest concern regarding meats in soups. The noodles really are the star of the show and there's something just so perfectly light and chewy about them. It truly is an artform! I'm glad this place lives up to hype and we'll definitely be back to try more of the menu!

    I've been hearing about Walala for some time now, so I was so excited to finally try it!…read more The workers are pretty friendly, and we came on a Sunday evening and were able to be seated right away. We wanted to try the wontons in chili oil but they were sadly out so we ended up getting the big beef skewers. The flavoring on them was sooo good. But we did have a lot of super chewy and fatty pieces that we weren't really a fan of. The noodles came out so quickly and they were streaming hot, which we loved. The clear broth is super clean and light with a very herbal fragrance to it. Like I feel like that would be perfect to drink if you were sick. But not being sick, I did end up adding some soy sauce just to give it some more flavor. But I like that with the sauces at the table, you can kinda just customize to your liking. I think the knife cut noodles are probably my favorite type of noodles here, but the hor fun goes really well with the clear broth. I also tried the green grape fruit tea and it was so refreshing! The flavor wasn't artificial at all and it was so nice to have with the hot noodles. I think this spot is super worth if you're the type to order extra noodles, or if you're a big eater. But the portions were pretty satisfying enough on the first go for us (def not a bad thing), so we didn't get to do any refills.

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    Saigon Noodle & Grill

    4.5(657 reviews)
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    Saigon Noodle & Grill is a great contemporary Vietnamese spot in the heart of the Milk District…read more The staff was super friendly and helpful--our server gave amazing recommendations, and we ended up trying a little bit of everything. We started with the crispy chicken dumplings--crispy on the outside with a juicy, tender chicken filling. Perfect way to kick things off. We continued with three items: Beef Stew (Bún Bò Kho), Orange Chicken, and Sautéed Cubed Beef "Shaking Beef" (Cơm Bò Lúc Lắc). The Beef Stew (Bún Bò Kho) was heaven on a dish. The beef stew was easily the standout--rich, flavorful, and the beef was so tender it practically melted in your mouth. The vermicelli noodles were just as impressive. Just reminiscing about it makes my mouth water. The "Shaking Beef" was served over white rice (highly recommend), and every bite was better than the last. The garlic butter sauce really takes it over the top. Don't be fooled by the Orange Chicken--Boneless chicken, fried perfectly and coated in their authentic sweet orange sauce. The best Orange Chicken in town, hands down. No chance of leftovers here--you won't want to put your fork down.

    Came here because it is one of my friend's favorite places. We popped in for a quick lunch and it…read morewas so tasty! Honestly, it's what you want in a lunch (in my opinion): Good food, quick service, chill atmosphere. Another thing I liked about this place is also that they have a decent amount of menu options. It didn't seem very busy but I didn't mind that in the least. The staff was very friendly and very nice. The food was very flavorful, a great temperature and tasted fresh. I now want to go back and try some more items!

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    JINYA Ramen Bar - Thornton Park

    JINYA Ramen Bar - Thornton Park

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    0.7 miThornton Park, South Eola
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    Surprised as many times as I have been to this Jinya Ramen Bar in Thornton Park that I have never…read morereviewed it. So here it goes. To start, they have a great Happy Hour 3-6 pm with a limited menu, but Sapporo drafts and local brews are under $5 each. That is a win right there. They also have beer and Sake flights. My Go to here is the Tonkotsu Black Ramen, but I have had the others and never a bad experience. There is something really welcoming about Jinya. I suspect they treat there staff well and hire the right people. Everytime I am here I feel like they are over staffed, but there are plenty of tables inside and out in this intimate venue. My two favorite happy hour dishes are the Salmon Pke Tacos and the Crispy Chicken. I used to live on Lake Eola Park and I so miss coming here. Glad I stumbled in here today.

    The presentation of the food online is what initially drew me to this restaurant. I had the chance…read moreto try one of the vegan ramen options and added an egg to the dish. The tofu was very soft and not my favorite in terms of flavor, but everything else in the Spicy Creamy V Ramen was delicious. I also tried the Impossible meat bao, but the texture of the meat was a bit too firm or overcooked for my liking, especially paired with the soft bao bun. That said, I would definitely come back to try other items on the menu, as there are so many options to choose from. Our server, Carl, was very friendly and attentive. I visited on a Friday evening, and the ambiance was relaxed yet lively, with plenty of groups enjoying dinner or drinks at the bar.

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    JINYA Ramen Bar - Thornton Park - Dining area

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    Sticky Rice Lao Street Food - larb, sticky rice,

    Sticky Rice Lao Street Food

    4.4(1.1k reviews)
    0.5 miColonialtown North, Mills50
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    Laab w/ pork belly: the flavor and texture is interesting in the best way possible, with the…read morecrunchy texture from the finely cut roasted peanut (i think) and the unique savory semi sweet flavors from the seasonings they used. With the cucumbers and lettuce, it makes the dish refreshing and with sticky rice it was so good! Chicken curry: a nice mellow flavor thats not spicy and the chicken is super tender and juicy. The potatoes in the curry are nice and soft, with a bit of a bite, and with rice makes it a hearty meal!

    Cute little restaurant for my fellow Lao people :). Packed at 1pm on a Saturday! 6/10 overall…read more I was not expecting there to be a pretty much Asia-Town in Orlando. Small restaurant, limited seating - maybe 50? I overheard someone coming into Bin Bong Cafe and ask where the "Lao" restaurant was. I was thinking "a Lao restaurant, am I hearing correctly?" They have Singha beer, japanese sake, and more. Water dispenser for water in the left corner by the counter. Just walk up to refill your cup. Hot or cold. I ordered Wings ($14, does not come with sticky rice), and Sticky Rice ($4). I like how they're playing J-pop at a Lao restaurant. Just makes me giggle a little. They have shrimp chips for sale (looks homemade) 4 people after who ordered for me got their food first. I feel like my order was just sitting for a while when I only got pre-bagged sticky rice and wings. They are indeed sticky wings. Lemongrass and bbq flavor?

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    Sichuan Alley

    Sichuan Alley

    4.9(15 reviews)
    5.1 miHorizons West / West Orlando

    A hidden gem with very authentic Chinese food. No bells and whistles mom and pop shop. Service was…read moreefficient and food came out quickly. Prices were good for the portion sizes. Lots of Sichuan cuisine options as well as some soup dumplings and unique cold appetizer dishes. We started with spicy chicken gizzards. Sliced thin and has a nice chewy texture, this app is refreshing and tasted great. Not super spicy which was perfect for me. Then we ordered the tea smoked duck. Nice big portion of duck with plenty of meat, fat and bone ratio. The smokey flavor is brought out in the meat and it was savory but not overly salty. The braised beef tendon casserole came out piping hot. Tendon was tender and easy to eat. Lots of rice vermicelli in it. Plenty of parking in the lot outside and conveniently located in the Chinatown Plaza.

    Simple, authentic, Sichuan food in the same space as where they used to have simple, authentic…read moreShanghainese food . . . but apparently the business changed owners and the new one was more an expert in Sichuan cuisine, hence the change of cuisine. The key test of the authenticity is how well they can do Dan Dan Noodles and they did very well with this classic dish-subtle flavors, the right amount of Sichuan pepper as well. Good dumplings and cold noodles, too. The space is small, no-frills, and I would guess much of their business is done in take-away as well. However, there is enough room to dine there in comfort and the staff is prompt plus also seems truly interested in their customers enjoying their food. I highly recommend it for casual Chinese right in the heart of Orlando's little Chinatown plaza.

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    Sichuan Alley - Inside

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    Saigon Noodle and Bistro - Oxtail Pho

    Saigon Noodle and Bistro

    4.5(572 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Large group friendly

    I am so glad I found this little hidden gem. Don't be fooled by the location at all. My friend and…read moreI were craving some Vietnamese and Thai food so we decided to Come here and give it a try. And we are so glad that we did. We started off with the appetizer that brought crab Rangoon, spring rolls, and dumplings. So good and even better with all the sauces to pair them with. Then we had the C10 platter which is this steak platter with vegetables and rice and we also had the Pad Thai. The dishes were so flavorful and the portions are very generous. I honestly will need to come back because they have so many options, including hot pot. Service was so friendly, you literally feel right at home. I cannot wait to be back and try the rest of the menu. Oh and don't forget to order the fried bananas for dessert!

    I don't know if they have a new management or the owner is too busy to take care of his restaurant…read morenowadays.But the restaurant is go downhill faster than a roller coaster.Last Thursday,I came here with 2 friends for lunch.This used to be my best spot for Vietnamese food.But....no more and I don't plan to come back to give them any more chance. 1st,the waiter is no more friendly and warm welcome customers.3 of us ordered lunch special which I never ever try.Usually we come here for dinner.And that were where the problems came out. 2nd,I order Sweet tea and the tea come out with a big chunk of "I DON'T THINK IT IS SAFETY TO DRINK" floating in my tea(look like fat residue or mold residue inside the stuck sewage pipe or fountain/AC pipe) which I told the waiter and he DIDN'T DO ANYTHING OR DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING. 3rd,The summer roll came out smaller than it used to be.The peanut sauce is saltier and less sweet. 4th,the sweet and sour homemade fish sauce has a weird taste(lack of sweet and sour). 5th,the fried eggs is too well done.The grilled pork is lack of aroma and grilled/lemongrass fragrance. Conclusion,The restaurant change a little bit outside.Look the same inside but the taste and the warm enjoyment atmosphere doesn't there anymore. P/s:We live 20 miles away from the restaurant.We don't come here too often because of the distance.But I always bring traveling friends here whenever they visit town for try "REAL VIETNAMESE DISHES".Have family dinners(6-8 people).And host at least 2 big dinner parties per year with foodie friends(15-20 people) every year.

    Photos
    Saigon Noodle and Bistro - Co'm Bo luc lac (C10. Cubed Flank Steak Rice Platter)

    Co'm Bo luc lac (C10. Cubed Flank Steak Rice Platter)

    Saigon Noodle and Bistro - Saigon Appetizers Combo @tiffhuangry

    Saigon Appetizers Combo @tiffhuangry

    Saigon Noodle and Bistro

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    Zaru - japanese - Updated May 2026

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