Overall, we really enjoyed our experience--great value for the quality of food. The first few courses were especially impressive: intricate, thoughtfully plated, and clearly executed with care. Everything tasted very fresh, and there were several pieces the chef served that you don't often see stateside, which made the experience feel unique. The sushi chef was also incredibly friendly and kept a nice, steady pace throughout the meal. That said, the atmosphere could use some refinement. While it's clear they prioritize making guests feel comfortable, the DIY menus and placards at the bar/table took away from what could otherwise feel like a more elevated experience. The bar setup also didn't seem the most functional, as it looked like the chef had to reach quite a bit during service. All in all, the food and service were strong, and I would recommend it. Just know that at this price point, there are other omakase spots that offer a more polished, seamless overall experience. read more

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Honestly, new favorite restaurant in Seattle! This was such a beautiful experience with outstandingly delicious food. I made a reservation weeks in advance and came in a couple minutes before our reservation time. Parking is pretty bad especially when there's an event nearby (we parked at Safeway..) When we walked in, we were immediately greeted and sat by the chef. And then given warm towels. The space itself is small, cute, and pretty thoughtful. There's baskets to put your personal belongings, phone charging stations, phone stands, and little trays to put your phone, keys, etc. There was only one other group that dined there that night, so a total of 4 people. There was a divider between us, so we didn't interact at all. The chef was sweet, pretty quiet, but so knowledgeable and informative. Being right at the sushi bar, it was so much fun watching him prep all the courses. Overall, the meal was outstanding. There wasn't a single bite that I didn't enjoy. The uni was spectacular, I could've had 14 more little scoops of that crab, the eel literally melted in my mouth, I've never had such tender eel, the tilefish was delectable, I could've had 14 bowls of that miso soup at the end, and definitely could've eaten 14 more scallops served over an ice block. So delicious and so worth the price tag. At the very end was dessert, and a little birthday surprise for the birthday boy! All in all, it was an 11/10 experience (better than kashiba) and I'll certainly be back to try chef's new menus in other months! read more

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I am so glad to have the opportunity to try the private omakase experience that makes this place so special. This is changing after June 2025, so I'm glad to catch the last round of private omakase as a party of 2 before the chef transforms the restaurant to a "less intimate" omakase experience (unless you find a group of 4 or more to keep the private experience). The first world problem for me is that I've been to almost every omakase in the greater Seattle area (and a few in Tokyo and NYC as loose reference points), so my review can come across a bit harsher than others as I observe the positives and negatives of every experience I had. The omakase here is not the typical omakase you find where it's just nigiri and handroll, but more of a kaiseki style since there are appetizers and hot dishes on top of nigiri and handroll, which is nice for variety. I love how nice the presentation was for the first half of the meal. The nigiri here stands out as the chef asks you how much rice you want and he prepares accordingly. The featured nigiri was the cutlassfish which has so many ingredients but so tasty! Normally omakase has nigiri that focuses on the seafood cuts and minimal ingredients to bring out the flavor of the seafood but the ingredients didn't overshadow the flavors of the cutlassfish. Other pieces follow the normal omakase's minimal ingredients and they were fresh and excellent. Handroll is pretty good while the dessert is nice but not outstanding. We were celebrating our 6 months together and they brought us complimentary cake with sparkles which was nice! The chef is fairly quiet so my girlfriend and I mostly chatted a bit here and there, keeping the tranquil ambience. A lot of description is printed on paper and the chef switches pages throughout the meal. But the chef is friendly and strikes up conversation when he is taking a small break in between courses. The things that dropped a star - The flower gluten cake in the soup was a bit undercooked - The chef served us the 6th sake pairing 1 nigiri course late - Despite it being a 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr experience, I didn't get to see a lot of the food preparation at the counter. First half of the meal before the nigiri was mostly the chef bringing dishes out from the back, defeating the purpose of omakase. I want to see the chef preparing all the courses, as part of the omakase experience, but understand if some courses take more time and need to be prepared prior - The sake pairing is just cup after cup delivered to the counter without being able to see the sake bottle being poured, until the very end where there is a line of sake bottles displayed for us - After paying for the meal, he thanked us for coming and just disappeared to the back to prepare the 2nd seating. Reiterated the 3rd point - would be nice if the chef makes the food at the counter. Doesn't have to be everything since some ingredients may need tools not available at the counter, but more presence is appreciated - Reservation system did not ask special occasion so we had to give the chef a heads up at the start of omakase, as per the paper booklet - The chef kept going and did not take breaks while we were using the restroom or one of us finishes the course first. Kinda defeats the purpose of private omakase where it should be catered to the party's timing. Even regular omakase will take note of the absence of a person and wait for them to come back to serve them. I experienced 2 instances where the chef gave me the next course when I wasn't even done with the prior course. One major flaw of this was the handroll where he prepared my girlfriend's handroll when she was using the restroom so the seaweed there got soggy a few minutes later. While the handroll involves a lot of ingredients, it only took him 30 seconds to assemble so he could've waited Overall, excellent omakase with standout nigiri pieces you wouldn't really find in a standard omakase in the US, closer to kaiseki style, with a few elements that fell short of a 5 star experience. read more

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We love a good omakase and knew we needed to check out the scene in Seattle while on vacation. This is a good-value restaurant and worth it for the quantity and quality of fresh fish for $205 pp for 18 items, especially if you want to experience PRIVATE DINING because thats the only thing they do, even if it's only a party of two. We got to know the chef a little and turns out it's only run by him, and an occasional dishwasher. Really down to earth and we enjoyed chatting with him! I recommend coming here if you want a no-frills kind of dinner and just want to appreciate really good sushi. Food: The fresh fish is very good quality! The uni was so so fresh! However, I do think the cooked portions of the omakase lacked a bit.... The flavours and textures are there; however some of the items (eg. fried scallop) were just slightly overcooked. It's not a big enough reason to deter me from this place because the value for the food is worth it, but something to note of the calibre of the restaurant. Drinks: There was a good amount of options for drinks! We opted for the sake pairing and felt that it was good value for 4 pours at $60. Service/Atmosphere: The chef is very thoughtful about making sure that everything needed by a customer is present. For example, there are phone chargers, a little mat to place your keys and phone, and a clothing rack. Up until the nigiri part, I did feel a bit rushed with the pace of the courses. But I think it's because since it's only the chef himself working, he is running around a bit. It's good if you don't particularly enjoy chatting with chefs because all the information is always posted on his menus. WOULD I COME HERE AGAIN? Yes!!! It's worth it for $205 pp and great if you just want to include some good sushi :) read more

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Took my bf here for his birthday in August looking for a special experience and we got one! I took a photo of just about everything put in front of us, but Yelp only allows 10 pics, and there was a lot more than this. So, these are the ones you get, and I don't remember what anything was at this point, haha. And they're out of order. But ignore that and just focus on how lovely everything is. Everything was prepared with such care, right in front of us, and we were the only ones there. If you do the earlier time slot, there's only room for a party of 2 and it will just be you, your date, and the chef. So peaceful and quiet, and Chef is right there to answer any questions. It was nice being able to get explanations on why he chose the fish he did, and his personal connections to the flavor combinations. We also did the sake flight, which was really nice, and got a tea or 2 at the end. I remember when this space was a Subway, so it's pretty impressive that Chef has been able to turn that into such an amazing addition to our neighborhood. My only critique is that we felt a little rushed at the end, but overall, it was a beautiful meal and our first true omakase experience. Side note: my bf saw Chef at the grocery store maybe like a month or so after our dinner and was all star struck - bf was too embarrassed to say hello, haha. I wish he had, though. These are the people in our neighborhood (Mr. Rogers reference, for those old enough to get it)! read more

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My wife took me here for my birthday and we had an absolutely delightful time! The sushi was perfect. I also loved how the chef prepared dishes that were both authentically Japanese and less common in the United States, such as the chawanmushi. But one thing that set the restaurant apart was the ambiance. It was small and very peaceful. My wife said it felt "home-like", and I felt it was very apt. Highly recommend! read more

Was able to get a random reservation on a Monday night last year and it was the best Omakase I've had in Seattle. Can't add more than 10 photos, but I'll drop the additional I have in a follow up (if possible). The random reservation turned out to be the best decision ever. My dinner partner and I were the only people for that seating! Super intimate, and our chef was so attentive and generous with our drinks and refills. All 11 nigiri were some of the best I've had. The Uni was so fresh as well. Texture is a big thing for me and everything had different tastes and textures, the fish was really fresh. There were some additional dishes as well and all of them were absolutely fantastic. I really loved how intimate the setting was. Our chef really explained each dish thoughtfully and the experience was very enjoyable. No server needed, honestly the one man show really set the tone the entire night. Chef was communicative with us and was supper attentive to anything we needed. read more

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Had a wonderful time here for my anniversary ! Chef Saito is very professional and polite. This is a private omakase (one party served at a time) that you need reservations for! The interior of the restaurant is SO cozy and welcoming I was blown away. There is a coat rack, space heater, a small plate for your phone and other belongings, the list goes on. The chef was very professional. This was my first omakase experience so I wasn't sure what to expect, he was welcoming and helped us through the process. All of the dishes were SO good and the fish was so fresh! One of my faves was the scallop on the sashimi plate. It was very soft and a bit like jelly. He also had an extra surprise dessert (see photo) that was just so sweet :) This place is great for special occasions. My budget certainly cannot afford this place more often than that, but I wish it could! Highly recommend! read more

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I was so excited to eat at SAI sushi! Restaurant was simple, clean and very organized. This is the private dining and it was only us and chef Saito. Please make sure this place is private dining only and you can't walk in, or order to-go. Chef Saito was trained famous ryokan (traditional Japanese restaurant ) in Izu city and his dad was also owned sushi place in Japan. He is THE chef! You feel his passion of making sushi as soon as you walk in. We enjoyed appetizers, nigiri (11pc) and hand roll. From begging to the end, everything was amazing. My favorite were Geoduck and Black Abalone. read more

SAI Sushi & Sake - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Definitely the best omakase in Seattle. This place takes the #1 for me - and it's a place I look forward to coming back to soon! I booked this place a month in advance for my partner and I's 3rd year relationship anniversary. $205/person for 2 Appetizers, Seasonal soup, Sashimi, Chef's choice warm dish, 11 pieces Nigiri sushi, 1 Sushi handroll, Miso soup, Dessert. I ordered the $22 sake flight, my partner ordered the yuzu matcha kukicha for $8 First appy: Scallop, avocado, ikura, Snow crab, daikon, cucumber, shiso flower, sesame sauce. Soup: mirugai (geoduck) - with tamago, shrimp, Sashimi: mackerel (aji), bluefin tuna (toro), flounder (hirame) . Two different sauces for the sashimi. My fav was the aji, but flounder was dark horse good. Hot dish: golden snapper, yuzu, black ginger (mouth refresher), yu Choi, corn, mushrooms. Nigiri: see below Handroll: Japanese cucumber, shiso leaf, A5 wagyu, Hokkaido sea urchin. Miso: great flavour to cap off the night. Dessert: mochi ice cream and peach jelly. The mochi ice cream was nice, and peach jelly had hold texture - but fairly neutral flavour on both. Tea/coffee: choice of jasmine/green or coffee. Also got a Japanese sea snail just before the nigiri course started. See the photos! Cool part: You can customize how much sushi rice you want with the nigiri! (he asks throughout the session in case you get more full) Top to bottom nigiri courses: 1. (kohada) Gizzard Shad (Japan - with yuzu jelly on top): very close to mackerel (slightly less chewy). I really liked this piece. 2. (Chikamekintoki) Longfinned bullseye (with shiso on top): perfect fish. Perfect rice. What do you want? 3. (Iwashi) Sardine (Japan - w/ green onion): fishy-ish aftertaste - but perfect temp. Felt very 4. (Mirugai) Geoduck (from Japan? With blood orange) 5. (Nodoguro) Blackthroat Seaperch (Japan - seared with flame and topped with shiso leaf and nyota): incredibly soft. Almost foie Gras like. Expensive now, but used to be cheap (one fish for one customer back then). Umami comes from the thin layer of skin and meat. 6. (Tamago) Egg Omelette 7. (Ezo Awabi) Ezo Abalone (Hokkaido): the liver sauce! Eat one on its own other with rice. 8. (Tachino) Cutlass fish (with grapefruit on top) : wow this surprised me with how good it is. 9. (Toro) Fatty Tuna: 10. (Aka Uni) Hokkaido Red Sea Urchin: 11. (anago) Sea Eel (Japan): wow it was warm and soft and REALLY AWESOME. I don't think my partner or I disliked any piece. Each had their own incredible texture and flavour. Great to talk to the chef about his Favs. He doesn't have a lot of time but used to go to momiji (friend worked there). Nodoguro: can't eat raw skin, so seared. Really awesome piece of nigiri. What impresses the most is that this guy is a one-man show. No helpers / assistants, no dishwasher (until 6:30pm) - so this guy is literally doing everything himself! Outsourced cake (anniversary celebration) was a surprise, taro chestnut with sponge cake and outside cream. My partner was thoroughly full here. That being said: No onsite parking. The ambiance has quiet music, but the first seating means that it's just your party and the chef. There's nobody else! read more

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The best omakase I've had in WA! The food was amazing, very very fresh and high quality. It did feel very private with just us (me and my husband) and another couple in the restaurant. We were here Sep 2024 and loved the abalone, the handroll (with wagyu, bluefin tuna and uni) and toro the most! I'll definitely come back read more

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Wow, absolutely fantastic. Sai is a one man show, and an incredible one at that. The "ambiance" is your party and him on the other side of the sushi counter, and that's it. The courses were beautiful and just as precious to eat. Do be on time! He starts promptly, definitely come early if you can. Throughout the course, we ordered two servings of sake, the hot sake (which I loved) and the dassai, which was as smooth as he described. Both very good and dangerously intoxicating. ;) The starting appetizers were good, expected from a restaurant of this caliber, very refreshing. His soup with the white fish and radish had a very nice aroma. Another dish had peeled grapes which were great flavor explosions to go along with the main food items. At this point, I was satisfied but not blown away. Then the toro and mackerel sashimi came in, both were fantastic. I am a sucker for toro, and this one was just heavenly in my mouth. If you know the melty, buttery feeling of good fatty fish, l can attest that this fish did more than that to me. The mackerel was also so amazing, and a good clean contrast to the toro. There was also one sweet shrimp, probably the best piece of shrimp I ever tasted. It had that perfect, gooey but firm texture, without a weird aftertaste I've gotten from some in the past. Now I knew we weren't messing around. Next we had our hot dish, can't remember the fish exactly, however, it was delicately crispy on the outside and buttery in the inside. Super rich flavors, and the golden berries (my first time trying!) and tomatoes at the bottom were perfect balances. I learned that golden berries are just so good, wow. Now onto the nigiri. Fantastic. I missed pictures of the geoduck and tamago because I was too enticed by the sushi coming in. The Kohada was topped with a bit of yuzu, which really enhanced everything about the fish. His cuts made it very fun to slurp up the tail ends of the pieces, and this one was no exception. The ainame had incredible texture. The tamago was extremely light and delicate, very cleansing and almost not egg-like. The toro was amazing, no surprises there. The overall highlights for me in the nigiri had to be the uni (creamy, rich, no stinky aftertaste that indicates it not being fresh or a lower tier, best urchin to ever be put in my mouth), geoduck (best geoduck I've had hands down), anago (never had eel taste like that in my life), and shirohoshifuedai (this fish was built different, there was so much goodness). Next was a toro wagyu hand roll, which was not my favorite after all the bliss we experienced, but still good. The miso soup was exceptional, it had an aroma that I never experience in other miso soup, even homemade miso soup. Very satisfying after all the meat. Dessert was good, a nice little mocha ice cream and some soaked fruits in a carbonated drink that tasted quite candied. Another note, the fresh wasabi is SO good! I initially kept eating it before I saw he was grounding up some to put in the nigiri, god it really made the nigiri that much better. Overall, it was an awesome experience. We learned about Chef Sai himself and got to have casual conversation in an intimate environment. Most of all, we got to eat some of the best food I've had the privilege to put in my mouth, ever. read more

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I haven't written a review in a long time, so I thought I would start up again with a 5 star review of Sai Sushi and Sake. I read an article about the private omakase experience here, so I made a reservation about a month in advance (new reservation slots released on the 15th of each month at 11 AM) for a Saturday first seating at 5:15 (another seating 2 hours later). You are required to prepay the omakase to finalize your reservation ($500+ for two). The restaurant is located in the same complex as the Safeway on Mercer St. and I was able to find paid street parking pretty easily. We walked in a little after 5 and Chef Saito greeted us from behind the sushi counter, with our first appetizer dish already plated and ready for us. After taking our drink orders (I got the sake sampler for $22), we started with our dinner. First part: 2 cold appetizers Sashimi platter Clam and bamboo shoot soup Hot dish (Chilean sea bass, which was so goo: tender with a nice, subtly salty sauce on top) Second part: 11 assorted pieces of sushi, prepared and served one by one. The Hokkaido uni was incredible, geoduck was very snappy, otoro was very buttery, and the abalone was very good as well: normally I am not a fan of abalone, but this was so tender (per Chef, it was cooked over 2 hours) and had a sauce made from its liver on top. To end the sushi part of the dinner, Chef made a Japanese wagyu and tuna had roll, which was the ultimate surf and turf combo. Finale: We finished with miso soup (homemade miso) and a dessert of matcha tiramisu and vanilla mochi ice cream. While the dinner was not cheap, we really enjoyed the unique, ~2 hour experience with Chef Saito (he was the only person, other than the two of us, in the entire space). There are a lot of thoughtful touches at his restaurant, from chargers for your cell phone, to an area next to your place mat to hold your phone (you'll need it for all the food pictures you will take), to having an air purifier at every counter seat. There are much fancier restaurants you can go to, but this was one of the most fun and intimate experiences I have had. We look forward to coming back again this year. read more

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My husband and I went to SAI Sushi & Sake for our anniversary dinner this year, and it did not disappoint. Love how the majority of their products are imported from Japan; hence, it gave us the opportunity to try fishes that we normally don't get to order at other sushi restaurants. According to the owner, they make an average of three orders weekly from Japan and have them ship the fish over. The reason why he does it multiple times a week is because he makes his order based on that week's reservation, so instead of buying local where most of the vendors would require him to buy the whole fish, he rathers pay a premium and import it from Japan but buys them in small portions, that way, his customers are getting the freshest cut and highest quality. If I have to nitpick on something, I would say the decor is lack thereof. It doesn't remind me too much of a Japanese restaurant. Also, aside from the sushi bar where it could only seat up to four, there are no other tables available. Very intimate setting between the customers and the owner/sushi chef, and you really do get to experience an authentic way of enjoying your omasake. read more

SAI Sushi & Sake - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I have been visiting Sai sushi on a regular basis for the past two years. They change menu every month, and I can see improvement every single month on the delicacy of dishes, use of seasonal ingredient, plating, and innovative, flavor profiles, despite it already was a perfect omakase experience two years ago. As a foodie, especially on Japanese cuisine, I've not yet seen any restaurant being so self critical, and constantly elevating dishes on such a frequent basis. They offer 3 to 4 appetizers, both hot and cold, before starting nigiri sushi courses. After the sushi courses, house made from scratch miso soup, and a killer wagyu beef uni toro hand roll,, and then desert/ coffe/ tea to follow. Despite my frequent visit, I rarely get repeating dishes, which is something extremely hard to achieve for any restauranthere anywhere. This kaiseki and sushi omakase restaurant is better than most if not all Kaiseki restaurants I have been to in Japan for the past 10 years. So lucky to have it here in Seattle. read more

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When my husband and I go out for a nice dinner, we either go to a steakhouse or omakase. We were lucky enough to make a reservation for my birthday early September! The restaurant is right on Mercer St - there is street parking but also some nearby open parking lots. Definitely go a little earlier though to find parking since Mercer St is always a nightmare. As soon as we walked in, we saw the bar countertop with 5 empty chairs. Chef Sai only does 2 seatings a day (5:15pm and 7:45pm). You can make a reservation between 2-5 people. If your party size is less than 5, you will still be the only group/private dinner! We came right at our 7:45pm reservation so the 2 appetizers to start our dinner were already available and served! Dinner includes 2 appetizers, seasonal soup, platter of 4 sashimi, hot dish, 11 nigiri sushi, handroll, miso soup, ice cream, and tea/coffee. With the sashimi, there is fresh wasabi included. Oh my goodness, SO good! I want fresh wasabi with all my sashimi now. The miso soup is also homemade so the flavor wasn't quite like any other miso soup I had, and it's dangerously addictive! Chef Sai also gave us a slice of cake at the end for my birthday too! Because we were the only group seated, this was the fastest omakase experience we've had (less than 2 hours) but no complaints there! Overall everything we ate was absolutely delicious. I also appreciated when it came time to have the nigiri and handroll, Chef Sai asked how much rice we wanted (light, normal, extra). There are also little white trays that are setup next to your table setting as a place to put your phone/keys/wallet. These little details made the experience that much more memorable! read more

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Seattle is an ideal destination for sushi lovers. I have thoroughly enjoyed omakase dinners when dining out, where chefs can leverage ingredients on-hand to create something truly unique and delicious. At Sai Sushi and Sake, Chef Akiyoshi Saito provides an unforgettable experience - on which you can taste his vision and story - at his restaurant's four seat sushi counter. Typical meals here feature two appetizers, a seasonal soup, sashimi, a hot dish, eleven pieces of nigri, one hand roll, miso soup, and dessert with coffee or tea. If you're ever in Seattle, I highly recommend making a reservation to enjoy this unforgettable culinary journey! read more

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The food, service and ambience was perfect. Highly recommend this place. They have a great selection of sake and beer

Soooo good. I don't know how he's not sold out every single day! My husband and I try to frequent here at least once a month because it teleports us back to Japan/Nihon. I love the hospitality and food quality here. Amazing one man show. Get a reservation and treat yourself to this seasonal meal! read more

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Wonderful experience！ I like all of the food！ The amount of food is kind of too much for me. Strong recommended. read more

SAI Sushi & Sake - nigiri - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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It was an amazing experience dining at SAI Sushi! It is a cozy small sushi spot meticulously maintained and run by Saito san. It serves one party at a time, so one can enjoy the full attention of Saito san and eat at their own pace. That also allows the experience to be very intimate and relaxing. Abundant safety measures are in place, including an air purifier sitting in front of each person. It's a perfect place for the special dates or just hanging out with a few friends. The food, of course, was the highlight of the meal. Not a stranger to authentic sushi restaurants, I have visited many highly rated places in NYC before moving here. SAI use quality fish and the taste was well balanced. The price is also very fair for the food offered and the entire private dining experience. Something to note is that this restaurant is currently run by Saito san alone, so please be respectful of your reservation time and arrive early. Parking in the area can be a little tricky because the closest street parking has a 2hr time limit. If you don't want to have any time pressure when you enjoy your meal, you may have to walk a block or 2. read more

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So tasty... I love the fact that I don't have to chat with the chef during omakase at SAI. The last roll literally sent me to heaven. So creamy. read more

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My wife's bday is 10/15 and I was lucky enough to get reservations but it was for today not the 15th. So, got super lucky I would say all the other top omakase were booked. Like 2-3 months already so super lucky and convinced wifey to get off work early. The owner chef was super chill and fun to talk to. He loves K-drama like Law School, Vincenzo, etc. yes, of course I told him to watch Squid Game next. It was super private just you/your group (max 4 I think) and him. Food was beautiful and delicious. Ate with my eyes, then smell, and finally taste! Recommend. Recommend. Recommend. read more

SAI Sushi & Sake - Wifey n Me HBD Honey - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We enjoyed an intimate and incredibly memorable omakase dinner with Chef/Owner Saito. The Sake pairing was perfect too! Our party of four was greeted by Chef Saito who also seated us at his sushi counter. Chef Saito was very personable while crafting each course which were served at a comfortable pace. We look forward to dining here again! read more

I had SAI saved in my Yelp list for a while, and luckily, as I was just browsing for restaurants on Saturday, there was an opening on Sunday for two. So glad I was able to dine in. So worth the effort (trying to book a few times before on days that I wanted to). The experience was WORTH IT, and it was such a great relaxing way to end our Sunday and set our mind right for the new week. Omakase takes about 2.5 hours, and 20% gratuity is automatically charged at the end. Restaurant is small and super clean! There's name tag for the table, basket for personal bags, coat hanger, individual warm hand towels, and wet wipes. The chef is busy and is constantly refilling our drinks and cleaning up the table for the next dish. He sanitizes his hands in between serving each table, and there are only 2 of us and two others on the other table separated by a sheer curtain. Love the attention to all of the details, and I just wish the chef introduced his name to us. The experience feels personal and safe. Food is SUPER fresh, and the 9 dish Omakase menu is well-thought out. I love the variety and portion of the fish and seafood in the sashimi and nigiri, and they all melt in my mouth. So fresh!!! I also love the rice, appetizers, and miso soup that doesn't taste 'basic.' I got some iced green tea but would definitely be back to try the sake menu! SAI is by far one of the best I've had in terms of omakase in Seattle. I'd highly recommend SAI if you're looking for a more personal approach in Japanese dining. Here the chef does everything, and he's really there and puts in the work! I walk out feeling super pleases and happy. Good food, good vibe, so worth the money spent. read more

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So I went to Sai to celebrate my birthday with my boyfriend in June. We both LOVE "omakase" and have been tried several along the East coast. Finding Sai was not a hard process as lots of people recommended this place. Fortunately I got a slot two weeks ahead. The place is very clean and the chef only host one group per slot so we actually had the entire place for the two of us. Appetizers were very nice and creative. For the sushi courses most of them were amazing. Several pieces were so good that me and my boyfriend actually had to resist ourselves from high five each other. I love the uni-toro hand roll at the end. Mr. Sai had a little birthday cake prepared as well. Overall I would highly recommend this place. read more

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The food was amazing but the food came out so slow.. I was over it after hour and a half. The chef was really friendly and he took the time to explain every dish.. but for him to make the food, serve the food and explain the food was just way too much for him to handle. He needs to hire a server. There was another table of two and our table of two that night.. And the overall dinner took almost 3 hours. Even though everything was fresh and delicious, the overall dinning experience was a drag and I couldn't wait to be done. And for the amount of money I spent, it was definitely not worth it. I still tipped the chef generously on top of the included gratuity because I can see that he was doing his best. But I won't be returning until he hires a server. read more

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This is my first Yelp review ever!! I knew I had to make one for Chef Sai because my party and I's experience was amazing. Chef Sai is kind and worked hard to prepare all of our meals solely by himself!!! His reservations are typically only for 4 people; however, he accepted our party of 5 after contacting him. Fish was unique and not like other omakase places I've had. Other places solely focus of the fish, but Chef Sai adds a few more ingredients to his fish to compliment its flavor. Each dish was very creative. Absolute fav was the hot dish which included hamachi, sweet potato, eggplant, chicken miso, and shrimp. SO GOOD, I could eat this every day!! My fav fish are below: Toro (fatty tuna; melt in your mouth goodness) Ezo Awabi (ezo abalone; served with a liver sauce that was out of this world) The miso soup after the hand roll was perfect as it was warm and settled everything in my stomach from the previous dishes. I would recommend this experience to everyone! Thank you again Chef Sai for the amazing dinner! read more

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A 4.5 would be more accurate! The overall experience was very nice being the only group there. But there is another group after us, so we were a little bit rushed to finish. Sai doesn't talk much, so I was mostly talking with my friends. The nigiri part was arranged in a good order, the fish was very fresh for sure, but nothing surprised me. I would say don't give too much expectation before going, and you would enjoy the night very much. I'm a sushi lover, so I think the hand roll was the only one that made me taste slowly with carful sensing of the combination. The crunchy yam made it very interesting of a hand roll, and the Nori was easy to bite off. Dessert on the other hand need some improvement, the strawberry ice cream tastes very normal, actually tastes like the one you get from the grocery store, not freshly made like gelatos. But other than that, everything was tasty and fresh. It's a good place for some special occasion. read more

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Had an amazing first-time experience at SAI Sushi & Sake with some friends. To begin with, you are allowed to wait inside up to 10 minutes prior to your seating (each day, there are two seatings, with the first geared towards a seating of 2, and the second dedicated to a seating of up to 4). Upon entering, you're greeted with a cozy ambiance reminiscent of that of a singular room in a Japanese inn: wooden paneling surrounds you, there is a coat rack and electronic charging station behind you to the right of the entrance, a minimalistic countertop faces chef Sai, there are trays placed beside you on the counter to house your mask or phone, there is a woven basket underneath the counter where you can store your bags, and the inclusion of a single calligraphic painting seals the deal. At this time, there is already an appetizer awaiting you--all you need do is seat yourself and begin! From there, you are whisked away along a tantalizing journey into true, Japanese omakase. The impressive ensemble includes two appetizers, a seasonal soup, sashimi, chef's choice hot dish, 11 pieces of nigiri sushi, one hand roll, miso soup, ice cream, and tea or coffee (choices included coffee served black or with cream/sugar, green tea, jasmine tea, or decaf jasmine tea). While all of the courses were indeed scrumptious, my absolute faves included: the wagyu hand roll, the fresh red uni, and the cold sake (the Kubota Junmai Daiginjo). Highly recommend giving this place a try--come with an open mind, and truly take advantage of the opportunity you have to ask chef Sai about his craft, or about Japan! read more

SAI Sushi & Sake - Japanese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I've had Omakase at several restaurants including those here around Seattle and in Japan - I rank Sai's among the best Omakase experiences I've had and would highly recommend it to those looking for great sushi in Seattle! Chef Sai was super friendly, describing each dish as it came out and asking for preferences (such as how much rice you prefer on your nigiri). All the ingredients tasted super fresh - the uni was especially delicious. Everything, from the rice to the in-house soy sauce, added up to an amazing experience. I took my mom here for her birthday, and Sai had a beautiful bouquet of flowers at our table for her. I can't say enough with how pleasant our dinner was! The restaurant goes the extra mile for COVID safety. We had the only table in the restaurant (which itself was a great experience to have your own private chef for the night). Mask trays were provided and there were air purifiers set up in the restaurant. read more

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As of right now, I'm disappointed with ANY restaurant to not seat parties of I. The owner has been saying that "we may be accepting reservations for one person in the future." That has been said for over a year. Just say you will Never serve solo diners. I have never been to this establishment, but since this facility refuses to let people like me eat here, I am unable to do business with them. I know I am not the only person in the area that would love to try this "private omakase experience". read more

I have long waited to enjoy omakase again: the last time was in feb in San Francisco for me. I was very lucky and on a Thursday night there were only two of us dining with the chef. I felt very safe in covid times as there was hand sanitizer and even a little tray to put your mask. This was my first time eating at a restaurant in months. The spinach appetizer was very delicious with a lot of umami flavor: I usually hate spinach but ate this no problem. A nice citrusy tako to follow with some more healthy greens garnish to follow. The soup had a great flavor: I didn't like the little crunch bits in it felt it distrusted texture/flavor but minimal issue. The bowl it was in was so beautiful The star in the sashimi was the scallop: so melt in mouth and divine. The presentation on the sashimi was amazing with the holographic paper. Next was a tempura with lotus, shrimp, and mushroom. The mushroom was super good - I also hate mushrooms so saying a lot it was good. The lotus I felt was a little hard which made the texture of biting in the hardest I've had of any tempura I've ate but the taste was good. Next we're the nigiri which were pretty standard and the chef was excellent at accommodating my request half through to remove the wasabi (I know I'm a lame person ) he even asked if I wanted to omit a sort of spicy radish seasoning on one of the fish. The uni and eel were melt in mouth and refreshing to have uni from Hokkaido vs Santa Barbara where most of omakase uni comes form it seems. Last hand roll was bomb although wish the rice was a bit warmer. The red miso that followed was also very tasty. And last but not least green tea with 3 small delicious kochi/red bean balls which complimented the ice cream perfectly. I had a great time. Would definitely recommend to others but keep in mind it is $200 ish a person. Also if you want a non alcoholic beverage I'd recommend the yuzu green tea. The chef was amazing and very friendly. I would definitely come back again to see what he has new in store later :) read more

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Agree on other reviews! It is a one man show but Chef Sai is doing a great job to take care my guests and I. Fresh ingredients, large selection of great sake. Great ambiance with only 4-6 guests at a time. Will be back for sure read more

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One of the best omakase experiences I've had in Seattle! I booked a reservation for 4, so it was a VIP experience for our group with Chef Saito solely preparing and serving our outstanding meal. The restaurant has great COVID measures put in place, with hand sanitizer available, medical grade air purifiers for the tables, cute little trays to put your mask on, and an option to ask for disposable tableware. Every dish was prepared beautifully, with high quality fresh fish and some unique twists to some dishes as well. Some of what I felt like set Chef Saito's omakase experience apart from others I've had is some of the rarer fish that is not typically served (Japenese eel and mackerel) and the freshly grated wasabi that we saw him grating. He also explained the fish and toppings for each nigiri and whether or not soy sauce should be used for that particular piece. The real game changer for me was the option to customize how much rice you want with your nigiri (less, regular, more) - loved being able to have a less rice option since the whole meal itself is pretty substantial. Highly recommend, this place is fairly new and I'm so happy to have dined here now, as I'm sure this will become a hot spot for quality sushi soon! Will definitely be back! For more visuals on the experience, check out the Tiktok video review by my friend who dined with me tonight: https://www.tiktok.com/@hrsheenastyle/video/6893402060444749062?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6891818374641223173&is_from_webapp=1 read more

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Chef Saito has created an amazing social distanced omakase experience. As of right now you can reserve a table of 2-4 with a maximum of 4 people in the restaurant at one time. We had the whole place to ourselves this evening, VIP. Chef Saito does it all... greats you, serves your beverages, clears the dishes all the while serving delicious and fresh food. Great experience, we can't wait to come and see Chef Saito again! read more

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Fantastic omakase experience. The food was outstanding and the space felt authentic. It was an intimate experience (we were the only two guests in the first seating!) with attentive service. So many delightful surprises! Highly recommend. read more

This was the best Omaskase experience I've ever had. Dining during this reality of Covid is stressful, but this experience was anything but stressful. Our chef treated us like VIP's and made the evening truly memorable and special. The courses seemed extremely well thought out and were executed to perfection. The selection of sake was extremely good as well. I can't wait to dine here again. read more

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I very highly recommend Sai for very special occasions of your very special someone. If you go there, you should expect it would take at least 2 hours to finish your meal. If you want something quick, this is not your place (I think there's a KFC just a few block away). Yes, if you are reading this and wondering why my review starts like this, I read some neutral/negative reviews here and had to say something. I also do not disagree that servers play important roles in guest satisfaction. I actually agree 300% if not more. But I personally appreciate direct communications with chefs more than anything else as they know the food they serve more than anyone else. Mr. Saito is a very truthful and honest person, so just ask away if you have any questions. He also trusts his only employee which I really liked. He was always so attentive and I never needed to ask water refills, etc., at all. I don't get why someone demands hiring servers when he is doing this great. I'd rather ask him not to (hire servers). haha As a solo diner myself (most usually), I do understand someone's disappointment about Sai's not taking solo diners. But they have only 4 seats and most people who go there do so to celebrate something with someone (takes 2 of the 4 seats), so if they take a solo diner, they are likely to waste 25% of the seats they have. I do support their decision, and also hope that whoever posted that review gets a chance to enjoy Sai's private dining experience one day! So, I was there to celebrate the birthday of a very good friend of mine. Sai was in a very short list of places she wanted to try. I was so fortunate that I checked Tock right after someone cancelled their reservation for the very right day (my friend's bday), apparently. I wouldn't comment on the food we were offered. They were all good! I generally agree to what Michael S said. I really hope to be back here again some day (I'm in SF Bay Area, so it's not very easy)! Oh, Yelp demands me talk about the ambiance... Ok, it was awesome! read more

Everything on the menu for the night was a winner, truly delicious all the way through. Chef Saito is not only very skilled and talented but also warm, friendly, thoughtful, and knows how to keep your party feeling comfortable. Even though we shared the time slot with another couple, there was a privacy screen between us to help keep the intimate setting. We will definitely be back! read more

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