Sushi Zen Closes Amid Plans to Reopen with 3 Times the Space

Midtown staple Sushi Zen first opened its doors in 1983, when sushi was still considered an adventurous choice for Times Square dining. In the years since, more and more upscale sushi restaurants have joined the scene, and raw fish has fully entered the mainstream (arguably ushering in the next-wave poke trend). Sushi Zen, run by head chef Toshio Suzuki, nevertheless remained a favorite, earning some celebrity chef fans like Michael Anthony and training others like Masaharu Morimoto in the traditional Edomae style of sushi making.

Now, Sushi Zen has shut down operations at it’s original location at 108 West 44th. There were plans in the works to reopen three blocks north at 114 West 47th Street, a move predicted as early as March of last year, with a new space significantly larger at 6,500 square feet. It now looks like that new space will not pan out.

Although New Yorker’s may now balk at paying more than $25 for their sushi entree, Sushi Zen was a staple that consistently earned high marks from critics.

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