About Zen Sai at Essex House
At Zen Sai, Chef Mike Hiraga of Bond Street presents a tapas-style menu meant to be shared, from coconut curry pad Thai to pork belly grilled on the Robata and drizzled with balsamic teriyaki sauce. Helmed by the team behind the historic Essex House and Clevelander hotels, the bustling South Beach locale is modeled after a Japanese izakaya, a casual gathering spot whose name literally means “to stay” and “sake shop.”
Signature items from Chef Hiraga include fried bok choy, black cod in a Yuzu miso sauce and rock shrimp tempura with Serrano aioli and worchestershire sauce. Rolls range from the usual (spicy tuna) to the unexpected (mushrooms with truffle oil). Sakes and specialty cocktails complement the cuisine, and the staff expertly guides diners through the courses.
Zen Sai Menu
Snacks
Shisito Peppers
ginger soy sauce
Fried Bok Choy
soy sauce, toasted garlic
Squid Jerky
garlic aioli
Edamame
sea salt, ginger soy sauce
Garbanzo Spring Rolls
cilantro curry cream
Small Plates
Asian Green Salad
miso soy mustard vinaigrette
Octopus Salad
Japanese cucumber, red and green bell pepper salsa,
shaved scallions, Serrano chile, yuzu sauce
Spicy Rock Shrimp
Serrano aioli, Japanese worcestershire
Yellow Tail Jalapeño
citrus jalapeño soy sauce
Pork Belly Sliders
steamed bun, Japanese slaw, black bean sauce
Yakimeshi
rice, shrimp, sea scallops, bacon, egg,
asparagus, Shiitake mushroom, chives
Robata Grill
Served with our house made signature sauces:
balsamic teriyaki, chili garlic or Serrano vinaigrette
Scallion Ribeye
scallions, yakitori sauce
Organic Chicken
key lime wedge
Ribeye
Yakitori sauce
Pork Belly
black bean sauce
Japanese Sausage
Shisito peppers, spicy mustard
Zen Sai Rolls
Spicy Tuna
sweet and spicy sauce
Shrimp Tempura
eel sauce
Boston
avocado, butter leaf lettuce, asparagus
BBQ Eel
cucumber, sprouts, avocado
Grilled Shrimp
apple, cucumber, jalapeño, special salsa, grilled shrimp
Prosciutto
asparagus, bell pepper, mushroom with truffle oil, balsamic vinegar
King Crab
tobiko, avocado, bell pepper, scallion, honey yuzu
Signature Cocktails
Lychee Martini
Kumosabe Nigori sake, Finlandia vodka,
house-infused lychee syrup, simple syrup, lemon juice
Cucumber Basil Martini
Hendrick’s gin, basil, simple syrup, fresh lime juice and cucumber
Zing Martini
Maker’s Mark bourbon, Kumosabe Nigori sake,
Domaine de Canton liqueur, splash of lemon juice & flamed lemon peel
Strawberry Basil Martini
Grey Goose vodka, Aperol liqueur, basil,
simple syrup, muddled strawberries and basil
Kimono
Grey Goose vodka, Kumosabe Nigori sake,
yuzu juice, fresh watermelon juice, basil, agave nectar,
lemon juice and a watermelon slice
Warrior
Jack Daniel’s whiskey, Chambord liqueur, St. Germain liqueur,
raspberry purée, cranberry juice, lime juice, simple syrup
Ginger Sake Mojito
Kumosabe Nigori sake, Domaine de Canton liqueur,
fresh lime juice, simple syrup, muddled mint and sugar cane
Sake Margarita
Japanese Kumosabe, el Jimador tequila,
agave nectar and lime juice with an Asian spice salted rim