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    Zaru

    4.6 (541 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese, Noodles
    Closed 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.

    Viet Coffee @tiffhuangry
    Tiff H.

    UDON WANT TO MISS OUT ON ZARU | my first visit was during their soft opening a few years ago so I ventured in again after they received their Michelin Bib Gourmand accolade to see how they've changed, aside from the slight price markup in one year. Of the zensai (appetizers), I've tried the Tatsuta-Age, which was pretty tasty. Hot and crispy with good flavor. The udon is also top notch. They make it in house. Perfect chewy texture, what Taiwanese would call "QQ" I realized after my second visit that I still have not tried an udon with hot broth. I've tried the Spicy Miso Tan-Tan Udon, which was quite tasty, although a little on the richer/heavier side. I have also tried the Mentaiko Tsukimi Udon which was refreshing in the cold broth. I paired it with an add-on of sliced beef, which was delicious, they serve it on the side so you can add to whatever dish on your own. What I wouldn't recommend... The Viet Coffee with sesame foam and crushed sesame seeds was hard to drink. I loved the initial flavors but the foam got a little greasy and clumpy when mixed with the crushed sesame seeds, particularly toward the second half of the coffee. I wouldn't order it again. I would be interested to see any updates they've made recently but with so many new restaurants on Mills, I may choose those first.

    Beatriz I.

    First time here and it was really nice. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. Really excited to return and try everything else.

    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.

    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!

    Shrimp udon
    Enit S.

    I can't even begin to tell you how delightful it was to dine at Zaru. There is a reason why it's on the Michelin Guide. I have been wanting to try their food for a while now but the times I've come by there's always a line of people waiting outside. This time we came on Saturday around 5:15ish and we only waited about 10 minutes for a table. As first time diners, the waitress was very informative about how they make their noodles fresh, she explained how the menu worked. It reminded of when you go to a sushi restaurant and have to write down what rolls you want; it's something like that. I got the nori udon and added shrimp, and mushroom tempura. Come to find out that the mushrooms they use are maitake... Oh my gosh, I loved it so much. Just all those flavors coming together in the soup; it was perfection. The chewy texture of the noodles, the broth, the tempura. I can't think of how it could've been better. The restaurant itself is cute. It's small so be prepared to have to wait for a table, but it's totally worth it. I want to go back soon!

    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!

    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.

    Karaage. Super crispy

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    1 year ago

    Food and service is great. You put your order on a card so you dont have to talk with anyone while ordering. Everything was delicious!

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    Loved it. Kids loved too. Nice service. Big portions. Wonderful caviar and deserts. I would recommend it.

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    Page 8 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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    Susuru

    Susuru

    4.4
    (1.2k reviews)
    14.3 mi
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    A good place to be in if you like Japanese bar food…read more The decors were composed of a ton of old Japanese advertisements. They had interesting seating arrangements, like bars and window seating can only be sit by parties of two. Getting a space was not easy. Hostess was kind and helpful. Food: fried chicken was a bit dry. Not the Japanese crunchy puffy shell kind. Not bad. Yakitoris are all excellent! Nothing to complain. We ordered everything on the menu. All are good. All cooked to American perfection. Gyoza was good. Nothing to write home about. Ramen: tonkusut black was excellent. Broth was done with time. Tori was good. Also thick broth! Would definitely come back again.

    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.

    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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    Wagyu Short Rib Kushiyaki (~$12)
    TORI TORI

    TORI TORI

    4.4
    (948 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Sit at the bar if you want to be served. It was a birthday dinner so we did that & were NOT…read moredisappointed. The service was great, and the food and drinks were fabulous. If you're a foodie and visiting Orlando, this should be at the top of your list. If you live in Orlando, I'm jealous- I'd go here a lot. The vibe is very cool- feels very chameleon: girl's night, date night, big group all trying a bunch of small plates - all yes! I wish I could find the order form that I took so I could properly give credit to each of the delicious things we ordered. There's a menu and then a small piece of paper with pencils and you put in your order at the bar where they give you a number.

    I was meeting a friend here who was running late so I sat at the bar to grab some drinks while I…read morewaited. I ordered the spicy margarita which had the perfect hint of spice and sweetness. The bartender was so kind and would offer to make another when I had maybe 2 sips left. What a treat! This place aesthetically is absolutely perfect. Just gorgeous furniture and decor. My only minor issues with this place is the parking. Parking is minimal and it's hard to find anything nearby. Also, it is pretty small inside so the place fills up really fast. Your best option is to come early when they open so you can have good parking and a good seat or table.

    Photos
    Photo credit: blake jones
    Photo credit: blake jones
    Street corn
    Street corn
    Blue Crab and Corn Croquettes - very good

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    Blue Crab and Corn Croquettes - very good
    Kabooki Sushi

    Kabooki Sushi

    4.4
    (1.2k reviews)
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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!!!

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    Bar area
    Bar area
    The karaage
    The karaage
    Shishito Pepper

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    Shishito Pepper
    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

    4.2
    (887 reviews)
    9.8 mi
    $$$

    We love coming in when we are in town. The staff are always incredibly helpful…read more We love the variety of meats and small bites. Definitely try their house specialty meats. So delicious. It can get a little loud because they get busy and everyone is having a great time. The space is very modern and stylized.

    We recently tried the Premium All You Can Eat option at Gyu Kaku, and while it was a fun…read moreexperience, I don't think the $54 per person price is worth it. The biggest disappointment was the meat selection. The premium menu had a limited variety of cuts, and several of them looked and tasted like lower quality scrap pieces rather than premium cuts. The marinades were flavorful, but the quality of the beef didn't match the price point. We also brought our 10 year old and 6 year old, and neither of them enjoyed it very much. They ended up eating far less than we expected, which made the kids' AYCE price harder to justify as well. That said, the experience itself was enjoyable. Cooking your own food at the table is always fun, the restaurant was clean, and our server was excellent. The service was attentive, friendly, and our orders came out quickly throughout the meal. I'd still recommend Gyu Kaku, but I'd skip the Premium All You Can Eat. I'd rather order individual dishes or try one of the lower priced options instead. For nearly $300 for a family of five, I expected noticeably better meat quality and a wider selection. The service was the highlight of our visit.

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    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

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    Zaru - japanese - Updated July 2026

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