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Maneki Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Sushi Bars Japanese, Sushi Bars [Edit]
304 6th Ave S(between Jackson St & Jefferson St)
Seattle, WA 98104
Neighborhood: International District
(206) 622-2631
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
randi s. said: "Awesome Happy Hour deals on many items, including rolls, sashimi, and apps like salad, edamame, and calamari. Everything was delicious. My friend and I came here for happy hour before a show and stuffed our faces. We had something that…" read more »
460 reviews for Maneki Restaurant
Review Highlights
"black cod collar (fatty and crispy and perfect."
(in 38 reviews)
"Oh, and don't forget to make reservations."
(in 44 reviews)
"They have private tatami rooms, which is awesome."
(in 20 reviews)
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460 reviews in English
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Review from Etta T.
Updated - 1/24/2012 2 photos
Took forever for me to finally return to Maneki to give it a second shot... but finally made my way back and tah dah: found my favorite sushi place in Seattle!
Maybe I needed to go through all this turmoil to get here... maybe it was destiny that I'd have to try every sushi place in the city before I could finally discover "it". Has it made it all the more worthwhile? You bet your Tako-Yaki it does! I love it - I love having fought for the privilege to have finally ended my journey. I feel accomplished - like a homeward bound Odysseus stuffed silly with Yellow Tail and Asahi.
Made reservations this time (as promised, in my last review). We were seated right away by the welcoming hostess (a kind-eyed elder woman who made a point to tell my boyfriend that his date was "pretty cute" - awe shucks). We got there when the tables were full but they started clearing out after we ordered drinks. I took this as an opportunity to request we switch tables to one further from the door as we were catching the chilling draft every time it opened. We were moved right away, without any hesitation and no sore attitudes from the staff to a much better table near the wall.
The service was impeccable! We ordered in waves with lots of beer and obnoxious questions like "what was that one fish with the white and red?" but the servers didn't seem phased. They were quick, helpful, friendly and attentive.
Now... the food. We ordered the Chef variety bowl to start... which was basically a bowl of rice topped with selected sushi ($18.00). And when I say "topped" what I really mean is "completely stuffed" - the portions are generous... which can be scary at a sushi place (are they trying to get rid of old supply?) - but this was anything but. Everything was incredibly fresh, delicious and well-presented. Next, we went for the Yellow Tail and Tuna bowl ($13.00) - same thing as before but with just the Yellow Tail and Tuna. Amazing, again. ((And let me pause here for a second to say that Meneki has inspired me to start eating Tofu. There are a couple pieces in each bowl and it was so delicious that I am now disappointed in myself for having scoffed at it before... "vegetarian hippy food... blech!")) Next up: Tako-Yaki. Why? Same reason you ordered it: curiosity. Donut holes filled with octopus topped with bonito shavings and nori sprinkles. It was weird - good... but a little weird. The texture was really interesting (in a favorable way). I don't think I'd order it again... I think it might have been a single flavor that I couldn't get on board with (perhaps the sauce). But for $3.75 you get plenty of it (lots to share for a big table!) and a new experience.
We walked out of there completely satisfied... in a sushi-induced dream state. The best part: we didn't go broke for it and can afford to go back as often as the mood strikes us! Can't wait to go back with a bigger group and reserve a Tamaki room.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/26/2011
I had such high hopes for this place and am actually going to try it again despite the less than… Read more »
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Review from L. E.
Seattle, WA
1/31/2012
Restaurant is pretty worn down, reminds me of an old japanese restaurant in Japan
that I've been to. Foods are even classic, nothing fancy. Very typical and authentic. We ordered some teishoku that consist of teriyaki chicken, grilled salmon and such.
And sea urchin as their special, but they were not edible. They were bitter, so they took it back... Well, overall 4 stars I guess. -
Review from Jason F.
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm hesitant to write a great review, but the secret's out on this place. It's tough to walk-in and eat, and even with a reservation, I still get the seat by the door where the cold wind is a constant chill on the back of your legs.
The menu is vast. The choices are sumptuous. The prices are reasonable. The flavors are epic. The service is pretty darn good, considering all the people in this place.
The surroundings are moderate, not flashy. This place is going on my solid meal list.Listed in: Reliable Solid Seattle…
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Review from Rachel H.
Seattle, WA
1/27/2012
Lovely, old school sushi joint in the ID.
Big, fresh flavors. Generous cuts of nigiri with not-at-all bashful wasabi application.
Not much to look at from the street honestly, and a bit tattered around the edges and heavy with history, but tatami mats and elevated tables in small rooms in the back, along with quality ingredients and a "blink quickly and you could be in Japan" vibe make this a quality sushi stop.
Must...make...reservations! -
Review from Anthony O.
Silverdale, WA
1/31/2012
Fav sushi place in ID. big portions, high quality food prep and ingredients and nice environment. Its the oldest sushi place in seattle, and theres a good reason its made it so long. Good food goes a long way. Go to maneki's for a reliable good time without destroying your wallet.
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Review from Nelson Y.
1/9/2012 4 photos
Fantastic meal at Maneki- I've been waiting a while to come here too. Ordered 2 orders of the broiled black cod (amazing price, great serving size, super tender and juicy and succulent). Ordered the uni, which was slightly above average but not the best I've had.. as well as the unagi-don which was tasty and filling. We also got the vegetable udon but I'll order something else next time.
I'm definitely coming back to try out more of their food. Their price points are really appealing, but I'm afraid of waiting in line too long. I'll make a reservation next time around. -
Review from Linda L.
Seattle, WA
1/1/2012
I really love the atmosphere of this place. It really makes you feel like you've gotten on a plane and landed in Japan. The service was also quite good.
However, I feel like I should have read the reviews on here more carefully before going. We ordered mostly sushi, and that's definitely not their strong point. The rolls were poorly made and not very creative at all, especially considering their high price tag.
The takoyaki (octopus dumplings) and the karaage (fried chicken) were actually my least favorite items that we had. The takoyaki were soggy, and I hated the "barbeque" sauce they put on them. I normally love the sauce that comes on takoyaki, so the fact that I was unable to finish even half of this small appetizer was upsetting. The breading on the karaage was bland and way too peppery. I would recommend the karaage at Samurai Noodle just down the street because it is amazing and comes with an awesome sauce.
I'm definitely going to go back to this place and try something else. -
Review from Ryan D.
Seattle, WA
12/31/2011
Went here for a birthday celebration and had a great meal. The strength of the menu is not on the sushi side, but on the other dishes. I highly recommend the yellowtail collars, its a large portion with excellent flavor. I had the unagi-don which was a very healthy portion and perfectly cooked!
The atmosphere is also great...with small rooms with the rice paper dividers...but...for us 6 feet+ gaijin, you do not have to sit on the floor with your legs tucked under the table!
Oh some excellent cocktails and a great selection of Shochu (basically japanese version of scotch/whiskey).
I recommend ordering a slew of small plates and sharing (assuming no germaphobes in the group!) so you can relish the tastes of all of the different dishes!
I recommend reservations particularly on weekends! Have been turned away on a drop in attempt before! -
Review from Sylvia C.
La Jolla, CA
We didn't know that we had to make a reservation so when we got there around 6pm, the lady told me we had to come back around 8:30pm. Luckily, as we were about to make a reservation for the next day, the lady said she might be able to get us seated because a group finished their meal earlier than expected. So this is the main reason why i'm rating it 4 stars!
Looking at the reviews, we decided to order the black cod miso, which was the right thing to do!! Thank you yelpers ;) We also ordered tempura udon, ankimo, and some sushis.
The tempura udon was alright, the tempuras weren't as crispy as the ones i've tried at other Japanese stores. The ankimo was good! very fresh and clean.
to summarize, TRY BLACK COD MISO and MAKE RESERVATION! -
Review from Diane C.
Ballard, Seattle, WA
1/21/2012
My co-worker's wife is Japanese and she loves this place, so he recommended it to me for a Girl's night. There was 7 of us and I got us a reservation for a Tamaki room. So much fun! The staff was attentive, the food was excellent and pretty authentic. There is a lots of variety. I would go along with the other reviewers and say the sushi was run of the mill, but definitely try the other dishes. It is a great place to go for groups and to try something different.
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Review from Nio S.
1/8/2012
I'll be honest, when I first saw the front entrance of this place I was really questioning the place already and yes I know the whole saying "don't judge a book by its cover" but I couldn't help it....the front entrance was so outdated. After discovering that this restaurant is 100 years old, I understood why they kept the front entrance and I was able to appreciate the place and eventually much more with the food that was delivered to our table. The owner Jean was very welcoming and seated my family promptly and word of advice....never drop in and expect to be seated, this restaurant is always busy and it would be best to call in for a reservation. We started off with appetizers of Akimo mong fish liver, Susan's avocado delight, squid with ponzu sauce, and a personal sunomono for me. The combination of Akimo mong fish liver and Susan's avocado delight blended so well that I could have eaten that all night. My family members order your typical Chirashi bowl, teriyaki dishes and tempura dishes, but what made these typical dishes different from the rest of the Japanese restaurants in Seattle is that everything was made from scratch and the fish cuts were carefully selected for the best taste experience. Now for the main dish that majority of the yelpers having been yelping about is the Misu Black Cod...for all the yelping about this dish is extremely delicious. It is the fatty part of the Cod that is deliciously flavored and rich tasting. If you are a newbie with chopsticks then I would suggest using a fork to eat the Black Cod, over all it is amazing and a must try!!!
The waiters and waitress were very helpful and on point with taking care of our every needs even though that night was extremely busy. Hopefully next time Jean can hang out with us and tell stories about the history of the restaurant and how it came to be.
We will be definitely be coming back over and over to come have a good dinner for special events and "just because" moments. To all of those who make plans to go eat here I wish you a delicious dinner and an amazing experience!
Happy eats everyone!! -
Review from Jimmy K.
Renton, WA
Updated - 12/7/2011
Still D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!
-Must Try: Miso Black Cod
-Must Try: Unagi Kama Meshi (Eel hotpot rice)
-Must Try: Beef Sukiyaki
-Tip: Call and reserve your table in advance for the tasty goodness
The owner (Jean) will also come out to talk to you if it is not too busy. I like the personal touch alot.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/23/2010
Best Japanese Restaurant in Seattle.
Must Try: Miso Black Cod Collar
Reservations are a good idea or… Read more »
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Review from Christy K.
Mercer Island, WA
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Yummylicious!
This is my 3rd time here and also my most favorite visit as it seems we ordered all the right things.
We had 4 ppl in our group and ordered:
-2 sakana dinners, 1 with salmon teriyaki, 1 with salted mackerel. This is always a good deal b/c it also comes with miso soup, cucumber/shrimp salad, tempura, sashimi and rice. The salmon teriyaki was huge and very tender with good flavor. The mackerel had great flavor but was kinda skimpy on size compared to the salmon. The tempura is so light - just so delightful!
-Chirashi Bowl - in my opinion, it's kind of a small portion size and I'd rather just get another sakana dinner, but the sashimi is really good, fresh and you get a good variety. Comes with miso soup too. The sushi rice is just perfect.
-Ika Garlic Bata-Yaki - The flavor was really good, but the squid was slightly overcooked, so a bit rubbery.
-Miso cod collar - I loved this one. It was soft and buttery, yum. I highly recommend it and the portion is large for the price!
-Sassy Salmon Roll and Yellowtail roll - Simple, not fancy, but very fresh fish and a great price.
All this food and it only came to about $80. We were stuffed afterwards.
Oh yes, and the service there is wonderful. Everyone is extremely friendly.
I can't wait for my next trip back to Maneki. Although this time it wasn't that busy, I still highly recommend making reservations as the last couple of times I was there, it was extremely busy. -
Review from Syd M.
Los Angeles, CA
11/10/2011 3 photos
Soo, soo good!! Would have never found this place, but my BFF has a coworker that directed us to this fantastic, AUTHENTIC Japanese restaurant.
A typical "hole in the wall" type restaurant that is probably frequented by locals and customers who have been dining there for years and years.
We ventured in to Maneki sans a reservation around 7PM on a Friday night. Not a great idea. We were initially told that they didn't have a table, but I think the woman (whom I now know was the owner) felt bad for us and squeezed in :) And I'm super happy she did.
After being seated and glancing at the menu, I knew I was in for something delicious! I was starved from a long day of wondering and walking so I started with an order of the Asari Sakamushi and the Salmon Skin Roll. The salmon skin roll was pretty typical, fresh nori, crispy fresh salmon...nice start. The Asari Sakamushi...mm, mmm comfort and cozy! It comes in a cute cast iron pot in a clear sake broth with about a half dozen asari clams. The clams were fresh and tender. The broth, sake based, was clear as water with a very subtle, earthy flavor.
For my entree I chose the Saba (I think it was Saba Ichibanya?) a full saba, scored and broiled/grilled to perfection :) Served with a small "dollop" of daikon and a slice of lemon. The fish was simply seasoned with salt, was flaky and moist. Truly delicious!
The one and only downfall for me was that rice was not included with the fish. Now for the price, I'm not complaining. The prices here are great for the amount and quality you get, so I don't mind that rice is separately ordered. I'm just used to my meal including a small chawan of steamed rice :)
The owner (I feel bad,.I never caught her name!) was super sweet and came by our table and chatted us up a while. She told us some back story about the restaurant and herself and despite the claim of "Seattle's Oldest Restaurant" she dances around that claim a bit and remains humble about the establishment.
The restaurant itself is modestly decorated, clean, well kept and looks like your typical old-school Japanese joint.
I really enjoyed myself here and loved the authenticity of the restaurant, the food and the people...just wish it was closer :( -
Review from Angela Y.
10/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
LOVED it when I came to Seattle for a trip. First Japanese restaurant in Seattle and our last meal in Seattle - just seemed a bit fitting. Great decision and left us happy with our tummies full.
Among the three of us, we shared tuna, yellowtail and salmon sashimi with croquettes and takoyaki as appetizers. The salmon sashimi was by far my favorite. Very fresh and melted in your mouth. I was also a fan of the tuna and yellowtail. Great great great sashimi at a very reasonable price. The croquettes and takoyaki were decent enough. Very cheap so it was worth it.
I ordered the spicy tuna roll for myself because the menu had claimed it was FIVE STARS HOT! I had to try this for myself because generally spicy... isn't very spicy. I was very pleased when I got that nice kick in the tuna and it was still so fresh! I had a bite of my friend's black cod which was marinated and cooked so well that the pieces were falling off the bone. YUM.
Only one star off because the service was incredibly slow (very nice and polite though) -- and they had to ask us again a few of our orders. -
Review from Camille L.
Seattle, WA
10/26/2011
This happens to be the oldest restaurant in Seattle and there's a reason for it.
Went here the other night for dinner. Didn't realize we needed a reservation but only ended up waiting fiveish minutes before getting seated. It was a busy night and the service was alright. Had to wait a while for more water and tea. I didn't mind, I was just glad we got a table!
None the less the food was amazing. We ordered the black cod collar and chicken kareage to start. The cod is the best thing on the menu. I'm pretty sure it's broiled in kasu (fermented sake). Something about that makes it so delicious your left sucking on the bones aching for more.
The bf got beef teriyaki and I got a spider roll as well as ikura with a raw quail egg on top. I'm not a fan of teriyaki sauce but this was different. It was kind of sweet but also so very savory. The portion of crab in the spider roll was very, very generous compared to most other Japanese restaurant. The portion of salmon eggs on the ikura was not as generous but it was really fresh tasting.
If you want to experience great home style Japanese cooking that is ridiculously cheep then be sure to make a reservation at Maneki. -
Review from Dylan M.
12/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
The best Japanese restaurant in Seattle (that I've been to). The food is absolutely delicious and quality Japanese food from the sashimi to the little old Japanese ladies that wait on tables. The menu is extensive and the ambiance in the restaurant is just lovely. I would definitely recommend trying the Sukiyaki and the Karaage. The only, slightly, unfavorable thing I'd have to say about Maneki is that their so popular there's usually a big of a wait around dinner time unless you make reservations. Definitely worth it if you're craving some good Japanese food, or just some great food in general.
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Review from Paulina T.
San Jose, CA
9/19/2011
On a recent foodie trip to Seattle, I was determined to eat as much seafood as I possibly could consume. I heard rumors the Seattle's fish was superbly fresh. I ate at 4 different sushi restaurants in a span of 3 days and DAMN was the sashimi delicious everywhere we went!
My boyfriend and I stayed at a local's apartment we found through AirBnB and luckily that's how we found Maneki. This restaurant was open late and within walking distance. We saw the yelp reviews for the cod collar bone and decided to give it a try .My words after my initial bite "Baby, this is so good, can we order another??" We literally sucked the bones dry.
I am now determined to find this extraordinary delicacy that was cooked to perfection... I've never even heard of being offered other Japanese restaurants! I'm onto my next foodie mission...to find something like the cod collar bone from Maneki at a restaurant in the bay area. :) -
Review from Jeff B.
Seattle, WA
8/31/2011
This one's simple:
Broiled Cod Collar. A 6 star experience.
Go...Go, now. -
Review from Julia K.
10/4/2011
After hearing that this was the very first Japanese restaurant in Seattle, my friends and I had to go try it. It was a Sunday night and would be our very last meal before we departed Seattle and what a good choice it was to make this the lasting impression of having good quality seafood in Seattle.
To share:
* tuna sashimi
* yellowtail sashimi
* salmon sashimi
* croquettes
* takoyaki
On our own:
* Black cod collar bone (I ordered)
* spicy tuna roll (friend ordered)
* Tempura udon (friend ordered)
Everything here was well priced and all tasted pretty good. The Takoyaki could've been crispier but the sashimi was so so fresh. YUM. Croquettes were a little bland, but nice crispy crust that I liked a lot.
My black cod collar bone marinated in miso was absolutely delicious. For $6.50, I got three nice pieces of it which I couldn't even finish because I was already so full from the appetizers and sashimi.
Only reason why Maneki's doesn't get 5 stars from me is because service was a little slow. Polite, but s l o w. -
Review from Yuh-Line N.
New York, NY
8/31/2011
Auntie Jean is awesome. anyone who has been on iron chef is awesome!
make a reservation, wait for the call back, and proceed. They have a great selection of standard japanese fare as well as fresh specials that change with the seasons. The most amazing things on their regular non-sushi menu IMO is their miso cod and their beef sukiyaki. I would get the meal, and add the cod. the portions are really big but I can do it solid. The atmosphere is nice and family style. request a tatami room if you're entertaining guests. they have an almost separate bar area that serves hot sake. fish is always fresh and their sushi and sashimi is generous.
for a solid experience and a decent price, Maneki is the place to go. -
Review from Jennifer D.
Seattle, WA
Fresh sushi and traditional Japanese food at a very reasonable price. Best to make a reservation if you want a table and plan at least a couple weeks ahead if you're trying to score a tatami room(10 ppl max).
Fresh sushi and traditional Japanese food at very reasonable prices are what you'll find here. The Kasu-zuke is a must!! Grilled until blackened on the outside and moist on the inside with an amazing marinade. For $6.95 you get 3 nicely sized filets, a steal! Other items ordered on my most recent trip included: spicy tuna roll, JoJo roll, Big Mouth roll, spicy salmon roll, vegetable tempura, agedashi tofu, nigiri(wild salmon, sweet shrimp, uni, amberjack, tuna, surf clam) and refreshing Kirin Ichiban's & Sapporo to wash it all down.
Having eaten at a fair amount of sushi restaurants it seems that many will have high quality fish but lack in traditional dishes or vice versa; Maneki is a gem of a find that gets high remarks for executing both very well.Listed in: Sushi!
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Review from Sonia C.
8/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was not the best Japanese food ever but it's one of those places that I can see myself returning to again and again. Here's why:
1. Variety. There is a great assortment of cooked and uncooked foods. Everything was above average and extremely sharable. We ordered too many things for me to remember.
2. Prices. All the dishes averaged around $4-8.
3. Miso glazed black cod collar. OMG. It was one of the best things I've ever eaten - crispy skin, juicy tender flesh, sweet savory marinade - wow.
4. Service. Jean, the owner of the restaurant, greeted us warmly at the door and chatted with us before we left. The history of the restaurant is amazing, and she was just so darn nice.
Unfortunately, their sushi wasn't as good as their cooked foods. It was still ok - the pieces were big and the fish was fresh - but it just was of a much lower caliber than, say, Sushi Yasuda in NY. The only redeeming thing about it were the cheap prices ($5 for TWO pieces of uni nigiri?!? Amazing!). -
Review from Jennifer B.
Seattle, WA
8/30/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Some authentic, affordable Japanese food that has been kickin' it for 100 years.
The owner, Jean is quirky but sweet (as long as you make a reservation). They have a wide selection of foods that my Japanese American friends find to be comfort food.
Go out on a limb and try something new that you've never heard of or go with your favorites and they should be a-ok. -
Review from Jacquie L.
Seattle, WA
9/6/2011 1 photo
Finally was able to try Maneki after a few other attempts. The first few times attempting to go I was turned away because they were too full. You must make reservations, so I did and I was in.
All of that preemptive drama built up this expectation of the most amazing Japanese food in Seattle. Needless to say I was a bit let down by those expectations.
While everything was nice and comfortable as far as the environment, the food was hit and miss.
The highlights were:
Agedashi Sato Imo Potato
round taro potato quickly fried and simmered in sauce.
Avocado delight
A salad with shaved cucumbers in vinaigrette served with pickled dikon, thinly sliced avocado, and fermented dikon.
Both of these dishes were lovely and had amazing flavors and textures.
The not so great were:
Yellowtail sushi roll; I received a lot more than expected for the mere price of $4.50 so the value was there. But I had trouble stomaching the fishiest yellowtail I've ever eaten, and I've eaten yellowtail a lot. It was almost like they added bonito flakes to the roll making it extremely fishy. I was quiet disappointed and glad we didn't order more sushi.
The agadashi tofu tasted okay but the slimy, skin-like chewiness made it sort of unappealing to eat.
Overall I may go again just for the avocado delight alone, but having to plan ahead with reservations will really hamper that inkling in the future. -
Review from Curt D.
Seattle, WA
1/10/2012
Love this place. Great family owned and run business, I feel like the service is very personal. Great sushi and hot meals. Expertly prepared and presented. I'll keep coming back.
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Review from Daren D.
10/22/2011
I popped in just before closing one cool, breezy night for a late dinner at the bar. I've never had Shochu before and the bartendress was nice enough for some samples. I decided on the Mura. Pretty good change. Also got the Hijiki and Durkee Roll off the menu. She mistook my Bamboo and Edamame for just Edamame, and instead of throwing that away, 'said I can just have it. The bar is nice and chill. Good food and nice spot for the ID/Old Japantown.
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Review from Abby I.
Philadelphia, PA
6/14/2011
I dream about Maneki. My favorite Japanese restaurant.
I like coming to Maneki as there is something on the menu for everyone. Portions are generally pretty big. I would definitely recommend the agedashi tofu, croquettes, and karaage chicken for appetizer. The sashimi melts in your mouth. Literally. Everything is super fresh. I would highly recommend the uni if you are adventurous. Best uni I've ever had.
I have a soft spot in my heart for the manager. She is the cutest and most optimistic lady! Just like a grandmother from a Japanese cartoon. Adorable. You will see when you go. -
Review from Essence M.
Seattle, WA
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I loves this restaurant. Just the history in itself is interesting enough. The staff was courteous and on top of everything. I enjoyed every dish that we tried and the prices are reasonable. I cannot wait to bring my family back here. I plan on becoming a regular :)
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Review from Michelle F.
Seattle, WA
5/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Such tasty offerings!
I am well impressed with Maneki's. I've been there twice, and both times, the food was amazing.
I'm also pleased to see they had real, honest-to-god Japanese food. They questioned my sanity when I ordered the yamaimo (mountain potato), I think. She asked and asked again to double check I was sure that was what I wanted and that it was.... "ahhh.... a little.... slimy," as she put it. Which it is. Had I not known what it was, I would have been horrified by it, I'm sure. But me being me, I love interesting textures and flavors, and it was exactly what I wanted.
We ordered a TON of food, and everything we had was just phenomenal.
I will most definitely be back for more.Listed in: Most Delicious Niches, Sashimi and Sushi? Moar…
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Review from Eliza B.
Seattle, WA
11/20/2011
AMAZING. try the cod
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Review from Samantha G.
Seattle, WA
5/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Two of my cousins have been raving about dining at Maneki for awhile now. When it was time to plan a much-needed cousin dinner, I made reservations at Maneki since I heard so many great things about this restaurant.
It really is important to call ahead to reserve a table or tatami room. I called at the beginning of the week and was told all the tatami rooms were booked for that Friday. CRAZY. However, they had a 8pm time slot which I eagerly took. Now when I got there, there were still people coming in and trying to get a table last min, which was not happening at all. So if you prefer to walk-in randomly and get seating over making reservations, you might want to reconsider dining at another place.
While I was waiting to be seated, the hostess brought me a hot cup of green tea, which I thought was great. When my cousins and I finally got seated, we took a menu and I have to admit I didn't know where to begin. One of my cousins just ordered for our table and this is what we had:
Ohitashi
Translation: broiled spinach with bonito flakes with dashi sauce. It was a great starter dish. Spinach was cooked just right and I enjoyed the sauce.
Age Dashi Tofu
AKA fried tofu topped with dashi sauce. I liked out it was slightly crunchy on the outside wtih a custardy inside. At this point I was ready for the rest of the food to come out!
Broiled Miso Black Cod Collar Miso
This is definitely my favorite dish here. The meat fell off the bones easily. It made me nostalgic of the fish I ate when I visited the Philippines. So good!
Variety of nigiri (Tuna, Yellowtail, wild salmon, hamachi, Albacore tuna)
Everything was fresh and I enjoyed the ratio of fish to rice. The hamachi and salmon were my favorites out of the bunch but the rest were still delicious.
Rolls ( Spicy tuna, Spider roll)
The Spider roll was pretty good but I'm not a fan of spicy tuna in general. Personally, I'd rather go crazy with nigiri than order rolls anyways.
The bill for each person (three of us total), which included sake came out to roughly $30. Not only was this meal worth my money, it has to be the best Japanese dinner I've had so far (ok it's tied with I Heart Wasabi, RIP). Now I need to find people who would love to dine here with me. -
Review from Johnny W.
6/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Izakayas have been one of my favorite types of Japanese cuisine establishments, ever since discovering them some years back, so of course I had to come try Maneki, with it being one of the more highly acclaimed ones in the city (that's actually accessible).
Unfortunately, as often seems to be the case, they didn't live up to the hype, as I've been to far better izakayas elsewhere. My friend and I ended up sharing an order of broiled black cod, croquettes, and what I believe was unagi no tamagotoji (something akin to an unagidon with egg). Sadly, the dish I look forward to most at every izakaya, the black cod, wasn't particularly noteworthy here, coming off as bland and too oily. Their croquettes are good, but not spectacular, while the tamagotoji was actually the best of the bunch.
So all in all, Maneki serves up some decent izakaya staples that make it worth checking out when a craving hits, but they're certainly not a place I'd go out of my way and wait in a long line for (make reservations, as they're usually fully booked, every night). -
Review from Jessica K.
Seattle, WA
I was introduced to Maneki by some friends who had gone there before. I'm glad I was with a group of people that knew where the restaurant was because there are no signs in the front, so it would've been very hard to find. What an awesome Japanese experience! The menu was huge and I couldn't decide what to order. We ordered a little bit of everything, between the eight of us. The fish was like butter, so fresh, it just melted in your mouth. The mackerel was awesome, udon awesome, grilled squid awesome, karage chicken super awesome!
The fresh food & reasonable price deserves a 5 star review, but I'm giving it 4 stars because of the wait time. We made reservations and it still took half and hour for them to sit us. -
Review from Shayne P.
Seattle, WA
4/19/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Occasion: My birthday dinner
Meals: Variety ozen, agedashi tofu, homemade potstickers, and potato croquette
Party size: 6
Maneki Restaurant has become one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle. It's a hidden treasure that many people actually know of... case in point, the wait. ** Tip: make reservations at least a week ahead of time, especially for the weekend. I made reservations for my birthday dinner (a Sunday) a month in advance because of it's popularity and because I wanted a Tatami room. The tatami room can seat a maximum of 10 people (with a minimum of 4 people for a room), I would recommend it for an intimate setting with great friends! Be sure to have the exact amount of people in your party because they need to prepare your room and they will not seat you until everyone in your party is present. There is a time limit (to prepare for the next reservation after your party) for the tatami room - 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is a lot of time to eat, chit chat, and have dessert at the end.
It was a first time experience for 3 of the members in my party, and they all said it was delicious! I always get my usual because of it's value and portion - Variety Ozen: miso soup, 4 pieces of good cuts of nigiri sushi, and a bento with tempura, chicken kuwayaki, sunomono, salad, and a slice of fruit for $13. Get this, and you'll have a hard time ordering something else there after. We made it really easy for our server - 6 Variety ozens for everyone in my party. We also ordered agedashi tofu, homemade potstickers, and potato croquette. They were all delicious, especially the croquette that had this amazing sauce to put on it!
At the end, everyone was full from the delicious meal. Nothing but good stuff was said about everything.
Do I see myself going back again? Of course! Whether it would be the main dining room or a tatami room! -
Review from Milton L.
Seattle, WA
11/8/2011
The food is so good and yet so reasonably priced. The service, if you manage to get a table, is very friendly. It is not a secret that the black cod collar is a must as it is practically their signature dish. But try the fried chicken as well, and the sukiyaki. Both are very nicely prepared. The sushi is very good too, but you would have to cherry pick the best stuff of the season. If you're adventurous as you should, stay away from the rubbish such as the California rolls, and check out the specials on the boards.
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Review from Ninette C.
Seattle, WA
3/23/2011
Maneki is one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle (hence why its my first review)! I come with my family and friends all the time...there was a point where the granny started to recognize me. :/ Its nice, traditional Japanese for a great price. I love its no-frills, old-school approach-- a nice departure from all those trendy sushi rolls with sauce named after Lady Gaga or whatever.
To try:
-Black cod miso of course
-Salt-broiled mackerel- so everyone in my family besides me prefers the black cod, but I loveeee this stuff. Get it in the sashimi dinner set and share that plus a few other dishes with the table. Its a great deal.
-Sashimi- make sure to tell them you don't want the little silvery fish!
-Avocodo ponzu
As everyone said, make reservations. Otherwise, you'll be waiting an hour. It's totally worth it to make reservations a day in advance or the day of for this yummy goodness though! -
Review from J T.
Seattle, WA
11/5/2011
I love this place. The food is great especially the sukiyaki, miso cod and sushi. Also good is the tonkatsu, beef and chicken teriyaki. The beef teriyaki has a different sauce than the chicken and it's amazing, worth a try for sure. The service is no nonsense and fast.
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Review from Keri C.
Seattle, WA
3/8/2011
Yeah yeah yeah, Maneki is a Seattle institution, the food is pretty good, nice ambiance, friendly staff. But Jeez, if they could get my order right just once I'd add a star.
I have now eaten here three times with a guy who swears it's the creme de la creme of Japanese food mainly due to a tofu dish that I still can't decide whether or not I like.
Time one our sushi order mysteriously doubled and we got an eggplant soup we didn't order. "do we still want it?". Well, kind of, now that it's here and our other food isn't and we're hungry. Charged for extra food.
Time two ordered small beer, got HUGE beer but might as well drink it now that it's here.
Time three is really almost unforgivable. Sushi order doubled once again. "Ok, just cancel the other order since we now have plenty of sushi." The second order arrives anyway so I barely touch my teriyaki due to the overabundance of sushi. The waiter asks if I want it boxed up which of course I do since it's virtually untouched and Maneki Teriyaki for tomorrows lunch in lieu of my usual lean pocket or nothing is kind of exciting.
Check comes sans boxed up teriyaki. I inquire as to it's whereabouts and the waiter looks like he's gonna cry. Accidentally threw it away. Sorry. No refund offered, no new boxed up teriyaki. So I hated on Maneki the following day as I chewed through my over-microwaved lean pocket.
If they can get their shit together I'll revisit my review. -
Review from Joshua G.
Cambridge, MA
Updated - 6/14/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Keep in mind, this is one of the best places on earth. It's kind of hard to get in here. Everybody knows that Maneki's tuna and wild salmon sashimi can't be beat. So you have to plan ahead. I suggest you make a reservation one week in advance.
The spicy tuna and sassy salmon roles might be different from what you've experienced. No cream cheese. They're actually spicy.
Outside of raw fish, I suggest the cod collars. Its just like eating fried chicken. It gets all over your face and it makes you smile from ear to ear. Seriously. Messy and beautiful.
And for desert, I like to get that fried green ice cream. But usually I gorge myself on fish and don't have any room for it. So again, plan ahead!
Oh. And the sake selection is epic.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/16/2009
this place is casual but for japanese food this good, you should try to look your best. seriously,… Read more »
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