You Zen

It was special because for many years my family got together in this little restaurant near my home. My son Drew brought his Cambodian girlfriend who taught us to use chopsticks and always had a side of rice, her comfort food, perhaps as mashed potatoes or french fries are to us. Little Sochon died at the age of 22 of complications of lupus which they diagnosed when she was only 20. Drew has since brought every girl he's dated to You Zen and my son Bill has been joining us with my granddaughter, Kendalyn, who lost her mother when she was only 9 months old. She just loved the edamame, soybeans or whatever. If You Zen is no more, where do we go for sushi? I'm very hurt that they would leave without leaving a message. Pros: Best Sushi House in Philadelphia Cons: They closed their doors and left no forwarding address. more

With precious few of the "Japanese Cuisine" restaurants in the Delaware Valley actually owned and operated by someone born in Japan, this place is the real deal! The twin brothers who own the place make all the sushi and actually go to the market themselves and buy the fish they use! (I've actually seen them at the fish market at 4:00 AM.) In my opinion NO PLACE in Philadelphia has fresher fish or better sushi-- period. If you're looking for one of those spicy-sauce-over-2-day-old-tuna sushi rolls, this ain't the place. No "Asian Cuisine" served here; strictly authentic Japanese. I don't know why it's been overlooked by the press (maybe because it's not downtown) but local Japanese eat here or at Sagami and love the place. The wait staff is Japanese but their English and their service is excellent! For Chinese or Korean food, there's any number of great places around Philly that I frequent, but not for sushi. You wouldn't order Kielbasa at Mama LaRosa's South Philly restaurant, right? If you've been to Japan, then you'll appreciate You-zen! Pros: They freshest sushi in Philadelphia! Excellent quality. Cons: Far from Center City (located just off Route 1 in Northeast Philly). more