Maneki Restaurant in Seattle

Cozy family run Japanese restaurant. Reserve your seats ahead of time. They dont take walk-ins lightly. The food was alright. If you never had unagi on rice before, you will be blessed. The sauce was amazing !

When we arrived it was full for the evening but we were able to nab seats at the bar. Our waitress Gina was very on top of it even though it was incredibly busy, on top of being a fun and friendly person.We really enjoyed the food and it was clearly of pretty good quality. It didnt completely knock my socks off or anything but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and quality for the price we got.

Limited menu, I ate from the the gluten free menu and had sushi tuna roll. Meh. Had steak, overcooked served with cabbage. Brother had sukiyaki and he was underwhelmed. Nothing to write home about. Lackluster. I wont be back any time soon.

We wanted to try this place for awhile and we finally texted them to make a reservation. Maybe our expectations were to high but the food was only ok. Our favorite was the salmon dish, the miso eggplant was way too salty, it was not pleasant. Server was friendly, but not the front desk receptionist. I can’t say I’d come back again.

Such a wonderful spot make a reservation so your sure together in. Enjoy the experience

This place fill up pretty quick so a reservation is strongly recommend and it is totally worth it. Food was great, atmosphere is very nice and authentic with private sitting rooms and the service was great, very nice people working there.

Raw fish quality was poor, not fresh - but we enjoyed the cod collars and unagi meshi. For 2 people the total was $120.

Very old, historic, authentic and traditional Japanese restaurant. You have to reserve through text first to ensure your spot.I love their eel rice, it takes 30-40 mins to cook. And all the other dishes are great.They have great service and very home like feelings.Parking: street parking or at the back of this restaurant building, there is a public parking lot, or you can park at the Japanese supermarket and shopping for 20 dollars for 2 hours’ free parking.

Ordered unagi and oyster kama meshi, beef sukiyaki, sushi, black cod, sonomono. My favorite was the black cod because it was delicious and priced reasonably. However everything else was just OK, too pricey for a very small portion. And the waiters didn’t provide any helpful suggestions but kept saying we needed to order more.

Great taste, friendly staff,Enjoyed my dinnerRecommended !

I’m super happy about this place. Everything we ordered was good. We started with salmon nanban, which was a light and refreshing appetizer. Moved on to beef sukiyaki that was cooked to perfection. And the unagi kamameshi simply stole the show. Nigiri were just alright though but I thought they were quite reasonably priced (negitoro was $12 for 2 pieces). The cooked dishes were not that expensive but portions were a little smaller than expected. Amazing service and nice ambience though. They have been around for so long and I finally understand why and how. Would definitely love to come back if I have the chance to.

For a $100+ per person tatami room experience, Maneki phoned it in (July 2022). Quality of food was sub-par. For example, sunomono was sliced too thick, and we got end-pieces on our $87 sushi platter. In addition, the waitress did not know what kind of fish she was serving us, and lectured our party about drinking (we ordered one bottle of sake.)I used to come here all the time, and it used to be great. I can no longer say the same.

Historic institution for Japanese food. This place has a vibe that can’t be matched. The same owners have been serving and hosting for decades.I expected the kitchen food to our shine the sushi and to be frank both were exceptional. Sometimes you need to wait to get a table but it’s a wait worth while.Don’t sleep on their saki menu. We found everything served to be on point. What a lovely place for a big family dinner or a date

This is a restaurant that has been around for over 100 years. If you want a Japanese meal in Seattle, you must consider this restaurant!

We usually went to Maneki once a while before covid, and we are very glad to see they still exists and one of the owner (a lovely grannyis 元気 as before. This restaurant is not just a restaurant but history of Japanese town. The restaurant owners - sisters spent their whole lives in the restaurant. You can see a picture in their younger age in the hall way and other historical pictures.The meals are always good. Beef sukiyaki smells so good, and the squid is very tasty. Unagi rice is a bit light and soft taste to me but not soggy at all.

Best Japanese food in Seattle. Unusual menu; lots of home style Japanese dishes. Get their Salmon in foil pouch! It’s incredible, and you won’t find it at any other restaurant.

Friendly and professional service. We ordered two chirashi bowls and midai sushi. The fish is the bowls were a tad ok with scallop being the best and freshest. For the price I wish it was a bit fresher. The midai a la carte was kind of just ok. I would have preferred more scallop for the same price.Its a cool restaurant thats been around for some time. Not sure why the windows are still boarded up. They have some of the traditional seating which is cool.

Very good traditional Japanese food. Delicious and fresh, very quite environment , make you enjoy it together!

Ordered the grilled salted mackerel and shrimp tempura roll for dinner. We picked up the order in 20 minutes, everything was fresh and tasted delicious, and they threw in a miso soup!I would recommend scoping out the place before driving there if it’s your first time - it’s kind of hard to spot at a glance. There was ample parking along the street for a quick pick up too!

Still only pickup for food, it seems.The food tastes like Japanese home cooking. In particular, the gyoza was hand wrapped and tasted like what would be in a household Japanese gyoza. The croquette tasted nearly identical to croquettes Ive eaten in Japan with family. Portions are mostly generous. There are some things (like the nasu denthat I wondered how they were priced due to the small portions, but I think the labor involved for a small kitchen was probably high (same with the pork katsu curry - high labor, higher cost, but most likely Japanese boxed roux, because thats what most japanese homes use for curries). I recommend the variety ozen for anybody who wants to taste Japanese cooking and doesnt know what to try (portions are generous and really are a variety). Of course, the food was all very good.I recommend this place for Japanese expats and other people who want a taste of (Japanesehome.

I can not wait till this place opens for dine in. It’s only take out right now because of Covid. Aside from that, the food is great as are the prices. I was impressed by the portions. I ordered a variety of food for my husband and me and we had leftovers for 2 more meals. Everything was tasty!

Front of store is all boarded up so you would think that its out of business. If walk in, you will told take out via online only ...... I saw handfull of people turned away who probably had an expection of good food as dine-in. Giving three stars although I didnt get food from here just because I couldnt understand the mind of resturant owner keeping the place as is even after so many great reviews.

Japantown’s finest as well as Seattle’s oldest Japanese restaurant still going strong. The miso black cod is top notch, and their sukiyaki is a must try. Make sure you get reservations or you will likely be turned away! 🇯🇵 🍱 🍣

Maneki is such a great place for some heartwarming Japanese food. I always order the Cod Collar, its a salty, umami bomb. Though you cant go wrong with any of their signature dishes. We dont usually get sushi but this time we tried the Vegan roll, and it was a great mixture of flavor,texture.

The signature ozen was completely disappointing. Don’t order this if you are seeking authentic Japanese food. I’ve heard of this place for a while, maybe I had a too high expectations of it. The tempura shrimp was not warm, I doubt if it was freshly made. The two small appetizers( not opened in the picwas frozen, feels like just get out of fridge. The roll also tastes not good. The small piece of salmon inside is not fresh, not even as good as rolls bought from uwajimaya. The teriyaki chicken and miso soup were good. Also the “fruit” showed in the description of the menu mean that small piece of orange. R u kidding me? Very disappointing I drove 25min to pick up a meal like this.

Everything we ordered was delicious and generous in portion size. The food you can tell is cooked well and all the flavours are there.The atmosphere is nice and has a good vibe. It’s not a modern feeling, but it does have a good traditional interior feeling.Make sure you call ahead and make a reservation or else you won’t be able to get a table until after 8:30pm.

First thing first, I highly recommended that you make a reservation before going. I went here for my birthday and the food were amazing. The staff was really friendly. My wife and I ordered a variety of dishes to share. I highly suggest the beef sukiyaki and the cod collar. Those are the staples at Maneki.In regards to the atmosphere, it was quiet and you feel like things slow down while you are in there. It feels cozy.I would definitely go back here again

The oldest Japanese restaurant in Seattle. I love everything about this place from the decor, staff, a variety of selections on the menu, food quality, history, etc.This is a place I bring my friends/families if they are in town. The decor makes you feel you are in a restaurant in Japan. Staffs make you feel you are in a restaurant in Japan. Service and Food do it too.Ambiance: Old Japanese restaurant vibeService: Exceptional, although, sometimes old Japanese ladies talk to you in JapanesePricing: Average $$I took off one star because their sushi isn’t so good. Other items are pretty good for the price, but sushi quality is not the same as what you would normally get at Shiro’s or Sushi Kashiba.

Make your reservation a week ahead.The food are good, it is worth it to wait.But it takes long time for someone to take my order, maybe they forget me because I was by myself 😂

Been here twice and absolutely love it!First time came for sukiyaki combo. Quantity is definitely enough, it would be better if it comes with raw egg dip.Second time had sakana dinner-salted mackerel with teriyaki sauce on the side. Both times the side dishes are absolutely perfect. Sashimi is delicious, tempura is crispy, miso soup tastes miso, and salad is refreshing. All in small portion so you can try everything without being really full. My friend ordered unagi meshi and it took 30 min to cook. Quantity is enough for two, but honestly it just very well flavored rice with some pieces of eel. Delicious, but you easily get tired of the flavor, and it’s just nutritiously it’s balanced. Also tried croquettes, very satisfying quantity and quality, definitely loved it.The only change I would like to see is in terms of service. Every time our conversation is interrupted when the waitress is taking empty dishes. Also, it’s not the izakaya type of place, we were courteously reminded that the next reservation is here and suggested to leave. I would really like to see this place being somewhere you can sit and talk all night, but it’s too popular to do that.Will definitely visit again.

Ive been twice in Tokyo and this is as Japanese as you can get in Seattle. The smell, the sight, the lighting, tatami rooms, traditional dishes, great sake and sochu selections, Nihongo/English conversations of local Japanese regulars and servers, in the middle of Japanese Town, and add to that established in 1904. An unassuming restaurant outside, but thats how old restaurants in Tokyo looks 😉. You need a reservation to get a table, they are usually fully booked. The bar is self help and has a sitting waiting area next to it so its a first come first serve basis and they also have the full menu there. Courtesy and friendliness helps a lot than acting VIP, the receptionist is kind enough to actually provide me a table in 5 minutes, after just hanging out with a young hip couple while waiting for a seat at the bar.

Reasonably priced for superbly fresh seafood and wonderful cooking. Plates are perfect for sharing. The broiled oysters are simply out of this world, as is the Black Cod collar. Enjoyed my meal very much! Highly recommended but try to make reservation before coming

We made reservations for my birthday dinner and were happy to find the famous matriarch, Mom, waiting up front to check us in. Upon our arrival we witnessed a very disappointed fellow being turned away due to his lack of reservations and the restaurants being busy already, so Id absolutely recommend planning ahead and calling in reservations in advance for your dinner here. The food was all very, very good and scratched some of those deep culinary itches that can be hard to satiate outside of Japan. They have ika no shiokara!!! I didnt order it this time around, but thats one of those foods I found a peculiar propensity towards while living in Japan- squid fermented in its own innards, its deep and briny and funky and SO good on a simple spaghetti meal or as a topping for rice while drinking and chatting, izakaya style. Most of the food here is more homey than fancy, meaning the portions are pretty generous- I hadnt expected the croquettes to get the full katsu presentation (or size), but it makes perfect sense and I cant complain one bit about getting more of the crunchy-on-the-outside and creamy-on-the-inside goodness. My boyfriend even enjoyed the cabbage salad, which was lightly dressed with a creamy sesame dressing- perfect crispy and fresh counterpoint to the the deep fried croquettes. Overall I was super happy with my birthday dinner, and Im already eagerly anticipating our next visit (with the appropriate reservations in advance).

I had 6 different dishes during my visit. You usually have to reserve a spot here but we got lucky because someone cancelled.I knocked off a star because just about everything I had minus the squid and blue fin sashimi were way too salty. Other than the salt level I dont have any complaints about the food. Service was great.

Do try the eel roll , very different and the best roll I’ve tasted. You already know this is the oldest sushi restaurant in the city so a bit of history here as well. Very cozy and ambient. Do call ahead to book a reservation as we had to do a 2 hr wait

Maneki is a historical Japanese restaurant that serves traditional Japanese dishes. It is located in Seattle Downtown / International district. I heard it has more than 10 decades of history just in Seattle.Because of its history, it is somewhat difficult to make a reservation. If you want to dine in, be sure to make a reservation in advance. It opens Tuesday thru Sunday for dinner only. The restaurant doesnt typically answer a call. I always have to leave a voice message and wait for someone from the restaurant to get back to me via text message.Most often I get all time favorite - its dinner bento that comes with sunomono, rice, miso soup, and fruit. This time, I ordered many individual dishes as follows -Blue fin tuna (special menu)Black cod collar misoPrawn and vegetable tempura setBeef sukiyakiOcha-zukeBlue fish tuna was very good but pricey. Cod collar was the best - I always get this. Tempura set was decent, Sukiyaki was a bit sweet, and Ocha-zuke was very disappointing.Definitely a good place to try at least once if you are in town.

food is just so so. The sushi rice is too hard and too big. You cannot treat it as a whole with sushi and the taste of it is too strong so that you cannot fully experience the fish. Fish is not so fresh, you can experience that water is lost from fish so that the taste goes down. Tempura is not cooked very well, the flour outside is too soft and it is served cold. The only thing good is its environment, this place makes you feel at an old Japanese restaurant

I reserved two weeks ago and I believe it deserves it! I had a really good time and foods. Their food was awesome. Fish is so fresh and tempura is fried well. The plates are large. Servers are modest and well trained. I definitely would be back to try other foods.

Amazingly delicious food that was reasonably priced with superior quality taste! Staff was friendly and caring, and offered very prompt service even though it was very busy.You do need to make a reservation unless you want to sit at the 21+ bar, which fills up quick!Great for groups, dates, and families are welcome even though the place is chic.100% recommend. We will be back!

Nice and cozy restaurant. Good price. Fast service. The seafood is fresh and well prepared. Other traditional Japanese dishes are tasty. The restaurant is always busy, so we have to call them to reserve the table about at least one hour before we arrive there.

Very good old-school, authentic, traditional Japanese restaurant with a warm, cozy, home vibe. We did not make any reservations and were seated pretty quickly. Nice Obasan and friendly staff. Tatami rooms available for larger groups. Very delicious lightly-salted whole Saba, miso soup with fresh calms, oversized Salmon Onigiri. Very rich and fatty red King Salmon and pretty good freshwater Eel and Toro Tuna.

They serves authentic Japanese food with reasonable price. The environment is very nice and quite. How ever they should really put more effort into their service. The waitress sounds pretty rude and impatient when we decide which salmon sashimi to order.Be sure to reserve by giving a call.

Maneki can be best described as walking into your grandmas house and you arent allowed to leave until youre filled to the brim with food; the difference here is theres also alcohol for you.They are not a sushi restaurant but rather an actual Japanese restaurant serving a huge plethora of dishes that can easily be found on a typical Japanese kitchen home dinner table.Being from Vancouver, I come here every time Im in Seattle (at least twice a monthwith friends because Maneki offers perhaps one of the best dine in experience while providing a gorgeous at-home dining ambiance. Please dont get me wrong when I say the best; the service is impeccable. One of the servers have already remembered me and even asks if I wanted my cod this time. I am extremely impressed at their memory of each customer.The food wont blow you away, but at the same time will reel you back in time as if youre eating a cozy meal with family. It has an incredibly homey taste in each dish, each made with love and you can most definitely taste it.The price wont blow you away either, it offers fairly large portions at very reasonable prices, you can eat to the brim and drink until you forget, and you wouldnt wake up with wallet shock unlike many places in downtown Seattle.Maneki is one of the oldest running restaurants in Seattle, for good reason I would perhaps crown them as the old guard of Japanese food here on the Pacific Northwest. No other restaurants come close to replicating what they offer in terms of ambiance and taste. This is the true definition of an eatery.

Theres a lot of bias in this review because Ive had such good experiences.This is the kind of place you go to when you want to celebrate someone without breaking the bank.My most recent visit was just the second time within a week!Its a small place so you need to know a couple things: 1MAKE RESERVATIONS, 2traditional tatami rooms are for four or more people in a group 3learn everyones name and treat them well because you dont need an army to run an establishment this size 4did I say to make reservations?Since its only my second time, Ive been menu surfing. Utilize the online menu so you dont waste your time or their time. Make sure to ask about the daily special because itll be something rare enough to jump on!Ive spent $110 both visits, but that usually entails me ordering half the menu in a 2 hour period with drinks! To give you an idea, I usually eat for 4 people haha, and always bring a friend so you dont have to finish your dishes to try 12 things on the menu.All the food is photo friendly!Everything is good about the place honestly... the decor, the history, the selection, the love put into their food, the service and genuine smiles... only thing I can complain about is that I havent tried their whole menu!I love this place!

This place Is an amazing! 100 year old building that houses a restaurant owned by two sisters in their 80s that still work the front and help out in the dining room.Expansive menu has daily specials that taste so fresh they must’ve been swimming that morning. Prices will knock your socks offThe trick is you have to get a reservation or risk showing up an hour early to wait for a spot. We completely lucked out going with a regular.Full bar and sharp staff. No frills. Our party of 4 ordered enough food for 10, we all had their specials vodkas, and the tab was $175.Walk around the corner for tea afterwards. Nice evening in the international district.

My new favorite Japanese restaurant in Seattle! The unagi rice (for twowas absolutely amazing. We also had the monkfish liver, black cod collar, ume maki, kelp salad and broiled mackerel. Everything was delicious and perfectly prepared, but well be back soon just to have more of that mouth-watering unagi.

This is one of the oldest japanese restaurant in Seattle Chinatown international district and they are still going strong. The restaurant serve traditional japanese cuisine at an affordable price and big portion. Love the steak dinner, sukiyaki, and the unagi don.

One of the longest standing Japanese restaurants in Seattle, serves traditional Japanese cuisine that tastes overwhelmingly amazing!! Pretty much anything on the menu. Also suitable for groups (ask for the tatami room). Reservations usually needed.

Awesome Japanese food! Kinda hidden away but always full of guest! Top quality fish & rolls. You can see the effort they put in making the food. Will definitely come back!

Great value. Very generous pours at the bar. Sushi is fresh and flavorful. Black cod collars, salmon namban, chicken and cod karaage are awesome. Reasonable price. You will need a reservation for a table as its quite popular. I usually just sit at the bar. Wait staff are pretty friendly.