Finding Balance with a Zén Menu
A “Zén” menu, inspired by Asian culinary traditions, is all about balance, harmony, and mindful eating. These menus emphasize fresh, high-quality ingredients prepared simply and elegantly.
These menus pull inspiration from Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and other Southeast Asian cuisines, highlighting key elements like umami, texture, and visual appeal.
The goal of a Zén menu is to offer a dining experience that’s both nourishing and aesthetically pleasing. It’s about savoring each bite and appreciating the connection between food and well-being.
This guide explores the diverse offerings and underlying philosophy of a Zén-inspired menu, walking you through the selection process and helping you consider your own dietary needs and preferences.
Appetizers and Small Plates: A Prelude to the Meal
The appetizer and small plate selections at Zén are designed to awaken your palate and prepare you for the culinary journey ahead. From familiar favorites to creative innovations, there’s something to suit every taste.
Classic Starters
- Edamame: These simple, steamed soybeans are lightly salted and offer a healthy and satisfying start to your meal.
- Miso Soup: A cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, this savory soup features fermented soybean paste, delivering a rich, umami flavor.
Creative Bites
- Potstickers: These pan-fried dumplings, filled with savory meats or vegetables, are served with a variety of dipping sauces to complement their flavors.
- Brussels Sprouts: Roasted or stir-fried with Asian-inspired seasonings, these Brussels sprouts offer a modern twist on a classic vegetable dish.
- Seaweed Crunch: These crispy seaweed snacks are lightly seasoned and provide a light and flavorful appetizer.
Raw and Lightly Cooked Options
- 7 Pepper Ahi Tuna: Seared or thinly sliced, this ahi tuna is seasoned with a blend of seven different peppers, showcasing the freshness and quality of the fish.
- Tamari Almond Slaw: This refreshing salad combines tamari-marinated almonds with crisp vegetables, offering a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy textures.
Salads and Soups: Light and Nutritious Choices
If you’re looking for a lighter meal or a starter, Zén’s salads and soups offer a variety of refreshing and comforting options.
Refreshing Salads
- Zén Asian Salad: A mix of fresh greens tossed with an Asian-inspired dressing and topped with your choice of protein. This salad is fully customizable, so you can choose the ingredients that best suit your taste and dietary needs.
- Seaweed Salad: A light and refreshing salad made with several kinds of seaweed and seasoned with sesame oil and rice vinegar. This salad is a low-calorie source of vitamins and minerals.
Comforting Soups
- Miso Soup: A traditional Japanese soup with dashi broth, miso paste, tofu, and seaweed. The savory, umami-rich flavor is both satisfying and comforting.
- Tom Yam Seafood Soup: A spicy and sour Thai soup with shrimp, scallops, and mussels. The lemongrass, galangal, and chili peppers create a complex and flavorful broth.
Whether you’re craving a light salad or a comforting soup, Zén’s menu has something to satisfy your appetite and nourish your body.
Signature Dishes and Entrees: A Culinary Journey
The Zén menu showcases a range of dishes inspired by cuisines from across Asia. Here’s a closer look at some of the restaurant’s signature offerings:
Japanese Inspired
If you’re in the mood for Japanese fare, Zén offers several popular dishes:
- True Bento Box: A traditional Japanese meal beautifully arranged in a compartmentalized box. Expect a balanced array of flavors and textures in this visually appealing offering.
- Teriyaki Dishes: Choose from grilled chicken or salmon glazed with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce.
- Sushi and Rolls: A variety of rolls are available, including the ever-popular California Roll (crab, avocado, and cucumber), the Spicy Tuna Roll (tuna, spicy mayo, and cucumber), the colorful Rainbow Roll (a California roll topped with various types of fish), and the Shrimp Tempura Roll (shrimp tempura, avocado, and cucumber).
Chinese Inspired
The Chinese-inspired dishes offer familiar and comforting flavors:
- General Tso’s Chicken: Crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. A classic Chinese-American favorite!
- Mongolian Beef: Sliced beef stir-fried with onions and scallions in a savory sauce. Often served over rice or noodles, this dish is hearty and satisfying.
Southeast Asian Inspired
Explore the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia with these dishes:
- Singapore Noodles: Thin rice noodles stir-fried with shrimp, chicken, and vegetables in a curry-flavored sauce. A flavorful and aromatic dish that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.
- Zén’s Pad Thai: A Zén take on classic Thai noodles stir-fried with shrimp, chicken, tofu, egg, bean sprouts, and peanuts in a sweet-sour-salty sauce.
Chef’s Signature
Don’t miss the Chef’s signature dish:
- Mandarin Duck: Roasted duck prepared with crispy skin and tender meat. This is a classic Chinese dish often served with thin pancakes and scallions, allowing you to create your own delicious wraps.
Customizable Bowls and Noodle Dishes: Crafting Your Perfect Meal
One of the best parts of the Zén menu is that you can create your perfect meal by choosing the ingredients you want.
Building Your Own Bowl
Here’s how to build a bowl that’s exactly to your liking:
- Pick a main item. Whether you’re craving chicken, beef, shrimp, salmon, tofu, or just a mountain of veggies, you have lots of options. Protein choices include natural chicken breast and dark meat chicken, crispy katsu chicken, beef tenderloin, natural tiger shrimp, and sustainable salmon.
- Pick a veggie mix. You can go with one of Zén’s preselected mixes, like the Buddha Mix or the Ninja Mix, or create your own custom mix from broccoli, carrot, edamame, green onion, mushrooms, napa cabbage, red bell pepper, red cabbage, snap peas, water chestnut, and white onion.
- Pick a sauce or dressing. This is where you can really tailor the flavor profile of your bowl. Sauces include almond soy sauce, caramel glaze, chili garlic, ginger lime, ginger carrot, ginger miso, oyako, spicy teriyaki, szechuan, teriyaki, watercress wasabi, and yellow dragon.
- Pick a base. Will it be white rice, brown rice, udon noodles, vermicelli noodles, or a salad? The choice is yours.
Noodle Dishes
If you’re in the mood for noodles, Zén offers several options:
- Lo Mein: Egg noodles stir-fried with your choice of vegetables, protein, sauce, and toppings.
- Gluten-Free Lo Mein: Rice noodles stir-fried with your choice of vegetables, protein, sauce, and toppings.
- Beef Noodles / Chicken Noodles / Tofu Noodles: Noodles and broth with your choice of protein.
Desserts and Beverages: A Sweet and Refreshing Finale
No great meal is complete without a sweet ending and a refreshing drink. Zén offers a tempting array of desserts, from rich and decadent to light and healthy, along with a selection of hot and cold beverages to perfectly complement your meal.
Sweet Endings
- Chocolate Nut Party: If you’re a chocolate lover, this is your dream dessert. A rich, decadent chocolate base loaded with nuts and other delicious toppings, it’s guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Nutella Lover: Who can resist the allure of Nutella? This dessert showcases the beloved hazelnut spread in a way that’s sure to please.
- Fresh Fruits: For a lighter option, Zén offers a selection of fresh, seasonal fruits. It’s a healthy and refreshing way to end your meal.
- Matcha Truffles: These green tea-infused chocolate truffles offer a unique and sophisticated flavor. The subtle bitterness of the matcha perfectly complements the sweetness of the chocolate.
- NY Blueberry Cheesecake: A classic for a reason! This rich and creamy cheesecake, topped with a generous serving of blueberries, is the perfect indulgence.
Refreshing Beverages
- Hot Tea: Choose from a selection of soothing and aromatic teas, including Jasmine, Green, Oolong, and Lychee.
- Iced Tea: Cool down with a refreshing glass of Iced Tea. Zén offers unique flavors like Jasmine Rain, Thai Tea, and the Zen Palmer.
- Coffee: For a classic pick-me-up, enjoy a cup of American Regular or Decaf coffee, or indulge in the rich and bold flavor of Vietnamese Coffee.
Dietary Considerations and Allergen Awareness
We aim to accommodate a range of dietary needs and sensitivities at Zén. Please take note of the following information as you peruse our menu.
Gluten-Free Options
We’ve clearly marked gluten-free dishes on our menu for your convenience. Some popular choices include our Gluten-Free Lo Mein and Edamame (GF).
Vegan and Vegetarian Choices
We offer a variety of delicious plant-based options, including flavorful tofu dishes and a “Veggies Only” entree.
Allergen Information
Please inform your server of any allergies you may have. We are particularly aware of sesame allergies and potential cross-contamination. While we take precautions, we cannot guarantee that any dish is completely free of allergens.
Food Safety
A friendly reminder: consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. We advise that you thoroughly cook all animal-based foods to ensure your safety.
Conclusion
The Zén menu offers a diverse range of culinary influences and customizable options, all centered around the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. From delicate appetizers to satisfying entrees and decadent desserts, each dish is thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented.
As you explore the Zén menu, consider adopting a mindful approach to your dining experience. Take the time to savor each bite, appreciate the textures and aromas, and connect with the origins of the ingredients. Choose dishes that resonate with your body’s needs and desires, creating a balanced and harmonious meal.
Ultimately, the Zén menu is more than just a list of dishes; it’s an invitation to embark on a culinary journey that nourishes both body and mind. By embracing the principles of mindful eating and appreciating the art of cuisine, you can transform your dining experience into a moment of joy, connection, and well-being.