Japanese Comfort Food

Zen Box Izakaya is a Chef Driven Ramen-Centric Izakaya by a Chef & Wife team in Downtown Minneapolis' Mill District.

The true spirit is the interaction between one another, the combination of people + food & drink + atmosphere. It is not just a destination, but a culture of its own - The Zen Box Culture.

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Tare (pronounced tah-ray) is more than just “sauce” or soup base. Tare is essence, identity, and soul; the background to a blank canvas. The three main types of tare - shoyu, shio, and miso, contain the qualities required to make the completed bowl taste like more than the sum its parts. So while shoyu tare contains high quality soy sauce as its base, the ramen chef will further boost the flavor with ingredients such as kombu, niboshi, or a host of other fish and vegetable components, resulting in a dynamic and synergistic concentration of flavor. Without this important piece of gastronomic alchemy, the ramen would be bland and flavorless. Follow along this week as we explore the building blocks of ramen. #tare #ramen #5daysoframen #zenbox #izakaya #mpls

All ramen is not made equal and the noodle says it all. Arguably the most important component, form and function are paramount as the noodle is the vehicle for transporting all other components in the bowl. We use three different types of noodles to bring each of our ramens to their greatest potential. The classic, curly Tokyo-style noodle is featured in our kamo shoyu ramen, thick and chewy temomi noodles are for the brothless vegan mazemen, and the thin and traditional Hakata-style noodles are perfect for the creamy tonkotsu and kimchi ramens. Follow along this week as we explore the building blocks of ramen. #noodles #ramen #5daysoframen #zenbox #izakaya #mpls

Have you gotten your Zen Box giftcards yet? For every $100 spent on giftcards receive a free $25 giftcard! Time is running out! Its the perfect holiday gift this season! #giftcards #holidays #freemoney #zenbox #izakaya #mpls

Holiday food can be heavy, but it can also be healthy with our delicious kinoko itame. A mix of seasonal mushrooms sautéed with umami and protein-rich natto butter will leave the whole family savoring for a second order! #kinoko #mushrooms #izakaya #mpls

Mackerel is a Japanese favorite and our perfectly broiled Saba no Shioyaki will definitely become one of yours. Paired with the bright and bold Drunken Snapper sake you're in for a sea of delight. Doors open at 5 p.m. We look forward to seeing you at Zen Box Izakaya! #saba #mackerel #sake #zenbox #izakaya #mpls

Come in to Zen Box and try one of our favorite brews. Wednesday Cat is a Belgian-style white ale that pairs deliciously with our chicken karage! Best consumed Wednesday at dinner for maximum deliciousness. Doors open at 5p.m. #wednesday #beer #neko #chicken #izakaya #mpls