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Absolutely loved this place. The ordering experience was super fun, the food was delicious and flavorful, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. It got pretty packed, but honestly, I love to see that for a great restaurant, just get there early.
First off, I have to say that the service here was some of the best. We were greeted as soon as we walked in, sat within 10-15 minutes, and both the server and the owner chatted with us about the menu as it was our first time there! The restaurant is on the smaller side but they have it organized to fit quite a few people. The area is clean as well. The soup was so beautiful I almost didn't want to eat it! I've never had cold soup before but I definitely will be trying the other options throughout the summer. It was so refreshing!
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.
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.
I brought a friend that had never been here before and the server explained the menu and gave some recommendations that he took. I ordered the tomato crab udon under the specials and it did not disappoint. I don't usually order crab but I had a feeling it was going to be good.
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!
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.
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.
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.
This is my go-to spot when I'm craving udon. When you first walk in, it's cold, which is perfect for summer days. The warm tone decor makes it seem very cozy and welcoming. It's also a good place to catch up with friends. I'd consider this a small hidden gem. The service is pretty quick. For first timers, the servers do a really good job at explaining. I love that you get to write on the menus, creating that customized experience. They have an open kitchen so you can see them make the noodles from scratch. The broth is amazing. I've always had my udon hot and when I saw that they had cold udon, it sparked an interest. I might come back to try the cold udon.
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.
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.
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!
This is a small, intimate restaurant with an aesthetic and cozy environment. We were greeted and seated immediately upon entry. The waitress spent the time to explain the menu to us and tell us the popular menu items. We ordered the nikutama udon, tomato crab udon, the eggplant, and the chicken for appetizers. I also ordered the seasonal strawberry coconut cocktail. The yaki nasu eggplant was the ideal texture with a sweet, tangy sauce. It reminded me of the chinese style but with a more sweet, almost miso taste. It was so delicious I forgot to take a picture until we were almost done eating it. The portion size was great and definitely worth it. The tatsuta-age marinaded fried chicken had just the right amount of batter to be crispy without being oily. It was juicy and crispy at the same time. The sauce it came with was also delicious and went well with the shrimp tempura and shishito peppers as well. The strawberry coconut cocktail was very sweet and just tasted a hint of alcohol. The nikutama udon had a light, beefy broth perfect for the gloomy weather. It had a lot of depth in flavor but was still light enough to drink all the broth. The udon was the perfect chewy texture. The beef was tender and huge portions. The egg was cooked to perfection with a runny yolk and egg white. It comes with some tempura flakes, sesame seeds, green onion, and ginger that you fan add to your liking. The tomato crab udon was thick and creamy with a strong tomato flavor. There was a lot of crab, but the tomato flavor definitely overpowers the crab taste. The portion is huge and comes with the tempura flakes, seaweed, and lemon to add to your liking. We also got tempura and shishito peppers as an add on. Both were crispy and delicious. I'd highly recommend this place to anyone who wants a hearty bowl of udon and a pleasant dinner experience. read more
5 months ago
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. read more
1 year ago
Found this place on Yelp! I was in town for a conference and looking for a good Japanese place and Zaru really hit the spot! I arrived around 5:30 and found a seat, but the space quickly filled with other customers. Even though packed, everyone was attended to and the service was great. I asked for recommendations since I normally get nikutama udon whenever I see it on the menu, and the server recommended the chicken nanban udon and a side of sweet potato tempura. I said I'd have that and left for the restroom which is located in the food hall next door. When I returned, a server was just setting a gorgeous dish of nikutama udon on my table. I was so impressed by the size of the bowl and how good it looked, I completely forgot that it was the wrong order. It wasn't until I had made a good dent in enjoying the chewy noodles and tender beef, and the server came to check on me that I realized it. He was apologetic and although not needed, he ordered a chicken tempura side for me to take home. Back to the udon, the broth was savory and sweet yet didn't feel heavy, and the egg was seasoned and perfectly cooked. The tempura was lightly battered and the sweet potatoes soft inside, the chicken reheated well (I ate it the next day) in the toaster oven of my hotel, still juicy with a drizzle of a sweet soy sauce and the egg tartar sauce on top was delicious as well. I wish I had Zaru when I lived in Orlando years ago. It would be my go to spot! read more
After stalking Zaru on IG for many years (3 years to be exact), I finally FINALLY convinced my husband to take me. & it was so underwhelming. Being Michelin guide, would have expected a lot more or just better. Upon arriving it was bit confusing if we self seat as there are no hostess in front to greet us and had to look for someone in the back to then welcome us to our seat. Folks are friendly and knowledgeable no doubt. For us, it just fell short when it came to the actual meal. Shop was petite and so were their tables or maybe that's normal thing in orlando. Table space was scarce for esp dining for 3. We came in for lunch and had 2 items: Nikutama Udon - Since this was a hot/warm dish, the udon was much more preferred here. Not much to note about the beef Zaru Udon + Chicken Tempura - Since this was a 'cold' dish, the udon was a bit chewier than my husband would prefer. The chicken was extraordinary to rave about Maybe the broth less noddle was the move. It in comparison to Marugame we were not impressed. We opt into udon for our baby girl but much regret. Also, I know the bathroom was a shared space but it was pretty dirty. read more
I ordered the Mocktail of the Day, Chicken Chashu, and Chicken Nanban Udon. The mocktail and chicken chashu were both excellent, but the udon was very disappointing. I have an onion allergy, so I specifically asked the server if the chashu came with anything other than what was listed on the menu. He said no, just the listed ingredients. I even mentioned no scallions just in case. When the dish came out, it was covered in chives. When I pointed it out, the server gave me attitude, saying chives aren't the same as scallions. While technically true, they are still in the onion family, which I was trying to avoid, and I was assured only the listed ingredients would be included. This was my first time trying udon, and after all the hype, it was honestly bland and underwhelming. The decor was fine, though the waiting room in the middle of the restaurant felt awkward and out of place. The server was polite overall, but at times came across as a little condescending. On a positive note, I really liked the plates and cups. read more
Chill vibes and cozy setting in here! Ordered the spicy miso tantan udon and they were very generous with the ground pork in that dish. More on the salty side. My friend got the hokkaido uni udon and said the umami flavor is very strong and definitely more on the salty side as well. Service was very friendly! read more
7 months ago
This was my first experience at Zaru. I came for a solo lunch date and had the best time. Though parking is a bit difficult it was worth the challenge. The staff is so friendly and welcoming to everyone who walked through the door. The mocktail of the day was delicious and freshly made. The Veggie Tempura was my delicious has it was made to order with just enough sprinkled salt on top to keep you satisfied. The udon was hearty and delicious. The star of the show for me was the Yaki Nasu (Miso Eggplant) it was warm, juicy, sweetly soft in texture. I would highly recommend having lunch and even dinner here. They have plenty of seating with a great upbeat music playlist. read more
3 months ago
TLDR; I would stick with hot udon and service is inconsistent I came back after a week bc I wanted to eat udon again, and the service this time was fairly bad; instead of being guided to our seats, the server simply said to seat ourselves somewhere in a cleared spot near the entrance. Kind of weird, but it was fine; then after a while of writing the order on the sheet, no one came for a while, but after the order got put in, the food came out quick...except they forgot my tempura order. I wish I could say that I liked my cold udon but it was much firmer than I had remembered and I felt that the ice was unnecessary.. the sauce that accompanied the udon was just regular soy sauce and was too salty when added to the noodles. The tempura that was missed came near the end of my meal, but throughout the time eating, no one really came to check up on us to see how the food was for us, in comparison to last time. We kind of just felt a bit neglected and originally, we had added on the sheet that we wanted dessert, but we waited for a really long time and ended up asking the guy that eventually came over to clear our dishes to just bring the check and leave out our dessert order :/ read more
6 months ago
Zaru has quickly become one of our favorite spots in the Mills area. We've been a few times now, and every visit has been consistently great. The food, the space, and the service, everything about it just feels right. Our go to is the chicken nanban udon easily a 10/10 every time. Flavorful, comforting, and always hits the spot. If you're in the Mills area and looking for something special, we highly recommend checking out Zaru. Definitely a place we'll keep coming back to! read more
3 months ago
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. read more
7 months ago
The ambiance is classy and beautiful. I love the aesthetic inside of Zaru. Perfect for dates or nice dinners with friends and family. The servers are really nice and happy to explain the menu. I love getting their Ramen! I like the chicken tempura as well. The presentation of the food is so impressive, so I truly think it's a good spot to impress your company. read more
Came in about 3:30 on a Saturday and had to wait maybe 10 mins for a table. I ordered the nori ramen and added on shrimp tempura and sweet potato tempura. I really enjoyed dipping my tempura into the broth, just a nice touch. It was very good and hit the spot on a very cold day. read more
Food (3/5): presentation was the best part of the food and dining experience. Fresh looking ingredients and well put together in a bowl with handmade noodles. But once I mixed them all together and started eating, the flavor base was bland to me. I had ordered one hot udon and one cold udon both of flavors recommended by the server who worked there. The cold udon mentaiko tsukimi tasted bland to me. The hot udon hokkaido uni was very salty to me. There is no uni in it, just uni cream mixed into the dish. Service (4/5): the server who waited on our table was friendly and nice enough. Efficiency (1/5): we had made a reservation of 6 people and the wait time ended up being easily over 80 minutes. This will have been okay if we were told this from the very beginning. We were told 45 minutes at first, then 20 minutes, then 15 more minutes. All the while there was an empty table of 5 seats which we wouldn't have minded sitting close together to make room for 6 of us. The whole time we were there the table of 5 reserved stayed empty. The parking space is really limited so please be prepared to park far and walk. Ambience (4/5): the place is nicely decorated. Very clean and though seating space is limited inside, everything seemed neat and well maintained. I would recommend this place through a friend of a friend, I won't recommend it directly myself. As for myself, I won't be returning here because the food wasn't memorable and they were nothing special. read more
We came here during peak dinner rush and the restaurant is quite small so we did have to wait about 40 minutes. I noticed that they seated a lot of 2 tops at the bigger tables which probably didn't help. The udon was pretty good, though my dad did not like the cold udon; he said it had this greasy texture to it that wasn't very pleasant cold. The rest of us enjoyed our udon and the appetizers though! The service was a bit slow but they were pretty busy. read more
I stumbled across this place on a monday evening and feel so fortunate to have found it! It is truly a unique food experience and totally worth trying. The interior is cozy and beautiful, makes you feel warm. Our server was so patient with us and was happy to explain some of the menu items to us. They make all of the noodles in house and you could definitely tell. We ordered the vietnamese coffee to start and I would truly come solely for that-- that is how good it was. The sesame foam on top was to die for. I decided to try the mentaiko udon which had a very salty cold umami broth and was a nice flavor. I coupled it with some hot shrimp tempura which was lovely. My friend tried the crab tomato special which tasted similar to a really fancy spaghetti. Overall it was an excellent dining experience-- would totally recommend and return. read more
8 months ago
This restaurant won a Michelin star in both 2024 and 2025. If you love udon noodles, then this is the place to be! Located in the Mills section of Orlando with lots of competing Asian restaurants. I really liked the accouterments that were placed on our serving tray. They complimented everyone's dish with tasty "condiments "such as ginger, scallions, and sesame seeds." It's a very small space-tables are close together but still you Want to be there. There's an open kitchen model so you can see the cooks. As first timers our waitress explained how they serve the dish and explained our menus. read more
Delicious! This was one our best dining experience in Orlando. Not only was the food delicious, but the service was exceptional. The staff was kind and courteous. We ordered the Kake Udon with tempura chicken, Spicy Miso Tantan Udon with shrimp tempura, mushroom tempura and an onsen egg. I also had the mocktail which was lychee and peach. Spectacular. All of it. Flavorful, fresh, and cooked well. read more
1 year ago
I love udon and it did not disappoint. The noodles were cooked perfectly and very chewy, and the broth (for the hot ones was tasteful). Possibly the classic nikutamu udon wss the best, but the fun special tomato crab one was also very good. The cold mentaiko one was also great. Got there Friday evening and there was a 20 min wait. read more
9 months ago
First time coming here and I'm glad I dined earlier in the day. This place gets packed pretty quickly so I suggest arriving early if you can. Overall food is pretty good and the noodles are super fresh. Which I love! The only thing I wasn't a fan of was my broth...it felt like it was lacking some flavor but everything else was delicious. Also their peach lychee mocktail was absolutely amazing!!! read more
Came in on a Saturday around 5pm Luckily we did beat the dinner rush ! Can have a wait time because limited seating fyi... the Viet Coffee is a MUST .. everything was good & so worthy of the 5 star review. Will definitely be back read more
1 year ago
I don't even know where to begin. Holy cow, the small shop vibes, yet so clean, crisp and modern.... The restaurant is perfection. The food..... tried the mocktail of the day-incredible. Had the bluecrab appetizer (honestly taste just like edoboy bluecrab roll) and the dumplings (it had the taste of a xiao long bao without the soup- and the dumpling sauce was fire) I had the chicken tempura hot udon and my husband had the sliced beef hot udon..... both were absolutely incredible, noodles were thick, chewy, had the perfect texture and the both was insane. The server was amazing, so kind while explaining the menu and our food. Such a great experience, I can't wait to come back! read more
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). read more
1 year ago
Zaru; you will have my tummy and heart forever !!! We made it to Zaru on a Sunday for lunch. Reservations are available and a must because their seating is very limited; which to some may be bad but to me it's perfect because it gives you more personalized vibes. At our arrival; the restaurant was busy and fully booked. We were shown to our table and the staff y very nice, polite and friendly. Specially with our kiddo (her first Michelin restaurant experience). To start we got some appetizers. We went with their recommendations and then the udons . AMAZING food. Truly authentic and delicious read more
1 month ago
We went here for a family dinner and we loved it! The ambiance was close and cosy and made you feel like home. The service was fantastic. The drinks and food were insanely good. Everything we tried was amazing. The eggplant appetizer was my surprise favorite! read more
Their udon was really delicious and I could tell they were hand made. It had the perfect bounciness and chewiness that went well with the decadent flavors of the uni mentaiko sauce. What was a letdown was the service itself. Server looked like she hated my guts even though I just sat down. She made the experience much less enjoyable and I would be hesitant to return. read more
2 months ago
8 months ago
I had high hopes for this restaurant but was disappointed. This was my first visit and I let the waiter now. He explained the menu and made suggestions since I asked for vegetarian options. The first let down was that they don't have tofu on the menu. What?! An Asian restaurant with no tofu? Okay, I'll deal. The food was acceptable, but nothing I'll be coming back for. I was completely ignored the entire time. Never was I asked how the good was, if I there was anything else I wanted/needed and was handed the bill while he looked away and continued to talk with someone at another table. The place was super cold too. I mean the temps have been in the 50-60s so why the AC was full blast is beyond me. Food - ok Service - zero Ambience - freezing otherwise ok read more
I've been wanting to come to Zaru for a while so I'm happy I finally got to make it over! I love the idea of writing your name down and checking off what you would like. The staff there do a great job of explaining everything so you can really enjoy the entire experience. It makes sense that they have a Bib Gourmand! I also loved the atmosphere - and the food - INCREDIBLE!! Definitely will be back for more!!! read more
2 years ago
Starting off- I first visited Zaru on a Friday and loved it so much that I visited another two times the following week (bringing others that HAD to try it). I had heard it was Michelin-recommended (Bib Gourmand), and I've felt like a majority of the Michelin-rec'ed places in Orlando have been pretty great so far... so I wanted to give Zaru a chance. What a wonderful experience. The restaurant is cozy and quaint, seating about 2 dozen people. It is located a couple storefronts down from the newer Mills Market. We went on a busy, colder evening in January when all of the Floridians must've had a group mindset to have udon noodles. It was about a 45 minute, so we had an appetizzy at Mills Market while we waited. Once they texted us that our table was ready, we walked on over. At our table, we were immediately greeted by a server. I felt like the customer service at Zaru was incredible. Multiple servers kept asking us if we were okay, if we needed anything, if there was anything they could do or bring us. But not in an overly obnoxious way- it was just a gentle "Doing good?" Very appreciated. The goods: 1) Nikutama Udon (shredded beef and an onsen egg- Just wow. First of all, the presentation was just so beautiful. Everything I ordered came on a wooden tray- the udon came in a really lovely LARGE bowl with a BIG portion of soup (big enough that I've been able to take home leftovers every time I go to Zaru). Little bonito flakes and sesame seeds were in separate dishes- which was great because I only like a small sprinkle of sesame seeds in my soup. The flavor of the broth was scrumptious. I tried DOMU not so long ago when they had the "Somebody Feed Phil" special with a ramen (I think the Richie Rich ramen) + Korean wings... I felt like their ramen was VERY heavy, and it left me feeling 'too full' and just ready to pass out on the nearest couch... BUT Zaru's udon wasn't like that at all. It was a lighter but complex flavor. The udon noodles were BY FAR the best I've ever had (not surprising that they're made in-house). A very delicious and decently-sized portion of shredded beef topped my soup and added more rich flavor to the broth. The onsen egg was... good. An airy, nicely-poached egg. I understand the onsen egg is different than the soy eggs at DOMU... but I wished for a moment there that I could grab a DOMU egg and put it in this soup- it would've been perfection. Regardless, this udon soup was legendary and will be ordered time and time again in the future. 2) Sweet Potato Tempura and Shrimp Tempura- The tempura pieces are lightly crunchy and perfectly tender on the inside. Not greasy at all. Nicely-sized pieces of tempura. There wasn't a dipping sauce for the tempura (not sure if you could ask for some?) but it was so flavorful that it wasn't really necessary. 3) Lychee sake cocktail (?)- Forgive me, I believe that's what my mom ordered... and I loved it so much that I ordered one for myself. I am normally not a sake person because I feel it is a bit of an over-powering punch to the face... This was a sweet lullaby that rocked me gently... Loved it. The lychee was perfectly balanced and not too sweet. And it was topped with the most perfect fruity mochi (I believe it was also lychee). The drink was smooth and delightful. I will definitely be ordering it again in the future. Overall, Zaru was wonderful. As I said, I tried it out once, and then continued visiting throughout the week. It just fills up your heart like soul food. I can't wait for my next visit to Zaru! Definitely recommend this spot. read more
Delicious udon at a Japanese cafe with trendy vibes. You order off a sheet and there are plenty of cold and hot menu items to choose from. There's tempura, appetizers, rice bowls and salads if you're feeling something other than udon but highly recommend trying something with their signature house made udon. I tried their special Hokkaido Uni Udon and it was super rich and creamy. Topped with a raw egg, seaweed and shiso, it is a nice big portion. A little on salty side and the mentaiko was spicy but the Ikura and uni was fresh. The udon was soft, squishy and bouncy. Perfect texture. It comes with tempura flakes and wasabi for topping. Parking is a bit tough to find, there are lots nearby and some street parking but very packed on weekends. read more
Came here on vacation without a reservation and the wait was about 20 minutes, which is pretty reasonable during peak dinner time around 6:30ish. The wagyu udon was very tasty, it wasn't quite enough wagyu for the price, but the broth had a deep beefy flavor and the udon was a perfect chewy texture. I also tried the shrimp tempura and the shrimp were very fresh, the batter crispy and wasn't too thick. I'd definitely go back if I'm close by after going to the theme parks again. read more
7 months ago
I've been wanting to try Zaru when I visit Florida and finally found the time to pop in. It was a weeknight and the crowds were not too crazy. It's a cute, little restaurant with limited seating. We started with the yaki nasu and it was one of the best eggplant dishes I have ever had. The sesame really came through and each piece had a layer of the sauce on it. I wanted to bottle the sauce and take it with me. The nikutama udon was really good, nice portion and the chew on the noodles was excellent. I tried the chicken that came with the nanban udon and it was moist and crispy. The tempura though! What a great price for the amount you are given. The okra was delightful, the mushrooms were hearty, and the sweet potato was thinly sliced which made it perfectly crispy. The Hojicha panna cotta was so smooth, it was more on the coffee flavor profile side but still really good. I will for sure add Zaru to my list of restaurants to visit when I'm in Florida. read more
10 months ago
Chicken Nanban Udon with Onsen Egg at Zaru Steaming hot, perfectly balanced, and downright crave-worthy. The crispy chicken nanban brings a tangy punch, while the silky onsen egg melts into the broth, creating a rich, velvety finish. Fresh, bold, and comforting all at once -- this is the kind of dish that makes Zaru a must-visit. read more
1 year ago
This is my second time visiting this place and what was great in my first visit lacked in my second. I first tried Zaru back in September of 2024 and it was great. The only thing was how salty the food was. This time, it was great. I ordered the Shrimp Tempura Udon and sweet potato tempura like last time and loved it again. I also recommend the tatsuta-age as an appetizer! This place is kinda small but has a great ambiance to it. I love the interior decoration and they are always playing good music. My first time here the service was great. This time, not so much. There were many servers walking around but none that really tended to us often. We had finished plates of food sitting in front of us for a while and took way too long just for us to get our dessert. read more
2 months ago
More info about Zaru
1114 E Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32803
Lake Eola Heights, Mills50
Directions
(407) 271-8512
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Visit Website
https://www.zarufl.com
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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.
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.
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138 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Zaru - japanese - Updated September 2026
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