If you can get a reservation here, go for it!! It looks like they are operating off reservations primarily and only accepting walk-ins if they have availability. I was lucky to score a day-of reservation for a Wednesday evening. When we arrived, there was a sign that said that they were full for the evening and would not be taking walk-ins. Completely booked on a weekday! :0 The service was amazing and the food was stellar. Everyone was so kind and you definitely felt like you were in someone's home. The ambiance was cozy and comfortable. I tried the variety ozen and the JoJo roll and it was way too much food. The portion was massive that I ended up taking most of the bento home. The JoJo roll was simple and delicious with eel, but the ozen was definitely the star. The variety ozen started with a variety of nirigi. The fish was so fresh and there was the perfect amount of wasabi on each nirigi. The bento that came next had a variety of tempura, rice, chicken, orange segments, cabbage salad, and cucumber salad. If you don't know what to get, try the ozen! I'll definitely be back next time to try some sukiyaki. read more

Maneki - Variety Ozen - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Maneki, one of Seattle's oldest restaurants, has an abundance of fruity Japanese cocktails infused with shochu and sake, melt-in-your mouth fresh fish, and the best steamed eel over rice! Be sure to make a reservation in advance to sit in the group dining rooms with tatami mats! 1) Service (+): Our server was very friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The restaurant takes reservations and offers walk-in. For a larger group (4+), definitely reserve one of the Tatami rooms! 2) Ambience (+): I love the authentic and cozy vibe of the restaurant. 3) Food (+): Right after you sit down, be sure to order the Eel Kama Meshi, which takes 30 minutes to prepare but is worth every minute of waiting time! It features deliciously seasoned rice with bamboo shoots and carrots, and perfectly seasoned fresh water eel. All the fish here is very fresh and melt-in-your mouth! We ordered a variety of Nigiri - including the white king Salmon, tuna, and spicy scallop. All were amazing but I highly recommend the latter two. We also ordered the fresh salmon and spider maki. 4) Alcohol/Drinks (+): There is a an assortment of Japanese-inspired cocktails featuring shochu and sake, and I had the saketini, featuring shochu, sake, and yuzu. It was so refreshing and smooth! 5) Value for Money (+): I would say this is one of the best Japanese places in Seattle in terms of value for money! So delicious and affordable, with Nigiri around $10 for 2 sushi pieces, maki rolls under $10, and cocktails for around $12 each. read more

I was so glad to find out that this location had recently opened back up since the pandemic had slowed down business and cause them to close up for a bit. Just a note, at least as of June 2022, they were wanting you to be masked entering and up until you are seated, and then on the way out (for safety), so just take one in case (or ask for one on your arrival). We enjoyed the sushi and meals that were brought out - very authentic and as prepared as expected. I wish we had more people that could have let us go into one of their group rooms (do that if you have a group of 6-8 or so!). Will be back next time I'm in the neighborhood. read more

WOW this spot is phenomenal! It's unassuming from the outside but so cozy on the inside. Some rooms have traditional seating on pillows on the floor for larger groups. My friend and I shared a few plates and loved the variety of classic Japanese dishes. We especially loved the sashimi platter! Will definitely be back to have more. Make sure you book a reservation as they get full and cannot take walk ins during peak hours! read more

Maneki - Sashimi platter - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Dinner was absolutely incredible! So fresh and so flavorful. I'd seen many reviews mention the black cod collar so of course I had to see what all the hype was about and WOW! So buttery and creamy, the first bite literally melted in my mouth and I was in love. I would also recommend the salmon nanban (I believe that is what it was called), a delicious cold dish perfect for sharing. Service was also very lovely, our waitress was sweet and friendly and also had great taste in music. I would say this was an affordable dinner, especially considering the quality of the dishes. We cannot wait to return! read more

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Quick highlights as Maneki speaks for itself, as one of the longstanding Japanese stalwarts in Seattle: Black cod collar - outstanding Ankimo (monkfish liver) - delicious delicacy Fried eggplant - classic umami, not oily Broiled eel in steamed rice - by far our favorite dish, would come back for this dish alone. Savory, comforting, perfect for winter Reservations highly recommended to avoid 2.5+ hour wait. Walk-ins are available, lines start building by 5:00 pm and are seated as availibility permits when Maneki opens at 5:30 pm. read more

Loved the food here! They take reservations by text, which is a little strange, but they are actually very responsive. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. We had the beef sukiyaki, miso cod cheeks and agedashi tofu. We loved the beef sukiyaki and recommend getting an extra bowl of rice to soak up the tasty soup. The miso cod is pretty bony and I probably wouldn't get it again. The tofu was crisp and delicious. I'm already looking forward to my return. We saw some people eating their bento boxes on our way out, and even though I was stuffed from my meal, I was tempted to sit down again and order more food. The ambiance was quiet and nice. Bathrooms were very clean - not always the case in the I-district. read more

Maneki - Miso cod and agedashi tofu - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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As soon as I walked in to the place I felt like I was visiting a Japanese family. Their Japanese home vibe really made me feel cozy and warm. The foods were decent and not over priced which is rare for an iconic restaurant. Unagi Kama meshi: 5/5 this is the must order. The rice was steaming hot and flavorful yet not overly seasoned(most of unagi rice I had usually had too much sauce). The eel was nothing surprising, but it just hit the spot. Steak dinner 4/5: the steak wasn't the best steak ever, but I give it a high rating since it has such a great value. With $35 you get a big piece of steak, a ton of veggies, mixed tempura plate, miso soup and rice. Grilled Cod Kama: 3/5 a bit heavy on fishy taste. I prefer cod meat over kama(fish collar) Over all this is the kind of place that reminds you home. Please give it a try to support local business. read more

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The owner cane back over and apologized for his first response. That takes a lot. The food came out and was great. (Edited for the response and how the issue was addressed). read more

Truly the best of Seattle! Went for the first time two weeks ago and came back to try more. Service is so kind, fast, and attentive! Michelle is very nice and I made a friend tonight. Definitely going to be a regular here. I recommend anything from the Maneki Signature page, but everything is so good and you cannot go wrong at all. Thank you Maneki team for every meal and every meal to come read more

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The customer service was good. Apparently they're short staff and it's recommended to make reservations. I went here 6 months ago and I loved it. The pricing and food portioning was great. However, since then, it looks like the cost went up a good amount, and some of the food portioning is too small. I got the jojo sushi for $13. It was good, BUT NOT ENOUGH. I do not recommend getting their sushi. Their katsu was great portion though, I'll give them that. The place is nice and gives a great atmosphere read more

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The cutest gem down in ID! The service was excellent. The food was cozy. Our waitress took the time to give us the rundown of the restaurant's history and also took us next door to read more! read more

Amazing all around. Such a nice spot, beautiful art and decor. Servers/food runners were very welcoming, courteous, helpful. The food is out of this world. The Kama Meshi Unagi and black cod collar are MUST TRYS, salmon and tuna nigiri were so fresh and high quality. Karaage is well seasoned with a great sauce and big portions. Sake selection is awesome. Plus drinks and a roll was $150 for 2, it was lots of food so a great deal. Cannot wait to come back! read more

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Amazing Unagi Kamameshi (steamed eel) this is the only thing I ordered but it is inSAnE. I'm coming back for more and cannot wait until it's back open for indoor dining . Thank you, Maneki!!! An incredibly rare Seattle gem. read more

Maneki - Unagi Kamameshi - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

When I first arrived, I was a little apprehensive when I saw the outside of the restaurant but the interior is cozy with Japanese trinkets and art. Masks are required when entering and not dining, which is understandable. The waiter was very attentive the whole time and you can see that it's a family run restaurant through the interactions between the wait staff/ photos on the wall. Boyfriend and I got: - Chirashi bowl: fish was very fresh with varying textures from the accompanying veggies and egg. - Agadashi tofu: perfectly fried tempura with dashi soy sauce is chef's kiss. - Miso dengaku: BEST EGGPLANT I'VE HAD! You can choose from either potato, tofu, or eggplant but get the eggplant!! It was nicely broiled with a sweet miso glaze on top. I will now only eat eggplants cooked like this. - Hot soup soba: A great light dish option. Soba was softer than how I usually eat them but the dashi broth was not too salty. read more

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Mandatory to wear mask here As you know, this restaurant is one of the oldest restaurant in seattle. It is difficult to find Japanese restaurant like this anywhere in the united states. It is a bit similar to a place called Ootoya in newyork but much better in my opinion. Try 1. Unagi over rice 2. Uni (only if available) read more

Maneki - Unagi over rice It takes 45mins so order it as soon as you sit. - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Very authentic Japanese comfort food! The wait for the food was a little long but well worth it for the set style meals they have available. Portions are very generous! The croquette was my favorite part of the meal! read more

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Maneki is a historical Japanese restaurant that serves traditional Japanese dishes. It is located in Seattle Downtown / International district. I heard it has more than 10 decades of history just in Seattle. Because of its history, it is somewhat difficult to make a reservation. If you want to dine in, be sure to make a reservation in advance. It opens Tuesday thru Sunday for dinner only. The restaurant doesn't typically answer a call. I always have to leave a voice message and wait for someone from the restaurant to get back to me via text message. Most often I get all time favorite - its dinner bento that comes with sunomono, rice, miso soup, and fruit. This time, I ordered many individual dishes as follows - Blue fin tuna (special menu) Black cod collar miso Prawn and vegetable tempura set Beef sukiyaki Ocha-zuke Blue fish tuna was very good but pricey. Cod collar was the best - I always get this. Tempura set was decent, Sukiyaki was a bit sweet, and Ocha-zuke was very disappointing. Definitely a good place to try at least once if you are in town. read more

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I'm so happy Maneki opened up again after it's very long hiatus during COVID. Took my baby brother and his gf here for dinner, she's Japanese and wanted some authentic food. Unfortunately didn't take any pics. The same selections are also great because they have from all over Japan, even Okinawan sake. Anyways, really delicious food and you can tell it's made from the heart. Our server was also so sweet and nice, she was super attentive even though it was a busy Saturday night. Use the reservation option thru their website and text. We ordered so much but my favorite was the nigiri, they were out of uni and ankimo though, bummer. The Otoro melted and was so buttery. also loved the tororo which was also perfecttttt, it's like... cold sticky grits. read more

Such a beautiful place! So much history and delicious food. If you love Japanese food and Seattle history, you need to go here. Truly a gem

Seemed like a great place. Bad vibes when the waitress takes one look at me and gives me a dialogue that felt very unwelcoming and borderline condescending. Got a strange "you don't belong here" vibe. Cocktails on menu, but the bar is under construction and they're not serving liquor. Only had half of the sake on the menu. Woman with pink-dyed strands of hair in her face gave me bad vibes. Not sure how the food was. Took our sake bill and checked out. Wouldn't go back. read more

Amazing. Good place to add to your bucket list if you live Japanese food. The experience reminds me of old Seattle!

This is a Seattle historic restaurant, serving authentic Japanese kitchen and sushi. It's a gem of a place but you need a reservation unless you are one of the rare lucky few who can get a table walking in. The quality is exceptional, favorites are miso black cod, spicy cod karage, tonkatsu, toro, and more! read more

Taste-wise, mediocre. I had the Nabeyaki udon soup noodle and it was fine, but not spectacular. I thought there was too much onion in the soup and the tempura had too much breading. If you're ever in Boston, go try Yume Ga Arukara. That place will set your udon noodle standards SO HIGH. Nothing compares. I also tried the agedashi tofu and the tofu was too firm--I've definitely had better agedashi tofu with softer, melt-in-your-mouth kind of texture. This one just tasted like fried tofu. I have regrets not trying the sushi, since apparently a lot of people love it. Unfortunately, I was only here for vacation, so I probably won't be back in a while to try the sushi. Their takeout system was efficient and you can tell they put in a lot of effort to package customers' orders. One thing that was a bit irritating was that they didn't include plastic utensils for takeout, despite the fact that they literally only do takeout right now. We didn't realize that we had no utensils to eat with until we opened our bag up and had to ask surrounding restaurants for utensils. read more

This is a great Japanese restaurant in the international district. If you want an authentic experience of what a Japanese restaurant in Japan would usually look like, this is pretty close. There is a bar area, there are dining tables, and then there are the tatami rooms for larger groups. Be aware, they take reservations so if you are expecting a large group, make sure to call in advance. If not, there is a bar that has the full dinner service as well as drinks. If you like hot sake, they sell their own house hot sake. Don't forget to look at the signs along the walls that offer specials not listed on the menu. Although they do not serve sets, the individual nigiri orders are delicious. I highly recommend trying their king salmon or their blue fin tuna nigiri. read more

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Tl;dr really great Japanese food Came here with some friends to celebrate the end of finals and man what an experience. We reserved one of the rooms which was awesome, it had the more traditional Low Japanese table and paper screen walls around us. The food here is on the pricier side, but I think you get good value. I ordered the black cod collar and whole cut squid (ika maku-yaki I believe?). The black cod was incredible and I'd definitely come back here just for that. It was so tender and juicy while also having a well balanced miso flavor. The squid was also delicious with very tender meat. I wasn't sure I'd want to eat the whole thing but it was amazing. I'll definitely be coming back here! read more

Maneki - Beef shabu shabu - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Not sure what all the hub-bub is about this place. Sure, it's good Japanese food but is it outstanding? Not really. There is so much competition now that they need to up their game and not rely on their history. This is sort of like home cooking which I can make...at home. If you're in the area, it's a fine place to go but you'll probably need a reservation which they only take via text message exactly two weeks in advance at the earliest. And parking is a pain, too. read more

A landmark and institution dating back to 1904. Not often I find myself in the Nihonmachi after 4pm ever since the pandemic. Had a meeting at work that ran past my usual. What better excuse to visit Maneki and celebrate Fusae Yokoyama's 91st birthday with a delicious dinner to go. Born and raised in Seattle I've been to Maneki a number of times, but hadn't been recently. So many great family memories here. I don't usually plate my to go meals, but felt this splurge was worth the effort. ume shiso maki California Roll and saba is what I went with. Was pleasantly surprised with the generous portion of saba. read more

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Ordered here for a birthday blowout and got beef sukiyaki, oyster rockefeller, black cod collar miso, birthday roll, and jojo roll. My fave was hands down the oysters. The others were tasty but probs wouldn't order again. Instead I want to try their garlic tempura, unagi kamameshi, ika garlic bata-yaki, and ankimo (lol I spent a lot of time studying their menu). I appreciate how long they've been in the ID, how they specialize in non sushi dishes, and how chill the owners seemed. Thank you Maneki! read more

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100 yrs of fantastic Japanese food ! If you have the chance to go, jump on the chance

Bless you Maneki! Who knew cod could be so tasty? Loooved the black cod collar miso and jojo roll. Perfect dinner portion for me. As I am traveling from nyc, I find their prices affordable for top notch/fresh qualify food. Truly an A++ meal. So glad this gem was so close to my hotel and I was able to support them. Ordering was a breeze and food was ready under 15 mins. Here's to 100 years more! Thank you, Maneki! read more

Maneki - Jojo roll + black cod collar miso - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

A reliable source informed me Maneki is the oldest Japanese restaurant in town, so it was a must-visit on my most recent visit to Seattle. A chat with the owner suggested its doors opened circa 1902, which seems crazy in this world of constant upheaval and change. The restaurant's ambiance exudes a sense of timelessness--a warm and intimate main dining room with a few private elevated side rooms. The bar was apparently undergoing renovations. For dinner, I had beef shabu shabu and the sea urchin sushi special. Both were excellent and hit the spot. The uni was rich and hit the spot. Service seemed to be split among several staff, who were all pleasant and attentive. The owner/hostess Jean is a delight. Highly recommended for those looking for an authentic Japanese dining experience with no gimmicks. (4.5 stars). read more

This is now my favorite Japanese restaurant. It's interesting because most the time Japanese restaurants are very sushi centered but this place has tons of variety that includes many other traditional Japanese dishes. It's also super homey and cozy inside, clearly a spot that's been family owned and held close to their hearts. It's awesome to see the sweet woman that is oftentimes seating folks and then spot a photo of her in her younger days on the wall. My go-tos here are their uni nigiri and white salmon sashimi. They're both a lot of bang for your buck. The uni is divineeeeee and fresh and the best underdeveloped sea urchin gonads I've ever tasted!!! The white salmon is so smooth and buttery and delicious. I've also tried their udon and it's so simple but done just right. YUM. Other dishes I've had there and recommend include: black cod, chirashi, beef slices, beef sukiyaki, and that fried salmon dish whose name I can't recall (surprisingly served cold but still yummy). read more

Maneki - Best uni nigiri! - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The BEST hole in the wall in Seattle! Extremely lowkey but amazing quality. The bluefin tuna nigiri melted in my mouth, the eel with rice felt like a perfect eel poke that I had never even thought about having but very much welcomed, and the black cod's taste made my boyfriend and I very very happy. You feel like you're in a grandma's kitchen. Would definitely recommend! read more

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I got the kama meshi which is unagi with seasoned rice, the black cod collar miso, and the kaibashira bata-yaki which is scallops and mushrooms satuees with butter, dashing soy sauce and chili flakes. My favorite was the unagi bowl followed by the black cod collar miso. The unagi bowl just reminded me of something my mom would make. It was super warm and comforting and the rice got slightly crispy on the bottom after sitting in the pot for a long time. The black cod collar was also delicious - it's definitely a fattier part od the fish, but that's what made it tender. read more

Maneki - Kama meshi (unagi with seasoned rice) - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We loved our first visit to Maneki! Not only do they have a rich history, their food is delicious to the point where I was still thinking about it the next day. The unagi kama meshi is definitely worth the half-hour wait, and in the meantime, we enjoyed a chirashi bowl, saba broiled to perfection, and miso dengaku. We finished the night off with some mango mochi ice cream. It was also fun to read about their 100+ history on their website and enjoy the decorations (there are many photos, paintings, and of course, cute maneki-nekos). Please support this amazing local business! read more

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Lowering it by 1 star based on a recent visit (1/22/23). Didn't seem to have enough people to attend to a full house, everything was a little slow. Room kept on the cooler side, not super comfortable when jacket comes off, different from the warm cozy place I remembered it to be. This is what I ordered for 2 Chirashi, good, not great and is on the smaller side Salmon Namban, a forgettable boring appetizer Black cod collar miso, still amazing! sweet, smoking and the meat is beautiful Beef Sukiyaki, very sweet, it was hard to eat. The entire dining experience was not what it used to be. Food quality seem to have taken a small hit. The boarded up front window is a hint, enough to say its not in its prime. Hopefully my next visit will change rating of Maneki read more

My favorite Japanese restaurant in Seattle! They've been around for over a century and it's clear why :) The food is what I imagine a Japanese grandmother would cook - not showy, but homey, delicious, and made with care. The unagi kamameshi is my favorite item on the menu - the unagi sauce melting into the rice is just spectacular! read more

Maneki - Unagi Kamameshi - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The food was delicious and our server was so nice! Gina really helped make sure that we had a good time, from having our drinks constantly filled, to making sure we liked what we ordered and knew what we were ordering. Our favorites were the bluefin tuna and the black cod collar! Both of those were insane, unique dishes that I've never experienced. You can't go wrong with anything you order, the food is fresh and delicious. Thanks again Gina! :) read more

Maneki - Nigiri including flounder, raw shrimp, eel, white Kong salmon and bluefin tuna - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I love Maneki so much. People who don't realize this is the maybe one of the singular dining experiences of their lives are just missing the ball. The food is phenomenal. The chirashi is buttery and clean and perfectly cut. The hot food has immense dimension and craft to it. I hate eggplant, but Maneki's eggplant miso dish I could eat every day of my life. The eel rice was simplicity itself, but it was the most delicious eel and the most delicious rice I've ever had. Each bite is a revelation, crafted from time and animal and a deep understanding of the ingredients. Their classic Japanese bar foods are done exactly as they should be: piping hot from the fryer, with the side of the classic thin shredded cabbage and dressing. Also, the prices are very reasonable! And if that isn't enough, it is loving curated and led by some grannies who have devoted their lives to this business. In April 2022, I went for my birthday. When they realized it was my b-day, the two grannies came out with 3 mochis on a decorated plate and sang happy birthday to me. I nearly cried. It felt like they had adopted me. The decor is not fancy, no shiny shiny crystal sushi bougieness here. Instead, it feels homey and sweet and clean inside, like grandma's kitchen. Every little piece of art seems to beckon you with its own secret little story. I can't wait to try the tatami rooms someday! If you're turned off by exterior, remember that the International District experienced brutal asian hate during the early days of Covid. The entire ID is still recovering. Please have the decency to understand the history before judging it. I love you, Maneki! read more