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    Marination Ma Kai

    4.1 (1.4k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    MARINATION MA KAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Marination Ma Kai

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    Kalua Lūʻau Plate
    Jinny C.

    Maybe I'm ordering the wrong things, but I thought the food was just ok. Got the kahula pork luau plate and both the flavors and portion size were just ok. Nothing stood out and nothing made me want it again. The location is amazing though. My friends like this place so if I ever come back, I'll have to read the reviews carefully to see if there's something else I need to be getting

    Mango Lemonade
    Kumar V.

    Overall a good place. It is self service. I got fish and chips. The looks of fries were not that appetizing but it makes for that with crunch and taste. The kimchi fried rice was decent. The biggest thing going for this place is the location. The location is really great with Seattle downtown view. I wouldn't recommend their mango lemonade. It taste good but they need to cut down sugar content.

    Trang L.

    food with a view! this is also right next to the Seattle ferry. This has been a staple in West Seattle for YEARS. I'm giving this a 4/5 since it's very situational for me to come visit (i.e: a nice sunny Seattle day and I want to sit near the water) the food is consistently good but there's nothing that's outstanding. A good staple to get once in a while though!

    Loco Moco - Mac Salad - Spam Musubi - Fish n Chips
    Karlo C.

    Marination Ma Kai - Seattle, WA Had the Loco Moco -- the beef was seasoned well and the gravy was creamy, comforting . The fish and chips were cooked to perfection -- fish was moist, tender, and juicy, wrapped in that light, crispy panko breading. Great fish to breading ratio too & the fries were real potatoes, lightly crisped and seasoned just right -- simple but done with care. The mac salad was good -- nothing wild, but exactly what you want from a proper mac salad: cold, creamy, balanced. But the highlight though, was the Spam Musubi. Rice had that perfect texture,soft but mushy -- and the spam itself was cooked "well done" the best way: crispy edges, thick, & juicy. The teriyaki sauce tied it beautifully -- flavorful but didn't overpower like usual spots -- and the furikake mixed into the rice gave it that perfect touch of savory-sweet. The only downside? They only sell them by the piece. We spent around $60 including tip, and it felt more than fair. The vibe was calm, peaceful, and right on the water -- you can't ask for a better setting. Parking might be a little tight on a busy day, but if you get a spot, take your time and enjoy it. Definitely coming back next time I'm in town.

    2 Aloha Sliders
    Rima Z.

    Great location next to the water taxi with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Appreciate that dogs are allowed on the patio, since, face it, walking your dog on the Alki promenade is practically obligatory . We were there when they opened, and service was quick. There are plenty of food options, and the menu does a good job of explaining the ingredients. The cashier was helpful in making my decision, since I couldn't decide between sliders and aloha fries. I went with the sliders and a side of regular fries. The kalua pork had a nice flavor, as did the bright and crisp coleslaw topping. Really enjoyed the kimchi dipping sauce that came with the fries. The miso ginger tartar sauce was good, but on the sweet side (which the cashier did tell me). The food was good, but it was only lukewarm. Doesn't matter as much with the sandwich, but the fries would have tasted better had they been hot and crisp.

    Food menu
    Christine B.

    This spot is perfect for a summer day. The views of Seattle are amazing and the food is delicious! I loved the vegetarian plate with the tofu. They also have great cocktails, beer, and Hawaiian juices. You order at the counter and then find a seat and order alcoholic drinks separately. Food and drinks came out quickly.

    Front of restaurant
    Julianne G.

    A small casual Hawaiian themed eatery near the water taxi pickup in West Seattle. Walk up to the register and order food. You get a pager for when your food is ready. There is a separate walk up bar to order cocktails. Go find a table inside or outside. We sat outside, as it was a beautiful day, and we had a gorgeous view of the sound. The food: We ordered a crispy fried pork katsu sandwich and some macaroni salad. The pork sandwich was nice and crispy but not overdone with some tasty slaw in it. The mac salad was just the right amount of moisture, albeit it was on the sour side like it had some lime juice in it maybe? I prefer it to be just slightly sweeter but still good . Drinks: I ordered a lychee margarita, and I was afraid of it being too sweet so I asked for less sweet, but it ended up being really tart with no sweetness at all so now wish I had just ordered it without asking for less sweet. My son's margarita was a classic, and he said it was ok. All in all a great casual place for some good Hawaiian food. I have my eye on the kalbi beef plate to try for next time!

    The view from our table.
    Sharon G.

    When you go to a restaurant in as picturesque a spot as this, literally steps from the water taxi and scuba divers, you expect the view to be amazing, but the food to not quite live up. That is certainly not the case here. The food is full of flavor, affordable, and seemed so perfect for the location. If there's a place in Seattle where you get a bit of Hawaiian vibes (which you can't quite put your finger on), it would be West Seattle. We loved eating Kalua pork kimchi fried rice (nice bit of spice too) and loco moco at an outdoor table in the sun. I enjoyed a Little Kayak too (rum, lime, coconut, and ginger ale). A perfect afternoon.

    Taco 2-pack with Kalua Pork
    Emi G.

    WOW! This place is amazing. It's a beautiful view, right on the water in Alki beach. The service was great, and food didn't take long to come out. The Taco 2-Pack is a must, I got it with the Kalua Pork and have been dreaming about going back for more. The Aloha Fries are also fantastic, something very unique that works amazingly well. In addition, the Benedict Burrito is a perfect breakfast burrito. I tried it with the bacon, and thoroughly enjoyed every bite. Overall, Marination Ma Kai is a must try, and I can't wait to go back!

    Fish tacos
    Ellie S.

    We ordered takeaway here and the food was wonderful! The place was a little crowded since it was a Friday night but our food was prepared fairly quickly! All the flavors were delicious, we will definitely come back!

    Leonard Jack ..

    Another place I have been frequenting most summers, but decided to stop in on a colder evening. We usually catch the water taxi from downtown Seattle, to enjoy the short cruise with a view to dock right in front of this great food spot (with a small bar), located right on Alki beach. Great views of Seattle and the sky line across the water and many picks of good food. A favorite is the sliders, which come with spam or pulled pork. I'm a pork fan. The special sauce is very unique and tasty. Add a shaved ice on a hot day for the perfect experience.

    Seattle skyline
    Jojo L.

    During the summer on a beautiful day, my coworkers and I took a lunch break to Marination by taking a ferry. It was so fun and I enjoyed looking out towards the water, as it reminded me of the islands Marination is a casual Hawaiian-Korean inspired restaraunt that serves items like tacos, katsu and even loco moco! The restaraunt had a nice seating spot right along the water and a long line to order. I got the kalua pork with rice, and it came with a side of mac salad and greens. There is not a lot of parking or seats, so keep that in mind. Unfortunately, during my visit, the staff were not as welcoming as I thought they would be. Although the food did not taste the same as back home in terms of flavor and portions, I felt like it was a nice place to grab something small to eat and watch the skyline at.

    Outdoor patio w views

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    2 months ago

    Amazing cocktails, food, service and the ambiance with views of the space needle can't be beat!

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    Page 1 of 35

    Ask the Community - Marination Ma Kai

    Do you need a reservation?

    We don't take reservations - first come first serve on seating, but it moves fast. By the time your food is ready a few spots will have opened!

    Does the patio have heat lamps?

    They did not have any when I was there in September and yes, it was cold. Indoor seating was not available then, but that may have changed with covid restrictions.

    Are dogs allowed on the patio?

    This place has two outside area. The front of the store facing water seems like a public area, where dogs area allowed. They also have their own outside area, going through their store passing the bar to get there, this place seems not allowed dogs.

    What is on the rim of the lychee margarita?

    I believe it's li hing mui powder.

    View All 7 Questions

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    Our group of four visited Indofusion Kitchen & Bar after attending an event at South Seattle…read moreCollege--just a quick 2.5 mile drive away on California Avenue SW. Parking can be tight on the street, so we appreciated the reasonably priced lot behind the restaurant. We started with drinks and then shared a wonderful mix of dishes: * Butter Chicken (one at 1 star spice, one at 2 stars) -- both flavorful and comforting * Black Pepper Shrimp -- perfectly cooked, and the green string beans were so delicious we all raved about them * Chutney Pesto Pasta -- recommended by our server, Gary, and I was very pleased with it The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with booths along both sides that made it easy to hear each other and enjoy the conversation. If we lived in Seattle, we'd definitely return. Great food, friendly service, and very reasonable prices. A lovely find.

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    Inside the restaurant.

    Marination Ma Kai - korean - Updated June 2026

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