Zen (restaurant)
| Zen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 2000 |
| Owner(s) | Seiichi Kashiwabara |
| Head chef | Seiichi Kashiwabara |
| Food type | Japanese |
| Rating | Recommended (Michelin Guide) |
| Street address | 7634 Woodbine Avenue |
| City | Markham, Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Website | zenjapaneserestaurant |
Zen is a Michelin recommended Japanese restaurant in the Milliken Mills neighbourhood of Markham, Ontario, located north of Toronto. It offers an omakase menu.[1]
History
[edit]The restaurant is owned and operated by chef Seiichi Kashiwabara, who immigrated to Canada from Japan in 1984.[2] Kashiwabara first lived in Ottawa, working as a sushi chef there before moving to the Toronto area.[2]
Zen, a Japanese restaurant situated in a Markham strip mall, was first established in 2000.[3][4] Kashiwabara initially joined Zen as head chef upon relocating to Toronto. He later acquired the restaurant and moved it from its original Scarborough location to its current address in Markham.[5][2][6]
The business only uses fresh fish for their sushi,[2] much of it delivered from Japan several times weekly.[4] Many of the employees of the restaurant are Japanese nationals, who have come to work at Zen via work permit to train under Kashiwabara.[2][6] Notable sushi chefs in the Toronto-area have worked at Zen and trained under Kashiwabara, including Michelin–starred Shoushin chef-owner Jackie Lin.[5][7]
Recognition
[edit]The business received a 'Recommended' designation in the 2024 edition of the Toronto and Region Michelin Guide.[2][3] Michelin highlighted the restaurant's price point for its omakase chef's counter experience, and also praised the restaurant for having "some of the best nori in town."[3] Per the guide, a 'Recommended' selection "is the sign of a chef using quality ingredients that are well cooked; simply a good meal" and that the anonymous inspectors had found "the food to be above average, but not quite at [Michelin star] level."[8] As of the 2024 edition, Zen is the only restaurant in Markham to be included in the Toronto guide.[9] Michelin–starred Markham restaurant Frilu was also in the guide before its closure in summer 2024.[9]
Toronto-area digital publication BlogTO lauded Zen as "long holding the reputation as one of the best sushi joints in town."[10]
Zen was included in magazine Toronto Life's list of the best Japanese restaurants in Greater Toronto, with the publication highlighting the business's "meticulously cut" sashimi plates.[11]
In 2022, Markham made United States food publication Eater's list of best food cities to travel to, with Zen receiving a callout as the "go-to destination for hardcore omakase aficionados."[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "The 38 Best Restaurants in Markham, Ontario". Eater. Vox Media. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Joseph, Simone (21 October 2024). "'In for a treat': Chef/owner of Zen Japanese Restaurant in Markham hopes Michelin-recommended designation will entice new customers". Markham Economist and Sun. yorkregion.com. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ a b c "Zen - Markham". Michelin Guide. Michelin North America. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ a b Joseph, Simone (25 September 2024). "Markham's Zen Japanese Restaurant makes it into the Michelin Guide for the first time". Markham Economist and Sun. yorkregion.com. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ a b Doss, Suresh (23 May 2017). "Where Shoushin chef Jackie Lin eats Chinese and Japanese food in Markham and Richmond Hill". Toronto Life. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ a b Keung, Nicholas (4 May 2024). "They're highly sought after chefs in popular Toronto restaurants. Immigration changes could make them harder to recruit". Toronto Star. TorStar. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ Car, Amy (10 December 2021). "Markham sushi master who gained huge following during lockdown opens restaurant". BlogTO. ZoomerMedia. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "What It Means To Be A Michelin-Recommended Restaurant". Michelin Guide. Michelin North America. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ a b "MICHELIN Guide Toronto & Region expands in year three with four new Stars". Michelin Guide. Michelin North America. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ Low, DK (28 July 2019). "Zen Sanuki Udon". BlogTO. ZoomerMedia. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ Toronto Life (11 May 2018). "The best Japanese restaurants in Toronto right now". Toronto Life. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
