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Matsu Sushi
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Sushi Bars Japanese, Sushi Bars [Edit]
19505 44th Ave W#K
Lynnwood, WA 98036
(425) 771-3368
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 pm
Mon-Sat 5 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
65 reviews for Matsu Sushi
Review Highlights
65 reviews in English
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Review from Liz V.
Lynnwood, WA
1/23/2012
One of my favorite place for good Japanese food. I've never been disappointed. If I want excellent and affordable this is the place. I always order the dinner combination of sushi and tempura because why mess with perfection.
If my husband and I have time during lunch on a weekday we head to Matsu for their Bento Box that comes with everything good in this world. Their lunch specials comes with green tea, teriyaki, sushi and tempura. The fish is always fresh, the tempura is always perfectly fried with just the right amount of batter, so light. The teriyaki sauce is not too sweet, just the right amount of sauce compared to other teriyaki joints I've been to. I'll definitely be going back, again and again and again. -
Review from Bri E.
Seattle, WA
2/5/2012
A couple friends and I were craving sushi and we were in Lynnwood so we thought what the hell, Yelp is pretty reliable. Welp, we were wrong!
Matsu Sushi had a 4 star rating and after eating there, I feel like perhaps Lynnwood residents aren't aware of what good, fresh sushi is, because we were highly disappointed in the quality of fish. My friends and I all had different dishes and rolls, I'd say out of 6 different dishes, we maybe enjoyed 2 of them. The food wasn't terrible, but for seafood in the Seattle-surrounding region, it should have tasted immensely fresher.
The waitress was very kind, but pretty inattentive. Sad to say, but we definitely won't be going back. -
Review from Isy E.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I don't know what sukiyaki is supposed to taste like, since this was my first try. But it was delicious! It was perfectly sweet and not too tangy. The veggies weren't overcooked, and there was a lot of them! Maybe just a bit too much cabbage and not enough cellophane noodles. I only say enough noodles because I was surprised to even find them at the bottom of my bowl. I was so full, but I wanted to keep eating. Their agedashi tofu is the best I've eaten so far. The tofu is perfectly crispy, and the sauce was very tasty. Everything came out piping hot, which is a huge plus for me!
They are kind of pricey, though. The waitstaff is very friendly, but maybe a little slower than I was expecting, but I was really hungry! I would be back here for a hot meal-- my friend's seafood bowl also tasted good, and there were generous amounts of fish in it. -
Review from Mike M.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
We were meeting some cousins for dinner last week and one of them frequents Matsu Sushi quite a bit. Tiny little place in a strip mall. Tiny. Yet, full of awesome!
We were a table of 7 and were catching up and not really getting around to ordering. The server, in an extremely respectful way, said to our cousin (in Japanese, and ooh so softly), "There is another large group coming in, and I don't want to rush you at all, but if you all order at the same time the food will take forever in our little kitchen." It was a gracious move on her part....helpful to both us and the kitchen.
Plates of tempura (veggies, crab, and shrimp), teriyaki beef and chicken, ton-katsu, California rolls, and sushi plates....along with your staples of miso soup, pickled veggies, and rice soon way overtook our table. Everything I shoved in my pie hole was fantastic!
I'm sure there are a billion Japanese restaurants in the greater Seattle area, but Matsu Sushi deserves your patronage at least once. -
Review from Tom C.
Bellevue, WA
1/31/2012
I was in today to pick up togo and the sushiman was very rudd. They also charged me $5 for yellow radish which most places gives it to you for free. This place might have good food but I think service is as much important as will.
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Review from Hue K.
Matsu sushi was located in a strip mall that doesn't seem to have any interesting store...
It was a small cozy Japanese eatery. Nothing trendy or big sushi menu.
I tried a few appetizers, calamari, tempura, sunomono (cold seafood appetizer), Kani croquette (imitation crab and mashed potato inside) and boiled spinach. Nothing stands out but all were OK.
Portions were not big as other Japanese restaurant nearby.
They have daily specials posted at the sushi bar area so check it out in addition to the regular menu.Listed in: Out of town, feel like getting many small…
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Review from Mike D.
Seattle, WA
11/29/2011
Framed salmon , bad tuna , I don't think we will going back .
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Review from SOYOUNG S.
Seattle, WA
11/15/2011
This place was around for long time.. Sushi is fresh all the time and staffs are very friendly.. If you want to eat traditional Japanese sushi this is the place to go.. but if you like fancy rolls.. They do not have them here.. Only traditional Japanese sushi.. But very fresh!
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Review from Nicole C.
Lynnwood, WA
5/14/2011 3 photos
I looked for the best sushi in Lynnwood and had to choose between these guys and another one (right across the street). A friend and I found ourselves here and I'm so glad we did!
It's nice inside, the edamame was delicious. We ordered 5 rolls to split between the two of us, and each bite was wonderful in every way. If I had the money to go out (and felt like eating white rice for the rest of my days) I'd go here daily.
Recommended if you like yourself a simple, delicious sushi roll. Go for it! -
Review from Hannah Y.
Updated - 3/15/2011 2 photos
Went back for dinner on a Monday evening because Taka Sushi was closed. This place started getting packed after we were seated and with only one waitress, it got chaotic pretty quick. Overall, she did a good job trying to juggle all 7 tables but when this happens, wait staff get overwhelmed and start to forget things. Unfortunately, it happened this evening.
We ordered Tempura (appetizer) with Agedashi Tofu, Edomae Roll, Maguro, and Tenzaru Soba. She forgot to bring us rice which we had asked to be served with the tempura (but to be fair, when she came by later to ask if everything was okay, we forgot all about rice so we didn't get it when we had the opportunity). It also took forever to get our check.
As per the usual, the food was pretty good. Tenzaru Soba was especially nice since I needed to stay on this annoying restricted diet of mine. The total bill came to $41 w/out tip. Worth it? Well I've had better. But for the overall quality, it's still a good meal.
They just need to hire more help for busy times.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/26/2010
I've gone here three times now and I will say that service is very, very good; sushi/sashimi -… Read more »
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Review from christine y.
Mill Creek, WA
Updated - 3/29/2011 4 photos
I realize they have this in fine print on the menu, but still.. They were going to charge me extra to switch out tuna for cucumber rolls. I think that's ridiculous. I feel that they should go out of their way a bit for customer satisfaction, esp. considering how many years I've eating there.
That being said, cali rolls are still creamy good, unagi is still grilled and sauced to perfection, and miso soup is still not too gritty.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/20/2009
5 Stars for always friendly service plus the following sushi, sashimi, and hot dishes!
California… Read more »
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Review from reyz a.
4/4/2011
Tempura o taberu no to sushi o taberu, dotchi ga ii desu ka?
Niku o taberu yori tempura/sushi combo o taberu hoo ga ii desu.
Tempura to sushi suki desu kara. Kino, Matsu Sushi ni tabe ikimashita. Sushi wa totemo oishii deshita. Watashitachi wa tanoshi deshita.
I thought that a compromise between tempura and sushi was solved by ordering the combination. This sure solved my hunger pangs for both. Miso soup was great, and we enjoyed the crunchy tempura and the fresh sushi. The waitress was super friendly and kid friendly. I had an enjoyable time here in this small corner of Lynnwood. -
Review from Kari R.
Seattle, WA
This review does not cover any of the sushi.
I came in here with my sisters because when I yelped teriyaki this place came up as being close, and we were already in a rush to meet some friends in Greenwood. The place was small and I've never noticed it before even though I lived in the Lynnwood area for over 10 years. When we opened the menu my eyeballs almost dropped out.
Maybe because it's the Greater Seattle area and there's a teriyaki joint in every plaza (along with a Starbucks, or espresso stand) I was kind of appalled at the price. $14.95 for CHICKEN TERIYAKI? My younger sister looked at me, almost as if to ask if I wanted to leave. Nope, we didn't have time, so I told her this had better be the best damn teriyaki she's ever had.
She order the CT, I ordered the Salmon, and our elder sister order the chicken sukiyaki. Before you get your food you get a side dish of salad, this tiny amount of cucumber with a couple of shrimp, and this black colored stuff...might've been seaweed? The black stuff was the only thing I didn't like, and while the apps (of course) didn't fill you, it can take that edge off of being hungry and only makes you further anticipate your food.
The entrees came quick and yes it was the best damn CT she'd ever had, my salmon was great and my sisters chicken sukiyaki was YUMMY! I loved this place! I went back a month later with my boyfriend and got the salted mackerel which was equally incredible.
Its definitely pricey, but the food is unlike what I'm used to having at a sushi and teriyaki place so I'll be back! -
Review from Jeanna L.
Mukilteo, WA
8/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
I want to preface this bad review by saying that I am admittedly a sushi snob. Most people probably wouldn't know the difference between bad and good sushi, especially if they stick to rolls. So this review is more of a warning for the serious sushi lovers.
So I was in Lynnwood with a sushi craving and found this place on yelp. 4.5 stars with over 40 reviews was worth a shot. Looked on the website and the chef was trained in Japan. Sounds authentic too! Should be decent, even if it's in a run down strip mall next to Lover's Package, right? Well... I should have known better.
I asked for omakase 10 pieces of nigiri. What came out was what you expect on a typical sushi combination order besides the toro. 10 awful pieces of sushi for $25. For $25 I can get 10-12 pieces of truly amazing sushi elsewhere. The fish was basically butchered. They looked ok from the top, but it was ragged at the bottom as if the knife was too dull. The fish wasn't very fresh either and was of subpar quality. The toro, rather than melting in my mouth, tasted chalky. Even the color of the fish seemed off to me. And don't get me started on the poor excuse for sushi rice. It was very cold and hard and tasted like plain white rice without the vinegar and sugar that makes it sushi rice. And I had to cut out half the rice to make it edible. A huge block of tasteless rice under a mediocre at best piece of fish.
Blue C sushi tastes better. I bet the grocery store has better sushi. I cannot believe this place is rated so highly.
And today, my bf is not feeling well and suspects food poisoning from the sushi last night. I'm guessing it may have been the scallop nigiri he had since that's the only one I didn't eat and I'm feeling fine.
I spent $30 for my first bad sushi experience in years. My bf spent $25 for a stomachache. I hate wasting money on bad food more than anything! -
Review from Curtis L.
Did not meet expectations. Sushi was just okay. Hot food was good. Service was okay. The place is dated. Maybe because it was the end of the night, after ordering and receiving food, service all but disappeared. The sushi rolls were priced well but the rice was dry for me. Again it may be because it was the end of the day. The Tempura was hot tasty and the terriyaki chicken could be more tender. Presentation was great. The bentos were pricey though, starting in the upper teens. Overall, this place just felt middle of the pack when it come to sushi joints. I will just have to keep looking for some good north end sushi.
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Review from Charlie L.
Seattle, WA
10/10/2010
For what you pay for, you don't get a lot... may be I just need to orient myself to sushi in this area, but although fish is fresh, my salmon sushimi included the very fishy grey part near the skin. Usually that is cut out for cooked dishes, and it seems to be a sign of skimping.
I also had the tempura udon... the batter was delicious, but for $11, you get 1 shrimp, 2 pieces of veggies.
And the space itself is uncessarily dark... like you walked into a cave.
A very uninspiring meal, will keep searching. -
Review from Faye R.
Seattle, WA
2/14/2011 1 photo
My sister and friend wanted sushi and while I don't like sushi, it was two against one. They didn't end up ordering it anyway, heh.
I used to live in Lynnwood and I don't remember this place, but I don't know how long it's been in its current location. It's right behind the jack in a box on the corner of 196th St and 44th Ave next to a Korean BBQ.
Now, I don't know much about Japanese food, but I ordered the chicken sukiyaki (didn't even know what it was, heh) and it was DELISH. The chicken was tender and the cabbage was wonderfully delicate and enriched in the broth. I even ate the tofu and I hate tofu. The flavors blended well and it was so, so good. Drool worthy, I'm telling you. Dinner came with miso soup, salad, and marinated seaweed (forgot the name). Very, very filling and I sadly did not finish it all.
The service was quick, but very friendly. Definitely outdated decor, but who cares. It was clean, warm, and just what I needed after running errands all day in the cold rain. Sounds like I'm describing a bath, but they ARE warm and you come out feeling relaxed and refreshed and that's how I felt after eating at Matsu Sushi. And very, very full. :) -
Review from mister f.
Seattle, WA
11/11/2011
We returned most of the food we ordered because it was just awful. The tempura was the only thing we could eat. We returned the food politely an didn't request a refund. Instead of asking what was wrong, waitress insulted us. Avoid this place.
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Review from Tony R.
Lynnwood, WA
Trecked into Matsu Sushi last night after seeing the copious numbers of fantastic reviews for a non-chain restaurant in Lynnwood.
From the outside, you can't really see into the restaurant, but when you get in there are a good number of tables. We waited a bit to be seated, but were greeted in Japanese and seated promptly.
Me and the lady ordered everything to share and got sukiyaki, tempura, and spicy tuna rolls, California rolls, and uni.
The food came out really quickly and our server was super nice the whole time. The miso soup was delicious, not grainy as has been noted in other reviews. Whatever they use on their tempura is delicious, really crunchy but light. The shrimp tempura was sooooo good. I ate more of the sukiyaki than I care to admit, but thought the beef could have been more tender, as it seemed a little tough. I really loved the noodles in the sukiyaki, such an interesting texture, and I could drink that broth for days.
The California roll was really delicate and the avocado in it was melt in your mouth. I don't normally enjoy raw fish, but the spicy tuna roll was good and had a nice spice level. I tried uni, only because I've seen Anthony Bourdain eating it with relish on tv too many times not too. I have too say, it wasn't as bad as I imagined, but I didn't really like the texture or the flavor.
I can't give this more stars simply because of the pricing and my level of enjoyment. It was good, but when I got the bill, this definitely wont be a place I could go back to often. I understand good sushi costs money, but the sukiyaki didn't justify its $18 pricetag. That said, three stars aint bad in my book. -
Review from Luchie d.
San Jose, CA
6/19/2007
Been going here since they've opened up and Matsu serves amazing Japanese cuisine. You will NOT find overly battered tempura, super sweet teriyaki, or ridiculous sushi rolls that mask the taste of the fish. What you WILL find is authentic flavors, kind service, and a cozy feel while you dine.
* Sushi: Their spicy tuna roll has a wonderful balance of spicy with high quality tuna. The sushi here is definitely prepared by a sushi chef that cares about what he serves; fresh, flavorful, and elegant sushi.
* Tempura: Lightly battered like it should be. A generous portion of veggies and shrimp and the dipping sauce is light and not overly sweet.
* Sukiyaki - Enough for two as it's filled with lean cuts of beef, tofu, veggies, and clear noodles.
The broth is perfect over rice.
* Teriyaki - Come here to taste what teriyaki should taste like. MMMMM.
* Udon - A delicious broth with tender noodles served in clay pots
And to finish it off - you must try the COFFEE JELLO. Yes, it may sound odd but you like coffee ice cream, right??
It's really tasty.
In the end, they are consistent with their food & service. They are super sweet family who runs the restaurant.
Oh, lunch time bento boxes are wonderful too. Matsu plays this funny background music (it's pleasant) and I find myself humming it when I'm at home. Need to find out where I can get the cd. Go and you will know what I'm talking about. Enjoy! -
Review from Nina W.
5/18/2009
I found it!
Sushi Nirvana.
In an unassuming, slightly seedy strip-mall in Lynnwood, across from the Police Station.
No Joke.
I came here for lunch on a Saturday, and the signs on the outside of the door stated that they were NOW OPEN for lunch on Saturdays!
I was so relieved that they were, because I don't know what I would have done if they were not.
My sister and fellow-sushi-lover and I walked into the tiny restaurant, and we were the only customers in there (apparently the Saturday lunch must be very new). We were greeted with "Moshi Moshi", and seated, and served a great cup of tea from a sweet Japanese lady. The interior of the shop was homey, clean, and friendly, reminded my sister and I of our favorite chinese spot near our parent's house in MLT.
We ordered two lunch combos- I went with a chicken teriyaki and sushi for 11.95, and sister-dear went with a sushi and sashimi combo for 15.95.
OK, it was a little pricier than our other favorite sushi spot in Lynn-Hood, but when the food came out, I knew we were in for a treat.
The miso soup was delicious, not salty at all, and I finished the whole bowl. The salad was standard lettuce carrot and cabbage and had that dressing stuff on it, but it was nice and light and so refreshing on such a hot day.
Then, the main course. A whole california roll (tuna and veggie), FOUR pieces of assorted nigri, perfectly cooked rice, fresh ginger and wasabi, and a large portion of gently cooked perfectly juicy chicken teriyaki. A huge amount of food, and it was all great.
The sushi was absolutely amazing, perfectly seasoned, the freshness of the fish was astounding, it left no odor on my breath afterwards, even when I burped.
I snagged a piece of my sister's fresh tuna sashimi. It was tender, perfectly cut and perfect thickness, and seasoned with what I can only describe as Love.
We got a more than ample portion of sushi with our meal. Matsu-san really is the best sushi chef I have encountered in my short, inexperienced time as a sushi connoisseur. 30 dollars for two people to eat(and have leftovers) left a pleasant taste in both of our mouths.
If you want fresh, delicious, reasonably priced, real sushi made with love and attention, In the north end, come to Lynnwood! Now open for lunch Saturday! -
Review from jay j.
Seattle, WA
6/28/2008
Well, since I've been writing mostly about Japanese restaurant since I joined Yelp, one more review for Japanese restaurant wouldn't hurt, yeah?
Matsu Sushi.....hmm.
Okay, you sushi lovers, I will give you one more insight.
Not all sushi chefs possess same skills and experience and you agree, right?
Here are my top sushi chefs (I'm talking sushi not hot foods) in Seattle area based on my own criteria (ALPHABETICAL) My criteria has nothing to do with whether the place has customer lines out the door. The only criteria is their expert skills at preparing highest quality end products. And no, it has nothing to with whether he has good social skills/humorous with English speaking customers sitting across the sushi bar.
Jae ; Chinoise Cafe On Madison, the youngest in the list but can stand against any of them.
Kazuo san; Red Fin, formally at I love Sushi Bellevue/Seattle. Definitely one of the best, some of you would know him for sure.
Matsu san (the owner Matsu Sushi); yes he is quite old now but back when he was in Japan at young age, he is known to have earned high places in All Nippon Sushi Tournament. Since many Japanese sushi chef in US actually have never worked sushi bar in their home country, I think that has some merit. Excellent knife skills. No, he won't make you a fancy roll with crisped macadamia nuts outside ^^.
Nishino san; a genius at creating something wonderful out of nothing.
Saito san: Saito's sushi and sake bar, is it still there? Anyway, a perfectionist when it comes to nigiri.
Yama san; Tokyo in Factoria, well I gave poor review for Tokyo in general but has nothing to do with his skills. Some have grown up eating sushi made by him since childhood are now in college. Very well balanced nigiri and sashimi.
So, why did I list top sushi chefs here?
Because in my own opinion, Matsu san stands above them when it comes to pure skills.
Please don't expect a 'fun time' with him if you visit after reading my review. He wants to serve you with his foods not with his mouth...
I still remember his wife's killer tempura... :) -
Review from Zachary Sam Z.
Seattle, WA
11/25/2008
I got take out from here tonight: chirashi and Spicy Tuna roll. They have two different versions of chirashi here that are $4 apart, so I got the pricier one to see what it was all about... and wow, what variety! Probably the most varied assortment on chirashi I've ever seen. Big slices too! But only one of each kind of fish, and I wanted more salmon. :( The fish itself was pretty good.
Additional kudos because the spicy tuna roll was made with hot sesame oil and not spicy mayo. I love the authenticity that brings. The spicy tuna was heavy on the tuna and light on the oil, so it burned just enough to give me a kick, but didn't leave me running for water.
The server was super polite, and the place was quaint but felt authentic. The one down side was the sushi bar. Chairs at the sushi bar were super low. Boats were stacked on all sides, blocking the view from the patrons to the sushi chef. Add the banners hanging from the ceiling and you really can't even see into the sushi prep area. I guess it's the chef's choice, but it's really such a shame. The only time I saw the chef was when his arm emerged from behind a banner with my to go order.
Overall, a good experience. But far away. I'll only be back if I'm in the neighborhood, but I will definitely remember this place.Listed in: Sam's Spectacular Sushi Search
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Review from Angie B.
11/21/2008
Stopped by here since I was nearby for a work appointment. I nearly decided to go to the Korean restaurant 2 doors down - but decided to stick w/ Japanese since I've been hankering for sushi.
I had a lunch special for $9.95. For the price it was fine. Nothing stellar, but all seemed reasonably fresh & well-prepared. There were only a few others there for lunch on a Friday - don't know if that is normal or not. Service was fine & it was a clean, pleasant environment.
And yes, it is in kind of a random strip-mall...but isn't everything in Lynnwood?! (don't hate, just kiddin' sorta)
Side note: several places - restaurants & retails spots seemed shuttered along this pretty major road (Chevy's, billiard place, etc...). Sad sign of the times I guess. -
Review from Phoenix mi m.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 8/5/2010 1 photo
We finally got to try this place! It is definitely good! I so loved my Kasuzuke Black Cod and I was impressed that the side order of the Hamachi had tails! My friend told me authentic Japanese sushi should have those tails =) so interesting =)
My friend ordered the Matsu Sushi dinner special and she was impressed with the freshness of the fish. She ordered uni in the middle of the meal and it arrived toward end of our meal. When she took her first bite, I can immediately tell by her expression that it was DELICIOUS which she confirmed verbally. =)
We were wondering if it is this good all the time. Today is their first day back in business after their vacation so everything must be fresh and the chef and cooks are in better moods =) Well Yelpers are giving good reviews so it must tell you something about the place =) I would say it definitely deserves 4.5 stars... but i'll be nice today and round it up to 5.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/2/2010
Note that they are on vacation through 8/4/2010.
Not really 3 stars - never tried it yet. This… Read more »
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Review from Brittany L.
Lynnwood, WA
3/27/2010
Let me start by saying I am honestly surprised that Lynnwood has such a hidden gem such as this one.
In my eyes, I see nothing wrong with this place. The service is attentive and friendly, the sushi is fresh, tasty, and presented beautifully, and the prices are average with what you'd see in most sushi places.
The restaurant is very small and frankly, outdated. It's as "hole-in-the-wall" as you can get north of Seattle, but mom always said never judge a book by it's cover, right? Right! I visited this place yesterday for the first time in a while and I was beating myself up for not visiting more often, especially when it's less than two miles from home. I ordered the tekka-don this time and received a much bigger portion than I had anticipated which in this case, was a good thing. I couldn't finish all of my rice but if I had been exceptionally hungry, It would have been the perfect filling (but not gut-busting) meal.
My partner ordered one of the plates of nigiri and complained of the amount of wasabi on the sushi, but for those of us who love wasabi, it's not too much, and also just as fresh as their fish. I noticed too, that their menu outside of sushi is fairly extensive.
I would recommend any sushi lover in the area to visit this place and make it your "go-to" spot. It's not as trendy as Edina across the street, but unless you're a stuffy, snobby, sushi-spot elitist, I don't think you'll mind. ;)Listed in: I Like it Raw
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Review from Carolyn B.
Lynnwood, WA
9/7/2008
I love this place. Love it. Their rolls are fabulous, and their fish is wonderful. I've had many of their dinner entrees and they have all been wonderful.
The teriyaki is fantastic!! The sauce is light and thin, not goupy and overpowering like "TERIYAKI" places.
Tempura is wonderful. The Sukiyaki is my boyfriend's favorite meal there.
When geoduck is in season, get it here. It's so fantastic!! It is family owned and operated by wonderful Japanese family.
When you come in you get a hot steamed towel, then they give you the little salads, sunomono and I don't remember what the other are called.. You get soup (miso), and an iceberg salad with their special radish dressing.
We often go here for birthdays because we aren't rich. Their prices are good for how much food you get; we always get too much so that we have leftovers!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Derek B.
9/11/2008
It's a beautiful crime that a sushi restaurant of this quality is located in the same strip mall as Lover's Package.
I was turned on to Matsu by reading the reviews here on Yelp. Yet another excellent recommendation from the community! The fish here is always astonishingly fresh and tasty, and the teriyaki chicken was a real awakening to me.
Sublime sushi, deliciously light tempura, addictive teriyaki.
Service is friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is mellow; I often see families with small children munching away happily.
My favorite sushi restaurant in the 'Hood. -
Review from JAIDEE D.
Edmonds, WA
9/13/2008
After reading Jay's review I had to come check out this spot.
Can't say I was disappointed at all. It's a cool little spot, that's almost hidden b/c they don't have a large sign like most plazas usually would.
I was very impressed with their knife skills. The rolls all tasted so fresh like it was butter, probably the best sushi I've ever had, not that I'm an expert by any means.
The lady is also very friendly and always wears a smile on her face. To top it all of, you can't go wrong with Mochi ice cream, I think it's like 2 pieces for 3 dollars.
Since my first time coming here, I try to visit once a week, although their hours of business confuse me. They're closed on Wednesdays, and closed between 2-5PM? atleast they were closed after 2PM today(Saturday).
Despite that, I'd definitely recommend coming here if you're looking for a low-key, peaceful, and enjoyable meal! -
Review from Christie P.
Edmonds, WA
4/21/2010
It's been a long time since I've been to a Japanese restaurant. I guess it's because for the price, they better return the favor by giving me really fresh fish, simple yet amazingly flavorful dishes, and good service. Obviously, I haven't had this experience recently...
Until today!
Considering Matsu Sushi is a small spot in one of many suburban strip malls, I was pleasantly surprised. The server was super nice and diligent (she noticed a kitchen mistake on one of our orders before bringing it to the table). I ordered the lunch special of chicken teriyaki, tempura, sushi, and sides which include miso soup and two salads. The portions were not big, but large enough to satisfy.
What really amazed me was the sushi. I got three pieces of nigiri and three pieces of California roll. The roll was nothing to brag about, but the fish was amazingly fresh. The cuts were a good size as well.
Next time I want some sushi, I might just have to call on Matsu. -
Review from D.J. Y.
2/7/2007 1 photo
This wonderful restaurant reminds me of the day when Japanese restaurants were run by a family, usually the kids out front with Pop behind the sushi counter and Mom in the back slaving over a hot stove.
Needless to say the old style flavors, are a true test of a good Japanese restaurant. One must taste the tempura, this place serves up some of the best, fresh oil, no fishy flavors. Sashimi is of decent grade and served up beautifully.
This is a great place for a mixed group, both non and sushi pros will like this place. My wife doesn't like raw fish and it is sometimes hard to find a place with a good balance between sushi and non-sushi items. The menu has a great mix of both, sukiyaki and teriyaki are done well along with the grilled mackerel, one of my favorites aside from the sushi combos.
Service is top notch, they actually still offer the hot towel and with your dinner a small cucumber or seaweed salad is served along with miso soup!
Try the mochi ice cream for an after dinner treat, that's if you have the room! -
Review from Bobby N.
5/31/2010
I went here for dinner for the first time. Judging by the reviews, yelpers say it's very fresh, tasty and moderately pricey. I was very excited! However, after having a $30 meal I completely disagree. The raw fish was NOT fresh at all! It tasted like something they've stored away for a long time. The taste was mediocre that I ended up liking the ginger 3x more than the actual sushi. Although the vegetable tempura and the rice wasn't bad, I would DEFINTELY NOT COME BACK here. It was overpriced for the quality of food.
On a positive note, the place is decorated nicely with Japanese partians. The service is superb and that's why I give it 3 stars. But you are certainly better off heading to beltown. -
Review from Kristine H.
Seattle, WA
Located in an unassuming strip mall in Lynnwood, this Japanese restaurant provides solid fare for a decent price. There are better restaurants in Seattle but sometimes one finds themselves north and craving some sushi without dealing with Blue C at Alderwood.
We went directly at 5 p.m. but noticed that during our meal, the restaurant began to fill up with regulars and patrons waiting on to-go orders. Our waitress was exceptionally friendly and brought us hot steamed towels after we placed our order. She checked on us a few times during our meal but never to the point of harassment.
If you are in Lynnwood and crave Japanese food, this place will fit the bill. We were pleased with the items we ordered and you can check out my uploaded photos if you'd like a good idea of the portion size. -
Review from Jake B.
Lynnwood, WA
6/10/2011
The staff is quite friendly and the quality of food is fantastic. While they do not really have any US style rolls they do have many authentic Japanese dishes and offerings. Would recommend to anybody looking for a good Sushi experience.
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Review from Ann W.
4/10/2010
Did we go to the same place? I did not get a 4 1/2 star feeling after eating at Matsu. I went twice this week. The first time, we ordered sushi, and it was pretty good. The most memorable thing was how fresh the fish was. The salmon nigiri was delish. I just wanted to note a strange fact: if you ask for any substitution on a roll, they will charge you $1. I asked if they could make a unagi/avocado roll because all they had on the menu was unagi/cucumber, and the waitress said I'd have to pay an extra $1. I passed on that...
The second time I went to Matsu, we tried the baked oyster appetizer, which was TEENY TINY for the cost and strangely served in a seashell--somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, Ariel is swimming around with one boob hanging out. My friend ordered the soba buckwheat noodles w/wasabi dipping sauce and tempura. He was not happy with it because he felt like the sauce tasted "plasticky." I ordered one of my favorite Japanese dishes -- beef sukiyaki. It was kind of small for $17, especially compared to a place like Miyabi in Tukwila (look it up). It was literally a pot of onions/cabbage with a few overcooked slices of beef, some overly cut-up shirataki noodles, one shitake mushroom, two pieces of carrot, and 4 squares of tofu. :( The sukiyaki tasted good, but the ingredients were so sparse. For $17, at least give me TWO mushrooms!
Our waitress this time was not so nice. She was very stand-offish and cold. Rather than ask us if we were ready to order, she walked up to our table and stood there with her pad and pen, without saying a word. It was awkward. She did it 3x because she kept coming back when we weren't ready to order yet. It was a strange experience....
If I ever go back, I will have to stick with ordering nigiri and sashimi, and pass on the rolls and entree items. -
Review from Joshua B.
Lynnwood, WA
8/11/2010
First it should be noted that I am by no means a sushi connoisseur but do enjoy it from time to time.
I had a friend in town from Montana and he wanted to partake in some "good sushi". Our original plan was to go to someplace in Capitol Hill or Belltown, mainly because of the assumption that we couldn't get good sushi outside of the trendy Seattle neighborhoods.
After some research here on Yelp and several menus online it appeared that Mastu would be just as good as anything downtown.
It was a little hard to find and without reading the reviews first I would have never thought to try this place.
We started with edamame and miso soup, both were good but nothing extraordinary. We then ordered several pieces of nigiri including fresh snapper, yellowtail and salmon. They were all larger pieces that had the perfect amount of wasabi and tasted as fresh as can be. We also ordered the Northwest, California, Sake, Spicy Tuna and Unakyu (eel) rolls.
The northwest roll could have used a little more cream cheese but the spicy tuna and sake rolls were fantastic. The spicy tuna had a nice kick but little to no aftertaste. I had never had eel before and while it was not my favorite, tasted like well cooked beef fat, but it had good flavor and made me rethink my originally perception of eel.
Overall don't let the location and exterior appearance steer you away from this restaurant. If you are looking for a variety of Japanese dishes without the hassle of downtown this is the place to go! -
Review from Robyn H.
Seattle, WA
10/11/2005
Oh what these people can do to fish and rice! Sheer artistry.
Friendly staff, sushi to die for and moderate prices. Why are you still here reading this? Haul your butt to the northern reaches of Lynnwood and partake of perfection. -
Review from Rita I.
Edmonds, WA
11/30/2008
Six of us fit snuggly and ate contentedly at a booth at Matsu Sushi, a place that filled quickly after 6 PM. Absolutely delish, fresh sushi that satiated the palates of four. Two in our group are sushi fanatics from San Francisco, and they were very pleased with this find.
Two others consumed the udon noodles and the chirashi dinner with great delight. The large chunks of fish and roe tucked into the corners of the Bento were both very tasty and colorful.
Yelp was the beacon that pulled us into this lovely, friendly Lynnwood sushi place, right behind the famous Dave's Burgers drive-up...but that's another story! -
Review from Mike P.
Lynnwood, WA
5/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
I tried Matsu for the first time tonight. I was pleasantly surprised. I have to echo the comments of other reviewers... a little outdated, hole-in-the-wall, surprising for a strip mall... but once you taste the food, you forget about all of that.
I had the Ume Sushi platter, which came with Miso and a salad. The Miso was full of flavor, not the typical bland broth that you get at other places. The nigri melted in my mouth, and the tuna roll was fantastic.
I will have to go back and try more of the menu. This place is one of the best. -
Review from Jeff R.
Mukilteo, WA
4/2/2011 1 photo
This place is a find. My wife and I grew up in LA, I would say it has the best sushi anywhere short of Japan. I digress, on a scale of 1 to 10 Matsu gets a hearty 8. The rolls are full of fish not all rice, and the fish quality was very good. When you take into account the low price, Matsu is easily a 10. We got 3 healthy size rolls, an order of salmon nigiri (great by the way), miso, and tempura app for $50 including tip. That is a deal! Don't let appearances fool you, or let it if your that type, less crowds for the rest of us.
