Enjoy a Gourmet Drive: Sushi and French Cuisine at Ajiawai Kaiten Sushi ZEN

French cuisine at a sushi restaurant!? Discover a surprising conveyor-belt sushi experience

Peli

Hello, this is Peli from Hayanavi!
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I took a 1.5-hour drive from Hayama to visit Ajiawai Kaiten Sushi ZEN in Odawara.

Can you imagine a restaurant that combines conveyor-belt sushi and French cuisine?
It was a surprise the first time I visited, and now I’ve come back five times. Sushi and French fare in harmony—this truly deserves its nickname: “the eccentric sushi place.”

It’s also the perfect drive course. How about a mini road trip to Odawara with your family or your car-loving partner?

Highlight ①: A one-of-a-kind experience—savor sushi and French dishes together

ZEN is not your average sushi restaurant.

They use sun-dried rice from a contracted farm in Yamagata, which is perfectly paired with red vinegar sushi rice.

Here’s what I ordered this time:

Golden eye snapper (¥780)
White trevally (¥620)
Sea bream with sudachi salt (¥580)
Whelk (¥580)
Fatty tuna and pickled radish roll (¥1,300)
…and more!

And also…

Roasted lamb chops (¥1,500)
Pickled ginger (simply amazing!)

Sushi is the star here, but the side dishes are unexpectedly high quality. You’ll catch yourself thinking, “Wait… this is a sushi place, right?”

Peli

A sushi place with serious lamb chops? I’ve never seen that anywhere else!

Highlight ②: Heaven for drink lovers—world wines and premium sake

To pair with the French dishes, ZEN offers an incredibly diverse range of drinks.
From Belgian beer to red & white wines, sake, and shochu—you can choose your favorite drink to go with your sushi.

The daily specials are listed on chalkboards across the restaurant. The setting is casual, but the food quality matches that of a fine bistro.

Highlight ③: Family-friendly! Info for parents and pet owners

ZEN is stroller-accessible and welcomes families with children.
With booth and sofa seating available, you can enjoy your meal in a relaxed setting.

However, pets are not allowed. There’s no terrace seating either, so please note that pets cannot accompany you.

Peli

It might be a bit far for a moms’ meetup with babies, but it’s the perfect distance for a family drive!

Highlight ④: The charm of “eccentric conveyor-belt sushi”

The true charm of ZEN lies in its boundless creativity.

– Alongside sushi, you’ll find authentic French appetizers and main dishes
– Unique creations like the “Metabo Roll” and “Rossini Sushi”
– Premium ingredients like Jamón Ibérico de Bellota +48

It’s almost impossible to find another place like this in Japan!

On Instagram, regulars affectionately call it “the eccentric sushi place.” It’s easy to see why.

Highlight ⑤: The story of Owner-Chef Mr. Nishio

This extraordinary place was created by owner-chef Akira Nishio.

He began his culinary journey at a sushi restaurant in Canada, where he learned French cooking techniques from a fellow chef in the kitchen.
This experience inspired the free-spirited blend of Japanese and Western cuisine at ZEN.

“I want to bring smiles to people’s faces through food that transcends borders.”
This philosophy is infused into every element of ZEN’s menu and atmosphere.

Peli

The idea for tuna tail steak came from T-bone steak? That’s some wild creativity!