The Japanese chain Zauo opened in October of last year in Chelsea, and it serves up some of the freshest seafood in the city—you literally fish for your food on the spot! It doesn’t get much fresher than that.
The restaurant, which opened on October 15 at 152 West 24th Street, may not be for everyone but if you’re into a fresh catch it’s certainly worth a try. The space has three pools for diners to to fish their meal from, and there are about eight varieties of fish throughout those pools. Much like the chain’s other locations, there’s a 60-foot-long boat above one of the pools with seating, and the space overall is large enough to seat 134 guests.
However, if you don’t want to take part in the fishing aspect (or would like more than what’s offered in the tank) the restaurant also offers a larger a la carte dining menu that customers can order from.
Aside from being an incredibly fun dining experience, the method of catching your own fish is also cheaper than if you’d order the same fish off a menu elsewhere, according to Zauo’s website. So what exactly happens when you step inside this restaurant?
First, you’ll be provided with a Fishing License to wear around your neck. Then you’ll get a fishing rod and bait (although not all fish will require bait). You’ll be able to tell the staff what you’re aiming to catch and just start fishing! (And if you’re having trouble catching the fish you want, the staff “will give you some advice.”) Honestly, it’ll be the simplest fishing experience you’ll ever have.
Once caught, the restaurant will prepare your fish as you’d like:
- Sashimi (displayed with your fish in a natural form)
- Tempura
- Grilled
- Simmered in soy sauce
The fish tanks will include: fluke, flounder, abalone, lobster, rockfish, rainbow trout, salmon trout, and striped bass. They will be split between the three tanks.
We can’t wait to check it out and reel in some fish!
Featured image source: トモ T. /Yelp
Also published on Medium.