No complaints. Everything was delicious and less than $10. I got the vegetarian gyoza with half tofu skewer w/teriyaki sauce, brown rice, and the zen salad. It was all really good! They are vegan and vegetarian friendly and the food is quality!
(5)
Yvonne W.
I love you, Zen Box! I trek through the skyway to Six Quebec to get my fill at least once a month. Even if there were more skyway veggie options, I'd find my way back here more often than not. The tofu skewer bento box is a lot of food for just $6. 6 huge chunks of tofu, tons of brown rice, and seasoned veggies make a perfectly balanced and utterly filling meal. The veggie curry is good, too, but makes me feel a little too sluggish to be prepared for the rest of my work day. The miso soup is as good as any other at that price. I thought the seaweed salad was interesting, but will probably never get it again (mostly because I can't eat that much all at once!). The key here is to get there before or after the lunch rush, or you'll spend your entire break getting there & waiting in line. They've been out of tofu skewers late in the day before, so watch out for that too! Although I'm not a fan of Styrofoam containers, I appreciate that I can either sit down by myself or with a friend and take the leftovers back to the office. The ambiance isn't the reason you'll be coming back, although the magazine pages of different uses for tofu and Japanese croquettes are priceless. Cramped quarters and long lines are just part of the skyway shuffle. Just take your Styrofoam container to the IDS to watch a children's choir in the winter or outside to enjoy the nice summer weather.
(4)
Jen T.
Lunch here around 1 pm to avoid a line, apparently still pretty busy. Lucky enough there was 1 table just emptied which I took it right away. I ordered chicken karage bento box. The chicken was a dark meat, delicious. The amount of the sauce was right not skimpy or overpowering the chicken. Rice was soft which normally I don't like but somehow I agreed that rice this soft in my bento box was okay, their rice was bigger and shorter than normal rice. The teriyaki chicken also delicious. Miso soup was good but I couldn't finish it, too much food after eating bento box. I love their Japanese tea, had some rice smell onto it. Overall good and healthy food. Good choices other than greasy fast food aka burgers or fried chicken.
(5)
Cullen S.
I came here seeking a quick and tasty lunch on a Friday and chose it based on its Yelp reviews. I wish I had the opportunity to give the place another shot but I may never be in Minneapolis again and I have to rate based on what I had. I ordered a veggie curry bowl. What I got was a bowl of rice, drenched in a congealing brown sauce, with a couple potato pieces in there. Maybe a carrot slice or two, it was so monochromatic. Completely uninspired. I'm sure there is some good stuff on the menu, I'm just sad I chose the wrong thing.
(2)
Valerie H.
Oh Zen Box... I think I've found a new favorite lunch spot. I've been meaning to try this little place tucked in between Ipotli and My Burger, and I finally visited with a coworker on Friday. We were in and out very quickly even though we came around the lunch rush of 12:30. The menu is pretty simple but it works well. I tried the teriyaki chicken bento combo, which comes with rice, 2 gyoza, hot tea or soda, and a small cabbage salad thing. I am not a cabbage fan but the dressing on the salad helped me finish everything in my box. Apparently the brown rice is better than white, so I will opt for that next time.
(4)
Mere W.
This is my favorite skyway treat! You get a ton of food and it is better than the standard Asian fare downtown for lunch. The chicken teriyaki is grilled chicken and some teriyaki sauce. It is not deep fried and soaked in sauce. The options for rice are white, brown, or you can sub in shredded cabbage to go skinny. I would recommend getting to ZB a little early to get through the line and ordering a bento box (comes with dumplings, a cabbage salad, and a drink - hot tea or soda). Also ask for the bento box punch card - after 10 you get one free. I have brought my work team here multiple times and nearly everyone raves about what they eat here. This is a skyway gem that is worth the commute!
(5)
Sarah P.
Zen Box is my favorite skyway lunch place. The food is delicious, the portions are huge, and the staff is always friendly. The brown rice option is great and the gyoza are seriously delicious. Recently I had problems with a few orders and sent an email via their website to let them know. The owner responded immediately and was extremely appreciative of the feedback. She asked me to come back the next day and met me to make sure my order was perfect and comped my meal. Amazing customer service!!!
(5)
Dan S.
Excellent Japanese in the skyway! Update...I still love you Zen Box!
(5)
Zehr S.
avoid this place like plague a Japanese "izakaya" with no, absolutely NO ASIAN clients, that already yelled out sth. super loud... everything is fake and bad........sorry... i would rather go to Panda Express or MacDonalds, that's how bad/junkie this place is WORST on the planet... people working here ARE nice, but you mainly visit an eatery for FOOD, right? PS: I really dislike people doing fake reviews or connection reviews!!!!!!!!
(1)
amy z.
This is one of my lunch time stables. It is close to my office and the food is good. I like the fact they also are using brown rice if you ask. The potato croquettes are tasty with little bits of either ham or bacon. I also like the tofu skewers. This is a recent addition and a good one. The service has always been great and friendly. This another reason to keep going back.
(4)
Matthew W.
I don't know enough about Japanese cuisine to give this five stars, but my kids (ages 11 & 12) and I sure liked it. For kids, you might have them start with the teriyaki chicken and white rice, but I can't imagine them not liking the gyoza as well. The kamikaze sauce is pretty mild but the staff, who are very friendly and helpful, asked before putting it on.
(4)
Steve A.
Updating my review, since I do find myself craving Zen Box lunch specials. I've zoned in on "my" dish, which is the chicken kara-age over brown rice. In fact, the servers even know my name and my order when I walk in. Always impressed when someone asks, "The usual, Steve?"
(4)
Brian B.
This is the best, quick lunch in downtown. I do not eat out very much while at work, but everytime that I do eat out I want to go to Zen Box. I have tried most things on the menu, but I always come back to the #2. The combo of the dark meat chicken, the perfect amount of breading, and the sauce keep me coming back. Bang for the buck this is going to be the best thing you can do for yourself when downtown.
(5)
Addy F.
I don't work in DT Minneapolis, but when I have the day off, I like to have lunch at Zen Box with a buddy before heading over to the library. Wonderful, quality food, with a few customization options, very friendly (and not in that insincere corporate way), efficient service. Four stars instead of five because of the styrofoam (though, it isn't like they're being regularly shown up by other skyway business on the environmentally-front). Don't walk? Run? =)
(4)
Erica B.
This is hands down my favorite spot to get lunch while I am working downtown! The owners and employees are extremely helpful and nice and I find it amazing that they can remember the names and orders of so many 'regulars!' Everything on the menu is delicious; I haven't had anything I have disliked. Prices are great for what you get. Although some people don't like that it is so small, I think that is part of the charm of Zen Box. Highly recommended!
(5)
Steve T.
A great out of the ordinary treat. Their breaded chicken is great, as is their white and brown rice. Choose an "el bento" combo, you can't go wrong.
(4)
Jennifer H.
Bento! In Minneapolis! They also have some interesting sushi. And Pocky.
(5)
Nathan B.
Great unique Japanese food. Only draw back is you have to fight for a seat during the lunch hour. The food is fantastic and the owners treat you with great respect and are always kind.
(5)
Elissa L.
Looking for vegetarian food in the skyways isn't too difficult. Looking for good vegetarian food in the skyways is a little more challenging. The veggie gyoza at Zen Box is pretty effing good. Granted, it's probably not extremely good for you, with the fried food and all, but it's a much healthier option than most skyway restaurants. I would most definitely recommend it. Good food, great service. It is safe to say that I am a regular at this place. And for you flesh-eaters, my non-vegetarian friends think it's the bomb as well. Go find out for yourself.
(4)
Jennell E.
I love the fact Zen Box offers a generous side of steamed veggies and brown rice - makes it easier to eat healthy in the skyway! The other food is outstanding too!
(5)
Chris H.
Great food (best in the skyway), inexpensive but only open during the work week.
(4)
Ronnie G.
I'm a huge ran of the Izakaya version and this one's no different. Sure the concepts are different, sky way lunch vs. dinner time sit down meal. In both cases, I can tell they care a ton about their food and it's clear they've thoroughly considered all the ingredients to add to a perfect lunch. I stopped by and ordered a Chicken Kara-age lunch box. Honestly, it's a steal. To make a crispy, non soggy kara-age during a lunch time rush with amazing sweet soy sauce and a healthy cole slaw to boot (plus pot stickers?). Come now, this ranks as an awesome, super filling meal, right up there with some of the best food trucks down town.
(5)
Nancee N.
Zen box is such a reliable, healthy, affordable, skyway lunch option. I brought a friend to lunch here yesterday and he was in hog heaven. The slaw is unique but simply delicious. I am always full for a long time after eating here and have never had a bad experience.
(4)
Sean N.
Great food for the price. The teriyaki chicken is delicious and a healthy option. This is one of the best lunch options downtown for sure.
(4)
Chelsea L.
Great Japanese "comfort food." Not fancy, but tasty and ample.
(4)
Brian L.
I just started a new job in downtown Minneapolis, and have been investigating restaurants in the skyway. I wasn't that familiar with Japanese food, but thought I'd give this place a shot since they seemed busy. Boy, I'm glad I did. Really great, fresh-tasting food, with quick and efficient service. I'm about halfway through their menu, and I've really enjoyed everything I've ordered. I usually get the Yaki-Soba instead of rice, but all the meat entrees are incredible. Now I need to try their big restaurant on Washington. I'm hooked.
(5)
Rachel B.
A fun place to have lunch, and cheap too! For $6 - $9 you get more food than I can usually eat, including a soda or tea. Both the veggie and the meat gyoza are good (I ask for extra sauce), as are the shrimp and tofu. It's worth the extra $1 to get the decadent noodles, but only if you're hungry! The little salad that comes in the bento boxes is delicious, or if you prefer, there's steamed broccoli and carrots. You can go healthy if you want and substitute the rice with cabbage, and there are plenty of vegetarian options.
(4)
Barath K.
This has to be the worst chicken meat I've ever had in my entire life. It wasn't edible and the all entrees was tasteless. Terrible.
(2)
Mezzo D.
We loved it! We had no trouble with street parking, but it could be challenging if there's a lot going on. The lunch we had was delicious. I ordered the spicy noodle soup. It was colorful, with delicious and fresh ingredients. Not particularly hot-spicy, just flavorful. My companion ordered a pork rice dish which was good. Ample servings allow for leftovers. Service was quick and helpful, as we needed explanation of several items on the menu. We will go back!
(5)
sam a.
After months of searching downtown Minneapolis for edible teriyaki and wading through pools of microwaved chicken on thick gelatinous sugar gravy; boy was I happy when I got my bento box here. For under 7 box tasty grilled chicken teriyaki with and appropriate amount of tasty sauce served with crispy greens, green tea, and a couple pot stickers. I'm stoked to sample rest of the menu!
(5)
Scott H.
Zen Box is one of my favorite lunch spots downtown. They consistently have food with fantastic flavor, fair portions, and a cost that you would expect from someplace downtown in the skyway. The employees are always helpful, and friendly. My go to meal is the #2 Box with Noodles. I particularly like their noodles add on, as the noodles also contain chunks of chicken in them. Great value for an up charge of around $1.
Very disappointment in this place. Rushed to get there at 2 since they closed at 2:30 and they were already closed down by the time I got there. They should changed their hours to reflect their correct open times.
(1)
Joe S.
Japanese comfort food for a filling lunch. Bento box deals are great and include a drink. Fast service keeps the line moving. I like the karage - nice crisp to the chicken that pairs nicely with brown rice. The dumplings are also a nice bonus in the box.
(4)
Melissa C.
Downtown Minneapolis offers many lunch choices at many types of restaurants in all different price ranges. If you come across Zen Box as you wander through the skyway on your lunch break and are looking for a quick lunch with relitively healthy options and great tasting food, then you should stop in! This is a much smaller version of the full Zen Box Restaurant located on Washington Ave. (I ate there last year and it was fantastic!). Just because it's small and only offers limited items, each time I go I feel like I get decent, tasty and quality food for a very reasonable lunch price. I order the veggie Gyoza, a Japanese style dumpling. For my side I get steamed broccoli and carrots. The vegetables are PERFECTLY steamed every time! I mean, they are so good, not mushy in the least. I get steamed brown rice to go with the Gyoza and then a side of edamame. And, I love the Gyoza! I like spicy food so I usually use the hot red sauce. I have eaten here several times and always been pleased. It's great to have a convenient lunch option with good food in the warmth and convenience of the skyway Stop in and try it out!
(4)
Chris L.
One of the better quality skyway food options. Always get the teriyaki chicken with yaki soba noodles and always love it. Yummy cabbage salad and dumplings make it a plus from my value proposition perspective. Seating is at a minimum which is a minus when you can't find a seat. Comes with a soft drink as well if you like that sort of thing.
(4)
Kate M.
This review may be misleading. I would rate Zen Box overall 2 stars, but since they started serving the soba salad, they've gone up in my esteem. I've tried their other fare a few times, and nothing ever knocked me out. It was pretty standard Asian food court food. But the place I used to get Bun salads closed, and I found myself on the search for a good lunch salad. Something that was more than lettuce, dressing, meat and other bits. I saw the sign for the Soba Salad and it was like the perfect bun replacement. A huge mound salad greens, soba noodles shelled edamame, a few carrots and sesame seeds, and a really tasty ginger-miso type dressing. I usually add chicken, which $1 for 3 pieces is a little steep. But the first time I muttered through my salad about portions of poultry, I ended up with a huge chunk at the end. So, in the end, the small portion chicken usually balances out. The Izayaka location also serves the salad, but no chicken option. (sad face)
(3)
Benjamin E.
Simple, fresh and tasty japanese food. I love grabbing lunch there, whenever I work downtown. The staff is also very friendly and helpful. Cuisine japonaise fraiche, simple et savoureuse. J'aime bien manger ici quand je travaille au centre ville. Le service est excellent.
(4)
Takashi S.
I have been there three times now. Love ramen, karaage, and Takoyaki. Cannot wait to try others there again. I also liked retro Showa Japanese decorations (that is the time and place I am from!). Noodles has a really good al dente level and soup of tonkotsu has lots of umami (a bit too thick to adjust to cold Minnesota climate?). Karaage is very crispy and juicy inside and I can tell good seasoning preparation before frying them. People there are very friendly and nice to complete. Hope I live near them!
(4)
Kenny O.
I'm easy to please! They have "actual" items on their menu "actually" labeled "vegan", LoL! For someone who lives where all the restaurants have no vegan items - and have never heard of this, and don't care, and are shocked/offended that such a thing exists - That was all i needed to see! Ha ha - I'm talkin, "Sure, you can order a salad - but you have to beware, and be sure to make sure you tell them to not put any eggs or cheese or bacon on it - and even if you do tell them, there's a good chance the salad will be delivered to you with all those items still on it, even though you told them to leave them off!" Anyway - Back to the review - I usually get their Tofu Skewer Bento lunch. I've also had the Veggie Age Gyoza, and the Soba Salad. I liked all of them. Also I like the fact that they have brown rice too, not just white.
(4)
Brad W.
Lunchtime staple for me. They get people in and out fast and the food is great. Highly recommended Skyway lunch spot!
(4)
Misty S.
LOCATION: Located in the skyway near Marquette and 6th street (near Wells Fargo). It's to the left of Taco John's. LUNCH: Bento #1 - Fried dumplings over rice ($0.75 extra for brown rice) and a cabbage salad. Comes with a drink for $7, not bad. Having dumplings with rice is kinda weird to me, but I enjoyed it. The staff was friendly and fast. The place is small and there isn't much seating. The food is cheap and it tastes good.
(3)
Steve P.
Fast, healthier, than most food on the skyway. Good service, fast, attentive, and amenable to special requests. Prices are very reasonable. The miso soup is a bit salty, but good. They also have a buy ten-get-one-free offer.
(4)
Rachelle T.
I'm giving this place three stars because I'm comparing it to other skyway food places. If I had to compare it to any restaurant I'd only give it two stars, because it is one of the few quick lunch places in Downtown that isn't soaking in grease. I recently ordered the Soba Salad, the only thing on the menu that has green things in it and I had chicken added. They added 3 pieces of chicken. Literally, 1-2-3 tiny pieces of chicken.... why flippin' bother? I was a bit frustrated with I got back to my desk. I had to return to my desk to eat, because there is never any space available and if you are lucky enough to get a chair the noise is so loud you won't be able to hear anything, but the din of people ordering. Good luck.
(3)
Jason K.
A couple of friends of mine from work were on a mission for some good Japanese food and we heard Zen Box as a recommendation. It is a pretty small restaurant in the skyway but the service is real helpful. You enter and place your order to the left and they have about 8 combo options which all looked tasty. I opted for the teriyaki chicken, which was suggested by another friend of mine. I placed my order and had the option of white rice, brown rice or noodles. The last two were a few cents more, so I chose the white rice. If I would have known, I would have got the "Skinny" option, which included no rice but extra cabbage salad (Which was amazing!) Also with the combo comes two dumpling type pieces which were also awesome! On top of the rice was a nice heap of chicken strips (Grilled) and a lofty helping of teriyaki sauce. I stepped off to the side and filled up my Diet Coke and selected the typical cheap chopsticks in the these types of joints. I added a generous dollop of the ever popular rooster sauce. It added the perfect amount of hotness to everything. It was even fantastic on the cabbage salad. The chicken filled me up wonderfully and the rice just added to the substance. I was a full dude after this meal and all for about 7 bucks. Not bad for downtown. They also won "Best of the Skyway" from City Pages, and I can see why!
(4)
Tori M.
This has to be the best almost-Japanese-train-station food I have had, well, outside of Japan. The prices are phenomenal considering that you may not need dinner after eating their huge portions. (A mid-day nap may also be in order.) The curry rice tastes just like I remember it and the katsu curry is also superb. I also enjoy their vegetarian entrees, with the veggie gyoza bento my new favorite lunch of all time. They also have brown rice, which is a welcome dose of fiber for anyone, but actually works well with the freshness of their ingredients. I love that they have edamame, too, for the veggie types who need an extra protein boost. Although, if you bring them back to the office for a snack, expect to have a carnage pile of shells to hide if the boss pops in. Awkward. Their kamikaze sauce should be a fixture in all Japanese cooking endeavors. What a great idea~ take the idea of a tubby American condiment and make it light & delicious. Cripes, I love Japanese innovation. (This is the end of my Rising Sun reference.)
(4)
Mariel L.
Went here for a lunch with the co-workers, thinking that the hike to 6th and Marquette would be offset by the (hopefully) bountiful portions of Japanese food. I ordered the Katsu Curry bowl and Potato Croquettes on the side. I would say the croquettes were a bit disappointing; they were small and kinda empty, and for a buck each not worth it at all. For the katsu bowl, you get a piece of breaded chicken, plenty of rice, and curry for about $6. The curry unfortunately a tad bland. The rice was plentiful and went really well with the curry. Chicken was juicy, though, and I think it has something in it? Anyway, I may try something else if I ever find myself in that area again, but I won't necessarily trek all the way there just to get some Zen Box. I'll just have to fix my Japanese food craving some other way.
(3)
EssJay C.
Some friends of mine at work call their bento box from Zen Box a Happy Meal for Adults. For the price, you get a good meal and friendly service. The only drawback is that the place is very small so if you plan to dine in, you might have to wait and then sit in close quarters. My favorite is the #1 Age-Gyoza with white rice. Enjoy!
(3)
Joshua B.
I go here once in a while when I want to break up the monotony of Skyway lunch. I get the #2 with brown rice pretty much every time. It's breaded chicken chunks with a "special sauce" and the combos come with 2 pot stickers and a cabbage slaw. Lunch with a drink under $10 is a welcome diversion any time. The few drawbacks are very limited seating, (besides the stools at a counter that feels like it's located on the surface of the sun thanks to the heat coming from the ice maker exhaust), and dark meat chicken. Still, the food is tasty, cheap-ish, and not burgers or Mexican food.
(3)
Sean W.
Zen Box. Synonymous with my 12:30pm lunch break. With a large selection of Japanese served "bento-style" Zen Box has something for everyone; from the simple chicken dishes for the picky eater, to the delightful combos featuring delicious edamame for the noon-hour foodie. While this isn't necessarily part of the review, I'm very curious about how Zen Box actually cooks their meet - the lack of grill marks, let alone any charmark makes me wonder if the meat is boiled - which can lead to stomach issues for some. Not a huge issue, but noteworthy for some. *Updated per the comments from Lina G @ Zen Box. Grilled!!! Updating rating*
(5)
Jacob y.
didn't hit the one in the skyway....but instead what is located on washington ave. Great place...as close as possible to the real izikaya of japan. Only thing missing is sitting on the floor. Overall had a great time...great sake list also that is actually pretty decent price. TRY all the junmai daiginjo if you're a fan of sake. hamachi - very good had a citrus aftertone ramen noodle - decent, have had better chicken nanban - nothing compare to the real thing in japan chicken karaage - not exactly the best fried chicken ever though ikara age - same as all the other calamari
(3)
Alfred K.
Food court food with super sweet sauce slathered over it... ick. It tasted ok for the most part, but I definitely could go on with my life without eating here ever again.
(2)
Dani S.
Ok lunch place. The Bento box is pretty good. The sushi is cold and hard. Price is ok. Lunch is under $10.
(3)
Chad S.
The #2 meal, breaded chicken in kamikaze sauce, had very little flavor and the rice was really mushy. I didn't feel it was worth my money. The hot tea and the slaw were very good, though. The miso soup is also very nice. I'll stop by for tea sometime.
(2)
Andres M.
it's ok, a bit too much fried food for my taste. I was sad they didn't have salmon teriyaki. The quality does not compare with the bento boxes in the train stations in Japan as someone else mentioned. I was excited for a moment. Prices are good. There were not enough seats but we didn't have to wait long to find seats.
(3)
Theresa C.
I wouldn't go here for the sushi, but the bento lunches are really good. My favorite is the gyoza (dumplings) and now you can do brown rice and steamed veggies on the side. The teryaki chicken combo is also good. Their kamikaze sauce that goes on the gyoza is a really nice spicy sauce but not too spicy. I always have them put it on the steamed veggies too. YUM!! It is a very small space though, so I have always taken it to go. I wish they were open nights or weekends because I would get takeout for my husband for dinners.
(4)
Lori G.
The pod stick is made from frozen ones. The rice is too sticky and soft, almost like poridge. The teriyaki chicken is like grill chicken with just a little very normal teriyaki sause.... The combination of this quality and that price is not good...
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Specialities
Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Katelin C.
No complaints. Everything was delicious and less than $10. I got the vegetarian gyoza with half tofu skewer w/teriyaki sauce, brown rice, and the zen salad. It was all really good! They are vegan and vegetarian friendly and the food is quality!
(5)Yvonne W.
I love you, Zen Box! I trek through the skyway to Six Quebec to get my fill at least once a month. Even if there were more skyway veggie options, I'd find my way back here more often than not. The tofu skewer bento box is a lot of food for just $6. 6 huge chunks of tofu, tons of brown rice, and seasoned veggies make a perfectly balanced and utterly filling meal. The veggie curry is good, too, but makes me feel a little too sluggish to be prepared for the rest of my work day. The miso soup is as good as any other at that price. I thought the seaweed salad was interesting, but will probably never get it again (mostly because I can't eat that much all at once!). The key here is to get there before or after the lunch rush, or you'll spend your entire break getting there & waiting in line. They've been out of tofu skewers late in the day before, so watch out for that too! Although I'm not a fan of Styrofoam containers, I appreciate that I can either sit down by myself or with a friend and take the leftovers back to the office. The ambiance isn't the reason you'll be coming back, although the magazine pages of different uses for tofu and Japanese croquettes are priceless. Cramped quarters and long lines are just part of the skyway shuffle. Just take your Styrofoam container to the IDS to watch a children's choir in the winter or outside to enjoy the nice summer weather.
(4)Jen T.
Lunch here around 1 pm to avoid a line, apparently still pretty busy. Lucky enough there was 1 table just emptied which I took it right away. I ordered chicken karage bento box. The chicken was a dark meat, delicious. The amount of the sauce was right not skimpy or overpowering the chicken. Rice was soft which normally I don't like but somehow I agreed that rice this soft in my bento box was okay, their rice was bigger and shorter than normal rice. The teriyaki chicken also delicious. Miso soup was good but I couldn't finish it, too much food after eating bento box. I love their Japanese tea, had some rice smell onto it. Overall good and healthy food. Good choices other than greasy fast food aka burgers or fried chicken.
(5)Cullen S.
I came here seeking a quick and tasty lunch on a Friday and chose it based on its Yelp reviews. I wish I had the opportunity to give the place another shot but I may never be in Minneapolis again and I have to rate based on what I had. I ordered a veggie curry bowl. What I got was a bowl of rice, drenched in a congealing brown sauce, with a couple potato pieces in there. Maybe a carrot slice or two, it was so monochromatic. Completely uninspired. I'm sure there is some good stuff on the menu, I'm just sad I chose the wrong thing.
(2)Valerie H.
Oh Zen Box... I think I've found a new favorite lunch spot. I've been meaning to try this little place tucked in between Ipotli and My Burger, and I finally visited with a coworker on Friday. We were in and out very quickly even though we came around the lunch rush of 12:30. The menu is pretty simple but it works well. I tried the teriyaki chicken bento combo, which comes with rice, 2 gyoza, hot tea or soda, and a small cabbage salad thing. I am not a cabbage fan but the dressing on the salad helped me finish everything in my box. Apparently the brown rice is better than white, so I will opt for that next time.
(4)Mere W.
This is my favorite skyway treat! You get a ton of food and it is better than the standard Asian fare downtown for lunch. The chicken teriyaki is grilled chicken and some teriyaki sauce. It is not deep fried and soaked in sauce. The options for rice are white, brown, or you can sub in shredded cabbage to go skinny. I would recommend getting to ZB a little early to get through the line and ordering a bento box (comes with dumplings, a cabbage salad, and a drink - hot tea or soda). Also ask for the bento box punch card - after 10 you get one free. I have brought my work team here multiple times and nearly everyone raves about what they eat here. This is a skyway gem that is worth the commute!
(5)Sarah P.
Zen Box is my favorite skyway lunch place. The food is delicious, the portions are huge, and the staff is always friendly. The brown rice option is great and the gyoza are seriously delicious. Recently I had problems with a few orders and sent an email via their website to let them know. The owner responded immediately and was extremely appreciative of the feedback. She asked me to come back the next day and met me to make sure my order was perfect and comped my meal. Amazing customer service!!!
(5)Dan S.
Excellent Japanese in the skyway! Update...I still love you Zen Box!
(5)Zehr S.
avoid this place like plague a Japanese "izakaya" with no, absolutely NO ASIAN clients, that already yelled out sth. super loud... everything is fake and bad........sorry... i would rather go to Panda Express or MacDonalds, that's how bad/junkie this place is WORST on the planet... people working here ARE nice, but you mainly visit an eatery for FOOD, right? PS: I really dislike people doing fake reviews or connection reviews!!!!!!!!
(1)amy z.
This is one of my lunch time stables. It is close to my office and the food is good. I like the fact they also are using brown rice if you ask. The potato croquettes are tasty with little bits of either ham or bacon. I also like the tofu skewers. This is a recent addition and a good one. The service has always been great and friendly. This another reason to keep going back.
(4)Matthew W.
I don't know enough about Japanese cuisine to give this five stars, but my kids (ages 11 & 12) and I sure liked it. For kids, you might have them start with the teriyaki chicken and white rice, but I can't imagine them not liking the gyoza as well. The kamikaze sauce is pretty mild but the staff, who are very friendly and helpful, asked before putting it on.
(4)Steve A.
Updating my review, since I do find myself craving Zen Box lunch specials. I've zoned in on "my" dish, which is the chicken kara-age over brown rice. In fact, the servers even know my name and my order when I walk in. Always impressed when someone asks, "The usual, Steve?"
(4)Brian B.
This is the best, quick lunch in downtown. I do not eat out very much while at work, but everytime that I do eat out I want to go to Zen Box. I have tried most things on the menu, but I always come back to the #2. The combo of the dark meat chicken, the perfect amount of breading, and the sauce keep me coming back. Bang for the buck this is going to be the best thing you can do for yourself when downtown.
(5)Addy F.
I don't work in DT Minneapolis, but when I have the day off, I like to have lunch at Zen Box with a buddy before heading over to the library. Wonderful, quality food, with a few customization options, very friendly (and not in that insincere corporate way), efficient service. Four stars instead of five because of the styrofoam (though, it isn't like they're being regularly shown up by other skyway business on the environmentally-front). Don't walk? Run? =)
(4)Erica B.
This is hands down my favorite spot to get lunch while I am working downtown! The owners and employees are extremely helpful and nice and I find it amazing that they can remember the names and orders of so many 'regulars!' Everything on the menu is delicious; I haven't had anything I have disliked. Prices are great for what you get. Although some people don't like that it is so small, I think that is part of the charm of Zen Box. Highly recommended!
(5)Steve T.
A great out of the ordinary treat. Their breaded chicken is great, as is their white and brown rice. Choose an "el bento" combo, you can't go wrong.
(4)Jennifer H.
Bento! In Minneapolis! They also have some interesting sushi. And Pocky.
(5)Nathan B.
Great unique Japanese food. Only draw back is you have to fight for a seat during the lunch hour. The food is fantastic and the owners treat you with great respect and are always kind.
(5)Elissa L.
Looking for vegetarian food in the skyways isn't too difficult. Looking for good vegetarian food in the skyways is a little more challenging. The veggie gyoza at Zen Box is pretty effing good. Granted, it's probably not extremely good for you, with the fried food and all, but it's a much healthier option than most skyway restaurants. I would most definitely recommend it. Good food, great service. It is safe to say that I am a regular at this place. And for you flesh-eaters, my non-vegetarian friends think it's the bomb as well. Go find out for yourself.
(4)Jennell E.
I love the fact Zen Box offers a generous side of steamed veggies and brown rice - makes it easier to eat healthy in the skyway! The other food is outstanding too!
(5)Chris H.
Great food (best in the skyway), inexpensive but only open during the work week.
(4)Ronnie G.
I'm a huge ran of the Izakaya version and this one's no different. Sure the concepts are different, sky way lunch vs. dinner time sit down meal. In both cases, I can tell they care a ton about their food and it's clear they've thoroughly considered all the ingredients to add to a perfect lunch. I stopped by and ordered a Chicken Kara-age lunch box. Honestly, it's a steal. To make a crispy, non soggy kara-age during a lunch time rush with amazing sweet soy sauce and a healthy cole slaw to boot (plus pot stickers?). Come now, this ranks as an awesome, super filling meal, right up there with some of the best food trucks down town.
(5)Nancee N.
Zen box is such a reliable, healthy, affordable, skyway lunch option. I brought a friend to lunch here yesterday and he was in hog heaven. The slaw is unique but simply delicious. I am always full for a long time after eating here and have never had a bad experience.
(4)Sean N.
Great food for the price. The teriyaki chicken is delicious and a healthy option. This is one of the best lunch options downtown for sure.
(4)Chelsea L.
Great Japanese "comfort food." Not fancy, but tasty and ample.
(4)Brian L.
I just started a new job in downtown Minneapolis, and have been investigating restaurants in the skyway. I wasn't that familiar with Japanese food, but thought I'd give this place a shot since they seemed busy. Boy, I'm glad I did. Really great, fresh-tasting food, with quick and efficient service. I'm about halfway through their menu, and I've really enjoyed everything I've ordered. I usually get the Yaki-Soba instead of rice, but all the meat entrees are incredible. Now I need to try their big restaurant on Washington. I'm hooked.
(5)Rachel B.
A fun place to have lunch, and cheap too! For $6 - $9 you get more food than I can usually eat, including a soda or tea. Both the veggie and the meat gyoza are good (I ask for extra sauce), as are the shrimp and tofu. It's worth the extra $1 to get the decadent noodles, but only if you're hungry! The little salad that comes in the bento boxes is delicious, or if you prefer, there's steamed broccoli and carrots. You can go healthy if you want and substitute the rice with cabbage, and there are plenty of vegetarian options.
(4)Barath K.
This has to be the worst chicken meat I've ever had in my entire life. It wasn't edible and the all entrees was tasteless. Terrible.
(2)Mezzo D.
We loved it! We had no trouble with street parking, but it could be challenging if there's a lot going on. The lunch we had was delicious. I ordered the spicy noodle soup. It was colorful, with delicious and fresh ingredients. Not particularly hot-spicy, just flavorful. My companion ordered a pork rice dish which was good. Ample servings allow for leftovers. Service was quick and helpful, as we needed explanation of several items on the menu. We will go back!
(5)sam a.
After months of searching downtown Minneapolis for edible teriyaki and wading through pools of microwaved chicken on thick gelatinous sugar gravy; boy was I happy when I got my bento box here. For under 7 box tasty grilled chicken teriyaki with and appropriate amount of tasty sauce served with crispy greens, green tea, and a couple pot stickers. I'm stoked to sample rest of the menu!
(5)Scott H.
Zen Box is one of my favorite lunch spots downtown. They consistently have food with fantastic flavor, fair portions, and a cost that you would expect from someplace downtown in the skyway. The employees are always helpful, and friendly. My go to meal is the #2 Box with Noodles. I particularly like their noodles add on, as the noodles also contain chunks of chicken in them. Great value for an up charge of around $1.
(4)Bethany K.
Pros: The food is fast (it's assembled in front of you, not cooked to order) and you can have brown rice (for an up-charge). The serving of brown rice is ample, the prices are pretty low, and there's more than one vegetarian/vegan option on the small menu. Also, there's a little lever for soda water on the soda fountain in addition to the little lever for regular tap water. I like my water bubbly, and this is an unexpected win. Cons: The food tastes fast. My tofu skewers had a reasonable amount of tofu on them, but the exterior was heavy on the oil and light on seasoning. They sauced them up (I got a different sauce on each skewer) but the seasoning wasn't enough to combat the generic fried texture and flavor of the tofu cubes. I'd love if the tofu was grilled or sautéed instead of fried and if it had some marinade or other flavor on it. The best part of my meal was the brown rice, especially the bits that caught the sauce from the skewers, and my plastic cup of soda water. I'd go back again if I needed a downtown lunch spot because they do have veg options and it's fast enough for a lunch hour - but only after I lobbied for a place that serves fresher food and lost.
(3)Debbie M.
good and good value
(4)Leanna G.
Very disappointment in this place. Rushed to get there at 2 since they closed at 2:30 and they were already closed down by the time I got there. They should changed their hours to reflect their correct open times.
(1)Joe S.
Japanese comfort food for a filling lunch. Bento box deals are great and include a drink. Fast service keeps the line moving. I like the karage - nice crisp to the chicken that pairs nicely with brown rice. The dumplings are also a nice bonus in the box.
(4)Melissa C.
Downtown Minneapolis offers many lunch choices at many types of restaurants in all different price ranges. If you come across Zen Box as you wander through the skyway on your lunch break and are looking for a quick lunch with relitively healthy options and great tasting food, then you should stop in! This is a much smaller version of the full Zen Box Restaurant located on Washington Ave. (I ate there last year and it was fantastic!). Just because it's small and only offers limited items, each time I go I feel like I get decent, tasty and quality food for a very reasonable lunch price. I order the veggie Gyoza, a Japanese style dumpling. For my side I get steamed broccoli and carrots. The vegetables are PERFECTLY steamed every time! I mean, they are so good, not mushy in the least. I get steamed brown rice to go with the Gyoza and then a side of edamame. And, I love the Gyoza! I like spicy food so I usually use the hot red sauce. I have eaten here several times and always been pleased. It's great to have a convenient lunch option with good food in the warmth and convenience of the skyway Stop in and try it out!
(4)Chris L.
One of the better quality skyway food options. Always get the teriyaki chicken with yaki soba noodles and always love it. Yummy cabbage salad and dumplings make it a plus from my value proposition perspective. Seating is at a minimum which is a minus when you can't find a seat. Comes with a soft drink as well if you like that sort of thing.
(4)Kate M.
This review may be misleading. I would rate Zen Box overall 2 stars, but since they started serving the soba salad, they've gone up in my esteem. I've tried their other fare a few times, and nothing ever knocked me out. It was pretty standard Asian food court food. But the place I used to get Bun salads closed, and I found myself on the search for a good lunch salad. Something that was more than lettuce, dressing, meat and other bits. I saw the sign for the Soba Salad and it was like the perfect bun replacement. A huge mound salad greens, soba noodles shelled edamame, a few carrots and sesame seeds, and a really tasty ginger-miso type dressing. I usually add chicken, which $1 for 3 pieces is a little steep. But the first time I muttered through my salad about portions of poultry, I ended up with a huge chunk at the end. So, in the end, the small portion chicken usually balances out. The Izayaka location also serves the salad, but no chicken option. (sad face)
(3)Benjamin E.
Simple, fresh and tasty japanese food. I love grabbing lunch there, whenever I work downtown. The staff is also very friendly and helpful. Cuisine japonaise fraiche, simple et savoureuse. J'aime bien manger ici quand je travaille au centre ville. Le service est excellent.
(4)Takashi S.
I have been there three times now. Love ramen, karaage, and Takoyaki. Cannot wait to try others there again. I also liked retro Showa Japanese decorations (that is the time and place I am from!). Noodles has a really good al dente level and soup of tonkotsu has lots of umami (a bit too thick to adjust to cold Minnesota climate?). Karaage is very crispy and juicy inside and I can tell good seasoning preparation before frying them. People there are very friendly and nice to complete. Hope I live near them!
(4)Kenny O.
I'm easy to please! They have "actual" items on their menu "actually" labeled "vegan", LoL! For someone who lives where all the restaurants have no vegan items - and have never heard of this, and don't care, and are shocked/offended that such a thing exists - That was all i needed to see! Ha ha - I'm talkin, "Sure, you can order a salad - but you have to beware, and be sure to make sure you tell them to not put any eggs or cheese or bacon on it - and even if you do tell them, there's a good chance the salad will be delivered to you with all those items still on it, even though you told them to leave them off!" Anyway - Back to the review - I usually get their Tofu Skewer Bento lunch. I've also had the Veggie Age Gyoza, and the Soba Salad. I liked all of them. Also I like the fact that they have brown rice too, not just white.
(4)Brad W.
Lunchtime staple for me. They get people in and out fast and the food is great. Highly recommended Skyway lunch spot!
(4)Misty S.
LOCATION: Located in the skyway near Marquette and 6th street (near Wells Fargo). It's to the left of Taco John's. LUNCH: Bento #1 - Fried dumplings over rice ($0.75 extra for brown rice) and a cabbage salad. Comes with a drink for $7, not bad. Having dumplings with rice is kinda weird to me, but I enjoyed it. The staff was friendly and fast. The place is small and there isn't much seating. The food is cheap and it tastes good.
(3)Steve P.
Fast, healthier, than most food on the skyway. Good service, fast, attentive, and amenable to special requests. Prices are very reasonable. The miso soup is a bit salty, but good. They also have a buy ten-get-one-free offer.
(4)Rachelle T.
I'm giving this place three stars because I'm comparing it to other skyway food places. If I had to compare it to any restaurant I'd only give it two stars, because it is one of the few quick lunch places in Downtown that isn't soaking in grease. I recently ordered the Soba Salad, the only thing on the menu that has green things in it and I had chicken added. They added 3 pieces of chicken. Literally, 1-2-3 tiny pieces of chicken.... why flippin' bother? I was a bit frustrated with I got back to my desk. I had to return to my desk to eat, because there is never any space available and if you are lucky enough to get a chair the noise is so loud you won't be able to hear anything, but the din of people ordering. Good luck.
(3)Jason K.
A couple of friends of mine from work were on a mission for some good Japanese food and we heard Zen Box as a recommendation. It is a pretty small restaurant in the skyway but the service is real helpful. You enter and place your order to the left and they have about 8 combo options which all looked tasty. I opted for the teriyaki chicken, which was suggested by another friend of mine. I placed my order and had the option of white rice, brown rice or noodles. The last two were a few cents more, so I chose the white rice. If I would have known, I would have got the "Skinny" option, which included no rice but extra cabbage salad (Which was amazing!) Also with the combo comes two dumpling type pieces which were also awesome! On top of the rice was a nice heap of chicken strips (Grilled) and a lofty helping of teriyaki sauce. I stepped off to the side and filled up my Diet Coke and selected the typical cheap chopsticks in the these types of joints. I added a generous dollop of the ever popular rooster sauce. It added the perfect amount of hotness to everything. It was even fantastic on the cabbage salad. The chicken filled me up wonderfully and the rice just added to the substance. I was a full dude after this meal and all for about 7 bucks. Not bad for downtown. They also won "Best of the Skyway" from City Pages, and I can see why!
(4)Tori M.
This has to be the best almost-Japanese-train-station food I have had, well, outside of Japan. The prices are phenomenal considering that you may not need dinner after eating their huge portions. (A mid-day nap may also be in order.) The curry rice tastes just like I remember it and the katsu curry is also superb. I also enjoy their vegetarian entrees, with the veggie gyoza bento my new favorite lunch of all time. They also have brown rice, which is a welcome dose of fiber for anyone, but actually works well with the freshness of their ingredients. I love that they have edamame, too, for the veggie types who need an extra protein boost. Although, if you bring them back to the office for a snack, expect to have a carnage pile of shells to hide if the boss pops in. Awkward. Their kamikaze sauce should be a fixture in all Japanese cooking endeavors. What a great idea~ take the idea of a tubby American condiment and make it light & delicious. Cripes, I love Japanese innovation. (This is the end of my Rising Sun reference.)
(4)Mariel L.
Went here for a lunch with the co-workers, thinking that the hike to 6th and Marquette would be offset by the (hopefully) bountiful portions of Japanese food. I ordered the Katsu Curry bowl and Potato Croquettes on the side. I would say the croquettes were a bit disappointing; they were small and kinda empty, and for a buck each not worth it at all. For the katsu bowl, you get a piece of breaded chicken, plenty of rice, and curry for about $6. The curry unfortunately a tad bland. The rice was plentiful and went really well with the curry. Chicken was juicy, though, and I think it has something in it? Anyway, I may try something else if I ever find myself in that area again, but I won't necessarily trek all the way there just to get some Zen Box. I'll just have to fix my Japanese food craving some other way.
(3)EssJay C.
Some friends of mine at work call their bento box from Zen Box a Happy Meal for Adults. For the price, you get a good meal and friendly service. The only drawback is that the place is very small so if you plan to dine in, you might have to wait and then sit in close quarters. My favorite is the #1 Age-Gyoza with white rice. Enjoy!
(3)Joshua B.
I go here once in a while when I want to break up the monotony of Skyway lunch. I get the #2 with brown rice pretty much every time. It's breaded chicken chunks with a "special sauce" and the combos come with 2 pot stickers and a cabbage slaw. Lunch with a drink under $10 is a welcome diversion any time. The few drawbacks are very limited seating, (besides the stools at a counter that feels like it's located on the surface of the sun thanks to the heat coming from the ice maker exhaust), and dark meat chicken. Still, the food is tasty, cheap-ish, and not burgers or Mexican food.
(3)Sean W.
Zen Box. Synonymous with my 12:30pm lunch break. With a large selection of Japanese served "bento-style" Zen Box has something for everyone; from the simple chicken dishes for the picky eater, to the delightful combos featuring delicious edamame for the noon-hour foodie. While this isn't necessarily part of the review, I'm very curious about how Zen Box actually cooks their meet - the lack of grill marks, let alone any charmark makes me wonder if the meat is boiled - which can lead to stomach issues for some. Not a huge issue, but noteworthy for some. *Updated per the comments from Lina G @ Zen Box. Grilled!!! Updating rating*
(5)Jacob y.
didn't hit the one in the skyway....but instead what is located on washington ave. Great place...as close as possible to the real izikaya of japan. Only thing missing is sitting on the floor. Overall had a great time...great sake list also that is actually pretty decent price. TRY all the junmai daiginjo if you're a fan of sake. hamachi - very good had a citrus aftertone ramen noodle - decent, have had better chicken nanban - nothing compare to the real thing in japan chicken karaage - not exactly the best fried chicken ever though ikara age - same as all the other calamari
(3)Alfred K.
Food court food with super sweet sauce slathered over it... ick. It tasted ok for the most part, but I definitely could go on with my life without eating here ever again.
(2)Dani S.
Ok lunch place. The Bento box is pretty good. The sushi is cold and hard. Price is ok. Lunch is under $10.
(3)Chad S.
The #2 meal, breaded chicken in kamikaze sauce, had very little flavor and the rice was really mushy. I didn't feel it was worth my money. The hot tea and the slaw were very good, though. The miso soup is also very nice. I'll stop by for tea sometime.
(2)Andres M.
it's ok, a bit too much fried food for my taste. I was sad they didn't have salmon teriyaki. The quality does not compare with the bento boxes in the train stations in Japan as someone else mentioned. I was excited for a moment. Prices are good. There were not enough seats but we didn't have to wait long to find seats.
(3)Theresa C.
I wouldn't go here for the sushi, but the bento lunches are really good. My favorite is the gyoza (dumplings) and now you can do brown rice and steamed veggies on the side. The teryaki chicken combo is also good. Their kamikaze sauce that goes on the gyoza is a really nice spicy sauce but not too spicy. I always have them put it on the steamed veggies too. YUM!! It is a very small space though, so I have always taken it to go. I wish they were open nights or weekends because I would get takeout for my husband for dinners.
(4)Lori G.
The pod stick is made from frozen ones. The rice is too sticky and soft, almost like poridge. The teriyaki chicken is like grill chicken with just a little very normal teriyaki sause.... The combination of this quality and that price is not good...
(2)