About ZEN Noodles Company
At ZEN Noodles Company, we are dedicated to crafting authentic and flavorful pan-Asian dishes that honor our Asian-American heritage. Our mission is to provide our community with a unique fusion of traditional and contemporary flavors, using quality ingredients to create exceptional dining experiences for all.
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Our journey began in Gainesville in 2022, and we've been growing since! Visit our current locations across Florida in Temple Terrace, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Jonesville. Come by and savor the vibrant flavors of ZEN Noodles Company today!
Our Principles
Honoring our Roots
Balance
We choose fresh, quality ingredients for the balance of flavors and nutrition.
Authenticity
We honor our heritage by bringing you the authentic flavors of home.
Food Sustainability
We strive to minimize waste and support eco-friendly practices,
Inclusivity
We celebrate diversity and strive to make our spaces & flavors accessible to all.
THE TEAM
CEO & Founder
HUNG NGUYEN
Original creator of Taste in Gainesville LLC and ZEN Noodles Company, Hung is a natural entrepreneur, leader, and culinary master with a ​Bachelors in Food and Health Science from the University of Florida. He takes inspiration from his travels around the world and loves the challenge of learning and creating new recipes.
With over 18 years of experience owning and operating in the restaurant industry, Hung has a passion for creating quality food based on the principles of: balance, authenticity, sustainability, and inclusivity.
MANAGING PARTNERS
Keeshia Escobar & Hieu Le
2022
Gainesville
With a vision for growth, Hung decided to split up the family business and partner with managers, Keeshia Escobar and Clarissa Zaide. Thus, ZEN was born with a mission to bring a unique fusion of traditional and contemporary flavors to the community. In January 2022, ZEN Asian Street Eats was established in Midpoint Park & Eatery and renovation began for ZEN Noodle Bar (formerly Taste Pho & Noodle House) on 34th St and Archer Rd. The catering company rebranded to ZEN Creative Catering, and ZEN Styles Inc. was created as our marketing and management group.
2023
Temple Terrace
Seeing the vision, a partnership was developed to expand ZEN Noodle Bar to a second location in Temple Terrace- minutes away from the USF campus and Busch Gardens. Since its opening in January 2023, we've received a 4.7 rating with over 300+ reviews on Yelp & Google!
2025
Jonesville
Furthering our expansion in Alachua County, we are excited to bring our concept to the growing Jonesville community (located west of Gainesville).
2024
Tampa
An unexpected opportunity to expand in Tampa gives way to ZEN Pho & Noodles Tampa on Waters Ave. Serving all of the ZEN classics plus curated Vietnamese chef specials including cÆ¡m gà xối mỡ, bun rieu, bò né, and more.
2024
Jacksonville
Growth in the company continues when the opportunity to open in Westside Jacksonville is presented by a new business partner, Hieu Le. ZEN Pho & Noodles Jacksonville opens its doors in May of 2024 with a great amount of support from the community.
2007 - 2017
Gainesville
With a dream of owning his own family restaurant, Hung Nguyen opened Taste Sushi Bar & Asian Cuisine in 2007. Partnered with his brother, they expanded in 2015 into another location, Taste Pho & Noodle House, and a mobile food truck, Taste on Wheels.
2018
Gainesville
Hung acquired a full service catering company, Omi's Elegant Catering, with new opportunities to serve the community and his alma mater, the University of Florida.
2025
Downtown
Gainesville
Renovations are underway for a small location in Downtown Gainesville featuring an abridged menu. Find us steps away from the Hippodrome Theater in the Sun Center East Plaza.