Food is a bit pricey but tastes good. - Sashimi Moriawase, Popular ($65): the fish is cut into thick pieces and tastes good and fresh. They said the Classic for $45 had fewer pieces of fish and did not include the fattier tuna. - Unagi Don ($28): good amount of unagi, comes with two pieces of tamago, and a side of miso soup. This tasted pretty good. My friends ordered a salmon skin roll for $13, which was surprisingly tiny. They also ordered a chicken teriyaki combo for $23, which took a while to prepare and got to our table last. These dishes looked good, and my friends liked them, but keep in mind the portion size and prep/cook time, respectively, if you are considering ordering them. Going by how the sashimi tasted, I am fairly sure the nigiri (2pcs and $10 each order) tasted great and the fish sizes looked generous as well. This place is usually popular, so make a reservation if you can. Luckily, they had a table for a party of 4 available for about an hour when I arrived with my friends, so we were able to get seated. read more

Maneki - Unagi Don ($28) - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The food was as good as I remembered after all these years. They're remodeling so the bar's not ready and we couldn't order cocktails. Loved the popular sashimi set as well as the black cod. read more

Maneki - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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You can make reservations via text and they will text you back, it took a day for a response. They book up quickly, so plan in advance to get a time slot. Black miso cod was the best dish. Smooth tasty, slightly charred deliciousness. read more

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So happy we got to try this place after all these years! The place is small but nicely kept. The service was very attentive. Food tasted very authentic. Not so fancy, but it's a great home-cooked food. read more

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Food: 5/5, the black cod collar miso was amazingly savory. Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 5/5 read more

One of my absolute favorite restaurants in Seattle. Everything is so tasty. Service is quick. You just have to make sure to make a reservation ahead of time since the place is always packed. read more

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The service was friendly and the seating arrangement interesting. However, it was a huge disappointment that the vegan tempura, while crispy, was far too greasy. This happens when the frying oil hasn't been changed for a long time. You can taste it in fries too, if the oil isn't changed in time. read more

I came here for an anniversary dinner with my partner and everything was so delicious! It was my first time and the portion sizes were big! We tried many different items and felt like the menu was endless. I loved my chirashi bowl and felt like all the fish included was fresh! Additionally the other appetizers we tried like the eggplant was a pleasant surprise! I'd love to try it again. The service was friendly and warm and I felt very welcomed by their workers. It was such a special dinner and can't wait to come back again one day! read more

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I read an article in an Alt magazine from the airport and this place was recommended as a very good local spot and the oldest sushi resting the nation. Fairly quick service, delicious food and wonderful employee attitude. The restrooms Were very clean and the staff courteous. read more

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This is one of the oldest restaurants in Seattle Japan town (Nihonmachi) and it's so good! It is very nostalgic of my grandparents era but it literally stands the test of time...and even made it through the pandemic . That's how good it is! They have a small bar that's been popular forever and the restaurant has dining tables as well as tatami rooms for larger parties. You do sit on the floor but there is well under the table for your leg, don't worry you don't have to sit on bender knees or with legs crossed. We went for a birthday party so we had a room for 10 people. The hostess/bartender/owner will greet you at the door and lead you to your table...so friendly & great to chat with. They serve all the classic Japanese, sukiyaki, black cod Kasazuke, tempura. We ordered a large selection of shareable appetizers as well as individual dinner that we all shared as well. If you want traditional Japanese dishes in a really casual & comfortable atmosphere, this is the place to go. read more

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The prices for what you get is actually absurd. I understand this place has history but it doesn't justify how tiny the portions are for what you get . And it doesn't make up in quality either because the sushi quality was under average. And the beer was almost room temperature. read more

one of my favorite japanese restaurants of all time. also happens to be the oldest japanese restaurant in seattle and i believe one of the oldest in the united states. if you come with a party large enough (make sure you reserve in advance), they will put you in a tatami room. i always bring out of town friends and family here. absolutely phenomenal food, there is not a bad dish on this menu. my favorite is the black cod collar miso. everything is authentic and feels like i'm having a home meal read more

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Coming from the Midwest, it's safe to say that the only Japanese food exposure we really get is ramen and sushi. Maybe katsu. So for me to come to Maneki and truly experience Japanese cuisine that wasn't sushi or ramen was a treat for me. Establishment - the space is nothing fancy, but there's something about it that feels cozy. Almost as if you can tell that there's been some history to it. There's menus written in Japanese and English in colored markers on printer paper that's taped up on walls, sitting next to various newspaper article clippings that talk about the restaurant and its history there. My friends and I went around 7:30p and I'm glad I made a reservation. It wasn't terribly crowded, but we definitely would have had to wait if we just walked in. Service - everyone was so friendly! I'm pretty certain one of the original family members that worked there since it's inception was in there, at least that's what I overheard someone nearby say. Didn't have to wait too long for the food to come out. Food - Black cod collar really stood out to me, that was maybe my friend dish we ordered that night. Light but filled with flavor, and the meat just falls apart with every bite. The aged Nage was a surprising favorite of mine also (eggplant in dashi, and minced daikon topped on the eggplant) - light but the dashi really added flavor to it. Chirashi don (sashimi over a bed of rice) was fantastic, and you get a very good amount of fish. The beef katsu in beef curry with rice was another favorite at our table, but also... how could you not like that? We also ended up ordering a veggie udon since we were still hungry. Nothing to rave too much about on that one. I highly, highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for good Japanese food. There's a reason why it's been around in Seattle for over 100 years! read more

Consistent yummy Japanese food with professional service. Reason why they have been in business for over a century. Pro tip, text to make reservation. They have tatami rooms! Authentic shoes off before entry. Have been a customer for 25+ years. read more

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Maneki was your typical Japanese restaurant. We went as a group of 3 and split a few rolls with our individual dishes. I personally had a chirashi bowl and it was fine, but nothing to write home about. The fish was fresh, but the amount of sashimi for the price seemed on the pricier side. I wouldn't look to come back again. read more

Maneki - Chirashi bowl - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We had reservations for the traditional seating room and it was so nice and private. The staff were all friendly and the dining experience was amazing. My ONLY complaint is that it is a little warm in the restaurant. Food: for appetizer we got the karage (delicious!!), eggplant (this one was definitely and favorite), takoyaki (good but not the star), gyoza (super yummy). We got the sashimi platter and the fish was so good!! No "fishy" smell. Spicy tuna maki roll was delicious and everyone loved the spider roll. My favorite by FAR was the spicy scallop. It was so delicious. We got the unagi don, a couple more sushi, beef, and the miso cod. I wish I could live in Seattle just to eat here again. So so good. Sushi was so fresh. read more

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The food was excellent. We had the classic sashimi platter, beef sukiyaki with tempura, and unagi kamameshi. Service was excellent. Although the restaurant was close to the Line 1 station, the sign was not easily visible until you were in front of the entryway. Also, lots of riff raff on south side of street in our walk to and from the train station. There was tatami rooms in there which was pretty cool to see. read more

Let's talk about Seattle's oldest Japanese restaurant Maneki! Opened in 1904, Maneki has been through so much history! I love the cultural part of the restaurant~ but the food was meh Starting with the appetizers, the edamame was bland, their signature spicy cod kaarage was bland and I don't think it paired well with the watery spicy sauce. I liked the Dashi Tofu though. Their sushi were ginormous, ingredients were fresh and wasn't bad for a family style restaurant. The daily special fatty tuna has too many fat lines that were hard to chew~ My favorite was the Sukiyaki~ it was simple but with lots of flavor perfect for a cold night. I immediately ordered a bowl of rice to go with it! Ended our meal with their Maneki Supreme Ice-cream which is deep fried matcha ice-cream with poppy seed batter. The ice-cream itself barely had any matcha flavor and the combination of the poppy seeds made it taste pistachio like. I hate canned cherries dipped in artificial coloring and sugar so the dessert was also a let down. I really wanted to enjoy Maneki but I was quite disappointed. Service was also a bit slow and the serves seem a bit flustered. Will not come back again. But if I do, I'll only order the Sukiyaki with a bowl of rice read more

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The oldest sushi joint in Seattle. The history and the vibe was incredible. The food was very fresh. Don't expect the fancy decorations with your food. The quality freshness and history is worth the trip . I really enjoyed the hamachi check and the king salmon. Everything on the menu is delicious. If you're in Seattle area give them a try. There are many other sushi around but go do the ambience the old lady will be there to greet you. read more

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One of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Seattle. It always has a home-like feel and I also love that they have tatami sitting for special occasions and larger groups. I highly recommend making a reservation because they are always crowded. The menu can be overwhelming but everything is delicious so I suggest ordering anything that sounds good to you! We ordered the Kaibashira Bata-Yaki (scallops and mushroom), Miso Black Cod, Chicken Karagge, and the Sassy Salmon and Yellowtail Roll. Everything was so delicious and fresh. My favorite is always the Miso Black Cod and Yellowtail Roll. Every time, I go to Maneki, I recommend the Miso Black Cod, Yellowtail Roll, and the Kama Meshi. It is a great place for sharing small plates and trying different dishes. Everyone is always so nice and greets you with a smile. I cannot wait to go back. read more

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We made reservations for Saturday at opening since that was the only time available. They offer text to reserve and reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance. It was a simple process which was nice. Age Dashi Tofu (4/5): A good side dish to have along with our meal. It was nice and hot. A little salty but nothing too bad. Sashimi Moriawase Popular (4/5): The fish tasted so fresh! It was a good amount of food for the price. I enjoyed the variety. I wasn't too fond of the snapper. My favorite was the tuna which usually isn't the case but it was so buttery and fresh. Definitely check this place out! The owner is a little old lady who handles the front and she is so welcoming. The interior is nicely decorated and cozy. We were seated in the regular dining area. They have traditional private booth seating where you can sit on the floor. It looked like they also had bar seating. read more

Maneki - Sashimi Moriawase - Popular - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Maneki serves delicious, authentic Japanese home-style cooking that truly feels like a meal prepared by a caring Japanese grandma. We tried the miso cod with rice, tempura, and the sukiyaki set--each dish was flavorful and comforting. The decor is charming, with cute touches like lucky cats throughout the space, adding to the inviting atmosphere. Unfortunately, the service didn't quite match the quality of the food--staff were slow and not very attentive. It's also a bit expensive for the portion sizes you get. Overall, the food is excellent, but the service and value could use some improvement. read more

Maneki - Miso cod - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

My husband made reservations on a Wednesday night for a Thursday dinner, and we were glad we had one, because they had a sign that said they were no longer taking walk-ins! All to say- reservations are highly recommended, even for a weeknight! We had a sashimi platter (the middle option on the menu, I think), uni sushi, and chicken karage. And as I'm writing this, I'm wondering why we didn't order more, because everything was SO delicious. The sushi was incredibly fresh, and they did not skimp on the uni. The chicken karage, which were made from what looked like breast pieces, were so crunchy and moist. The interior is brightly lit and clean; no frills, the focus is all on the food. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the hot tea is complimentary! The location can be a bit hard to find; their windows were boarded up as of March 2023, so you have to look out for a sign on the street. The restaurant is a little more than halfway up the hill, and there was a large dumpster bin outside which made it hard to see from the car-street or the other side. read more

Maneki - The sashimi platter (I think the middle option?); I didn't know tuna was supposed to taste like that. - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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What a wonderful experience dining at Maneki for the first time! The owner was so welcoming and treated us with such kindness. The food was absolutely amazing, and the service was outstanding from start to finish. If I ever return to Seattle, Maneki will definitely be at the top of my list! read more

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A lovely dining experience to enjoy traditional japanese food. We got reservations to do the traditional seating and I'm so glad! It was private and intimate . Love seeing how much this place means to the community for its historical roots as the oldest Japanese restaurant in seattle. The owner and staff were friendly and fun! We often see lots of Japanese restaurants and associate it with sushi, ramen, udon, Katsu, etc. It was great to go beyond that with miso cod, soba noodles, etc. all the flavors were incredible, beautifully served, well priced, and done so well. I definitely will be back to try more. Appreciate the variety of options to try more Japanese food here. read more

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It is a hidden gems in Seattle. We regret just knowing it. Yummy, yummy, yummy. Highly recommended the tofu dish. read more

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For first impression, I found the interior of the restaurant very nice. They had a regular dining area, bar and even traditional Japanese rooms! I had ordered tonkatsu and decided to give the potato croquette a try as well. The tonkatsu had the right amount of crisp and the amount given is generous every time. As for the potato croquette, the exterior was crunchy and the filling is delicious. I will be back for sure! read more

Maneki is one of the oldest Japanese restaurants here in Seattle, especially in CID! I was so happy to finally try it out with a friend. They are doing a weird text-to-reserve system right now, so make sure you text ahead of time to make a reservation. I had no idea about this until an hour before I got there, but thankfully I was able to work out a res for 2. The restaurant is a little hard to locate, since it's on a slope and there is no sign. Just trust Google Maps :) My friend and I decided to order the Fried Tofu, Black Cod, Squid, and Eel Bowl (Kama Meshi). We thought we had gone overboard but the food was actually the perfect amount for us. I LOVED the fried tofu; the texture was amazing and the flavor was great. The Black Cod Collar was probably my favorite, it was crunchy and seared perfectly. I love how it had meatier pieces and bonier pieces. I think the Squid (Ika Maru Yaki) was surprisingly my least favorite dish due to it just being dashi soy sauce flavored, but it was really good still. The Eel took around 30 mins to finish cooking, so we were really anticipating it, and we were not disappointed! The iron pot really retains the heat, so the rice at the bottom was crispy. Mixed with the eel, it was really flavorful and I see why it's so popular :) I love how extensive the Maneki menu is and would love to come back forever until I have tried everything on the menu! This place has such a rich cultural history, I would highly recommend looking up videos with Jean talking about the restaurant on YouTube. read more

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I've heard this is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Seattle so I had to stop by and try it for myself! We made reservations by texting the provided number on their website and we were easily able to make a reservation for a Wednesday night. Throughout the night it was very busy so they must have been booked with reservations because there's also a sign that says "the restaurant is fully booked for the night". We ordered four items to share between two people - salmon namban ($12), miso dengaku tofu ($8), beef sukiyaki ($19), and jojo roll ($14). Everything was so good! I think my favorite was definitely the salmon namban and beef sukiyaki. The crispiness of the salmon was on point, and the flavor of the beef sukiyaki was so rich. There wasn't anything too special about the jojo roll but I was craving some sushi so it did the trick. As for the miso dengaku tofu, I feel like it was pretty costly for a few pieces of tofu. The service was very attentive, taking our order right when we were ready and continued to ask us throughout the night if our meal was going well. It also didn't take long for the food to be ready. The food came out a little staggered timing wise. I'd definitely come again to try out some of the other options. They had so much listed on their menu and I'd love to come back again to try more out! read more

Maneki - Jojo roll, salmon namban, miso dengaku tofu - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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We were super impressed by everything here! We've been here twice and the second time, we brought our family and ate in one of the private rooms, which is super cozy and intimate. The service was also really excellent - our waitress was very accommodating of one of our family member's food allergy. But above all, their food was incredible! The miso black cod is soooo good, it is our favorite and it's also reasonably priced! Their other grilled fish like salmon and Saba were also amazing. I also highly recommend the miso glazed eggplant appetizer. We were also impressed with their sashimi plate (not pictured) - the fish quality was really good. I would definitely bring all of our out of town visitors here. read more

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We had a group of 5 people for dinner and we were starving! We didn't have a reservation but they had room and squeezed us in. The restaraunt still had capacity but the service for food took much longer than expected. It could be because we were really hungry. Presentation of food looked great. I ordered a shabu shabu with beef. The dipping sauce was good but without it, the soup was very bland. I'm unsure if this is more traditional version or not but excited to see this historical restaurant still around. My group ordered other food and the set combos and beef sukiyaki looks delicious! read more

Maneki - Shabu shabu with beef - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The hostess (owner?) was so great! We didn't have reservations and were trying to figure out another option while waiting outside. She found a way to seat us and came out to welcome us back in. Had a wonderful meal for the sushi (and non-sushi) eaters in the group. A nice end to our visit to Seattle. read more

Maneki - Family dinner - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Wholesome dishes filled with umami flavor. The lineage and history of the place was astounding: first sushi bar established in 1904, and all the memories & photos recorded on the walls. Definitely a unique dining experience! The unagi over rice is reminiscent of clay pot rice, and much deeper than it appears - very filling. The salmon bathed in vinaigrette is surprisingly refreshing and would recommend to a curious palate! As for the black cod, nothing hits the spot like a properly grilled fish: only skin and bones left on this cod. Highly recommend this place for any Seattle travel bucketlists! read more

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An interesting traditional Japanese restaurant in the heart of downtown Seattle. My family was sat in one of its private rooms with a low table where we left our shoes neatly outside and felt like we were in Tokyo! The food was very traditional too. We had the Age Dashi Tofu which was soft and smooth. The Black Cod Collar Miso and Saba Ichiya Boshi were excellent! They were juicy and succulent. We made sure we try their sushi roll items and they didn't disappoint. read more

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Got the private tatami room!!! Just amazing food and service. So delicious. We tried so many dishes- on the specials, bento, udon, the special eel thing that everyone talks about, eggplant, I can't remember the food. I don't think I've anything like I can say that hasn't already been said. read more

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Although unassuming from the outside, Maneki brings all the charm of authentic Japanese cuisine. Food: We had the tuna nigiri and unagi. The tuna is deliciously fresh and graciously portioned. It is served traditionally with the wasabi in between the fish and the rice, but it is a subtle heat. The unagi(eel) was my favorite, both sweet and savory, there is plenty to be shared between two people. The soft rice underneath is marinated and flavorful. Service: attentive, but if you need anything additionally after your food has arrived, you will need to ask. Ambiance: cozy wooden interior. Tip: reservations are made through text, so be mindful ! Sometimes this place is so popular that reservations need to be made well in advanced (up to 1-2 weeks). read more

Maneki - Unagi - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Met the owner some years ago at my cousin's wedding. That's when I first learned about its age here in WA. I think it has to be the longest-standing-running restaurant! Once you found parking which can be a hassle...now to locate the restaurant. That can be the tricky part. There isn't a flashy sign and the windows are boarded, painted white, but one side has a cat painted on it. To think this place has seen so much history is amazing just like their food quality! As far as I can tell...they stuck true to their roots and do not carry any of those American-influenced rolls. No Seattle Roll, no Dynamite roll, and no California roll either (as far as I remember). They have dishes I have never heard of before like a rice bowl topped with oysters or eel. It takes 30 to 45 minutes for those because of how they make the dish. Tako Sunonomo (I think I spelled that right) was absolutely amazing! Albacore nigiri, spicy tuna roll, salmon skin roll, and smoked salmon roll...mind-blowing flavors. Sushi anywhere else is ruined forever! This is a standard setting sushi experience everyone needs to try. The Tatami rooms have a cutout in the center so your legs can hang and enjoy your meal on the lowered table. The noise level is not bad at all and you can rest your tone when talking to whoever you are with. I must say that even though they didn't sing happy birthday for us... it's still enough for us to come back if we ever brave driving down and through Seattle... read more

Maneki - Tatami room with enough room for all 4 of us with food and drinks! - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is some of the best Japanese food I've ever had. The fish was so soft and flavorful; it just melted in my mouth! The service was a bit slow due to understaffing and the dinner rush. read more

Maneki - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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By far the most traditional Japanese food in the Pacific Northwest and the oldest. Not an Asian fusion restaurant, a Japanese Restaurant. The majority of the products used are sourced from Japan. Including a lot of the seafood. However, locally sourced seafood quality is superb. The attention to detail, the subtle flavors are indicative of Japanese cuisine. Be sure to get a reservation as wait times can long. Tatami rooms are available too! My wife and I have flown from San Diego just to enjoy Jean's food and suggestions for the freshest Maneki has to offer. Do yourself a favor and give them a try. read more

I was really looking forward to dining at Maneki. My family had a reservation for four on Tuesday, January 29th, and we ordered a variety of dishes, including the Pork Katsu Beef Curry, Miso Dengaku, Black Cod Collar Miso, Chicken Teriyaki and Tempura Combo, Steamed Salmon in a Foil Pouch, and Nabeyaki Udon. The food was excellent--especially the salmon and Miso Dengaku, which were among our favorites. Given that this restaurant is a favorite of our cousins' uncle, we came in with high expectations, and taste-wise, those expectations were met. However, hygiene was a serious issue. We found hairs in our food not once, not twice, but three separate times: a short black hair in the pork katsu, another in the udon, and a third in the salmon. We're not the type to overreact to a single mishap--our families have worked in the restaurant and hospitality industry, so we understand that mistakes happen. But three instances in one meal? That's unacceptable. As much as we enjoyed the flavors, this experience has left us questioning whether we'll return. I strongly recommend the restaurant implement stricter hygiene measures--perhaps requiring kitchen staff to wear hairnets--to prevent this from happening to other guests. read more

Maneki - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington