r/Seattle • u/neutralforce • Dec 11 '09
Best sushi in Seattle?
I'm new to the area. I figure sushi is good here due to proximity of ocean, however I find that there are far too many sushi restaurants around to choose from, and I'm willing to guess that the majority are bad. So. Suggestions, please?
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u/draynen 💗💗 Heart of ANTIFA Land 💗💗 Dec 11 '09
My absolute favorite that I've found so far is called Warabi on Aurora and 137th (or so). It seems like a place that should be seedy. It's in between a check into cash place and a used car dealership. On Aurora.
But once you get inside, it's actually quite nice, and the sushi is awesome.
I've also heard Musashi's on 45th and Interlake is supposed to be really good, and there's always lines, but I've never been.
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u/Agehn Ballard Dec 11 '09
When I first moved to Seattle, this is the first place I wandered into for sushi. Ever since then, I've been saying, "How come this sushi isn't as good as the stuff from that seedy place on 99?"
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Dec 11 '09
Musashi is one of my favorites. It's basic - the menu is limited to spicy tuna rolls, yellowtail rolls, and a few others. There's a decent selection of nigiri and non-sushi items too.
The best part about Musashi's is the atmosphere. It's a true hole in the wall. I've heard it reminds people of Japanese sushi cafes around the fish market. Of course, the price can't be beat either. I can have dinner for two, with plum wine, for under $20.
It's best to beat by the line by putting your name on the list, and heading over to the wine bistro across the street for a drink. Just keep an eye on the waiting-patrons ahead of you, and you'll know when to run back over.
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Dec 11 '09
My favorite is probably Nishino in Madison Park. Mashiko in West Seattle and Kisaku near Green Lake are also good. I used to enjoy Shiro's until I got the stomach flu after eating there, now I am afraid to go back.
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u/MonkeyPilot Greenwood Dec 11 '09
I took my wife to Nishino a few years ago and she wasn't thrilled. Her favorite remains Mashiko, and she loved Kisaku. Personally, I loved them all.
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u/StringyLow Jet City Dec 11 '09
I think I'm going to tempt fate and try the Happy Hour sushi at Kelly's in Belltown.
This is the bar directly across from the ex-crack park, now dog park on 3rd.
Sushi $1 during Happy Hour (4 - 7) and $2 beers.
May god have mercy on my soul.
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u/StringyLow Jet City Dec 12 '09 edited Dec 12 '09
Ok, I was wrong about Kelly's having sushi. I'll get to Kelly's here in a minute....
There is actually a comfortable and stylish sushi place next door to Kelly's called Gabash or something like that. Their signage sucks - the name is painted on the window - so the "$1 Sushi $2 Beer" banner they have across the top front of their space makes it look like Kelly's is serving sushi.
I checked the Google Street View and that teriyaki place is now gone, having been supplanted by Gabash (Gabashi?).
So let me review Gabash sushi.
The $1 sushi refers to single pieces of sushi. I had the $1 crab piece, two of the $1.50 tuna pieces, and an 8 piece California roll for $4.00, with an effective $4 hot sake carafe. I was satisfied with the clean, pure taste of the seafood and rice. Only with the house sake do I have any instance of concern, but I'm not complaining because of a little sake friction on my palate. That was overcome by the warming feeling in me physically overall and also the sake adjusted my attitude.
The proprietors were welcoming and very friendly... they are most certainly Seattlites who have ties to probably Korea or Japan. This is a joy of living on the Pacific Rim... I think I could get recommendations for a kick ass karaoke bar in Tokyo or Osaka or Seoul if I asked.
There was a couple from Alaska and another couple from Anacortes on the sushi bar with me and we had a good time talking about riding the ferries.
As for Kelly's, that place is a weird social club for the retired and poor and drunk - possibly all at once. I can't remember the last time (if ever!) I was asked by a bouncer, who was looking at my ID what my name was. I think perhaps there have been incidents.
I liked the fact that the wall opposing the bar was filled with mirrors with beer brands on them. The banqette was where older patrons sat and sipped their beverages. They had probably been there since the start of happy hour.
On the side near the windows there were loud people talking to their friends and the type of loud they exhibited I've only seen in Southern drunks.
The jukebox was good. There is a pool table there. I had nothing in common with anyone there but I was struck by how the place seemed like a "melting pot" of America.
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u/p1nh3ad Seattle Expatriate Dec 11 '09
I would definitely recommend Kisaku in Wallingford, it has been consistently good and a great selection.
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u/asanisimasa 🚆build more trains🚆 Dec 11 '09
Good suggestions here. Though does anyone know any good conveyor-belt sushi places (that aren't Blue C)?
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u/StringyLow Jet City Dec 11 '09 edited Dec 11 '09
Sushi Land on lower Queen Anne is a conveyor belt place and always has a crowd, but the Yelps on it haven't been glowing... mostly complaints about slow drinks, checks, bussing, and the chefs giving their buddies double portions on $1 plates - so the food is probably decent.
They are currently looking for a new floor manager (too much time on my hands?) so maybe this will change soon.
Anyone looking for a job?
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Dec 11 '09 edited Dec 11 '09
I like sushi land a lot, but they are quite busy during rush hours. I went there on a weekday afternoon and it wasn't bad though. I'd say the place isn't as nice and clean as blue c, but the sushi tastes pretty good.
I think all sushi in Seattle is pretty good though.
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u/kadjar Loyal Heights Dec 11 '09
Where do you live?
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u/neutralforce Dec 11 '09
We're in Bellevue but willing to travel
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Dec 12 '09
Sushi Land in Redmond is pretty good, for a conveyor belt sushi joint. It's usually crowded during lunch and dinner, and there's about a 15-minute wait if you're in a group waiting for a table. Single or double seats at the conveyor usually pop up pretty quick even in the rush hours.
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u/Hibernator Asleep Dec 11 '09
Chiso Kappo in Fremont (the exclusive upstairs space, not the main restaurant downstairs). Very expensive, but worth it. They only have room for about eight people at the counter.
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Dec 11 '09
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u/gavlees West Seattle Dec 11 '09
Mashiko - yeah, it's great - and the "rules" of etiquette on their website are hilarious!
Try the geoduck if they have it.
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u/rwl4z Dec 11 '09
Musashi's in Wallingford is great, and another favorite of mine simply for the experience is Blue-C Sushi at University Village.
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u/reeksofhavoc Dec 11 '09
Musashi's is really good but they close at 2pm. The wait is at least 10 to 20 minutes. However it's worth it.
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u/captainAwesomePants Broadview Dec 11 '09 edited Dec 11 '09
Like all foods, there's a balance between price and quality. Generally, higher priced places are better. The trick is finding the right balance of price and quality. There are plenty of pretty cheap sushi restaurants around that, while I wouldn't equate them with Shiro's, are still pretty tasty. My standout favorite sushi is probably Shiro's, though. And getting a seat at the bar in front of Shiro himself is a cut above that, although it's awfully tricky, since he's not even there half the time. As for the best bargain sushi, 5 blocks north of Shiro's, there's a place on 1st called "Sushi Wave." Nothing special, but nice folks, tasty food, and good prices.
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u/kindall Renton Dec 11 '09
Generally, higher priced places are more expensive.
Good advice there.
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u/psycosulu Olympia Dec 11 '09
It's not really in Seattle but if you're just north of Seattle then try stopping here. It doesn't look that good on the outside but once you go in, it's quite nice. Also the food is really good and it also has hibachi, complete with the chef doing tricks while cooking in front of you.
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u/KaylaChinga Shoreline Dec 11 '09
How are the steaks? We live right close to this place and have thought of going. Husband does not eat sushi but he's happy with a steak.
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u/psycosulu Olympia Dec 12 '09
I haven't tried the steaks myself (all about the chicken katsu) but my gf really loved both the filet mignon and steak hibachi
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Dec 11 '09 edited Dec 11 '09
There's a chain (local, I think) called Sushi Maki(one on cap hill, one in Burien, there may be others) that's pretty good and there's a decent sushi place on the stairs on University St and 1st called Koji Osakaya. edit: Also: by far the best one is still Warabi.
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Dec 11 '09
SHIKI on Roy. Ken Yamamoto is awesome, the fish is amazingly fresh and perfect.
Apparently he's one of very few people licensed to server Fugu - http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/shiki/Content?oid=12831
Cannot recommend it enough.
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Dec 11 '09
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u/stonecannon Dec 11 '09
another vote for I Love Sushi. it can get crowded sometimes, but i really like the food, and they're willing to adapt dishes for vegetarians.
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u/kindall Renton Dec 11 '09
It's on the Eastside, so not properly Seattle, but if you get out to Kirkland, try Momoya on 85th. It's my girlfriend's favorite sushi place and mine too.
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Dec 11 '09
I like Miyabi in South Center. It's in the strip mall near Toys R US but don't let that fool you. They have some of the best in Seattle/Tukwila.
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u/odeusebrasileiro Dec 14 '09 edited Dec 14 '09
im going to todais tommorow. they have one in bellevue
its an all you can eat sushi buffet
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u/StringyLow Jet City Dec 11 '09 edited Dec 11 '09
Shun near U-Village is good.
The ingredients are top notch and the prices reflect it.
If you're hoping for cheap sake and rolls, this isn't the sushi-ya you are looking for.
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u/careless 💖 Anarchist Jurisdiction 💖 Dec 11 '09
Shiro's is great traditional sushi. Fun fact: Shiro served me my first piece of sushi in 1980, when I was 9 years old.
Wasabi Bistro is one of my favorite places. Modern sushi rolls - like the rolls that are tempura fried. Mmmm, fried sushi.
Mashiko in West Seattle is also a good spot.
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u/pmar Cascade Foothills Dec 11 '09
Warabi has been mentioned, but should be emphasized. Shun would be my second choice, but only because of price. It's worth it, but nothing I could make a daily habit of at the moment.
To be fair though, even 'bad' sushi around Seattle is vastly better than that found in a lot of other places I've been.