You might think from its name that Zushi is only for great sushi, but not so.
Zushi creates a variety of Asian cuisines, from traditional Chinese, to Japanese Teriyaki, Tempura and Kobe beef, to Pad Thai, to Korean Bulgogi and BBQ.
What is the Gangnam connection? For those of you who haven’t yet heard of the K-Pop music sensation Psy, whose YouTube music video just broke the Guinness Book of World Records for most liked video, his song Gangnam Style refers to a Beverly Hills-type neighborhood in Seoul, Korea, the Gangnam District, known for its trendy and classy style.
Believe it or not, Zushi owner Shawn Suh lived in Gangnam before moving to Arizona about 10 years ago. A great fan of the Korean pop star, Shawn claims his food, like Gangnam Style, is the highest quality, creatively seasoned and artfully presented. To that end, he employs Chinese chefs Sony Tsang, from Hong Kong, and Peter Zhu, from Canton, China, with 30 years experience between them, to prepare the traditional dishes with flare. Whether it’s a night out with friends or a fun family dinner, Zushi has something for everyone at reasonable prices.
So, if you’re not a sushi fan, you can still accompany your sushi-loving friends to Zushi, and choose from a large menu of Chinese seafood, chicken and beef favorites, such as Kung Pao Shrimp, Salt and Pepper Scallops, Mu Shu Beef or Orange Chicken, Lettuce Wraps and dozens more. They also have a kids’ menu with Chinese and American favorites.
But don’t forget the sushi. Shawn and his sushi chefs prepare about 50 kinds of creative sushi combinations, with compelling names, such as Hurricane, Spider, Mesa (spicy crab, shrimp, jalapeño and cucumber), Caterpillar, Tiger and Red Mountain (crab, avocado, and cucumber inside, deep fried and topped with salmon, tuna and shrimp, tossed in a very spicy, creamy sauce).
Another creative twist at Zushi—all sushi and almost all other food items cost up to $1 less during happy hours, which run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Another reverse happy hour starts at 9 p.m. until close. And it’s happy hour all day on Sunday. Zushi’s full bar mixes up a plethora of cocktails and martinis, with amazing sounding names and ingredients to match. Martinis start at just $4.95, and domestic beers start at $2.50. They also serve Asian beers, and hot and cold sake.
Looking for something different for lunch? Shawn’s staff prepares a traditional Bento Box, a partitioned tray filled with your choice of an Asian food entrée, rice, house salad and egg roll, accompanied by a bowl of soup for as little as $6.95. There also are sushi lunch specials of assorted sushi rolls or combos, starting at $7.95. Tempura Combos, Fish and Chips, Kobe Burgers or Teriyaki Chicken Sandwiches are all priced at $6.95.
Desserts also are an adventure – Black Sesame Crème Brulee or Tempura Green Tea Ice Cream or Cheesecake.
Las Sendas residents for eight years, Shawn and his wife, Jane, also own Sushi Kee on Power Road and Main Street, their original restaurant, which is smaller but offers sushi and a limited Asian food menu, as well.
Zushi is located at 6727 E. McDowell Road, on the southwest corner of Powell and McDowell roads. Hours are Monday through Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday, from 3:30 to 10 p.m. For more information, call (480) 981-2727.