While in the Kirkland area for work......when in Seattle? Eat sushi! The lady at our hotel recommended Izumi. Wow! I am so glad she did! Upon arriving, about 15 minutes prior to them opening for lunch, the cars started arriving and by the time they opened there was a line of 6 to 8 nice folks, waiting to get in. Once we entered, we were greeted by the most gentle and kind ladies in uniforms of white blouses, aprons and black trousers. We had the hot tea to drink and the vessels were so beautiful. That really elevated the experience. We had the sashimi platter with miso soup, salad and delicious hot jasmine rice; and the spicy salmon roll. Our sashimi and make were absolutely delicious and tender and fresh and creamy and and and...... All items were beautifully served and the sushi chefs plated everything perfectly. The service was impeccable and very pleasant. The interiors had a very authentic feel and it was perfect. Everything, including the restrooms were very clean. I hope I get to return to this fantastic restaurant one day!!! read more

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Visit: 4+ Date: 3/6/26 Time: 5:32pm What they got right: Friendly & efficient service, tasty food, and nice decor. Areas for improvement: n/a. It's been a few years since we last dined here. It's one of our go-to restaurants whenever we visit Seattle. Over the years, the menu has changed and so have the prices! I noted the higher menu prices but I wasn't surprised since the economy has been unstable lately. We were a family of four dining and our server graciously took group photos of us before and after the meal. What a cute gesture to offer to take after meal photos. hahaha! I think our smiles were bigger then. The fresh seafood, friendly and efficient service, and tasty Japanese food makes this still my go-to Japanese restaurant. I recommend this place. read more

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I really wanted to like this place since it's fairly close to where we live, but I just cannot recommend it. Maybe we ordered the wrong dishes, but nothing we ate was that good. The potstickers tasted funny, the sushi was very average, and the teriyaki wasn't anything special. We saw others eating noodle dishes and nigiri that seemed good, so maybe try that when you're in. Unfortunately I don't think we will return. read more

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Still amazing & delicious, authentic Japanese meal in Kirkland! Every detail is meticulously crafted and bursting with traditional Japanese flavors. The sushi is super fresh with thick cuts of fish. Service is very attentive, even during the lunch rush hour. Two thumbs up! #Meal #Kirkland #Details #Flavors #Sushi #Fish #Service #Lunch read more

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Another place we've been going to for years. Back there there weren't as many sushi places as there are now. This place is still a high quality a go to place for many. Even though kids are allowed to join, I wouldn't recommend it unless your child is well behaved and really likes sushi. We've brought our kids here before and felt like were being punished and put in a corner. I get it they want to maintain a certain level of ambiance. Space is tight so again, if you kids aren't well behaved this probably isn't the best place for you. Back to the restaurant... service is top notch here. The food is on the pricier side, like most sushi restaurants, but it is consistently fresh and high quality. This day I ordered the Amber Jack and it was delicious. I can probably do without the Tempura as it's very stereotypical and nothing to rave about. If you enjoy a nice desert I highly recommend their house made coffee jello. Perfectly balance coffee flavor with a nice top cream sweetener. Again this is a great local sushi restaurant that never fails to deliver quality food and service with every visit. read more

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Decent sized menu and the prices are fair. Service was great and the decor is decent. They have the standard sushi and rolls along with some specialty rolls. The sushi is fresh and has pretty big cuts of fish. Worth a try for sushi. read more

Today was my first time here. I tried the Beef Teriyaki and this was one of the most amazing Beef Teriyaki ever. It was a New Steak with their home made Teriyaki sauce. The rice and soup were great too. The hot tea was delicious. The service was amazing. The place is too small but very busy. I enjoyed setting on the counter where they leave a space between each customer so we can enjoy the food and have room to eat. This is going to be my favorite Beef Teriyaki restaurant. read more

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Back at Izumi after ages -- and it's still got that rugged charm. They've removed the sushi bar seating, but kindly placed us right in front of the counter anyway. Izumi's sushi isn't about polish -- it's bold, thick cuts of fish over hefty rice, somewhere between Edomae and home-style. Definitely not for everyone, especially if you prefer more delicate, refined bites. Personally, I lean toward the latter, but Izumi still hits the spot. Four pieces and I was full -- that's how generous each serving is. The uni melted like butter, and the seasonal wild matsutake mushroom soup was a rare treat. They don't take reservations, and the prices are great, so it's always packed. Service is straightforward -- not overly friendly, but never cold. The vibe feels like a neighborhood Japanese spot, with a no-frills attitude that somehow makes the experience more memorable. Izumi isn't trying to impress -- and that's exactly why it does. read more

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Wow, this place really is as good as all the reviews say. Funny thing is I have lived here for about 8 years and never made it here even though I knew about it. So glad I came. Will certainly come again, and bring the whole family. Order the chrashi and it was wonderful. Very large, fresh pieces of sashimi, a few nice stewed vegetables, we're at rice with tobiko and Miso soup. I was so stuffed when finished. Looking around the tables at other orders, everything looks very good. Can't wait to come back with the whole family. read more

Izumi - Chirashi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

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Been eating sushi here for nearly 30 years and it is simple the best in the area. Fish is fresh and served in the classic style -don't come looking for crazy rolls. If that's your vibe, you won't find it here. Sushi, sashimi, and hot Japanese main dishes are all superb. This is where I fell in with sushi!!! read more

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Still good after so many years. Quality is still good after COVID which is amazing. Parking is still easy but service downgraded a little.

As a PNWer who first ate at this restaurant at half the age of my daughter now sitting across the table from me, what a treat. Immaculately clean, well staffed and serving beautifully prepared Japanese cuisine. Even with a full restaurant, food is well paced, and we were well-attended at the table. Split omakase, tempura, soft shell roll, and salmon teriyaki. Fantastic! read more

Izumi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

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We went on a friday afternoon around 12:30 and got a table immediately for 2. Staff were very courteous and had smiling faces. We decided to go since I was told this is one of the authentic places for Sushi in the area. Offered steaming hot tea after we were seated. We ordered the potstickers (slightly burnt more than usual) which was good. Our orders were Katsu don (with pork) and the cooked shrimp sushi. One of the best Miso served with the bowl. I wanted to go for more Sushi as that plate wasn't sufficient but my wife couldn't finish her bowl of Katsu don. Did Not try any desserts. The tea kept coming even after we were done. I didn't like the sushi much, maybe that's how the authentic ones taste??!!! I might come again to try something else for sure. Nice ambience! read more

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This place is truly a diamond in the rough. A family-owned local spot that's been open for over 40 years, and it shows in the best way. The fish is incredibly fresh, and the service is unforgettable--the sweetest little woman in a kimono takes such great care of you. It feels like being welcomed into someone's home. read more

This was my go to Japanese restaurant. After Covid and living standards increased even higher, they did what they have to stay afloat and for profit. Certain things were skipped on the plate/bowl with higher pricing. Food is still very good. Green tea is now $3/ person. At least, the server is up front about the charges. Service is still the same old; courteous but not begging for your satisfaction type. She serves the way that she has been doing for decades. Don't expect special tailoring or alternation service. Or, you will get the look. Look out for their FB updates for irregular closure or special holidays. Over looking at the "special" service style and price, I think Szeto family and staff still make very good traditional Japanese food. I missed the good old sushi counter dinners several times a week and chatting with regular diners at the counter. Things changed for sure. I appreciated my time there when I'm there. Nowadays, I come for a casual solo lunch or order to go every once in a while. read more

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Always excellent food, love their ginger dressing with salad, miso soup, tempura which I forgot to take a picture, sushi, tom katsu read more

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Izumi was a great hole in the wall sushi experience. It was a great plus to hear Japanese being spoken here. The sushi cuts were very fresh. The nigiri is very large. We definitely ended up ordering too much. The service was good but on the slower side. They brought food out pretty quickly but getting refills on beverages took some effort. read more

Izumi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

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I came here just for the 12 piece omakase and I was delighted at how delicious and thick the cuts were. Next time I'm definitely getting the 15 piece! Small joint. I was disappointed I couldn't sit at the sushi bar as they got rid of those. Tons of people working and all of them were attentive. Water was filled before it was empty. My check was brought to me immediately. By the time I left there were people waiting for a seat. I'd definitely recommend coming here right at 5pm if you don't want to wait, though the wait doesn't seem bad at all. read more

Izumi - 12 piece omakase - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

Legit Japanese Nigiri's uffff Ambiance and scenery super dope Very friendly staff Must GO read more

Izumi is one of my favorite Japanese restaurants on the Eastside. It is not "high end", with its paper placements, menus and disposable chopsticks wrapped on paper but it is what I feel is authentic Japanese, still operated by Japanese owners. We ordered the edamame appetizer,, beef teriyaki (which was essentially a steak in teriyaki sauce), the tempura and sushi combo dinner and the sashimi platter. Every time we visit, the food and service are consistent. The fish is very fresh. Tempura is light and crispy and cooked perfectly. I only wish that they would let you customize the fish that you receive rather than give you the chefs choice assortment. Be prepared to wait or arrive early as they do not take reservations. But it is worth the wait! read more

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Great Japanese food at Izumi in Totem Lake! Generous slices of fresh sushi, tempura that is tasty without a super thick batter, and sukiyaki for comfort food! Service is always friendly and fast. read more

Izumi - Tofu Sukiyaki - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

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Lots of parking available. We got there around 11:45 since they open at 11:30. They do offer daily specials which is nice. We were seated quickly and given green tea. The paper menu was easy to order off of. We ordered soba noodles with shrimp tempura, chicken katsu plate and sides of nigiri and sashimi. Everything was delicious. And service was impeccable. Topped it off with some green tea ice cream. read more

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I've been frequenting this restaurant over the last decade for lunch since it was close to my office. I went to meet a friend for dinner here tonight, and the food met my expectation. I met my dinner companion at 7:15 pm, and was literally reminded 4 times within 10 minutes that the restaurant closed at 8 pm, all reminders occurring at 7:50 pm. As we finished eating our meal at 8:10, the lady in charge came by again to tell us "we are closed!", and pointed to the door. We had already paid the bill with prior meal disruptions, to the tune of $210 with a healthy tip. I'm still bothered by the rudeness that took place. I understand that businesses have set hours, but please engage with more grace Izumi. You need to do better, especially with loyal clientele. I will forego the stress of this experience in the future. read more

Food is great service not so much. The sushi chips are not very friendly if you sit at the counter.

Eh yo this gotta be my fav mid tier sushi spot in all of WA. Their miso soup and cucumber salad were pretty good and the agedashi tofu wasn't bad. The chirashi doe stole the show better than inside out 2 did this summer. Freshness was on point with the seafood having its own natural sweetness. The pricing is a bit higher for mid tier but when i heard Japanese outside and a line before opening ho dam I knew it was authentic. Oh and their unagi had perfectly singed tips gotta try that out at home with my blowtorch. Cut approved read more

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Great food! The best waitress ever! Can't wait to go back. My friend treated me to lunch. It is a little expensive. I'll just have to treat myself next time! LOL! read more

Holy moly, this place was unbelievable. We go sited Izumi on a Wednesday night and were seated right away. This place is very small and cozy but certainly doesn't feel cramped. A server greeted us very quickly to get our drink order in. They kept the hot tea flowing all night, which I loved! Never felt forgotten. I ended up ordering the 8 piece omakase -- every single piece of fish was beautifully cut, buttery soft, and incredibly fresh. I had a smile on my face with every bite. My husband ordered the sushi and beer teriyaki combo. This was the best teriyaki he has ever had. The steak was a high quality piece of meat that was cooked to a perfect medium. The teriyaki sauce was light and flavorful, so it didn't completely take over the taste of the beef. The roll and sushi that came with the meal was also perfect. Both meals came with a cup of miso soup, which we both appreciated. Stop what you're doing and go to Izumi. It is a little pricy -- we spent about $130 after tip. But we both agree it is worth every cent for the experience and the top notch food. read more

Izumi - 8 piece omakase - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

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This was our first time at Izumi. This Japanese restaurant has been here for quite awhile. At times I thought it had closed down but it is still here. We arrived for dinner on a Saturday night and the place was hopping! There is a sign in sheet on a clipboard near the entrance to put your name down to be seated. We only had to wait under 5 minutes for our party of 3. There was a nonstop flow of people arriving at this place. It seems to have quite the following. There are plenty of bamboo fixtures and cozy little nooks around the dining area and there is a small sushi bar area in the back of the restaurant. An always-smiling woman in a kimono is the hostess and she never stops moving around, greeting guests, bussing tables, chatting with customers, etc. I had a bowl of the miso soup to start. It was very flavorful and tasted very authentic. Of course, no spoon offered so I took the cue and drank it like a Hot Toddy. My wife had the Sunomono which is a small cucumber salad with thinly sliced cucumber and served in a dish seasoned lightly with vinegar. We shared several sushi rolls including California, Spicy Tuna, Spicy Sake and Softshell Crab rolls. They were freshly made and tasty. My son and I shared a small sushi platter with a chef's choice of offerings. Very colorful presentation. Overall we really had a great meal and will return here one day. Good job Izumi! read more

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Food: 4 stars (sushi - 5+ stars) Service: 2 stars Ambiance: 3 stars For context, this review is based on many visits, but the most recent was in 2019 (it's now Dec. 2023). I hope that the sushi and food is still as good as it was and the service has been much improved. First - the sushi is amazing. It's fresh, cut large, and perfectly prepared. Prices match, but it's probably some of the best sushi I've had in the Puget Sound area. The food is good, as well. Maybe not the ecstasy inducing levels of the sushi, but it's very good. The atmosphere is fine. It's kind of standard Japanese restaurant level. The service is my one big issue here. The wait staff is (or hopefully now "was") dominated by one (maybe a few) older Japanese women who seemed to have developed so much "pride" that they just couldn't stand the riffraff that constituted the other servers, or even worse, sometimes the customers. I never got into an argument with any of them, but the feeling was pretty palpable and uncomfortable. I'm willing to put up with it (the sushi is so good!), but my wife, who knew someone who worked there and heard corroborating stories, refuses to go back. After enjoying their food (but not the service) for many years, it's a bummer. To be fair, in my experience, you won't be left waiting long once you're seated (getting a table is another story - they get very busy) and I've never encountered an error in the service. It's more the unpleasant atmosphere certain staff creates. I hope these few bad apples have moved on or retired and management has managed to find good waitstaff without the attitude, while keeping their quality. Someday, I hope to try again and have the chance to update this review with good news. read more

Wonderful traditional restaurant with very friendly Japanese staffs and chefs. We had come here through the years, their service and food are very consistent. We loved the sushi & sashimi combo. Tempura plate was also very tasty. I am sure we will keep coming back read more

Izumi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

This is the best sushi spot in the greater Seattle area. Top quality ingredients. There is already a line before they open. read more

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Consistently good food, attentive service and good value! We have enjoyed their food many many many times!

Haven't been there lately but over several decades they have the same ownership serving authentic Japanese cuisine. Sushi and sashimi are top quality especially the sushi bar. read more

Ambiance and service was quite nice. I ordered the wrong thing based on waitress recommendation. Fish was fresh and vegetable tempura done well. read more

This restaurant serves most authentic traditional Japanese food in Seattle area. This time I visited during lunch time with my son. Clean throughout, servers are very efficient and courteous. We were seated as soon as we went in at 12:00pm. I expected some wait time but they had some tables open. I ordered Makunouchi and my son ordered hand picked nigiri sushi, tempura and spider rolls. What a feast for lunch : ) As always, their food was on point. Tempura was light and crispy, sushi with big fresh fish, perfect doneness of rice. Even the cooked root vegetables were good. It reminds me of my moms dish in Japan. I can say good Japanese restaurant has good miso soup, and this was true here. Not too salty, good balance of fish stock and miso paste. I wish they are open 7 days a week... read more

Izumi - Makunouchi bento, so good! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

Had lunch here with a buddy where we got a lunch combination, tempura with chicken teriyaki. It was just okay as the chicken was quite salty. We were slow eating and they kept coming back and asking if they could take the bowl away, and we literally had to say no 4 times and that we are still eating. After we wrapped up eating, we were just catching up. While there wasn't a line and several tables open, they asked us to leave because we were done eating. It quite rude, was going to give them 3 stars for the salty chicken, but the rude service deserves negative stars. I don't recommend eating mediocre food and having bad service. read more

A great Japanese restaurant in Kirkland. Nice, welcoming atmosphere. They offer great bento which my friends and wife chose. However, I picked the nabeyaki udon noodle dish ... being an oddball and loving noodles. Enjoyed our visit. Great food and very attentive service, read more

Always delicious. I've never been disappointed. Daughter and I get sushi, hubs gets the NY strip.

This restaurant has changed a lot since I've last been there. The food was wonderful and filling. The service was fantastic and it's clear the business is booming. I recommend making a reservation as they were quite busy. I had a lovely time with my parents. read more

Our family has been coming to Izumi for the last 30 years and is still somewhat of a great well kept secret in the area, and most of the regulars are ok keeping it that way. With high quality sushi and great service Izumi still keeps churning out great meals time after time. This time we got an assorted sushi platter and my all time favorite here the Beef Teriyaki and Tempura Combo. Every entree comes with salad (ginger or onion dressing) and miso soup. If you're in the Totem Lake area give Izumi a try! read more

Izumi - Sushi Platters - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington