A family’s heritage on the menu at new Zen Modern Asian Bistro

A father-son trio has opened the new Zen Modern Asian Bistro in Del Mar Highlands Town Center’s Sky Deck. The new Zen location, run by Head Chef Henry Yang and his two sons, Executive Chef Ethan Yang and co-owner Jonathan Yang, promises “upscale and innovative” Chinese cuisine, featuring Cantonese, Szechuan and Pan-Asian dishes.

“This new location at the Sky Deck feels like a full-circle moment for me,” said Henry Yang, 69, in a news release. “After decades in the kitchen, this is my last hoorah before retirement, and I’m proud to see my sons carry on our family’s legacy while continuing to innovate and honor the flavors I’ve cherished throughout my career.”

Before launching Zen Modern Asian Bistro in Sabre Springs in 2016, Chef Henry was the head chef and owner at Mr. Charlie’s Fortune Cookie in Rancho Bernardo. According to the news release, he spent years mastering his craft and drawing inspiration from his roots in Taiwan and his culinary experiences across Thailand and various regions of China.

His son Ethan, a third-generation chef, learned about flavors and techniques in his family’s kitchen before opening up his own restaurant, the sushi spot Glass Box, also at Sky Deck.

“Our recipes have been passed down through generations and infused with the love and tradition that define our family’s culinary journey,” said Ethan Yang in the news release. “We’re excited to continue sharing these flavors with the community while adding new, unique dishes that reflect our passion for Asian cuisine.”

Inside the Sky Deck restaurant collective, Zen’s new space is both modern and cozy, featuring a large dining area with 56 seats and a full-service 23-seat bar.

Menu highlights include Sichuan dumplings, egg drop soup, xiao long bao (soup dumplings), kung pao chicken, chow fun noodles, Taiwanese ribeye and kimchi fried rice made with egg, chicken, shrimp, onions, scallions and peas with a spicy Korean gochujang sauce.

Standouts from the drink menu include an Ube cocktail made with dark rum, taro, coconut cream, lime, and pineapple; a Passionfruit martini; and Zen’s twist on the classic Old Fashioned, a version infused with oolong tea.

For more information, visit zenmodernasian.com. Zen Modern Asian Bistro is located at 12841 El Camino Real, suite 206, Carmel Valley, open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.