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    Marination Ma Kai

    4.1 (1.4k reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order Marination Ma Kai Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    MARINATION MA KAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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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

    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.

    Kalua Pork Sliders

    Delicious as always. The sauce on the sliders is actually so amazing. Workers were very sweet! Great views of the city and right by the water taxi

    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
    Kristen M.

    Ahh so delicious! We sat outside with a beautiful view of the water and city. I got the kimchi rice with beef and it had so much flavor! I wish I had tried the chicken. The line to order moved quickly and our food was served pretty quick as well. Definitely recommend taking the ferry over and trying it!

    Shaye V.

    A fun happy hour place! Right near the water with a ton of outdoor seats. The food was fantastic. There were a lot of Hawaiian flavors that I'm familiar with. I won't ever buy a spam musubi for more than $4 though when I can get it back at home for $2 from 7/11 :P the service was quick and gave me a lot of time to sit and enjoy the sun.

    Aloha Fries

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    16 days 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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    Paju - Chips & Dip

    Paju

    (423 reviews)

    $$

    South Lake Union

    Had a great experience here. We ordered a really good spread starting with the beef tartare and the…read moreBugak which are their oxtail hand rolls. The beef tartare was incredible. The Korean pear mixed in adds a lot of great flavor and the seaweed chips it comes with are a really nice touch. The oxtail in the hand rolls were super tender too. For mains we got the Paju fried rice and the 14oz dry aged New York steak. The fried rice had a really nice flavor to it. The steak was definitely a standout since it was very well cooked and super tender. I really liked all the sides that were served with it! Highly recommend this spot if you want a really high quality meal.

    Was on the last night of a work trip, and was initially thinking I was solo. So was not looking to…read moreeat trash. I looked up Paju before in South Lake Union nearby my hotel, and was excited to try it. Ended up finding a partner in crime anyway, and headed over close to closing time. Place is dark and modern, although I appreciate the wood oven being front and center. Owner was a little awkward given the timing, however she warmed up to us pretty quick when she said she was going to be in/out as we promised, and did appreciate the food itself. Got the sesame negroni, which was a unique and untraditional way to approach this cocktail. The sesame made it very different, and it remained as strong as I liked. The bugak (almost like a Korean taco with oxtail) was awesome. They were kind of just 2 bites of food each, however what was there exploded with flavor. I could've eaten 5 of these. NY strip was just ok. Didn't get any dry aged flavor from it at all. Not enough seasoning either. Bachan with it--brussel sprouts, kimchi--were tasty though, and the Paju fried rice was awesome. I wish they could put some beef/fish with that and call it a day. One of my favorite fried rice preparation I've had, but hey, I'm a sucker for squid ink. Would definitely come back here next time I'm in Seattle. Next time would sub the steak for the seafood jeon or branzino, however really nice meal otherwise. Compared favorably to other elevated Asian cuisine I've had (Joule in Seattle, Goosefeather in Tarrytown NY, Danji in NYC).

    Chan Seattle - Happy Hour - Pork Sliders

    Chan Seattle

    (1.2k reviews)

    $$$

    Downtown

    Ella was amazing! We had a big party and she made the whole dinner seamless. Food was delicious as…read morewell. Thank you again!

    Outstanding taste rooted in Asian flavors, and modernized. Excellent choice to celebrate an…read moreanniversary or special occasion. We were greeted warmly by our host, Steven, and seated earlier than our reservation. He and his colleagues was attentive and hospitable through the meal. The steak tartare was excellent with the sweetness of Asian pear paired with the earthiness of beef. The black cod sauce was addicting and balanced between sweet and savory, and the cod was flaky. The hanger steak ssam was blended at the table and had great richness and body with the beef. The sharpness from the cod sauce helped even out the buttery rice. The ginger crème brûlée was unique. The crème delivered the ginger in a bold, but not overpowering way. The caramel sauce and ice cream cooperated with all the flavor. Not too sweet It has been a long time since experiencing an "elevated" Asian meal as corny as it sounds. If you're into internet memes, then the charge is having a succulent Korean meal. Possible improvements: standard size plates instead of tapas style small plates (though I understand heir intent was for family style sharing). Additional table linen or plates to place your utensils because a small plate can't hold a fork, spoon, and chopsticks while you take portions from the main dishes. Conjoined to the paramount hotel, not sure what the parking situation is like since we arrived via light rail. Definitely would recommend if you're in the area.

    Daeho Kalbijjim and Beef Soup - B2. Daeho Kalbijjim - IG: @nelson_eats

    Daeho Kalbijjim and Beef Soup

    (481 reviews)

    $$$

    5 Stars. Service…read morePromptness Kalbi Tang Thats it. Well, the Suyuk is a very solid choice also and so it Bibimbaps. The crowds are less heavy now and yelp joining the waitlist is super convenient. Although today's waitlist join said it would take 16-33min to be seated, I got the text that table was ready within 3 minutes. We were still en route and made it within 15 minutes but were removed from the waitlist because we didn't answer the 3 minute call. Nonetheless, we only waited 10min for another table. The dining area that is nearest to reception can get "cold" particularly the corner, we sat there once and your elders will not like it. Today we got seated there again and decided to wait for the other side where the AC wasn't full blast. Its all chill. Friendly, accommodating staff. The food comes fast, like Din Tai Fung. The cost too, is like DTF. Overall, its good, but not worth the higher cost, but the service and cleanliness make it a combined 5 Star. The Kalbi Tang is the star, a must get every single visit.

    We made a reservation at 6:30pm for dinner, and I'm so glad we did because the restaurant was…read morecompletely packed with a line out the door!!!!! Convenient parking right in front and tons of seating inside. Great selection of banchans! I loved their radish kimchi. We ordered: 1 Kalbi teokbokki- the portion was quite smaller than I expected , but I really liked it. Just wished there was more tteok. 1 Daeho kalbijjim (mild) with added cheese and corn- this was a lot for our group of 4, we ended up taking some to go. The meat was tender, the flavoring was a little salty for my liking. 1 Daeho naengmyun- sooo yum and refreshing bites in between all the meat. The noodles were chewy and the portion was great for sharing. Great spot to eat at. Staff are quick and reservations are definitely needed unless you're willing to wait lolll.

    Lil Pocha - Jjajang rice

    Lil Pocha

    (20 reviews)

    Capitol Hill

    Visited here very hungry after bouldering for a couple hours. They keep it nice and warm in here…read morewhich I loved (I noticed a lot of Seattle restaurants don't turn on heating :')). It is set up like a cute korean style bar with small round tables which make sharing easier. They have a pretty good selection on their menu and we ordered a couple of items to share. The Rose Ttoekbokki with cheese was very yummy, but it kinda tasted like pasta with rice cakes instead of spaghetti. I think that is the point of this dish, so if you want a more traditional spicy flavor then get the other ttoekbokki option (spicy rice cakes). We still loved this one and the rice cakes were so chewy and delicious. The cheese corn was very yummy and exactly what you would expect. It pairs perfectly with the other dishes. My friends also shared the Seafood ramen and Beef bulgogi. They liked both dishes. One of our favorite things were the side dishes actually! The tofu was so yummy, and the bean sprouts were so crunchy and well seasoned. We even asked for extra! The only aspect that makes it difficult to come more often is the price point. Since the dishes are so big and shareable, it is easy to split amongst a group, but it is a little less affordable to come here for dinner and drinks.

    A cozy little Korean bar! There aren't that many tables, but I enjoyed this vibe. Service was quite…read morefast on Saturday evening. We ordered: -Fish cake soup: pretty good, the soup had a good depth in flavor and I liked the variety in fish cake. Perfect for a rainy day. -Tteokbokki: was a bit spicy and the rice cake was chewy and cooked well. I've had better sauce though. -kimchi pancake: wasn't our favorite. Was a bit too thick and had too much batter - I like these to be more crispy and thin. Overall, a fun place for a casual Korean bar food.

    Kimchi House - Pork Belly

    Kimchi House

    (341 reviews)

    $$

    Ballard

    Solid place to grab Korean food in Ballard, despite it being one of the only Korean restaurants in…read morethis area (that I'm aware of). Have been in a few times and have had a solid experience each time. Fairly small place and not THAT many tables. You order at the counter and then sit down. It's self serve for water, silverware, and complimentary barley tea, which is nice. Both times the customer service when ordering was fine but not super friendly. I was the one saying "hello" first and saying "how are you?" before the cashier said anything. Kind of awkward/standoffish but not a dealbreaker when the food is good. Most recently I had the kimchi jigae, which was relatively spicy, even when I asked for less spicy (and they said they could accommodate). I'd say it was like 2-3 stars. Flavor was great though and it was a decent portion (for $17) and satisfying. Also, a pretty wide range of menu options, despite it being a small place. There were 4 complimentary banchan dishes (napa kimchi, cucumber kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts, and fish cakes). Note that I don't think there are free refills like other places... maybe you can ask but I didn't see anyone doing so. For 1-2 people, it's a relatively generous amount. Also, only certain dishes come with the banchan, so be sure to read the menu carefully if you are wanting the banchan.

    This spot is a hidden gem in Ballard. It's not the best Korean food I've had but definitely has all…read morethe comfort food you need for a cold day if you don't want to drive far out to fed way or Lynnwood. Seafood pancake was crispy and paired well with the dipping sauce. Banchan was on point but galbi was a bit on the sweeter side + had a bit too much fat and soondubu tasted more like kimchi jiggae. Overall tho, fair prices & good selection of Korean comfort food!

    Marination Ma Kai - korean - Updated May 2026

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