ZEN Sushi

05/14/2026

May is AAPI month, where we reflect on the contributions of Asian folks throughout American history and its culture. We're sharing a photo of Executive Chef and owner Michelle Carpenter before she was a chef. If you look closely, she's holding a bag filled of candies and treats. Who knew then that she would grow up to be a rare woman Itamae and open Oak Cliff's first sushi bar? Who knew then that she would open a second restaurant celebrating Cajun/Creole culture and her father's heritage?

From the East to the West, from Tokyo to the swamps of Louisiana, an Asian American woman brought authentic culture and flavor to Dallas, along with new paradigms of sustainability for the region. We bring well over 50 desserts and over 100 different menu items on our menu at Beatrice every year. North Oak Cliff residents consider the Xalapa Roll at Zen Sushi a staple that has never been copied anywhere else.

We can be more than one thing. And we can stand on principles of how to operate.

Thank you to those supporters who have considered these positions. There are many many places to dine in Dallas. We try our best to respect diners who have chosen us and continue to choose us.

Check out the article in D Magazine this month: about Michelle's story:https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-ceo/2026/may/dallas-restaurateur-michelle-carpenter-reflects-on-how-food-shaped-her-journey/?brid=YWdncwFiy7EfPS_gALdFCzPoRMQK

05/13/2026

Your resident Oak Cliff Itamae shares a little part of her history with D Magazine, starting in Tokyo to eventually the best neighborhood in Dallas.

A childhood spent on military bases exposed the chef and owner of Restaurant Beatrice and Zen Sushi to a wide range of cuisines and cultures that influence her approach to food today.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter. Our staff are spending time with their families this evening. Please come in tomorrow for our Half Price Menu.

01/29/2026

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Since 2007, Chef Michelle and her team have served our diners a special Valentine's Pre-Fixe Menu for love birds and friends.

We are pleased to host you next month. Scroll to see a slightly updated menu for a steal: all drinks and 6 courses are included for just $229 per couple.

Call 214-946-9699 to make a reservation or just text 469-708-6430. We have the following times available: 5:30pm, 6pm, 7:30pm, and 8pm.

01/27/2026

We are open tonight for service from 5pm to 9pm.

For the first hour, we are running our $5 Handroll Happy Hour. Come in and get scratch-made Japanese-American foods. Whether you want sushi or fried rice or gyoza or hot sake or a cold martini, our team is ready to take care of you. No more dishes, no cabin fever, no artificial flavors/additives.

See you soon, Oak Cliff. We are ready for things to get back to normal.

12/07/2025

Zen Friends, We are hiring for one to two servers to work evenings from 4pm to 10pm. Previous server experience required. We offer a safe work environment for self-managing folks. All foods are made-to-order from whole, fresh ingredients. If you are interested in picking up a few shifts a night, send us a DM with your phone number so we can arrange an interview.

Don't forget about Handroll Happy Hour: $5 from 5pm to 6pm for 5 nights a week: Monday through Friday.

09/09/2025

Pressed Salmon made with Faroe Island Salmon.

Don't forget that we have an unbeatable Happy Hour: $5 Handrolls from 5pm-6pm every Monday - Friday. Save money, eat clean, healthy, delicious food without any dishes.

09/06/2025

We offer delivery 6 nights a week. No need to leave the house or look for parking. We will make your food and bring it to you.

Here's a close up of our Caterpillar Roll, made with fresh avocado, cooked eel, and sweet eel sauce made in house. Open since 2007, we are pleased to have introduced Asian food and specifically sushi to the neighborhood we call home.

07/28/2025

So many offerings on our menu other than sushi. Enjoy Crispy, fried, panko-breaded pork served with Katsu-Bulldog sauce. We love this dish with a side of white rice or our Fried Rice. Our long-time guests can ask for a Michelle Off-Menu speciality: Bacon Fried Rice, marrying Applewood Smoked Bacon with a classic comfort food: Fried Rice.

Come in early for our Happy Hour: $5 Handrolls from 5-6pm, Monday-Friday.

07/05/2025

Beautiful Pressed Salmon Sushi. Our salmon comes from Faroe Islands, which is where some of the world's best chefs depend on for superior taste. The Faroe Islands is recognized for their intergenerational knowledge and experience in fishing.

We open at 5pm every day.

07/04/2025

Yes! We are open on July 4! Come in early and enjoy $5 Handrolls from 5-6pm.

06/04/2025

🌈 Chef Michelle accepted an award at City Hall earlier today. It really is meaningful to know that Dallas not only sees but celebrates what the LGBTQ+ folks bring to our culture and community.

💜 It was especially inspiring to learn what winners have done to support, uplift, protect, and serve some of the most vulnerable folks in our city.

🌈 Fact that Really Makes Us Proud 🌈: That pride flag is an official flag of our city.

🌈 Special Thanks to Council Member Omar Narvaez's office for organizing this event.

05/16/2025

Xalapa (ha-la-pa) is the name of the capital city in Veracruz, Mexico. Xalapa is the inspiration for our best-selling roll at Zen Sushi: made with tuna, avocado, cilantro, and lime. We love it paired with our signature cocktail: the Zen Martini.

Super Zen Fans: we made a gif of this roll. Search "Xalapa Roll" or "Zen Sushi" to find these gifs in Stories.

05/13/2025

Unlike sushi rolls that feature rice and other ingredients, sashimi is the pure essence of the ocean: thinly sliced, raw fish or seafood, prepared with precision and artistry. Each delicate piece allows the natural flavors and textures of the seafood to shine through, offering a clean and sophisticated taste experience. It's a fantastic way to appreciate the quality of our ingredients and enjoy a lighter, yet deeply satisfying, culinary delight.

You are always welcome to customize your sashimi order. Just sit at the bar and tell our chef which cuts you like and/or tell them your budget.

We open at 5pm with Handroll Happy Hour! $5 from 5-6pm.

05/08/2025

Thank you Eater Dallas ☺️

Where to dine in one of Dallas’s coolest neighborhoods