Food Menu

SUSHI

SPECIALTY ROLLS

CHATHAM ST
18

crab salad, avocado, panko fried, topped spicy tuna, sweet soy, spicy mayo, scallions

CROUCHING TIGER
16

tempura shrimp, cucumber, mango, topped with poached shrimp, “o” sauce, sriracha

DEVIL WEARS JALA
16

crab salad, avocado, cream cheese, roasted jalapeño, tempura fried, topped with spicy mayo, sweet soy, scallions

HALF BAKED
17

shrimp tempura, avocado, cream cheese, topped with baked crab salad, spicy mayo, sweet soy

HIDDEN DRAGON
17

tempura shrimp, cucumber, topped with bbq freshwater eel, avocado, green onions, sweet soy

LIKE A VEGAN
14

tofu, cucumber, avocado, gourd, radish sprouts, topped with sweet soy
Vegan

ONE IF BY LAND
18

blue lump crab, avocado, topped with seared tenderloin, garlic shallot crisps, scallions, sweet soy, true

OVER THE RAINBOW
18

blue crab, avocado, cucumber, topped with tuna, salmon, yellowtail, shrimp

POKE BOOMER
19

avocado, mango, crab stick, topped with tuna, salmon, yellowtail, cucumber, spicy poke sauce, scallions

SCALLOP CRUNCH
18

crab salad, mango, cucumber, topped with scallops, spicy mayo, tempura flakes, yuzu tobiko, scallions

SCREAMING O
16

spicy tuna, tempura shrimp, topped with seared tuna, “o” sauce, sweet soy, yuzu tobiko, scallions

SENSEI
17

tuna, salmon, yellowtail, roasted jalapeño, daikon, topped with mustard ponzu, sriracha, yuzu tobiko, scallions

HAMA TIME
19

panko crab cake, mango, cucumber, topped with seared hamachi, roasted jalapeño, wasabi aioli, scallions

STORY OF THE SALMON
17

salmon, cucumber, topped with salmon, avocado, yuzu aioli, sriracha, yuzu tobiko, lemon zest

TWO IF BY SEA
17

spicy tuna, roasted jalapeño, cucumber, topped with tuna, garlic chili crunch, sweet soy

CLASSIC ROLLS

upon request: +1 soy paper | +2 hand roll

AVOCADO MAKI
7

avocado

CALIFORNIA
8

imitation crab stick, avocado, cucumber

CUCUMBER MAKI
6

cucumber

EEL AVOCADO
11

freshwater eel, avocado

PHILLY
10

salmon, cream cheese, avocado

REAL CALI
13

lump blue crab, avocado, cucumber

SALMON AVOCADO
9

salmon, avocado

SALMON MAKI
8

salmon

SPICY TUNA/SALMON
9

spicy tuna or spicy salmon, cucumber

SPIDER
12

tempura soft shell crab, avocado, cucumber, topped with sweet soy

TEMPURA SHRIMP
12

tempura shrimp, avocado, cucumber, topped with sweet soy

TUNA AVOCADO
11

tuna, avocado

TUNA BELLY MAKI
15

tuna belly, scallions

TUNA MAKI
9

tuna

YELLOWTAIL MAKI
10

yellowtail, scallions

RICE BOWLS

add a protein: + tuna poke* 10 | + salmon poke* 9 | + tempura shrimp 9 | + tofu 6

GEISHA
14

koshikari rice, furikake seasoning, seaweed salad, cucumber, avocado, edamame, tempura flakes, kizami, sriracha, sweet soy

TROPICAL THUNDER
14

koshikari rice, seaweed salad, cucumber, avocado, mango, corn, radish, yuzu tobiko, scallions, spicy mayo, sriracha, togarashi

THREE'S A CROWD
26

koshikari rice, tuna poke, salmon poke, tempura shrimp, avocado, pickled jalapeño, cucumber, edamame, corn, scallions, spicy shoyu

NIGIRI/SASHIMI

nigiri 2pc | sashimi 3pc

ALBACORE
8

binnaga

BLUE CRAB
10

kani

FRESHWATER EEL
9

unagi

FLYING FISH ROE
6

tobiko

JAPANESE SNAPPER
10

madai

MACKEREL
8

saba

SALMON
9

sake

SALMON ROE
10

ikura

SCALLOP
10

hotategai

SEA URCHIN
MP

uni

SHRIMP COCKTAIL
7

ebi

SWEET SHRIMP
12

amaebi

TUNA BELLY
MP

toro

TUNA
11

maguro

YELLOWTAIL
9

hamachi

ZEST SPECIALTIES

HAMACHI JALAPEÑO
17

yellowtail hamachi, roasted jalapenos, sesame oil, ponzu, evoo, scallions

TORO SPOONS
25

chopped toro, sea urchin, salmon roe, kizami, scallions, smoked salt, ponzu

SASHIMI FLIGHT
40

chef’s choice assorted sashimi selection

CHIRIASHI
34

assorted sashimi, egg omelet, crab stick, salmon roe, avocado, cucumber, perilla leaf, scallions, fresh root wasabi
SMALL PLATES

GRAZE

EDAMAME
7

steamed soy beans, sea salt + spicy garlic 1.5 | + truffle oil 2

GOGO VOLCANO
8

tempura battered sweet onions, go go sauce

BONSAI BRUSSELS
10

crispy brussels, bacon, goat cheese, balsamic reduction

TEMPURA VEGGIES
12

flash fried asparagus, green onion, zucchini, mushrooms, onion rings, togarashi, ponzu sauce

BLISTERED SHISHITO PEPPERS
9

sesame oil, spicy togarashi, yuzu aioli

VEGGIE SPRING ROLLS
9

deep fried, cabbage, carrots, ginger, mushrooms, sweet thai chili sauce

SURF

YUZU CRAB CAKES
20

lump crab, peppers, onions, panko, citrus salad, yuzu aioli

AHI TUNA TARTARE
18

avocado, masago, zest sauce, scallions, rice sail

FRIED CALAMARI
14

flash fried rings & tentacles, cilantro asian slaw, togarashi, sweet thai chili sauce, lemon whee

GREEN CURRY MUSSELS
17

citrus-curry cream sauce, true house fries, toasted baguette

SPICY COCO SHRIMP
15

flash fried, red onions, coconut-sriracha aioli

AHI TUNA SLIDERS
16

sliced, lightly seared blackened tuna, cilantro herb slaw, wasabi aioli, toasted brioche

OYSTERS TEMPURA
12

tempura battered, flash fried, tobiko, green onions, wasabi aioli, sweet soy

CRAB WONTONS
14

cream cheese, sweet thai chili sauce

SALMON POKE CRUNCH
15

diced salmon, avocado, yuzu tobiko, spicy mayo, green onions, wonton crisps

TURF

THAI LETTUCE WRAPS
14

chopped chicken, water chestnuts, red peppers, red onions, sesame seeds, carrot nest, thai plum sauce

DOUBLE FRIED WINGS
15

tossed in choice of: soy garlic | spicy gogo | zest sauce

C.A.B STEAK SKEWERS
16

beef tenderloin, red peppers, onions, zest sauce, sesame seeds

TABLETOP TENDERLOIN
20

ishiyaki-style, sliced tenderloin, korean chimichurri, sesame oil, sea salt

POLYNESIAN PORK BELLY
14

braised pork belly, pineapple-citrus soy glaze, asian slaw

GYOZA
10

pan seared japanese pork, ponzu sauce
SALADS & SOUPS

SIDE SALADS

SEAWEED
6

carrots, spring mix, vinaigrette, sesame seed

CUCUMBER
6

crab stick, toasted sesame vinaigrette

GINGER
5

spring mix, cucumber, tomato, carrot, traditional ginger dressing

BABY CHOPPED
6

napa cabbage, cucumbers, edamame, carrot, scallions, wonton strips, citrus herb vinaigrette

ENTREE SALADS

SESAME AHI TUNA
21

lightly seared tuna, napa cabbage, cucumbers, edamame, carrots, tomatoes, citrus herb vinaigrette, old bay wonton chips, japanese mustard drizzle

CHICKEN ASIAN CHOP CHOP
18

sesame chicken, napa cabbage, roasted corn, edamame, green onions, daikon, carrots, red peppers, water chestnuts, toasted sesame vinaigrette, old bay wonton chips

SEAFOOD TRIDENT
28

jumbo lump crab, lobster meat, shrimp, spring mix, avocado, tomatoes, red wine vinaigrette

GO GO SALMON
23

gochujang honey salmon, spring mix, mandarin oranges, carrots, red peppers, cucumbers, citrus herb vinaigrette, sesame seeds

SOUPS

TOM YUM
5

red peppers, red onions, mushrooms, diced tomatoes

MISO
4

tofu, seaweed, scallions
OYSTERS & CHILLED SHELLFISH

RAW OYSTERS

GULF OYSTERS
6 for 11 • 12 for 22

cocktail sauce, fresh horseradish, mignonette sauce

EAST COAST OYSTERS
3.75 each

cocktail sauce, fresh horseradish, mignonette sauce

OYSTER FLIGHT
11

three different east coast oysters of the day

CHARGRILLED OYSTERS

ROCKEFELLER
3 for 12 • 6 for 23

spinach, béchamel sauce, asiago cheese, panko

IMPERIAL
3 for 12 • 6 for 23

spicy mayo, tobiko, green onions

BUTTER GARLIC
3 for 11 • 6 for 21

parmesan, panko, fresh lemon, parsley

ICED TOWERS

SMALL SWELL TOWER
38

six gulf oysters, six cocktail shrimp, ahi tuna tartare, lemon wheel, cocktail sauce, fresh horseradish, mignonette sauce

TIDAL WAVE TOWER
58

twelve gulf oysters, six cocktail shrimp, tri-color sashimi (tuna, salmon, yellowtail), horseradish, cocktail sauce, mignonette sauce, lemon wedge

TSUNAMI TOWER
78

six east coast oysters, six gulf oysters, six shrimp cocktail, lobster cocktail, jumbo lump crab cocktail, fresh horseradish, cocktail sauce, mignonette sauce, lemon wedge

SHELLFISH COCKTAILS

SHRIMP COCKTAIL
15

cocktail sauce, lemon wheel

LUMP CRAB COCKTAIL
22

yuzu aioli, lemon wheel

MAINE LOBSTER COCKTAIL
30

drawn butter, lemon wheel
HANDHELDS

SOFTSHELL CRAB BLT
22

two tempura fried soft shell crabs, napa cabbage, sliced tomatoes, shaved red onions, applewood smoked bacon, yuzu aioli, toasted hoagie, house fries

KOREAN CHEESESTEAK
19

bulgogi-marinated tenderloin, monterey jack and white cheddar blend, sautéed shishito and red peppers, grilled onions and mushrooms, soy garlic, toasted hoagie, house fries

CRISPY CHICKEN SANDWICH
16

panko crusted, double fried, house pickles, red onions, spicy honey go go sauce, toasted ciabatta, house fries

LOBSTER TACOS
23

cilantro herbed slaw, red onion, tomato, cucumber, roasted corn, avocado, yuzu aioli drizzle, lemon wedge, flour tortilla

THAI SHRIMP TACOS
16

tempura fried shrimp, sweet thai chili sauce, cilantro herb slaw, shaved carrot, cucumber, yuzu aioli drizzle, fresh cilantro, flour tortilla

PORK BELLY TACOS
14

slow roasted, flash fried, citrus asian slaw, zest sauce, fresh cilantro, flour tortilla
ENTREES

SHAKING BEEF TENDERLOIN
30

sautéed beef tenderloin, asian sesame sauce, red onions, mushrooms, spring mix, tomatoes, cucumbers, steamed white rice

STEAK FRITES
35

6oz filet, house fries, korean chimichurri, togarash

KATSU CHICKEN
24

panko crusted, asparagus, red peppers, green onions, white rice, sesame seeds, zest sauce

ZEST CHICKEN
23

grilled chicken, seasonal vegetables, steamed white rice, soy marinated egg, zest sauce, sesame seeds

MISO SALMON
28

grilled asparagus, steamed white rice, miso-butter glaze

FIRECRACKER PRAWNS
25

flash fried, citrus asian slaw, steamed white rice, coconut-sriracha aioli

GREEN COCONUT CURRY
21

chicken breast, coconut milk, lemon grass, snow peas, red onion, tomatoes, basil, steamed white rice

PORK BELLY DON
25

braised chashu, steamed white rice, kimchi, soy marinated egg, asian sesame sauce, green onions

ZEST RAMEN

all ramen served with corn, wood ear mushrooms, pickled onions, red cabbage, soy marinated egg, shio tare, green onions

CHICKEN
17

chicken broth, chopped chicken, curly noodles

SPICY MISO CHICKEN
17

spicy red miso, chicken broth, chopped chicken, curly noodles

VEGGIE
15

mushroom konbu broth, tofu, curly noodles

SPICY MISO VEGGIE
15

spicy red miso, mushroom konbu broth, tofu, curly noodles

LUNCH BENTO BOX

available monday – friday 11am-2:30pm *no substitutions/modifications* *all bento boxes served with: ginger salad, 2pcs of pork gyoza, 1pc of vegetable spring roll, and 4pcs of california roll

TERIYAKI CHICKEN
17

white rice

TERIYAKI CHASHU PORK
17

white rice

SHRIMP TEMPURA
17

white rice

SASHIMI
17

6 pieces

NIGIRI*
17

4 pieces
KIDS MENU

Served with a side of fries or white rice • 12 and under only

BUTTERED RAMEN
8

CHICKEN QUESADILLA
8

CHICKEN QUESADILLA
10

CHICKEN TENDERS
10

GRILLED CHEESE
8
SIDES

HOUSE FRIES
4

plus truffle oil $2

KIMCHI
5

SAUTEED ASPARAGUS
6

SUSHI RICE
5

VEGGIE STIR FRY
6

ASIAN SLAW
4

GREEN TEAM ICE CREAM
6

whipped cream
DESSERTS

FLOURLESS TORTE
10

whipped cream, powdered sugar, strawberry coulis

YUZU CHEESECAKE
10

whipped cream, mango coulis

MOCHI
8

all mochi served with whipped cream, powdered sugar, fresh strawberry • chocolate • mango • strawberry

PDF Menu

Specials

Mixology Mondays

All specialty cocktails half price (doesn't include Martinis or Mules)

Two For Tuesdays

Any two specialty rolls for $30

Wine Wednesday

Half priced bottles of wine

Thursday Oyster Hour

5 - 6pm $1 gulf oysters

Sake Sundays

Sparkling Sake Mimosas $5 & Half off all bottles of Sake

History

About Us

Contemporary Sushi & Small Plates

Zest Sushi and Small Plates is a chic downtown Cary restaurant with a raw bar, serving sushi, Asian-inspired small plates, oysters & hand-crafted cocktails. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

Call Us

When We're Open

Hours

Sunday - Thursday 11am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9pm

Friday and Saturday 11am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm

Call Us

Experience

Events

Have A Special Event coming up? Let us do all the work.

Enjoy indoor dining in the new modern space or have a seat on the large outdoor patio in the center of the action on bustling Chatham Street. Whether you're in the mood for a relaxing evening sipping cocktails and savoring small plates or for meeting friends at the energy-packed bar, you are sure to have a memorable experience at this new restaurant in Cary.

Food Menu

SPECIALTY ROLLS

CLASSIC ROLLS

RICE BOWLS

NIGIRI/SASHIMI

ZEST SPECIALTIES

GRAZE

SURF

TURF

SIDE SALADS

ENTREE SALADS

SOUPS

RAW OYSTERS

CHARGRILLED OYSTERS

ICED TOWERS

SHELLFISH COCKTAILS

ZEST RAMEN

LUNCH BENTO BOX