Maneki Restaurant Reviews

Maneki has traditional offerings including sashimi, tempura, broiled fish,etc. it was very crowded which lends to its popularity, but the food was just average. We ordered a couple of combination dishes and some appetizers and sushi. The black cod miso was just so so. They don't use fillets so the pieces had bones all over each piece. Flavor was not very deep. One of our dinner orders was Chirashi sushi which came almost 20 minutes after everyone else finished their dinners. The sashimi for the combo plates also came at that time. Every time we asked they just said the sushi chef was behind. Overall not a great experience.

We went to Maneki on a co-worker's recommendation. We had never been there and was told it's the oldest Japanese restaurant in Seattle. The food was excellent and so was the service. My wife had the Chirashi and I had the eel bowl. Very fresh tasting and well presented. It's a small place so reservations are a must. Will definitely be back!

We recently visited Maneki and it brought back memories of our trips to Japan. We each had the Sakana dinner. The salmon is the center piece of the dinner. The tempura, sushimi, and miso soup were as good as anything we ate in Japan. The staff was gracious and the service excellent. We will definitely go back when we retrun to Seattle.

Maneki is perhaps my most favorite Japanese restaurant in Seattle. This is not just a sushi place. Many non-raw dishes can be found on their vast menu. I have yet to find a dish that is not done well. As far as sushi though, theirs is very good and always fresh. Try their chirashi bowl for a good sampler of their fresh seafood. The miso black cod collar is a must-try. They do broiled saba very well. This is a no-fuss, family-owned, inexpensive Japanese restaurant - the oldest one in Seattle. Nothing fancy, just good food. My only gripe is that they do not seem to have a good handle on how they manage their seating. Chances are, if you don't have a reservation, you won't get in until about 9 pm. In the many instances I've been able to get in (with a reservation) there's usually plenty of unoccupied tables. Of course, this may also be intentional (limited staff, limited seafood, etc.). Oh well, I just want to be able to get in somedays even without a reservation. If I could, I would be here more often. Oh, they also don't do to-go or delivery.

Black Cod is a must have item!! Fried Oyster is very so good, oyster is huge and it comes with 5-6 pieces~!! Make sure you make reservation, this place is always packed!

I had heard quite a bit about Maneki over the years. I finally had a chance to try it my last visit to Seattle and was not disappointed. Having called two days ahead, my group of four was able to get a reservation for a Saturday night. When it came time to place our order, the staff was especially attentive to one person in my group with dietary issues, eagerly suggesting suitable options. Two members of my party got an assortment of rolls (all of which were enjoyed). The other two of us ordered the Variety Ozen, quite a bit of food and a great way to sample a number of the menu’s offerings. Though busy, the restaurant was fairly quiet. The staff was attentive without being overbearing. All in all, my group thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Maneki.

This restaurant was on every foodie-must list we checked out before visiting Seattle. Making a reservation was easy by texting their reservation line. We got a wide spread to try lots of different dishes. Our favorites were definitely the black miso cod collars. Even if they don't sound too appealing to you just try them. They were delicious. I am only giving 4 stars though because the place is a little outdated which is normally charming but this type of outdated made it feel dirty. The hostess was also a bit of a tight youknowwhat and didn't make the best first impression. Overall though I think it is worth a visit if you are looking for authentic- plus the prices cannot be beat!

This place is always busy; reservation's recommended. The food was amazing. I would definitely go back again.

Went here for my husband's birthday. He called it some of the best sushi he ever had. I had the yakiudon with beef and it was awesome. Unpretentious and inexpensive but nice place with quality food, calm environment, excellent service. You should call/text to make reservations no more than 2 weeks out.

Good authentic Japanese food. Good Services. Lack of dessert menu though.

All of the dishes we had were expertly prepared, from black cod collar, to curry dish, to gyozas to red snapper nigiri - so good!!! Love the ambiance paired with the cultural neighborhood significant to Seattle history. Love, love, love!

Best Japanese food so far that I have tasted in Seattle. Need to make reservations. Very impressed with the warm and friendly crew, the seafood was real fresh and taste very authentic.

We went here for a friend's birthday. We got reservations for 8:30 and we arrived right on time and got seated promptly. It's a small place on a corner with a small area for seating plus tatami rooms. We had a nice tatami room to sit in with interesting décor, and anime style art. I was pretty hungy so my wife ordered shabu shabu for both of us, pork for her and chicken for me. This is a dish of meat and veggies and clear noodles in a light broth, and you dip the stuff in a sauce. We also had appetizers such as Karaage, kaki fried (oysters) and tempura veggies, which were all good, and my friends had sukiyaki and I tried some of theirs too. The shabu I thought was kind of bland even it's supposed to be until you add the sauce, but it was definitely filling. I actually liked the sukiyaki better. Bringing the food into the tatami room is sort of odd for the waitresses as they have to go around and over you to serve it. One waitress actually spilled a dish on one of our friends, but they cleaned it up and replaced the dish. Food was ordered pretty quickly and it was all fresh and good. Prices are actually decent for Japanese food compared to other places. Just so you know if there is more than 4 in your party you can only have one check for paying. Could possibly come again to try other foods.

This is the only "Old School" style restaurant I can still find in my home city. Very good sushi that's not that California fusion crap. Good traditional Japanese entrees. This all comes at a price as this place is not cheap but not terribly expensive either.

We always try to have one of our family xmas holiday dinners here every year and always get the tatami room. The service here is consistently prompt and attentive. There's some dishes that they do very well (black cod, mackerel, agedashi tofu, etc.) and there are others that I can't say are the best in town but are good, nonetheless (chicken karaage, sukiyaki). In sum, we've never been disappointed with anything we've ordered from their extensive menu. If you decide to come here, reservations are a must especially for the tatami rooms. Final word: highly recommended. Bonus tip: after dinner, have a little dessert and tea at the Panama Hotel, just around the corner.

A couple of work colleagues and I went to Maneki on our last night in town. Blue Fin Tuna and Salmon Sashimi, Black Cod Miso and Spicy Tuna Roll Sushi were all amazing; some of the best I have ever had!

THE BEST SUSHI IN SEATTLE. Always has been our favorite sushi restaurant, you can count on fresh fish and good service every time.

My husband and I have a favorite local Sushi place that is amazing and also All-You-Can-Eat, so when we go out for Sushi we are most often disappointed. I must say that Maneki's has the most bang for your buck of anywhere else we have been for Sushi, and had really good flavor as well! Being a vegetarian, I only eat some of the options available, and was a little disappointed that we could only try 2 of the rolls offered as the selection wasn't as large as we were hoping, but they have a variety of other things on the menu to try. The heat to the Scallops with sauteed mushrooms was great and the Seaweed Salad was so fresh! The only thing I found strange was the Edemame was a tad on the crunchy side and we have never tasted it like that before. The meal was great though, and we were happy with the price of the bill in the end as well. I will mention for people who are travelling from Canada such as ourselves, or simply out of town in general...they don't answer their phone! They take messages and call you back. I found this extremely irritating, as I was calling from the hotel room because my phone was turned off due to unnecessary roaming charges. The reviews here that say to make a reservation are correct. We went on a Thursday night and it was packed! I called about 10 times and left 2 messages stating that we would like reservations for 6:30 and just kept calling back hoping someone would answer as I didn't know the hotel number and we were site seeing in the afternoon. So we just showed up at 6:30 hoping that was ok and they were fully booked. The woman at the door said that they don't answer their phone and only take messages, which seems to also be a total waste of time if you ask me...and I explained that we were from out of town. She kept telling me that they tried to call me back a couple times and I don't know if she understood that I was telling her they couldn't reach me because my phone was turned off. Anyhow, they had slotted us in for 7:30 so we just went 2 streets down to the Pinball Museum for an hour and then came back, so it worked out. In the end, good experience, but make sure you can leave them a number to call you back on.

Last night we were hosted by 3 Chinese colleagues from Beijing at Maneki. My host had never dined here and asked assistance from the waitress while he ordered for the table. She had my host order enough food for 10 sumo wrestlers. After 30 minutes when the table was more than full we asked whether we could cancel some of the remaining dishes. The waitress told us that this was not possible because we had asked for the food to come all at once family style. However, for another 45 minutes dish after dish kept coming. The waitress had allowed out host to order more than double what we could reasonably eat. And after this she could have easily canceled some of the food that the kitchen had not started. I will definitely never come back here again.

We were placed at the bar as the restaurant was full, but we actually liked this better. Food was superp and very authentic - unfortunately that means lots of endangered eel on the menu. Do yourself a favour and visit this little gem - bit please avoid any dish with eel to protect this species. Be aware that when they state something is hot is really hot.

Dining at Maneki always makes me feel I'm stepping back in time and transported to a place far far away. The food is delicious, and the menu is huge, so I'm always trying new things. Make sure you call to make reservations in advance, because they are always very busy. If dining with a group - request one of the tatami rooms to enhance the experience.

I recommend the black cod and highly recommend making a reservation (I couldn't get through calling so I sent a text to their other number and got a reply). All the food was delicious. A couple next to us said they came in yesterday and liked it so much that they came again that next day lol

This is a venerable Japanese restaurant (on a steep hill) in Japan Town of Seattle. It is an izakaya-type restaurant which means they have sushi but that is not their specialty and they do not do fusion foods, causes for complaints in the very few less-than-stellar reviews I've read here. Oh, and one more criticism I saw was about having to ask for spoons for the soup but Japanese do NOT use spoons for soups. For maximum enjoyment, I suggest putting a meal together (if needed, with advice from the wait staff) a la carte with, for example, broiled fish, miso soup, one or two vegetable and pickle dishes, and rice or noodles. Last night I had the cold spinach (horenso) in vinegar and shoyu with bonito flakes, something my grandmother used to make for me (and probably all other Japanese mothers and grandmothers). The Japanese nationals like this place; enough said.

I went there with a couple of friends and we had a reservation at their tatami room. This place is very good for friends drinking sake and enjoy some Japanese appetizer s. But, the food is mediocre and most of all my favourite unagi don is so disappointing. It was small in size and not freshly made. Tastes like microwave food.

Maneki's is a restaurant that may not be on your radar but if you want quality japanese food that tastes like your Japanese grandma makes, this is the place. I am born and raised in Seattle and I have never visited this place; it was time. Opened in 1904 and served comfort food and drinks to the issei's (first generation Japanese) it has a reputation in the Japanese American community. Walking in it is narrow and long and really nothing special. However the food is just like my mom or grandma would make. I ordered the sakana (fish) dish. The mackerel (Saba) was cooked perfectly. My son ordered the sukiyaki and he loved it. My wife ordered the black cod collar and it too was perfect. Japanese Americans has a long and rich history in Seattle. Maneki is part of that rich history. However the food is the reason you will go back.

Went here last night with our son and daughter in law. We sat in a private room and enjoyed the amazing service and food. Highly recommend.

Excellent, as usual...and for such a reasonable price.

From the outside, it's easy to miss Maneki, but the inside is a must visit for any Seattle local or visitor. Reservations are recommended, otherwise expect at least an hour wait on any given night. Maneki is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Seattle, and has kept its rich history and quality every step of the way. The food here is not to be missed and everything is very reasonably priced to boot--for $15-$30/person, you get an amazing meal that rivals high end sushi joints in the area. Highly recommend the black cod collar miso--it melts in your mouth and is the first thing we recommend when we introduce new friends to maneki. We love black cod and order it everywhere (Shiro's, Chiso, etc you name it): NONE of them hold a candle to Maneki's amazing collar. Their sushi/sashimi are always fresh and well chosen cuts, but their unagi is a true winner. No other sushi place offers the size or flavor maneki has with their unagi nigiri. Their housemade saba is also wonderfully pickled (not too sour, not too dry: moist and tender). If you're lucky enough to visit when they have Noble Scallop sashimi (seasonal, market availability), then that is a must have also. They are pretty traditional so don't expect fusion rolls of any sort, just straight up quality real crab california rolls, negihama, spicy salmon (delicious!), etc. Hot foods are also really well made. Highly recommend the Nabeyaki Udon (haven't found better value/taste anywhere in the area--and it's only $9 too!), Yakiudon, Sansai Noodles, as well as appetizers: fried oysters, motsuni, salmon namban, sakura salad, etc. The service here is great--the owner and waiters/chefs have been here for years (we've been coming here for 9years and see mostly the same faces) and are so sweet and thoughtful. They are very busy though, so don't expect speedy service (this isnt fast food after all), but everyone really clearly tries their best to make your experience fantastic as always. The owner is great to talk to and remembers her regulars. We actually ask her for advice on food destinations when we travel and she's recommended some real winners based on her travels :) I'm not a drinker myself, but their sake and drink selection is pretty great. Ask any waiter for a recommendation with your specifications and you'll have a great pairing. I remember recently we were recommended a plum sake that was amazing (we got 2 more bottles).

It’s a Landmark Japanese Restaurant dating back to 1904 without a Landmark dining experience. We experienced average quality of Japanese food

This Japanese restaurant is a gem and people know it. You'll find a line waiting to get in at opening time, and for good reason. Delicious food; real delicacies.

Friendly and attentive staff ….Sakura salad was unique with fresh ingredients …unlike in other Japanese restaurants tempura was not oily ….spicy tuna roll was a delight Kudos to chef

The menu is huge, and the food is pretty good. Go because it's in the old Panama Hotel, and because it's not the stuff you normally see on a sushi menu.

Great food, good service at amazing prices! We made reservations and good thing, because the place was BUSY! Everyone enjoyed the food from pot stickers to sushi, tempura to sukiyaki. We will be back and highly recommend this restaurant!

We actually were directed here by a server at Barnacles when we asked where do you go for sushi? Although the menu seemed extensive, we stuck with sushi and were not disappointed. Impressed with the price, quality and serving size. With so many restaurants to choose from, it was nice to be directed to an authentic Japanese restaurant frequented by the locals.

Each time we go to Maneki it is better than the last time. They always serve the freshest fish in the form of sushi or sashimi. don't forget this is the Pacific Northwest. Meso soup and every tradditional Japanese dish is available. The tatami rooms need to be reserved in advance.

This was a great discovery for me. After reading multiple reviews in local magazines I have decided to give it a try. Parking is ample on the street and free after 6 pm. The place was packed. There are 2 bars . One upfront and does not have a sushi chef. You order the food from an older lady. The second bar is in the back and has a chef. I will for sure try it there next time. I ordered sliced cod liver, king salmon sashimi, ikura Nigiri and scalop sushi. The portions were huge! And the fish was super fresh. Scalop was sweet.and buttery. The total bill with tip was under $30. I walked around after.dinner. but the area was a bit dicey. I will visit again

I was just here last night for the first time, and it was among best sushi I've ever had (which includes sushi at the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo and many many other places). They had a white salmon special that literally brought one of my friend to tears. The California roll uses real crab, not "krab" like you get at most other places. The regular salmon was delicious and the albacore was melt in your mouth good. The gyoza were great and the edamame was pretty good (they add a little sugar, so it's salty and sweet. A little out of the ordinary, but whatever). The tempura was great and actually generous (one order was enough for everyone). We had 5 friends and the bill came out to $33 a head, including drinks, tax, tip and basically all we could eat (we ended up with at least three rounds of sushi by the end of the night). Great place. I want to go back today for more. Be sure to call because it gets busy and there may not be any tables when you get there.

The food is good, not great, but the ambience is what packs people in, night after night. The tatami rooms hold about 8 people, maybe more, and are nice, secluded areas to dine with friends or family. The sashimi is good and they have a wide selection. The salmon and black cod are good choices, too. The service is better than average, but food delivery is slow, and items are brought separately, not all at once. Some diners' may be eating while others wait. But at over 100 years in age, they must be doing things correctly. We've eaten their at least 6-8 times and had many enjoyable evenings.

We went here before a concert. I heard the food described as "old Japanese" which meant no avocado or California rolls. Give yourself time if there are any big events nearby. Service was good but slightly understaffed the night I was there. I will be going back again soon as I saw other things being served that all looked enticing. The venue has at least three tatami rooms.

great authentic japanese bar food. thank you mama-san

Went here with some fisherfriends who definitely know their stuff. Maneki didn't disappoint. Cute little place and not pretentious at all. Service staff was super friendly and our food came out SUPER promptly. The sushi rolls are fantastic...not drenched in sauce or too gussied up. As my friend told me, 'It's nice to actually because the flavor of the fish shines through'. Plus, it's super affordable. I'd highly, HIGHLY recommend the scallops.

Gene, the owner, was funny and fantastic. Dinner was unbelievable! My wife had a huge meal consisting of soup, tempura, mackerel and cucumber salad with shrimp. She loved it. I had the beef tenderloin in teriyaki sauce. Great food and highly recommend!

We were in Seattle and decided to go to Menaki, since we had reviewed their web with the amazing pictures of their food and excellent rave reviews. We were hungry and looking forward to the visit. My wife was in an appointment until 6:15 so I walked in at 5:30 to book. I received a curt response of no, but 6:00pm was OK. I arrived at 6:00, told them that I was waiting for my wife, that seemed OK. My wife arrived and we sat down at 6:20pm, only three tables being served, so a strange booking experience. We were given water, but had to ask for tea, which arrived tepid, so we had to get it replaced. We ordered Yakuidon, Durkee (rolls), Spicy Tuna (rated at level 5 spice level) and Spicy Cod Karaage. The Yakuidon arrived, very little color to the food (their food pics are full of color) and of mediocre taste. Their bottled sauce added to the taste. Durkee arrived with the Spicy Tuna. Both sets of rolls were sticky and stuck together. The spicy tuna had virtually no spice, the Durkee rolls tasted only of the veg inside and not any meat, and both dishes very colorless. The tuna had a soft salty taste, so I am assuming very fresh fish. The spicy cod Karaage was devoid of spice, some small pieces of fried cod and the majority of the place was shredded veg. The fish tasted OK, but very little of it. Staff were polite but a little aloof and no one asked us how our meal was. Overall, a very disappointing experience, this restaurant does not deserve their rating, I am not sure, from our experience, how they obtained it. To give you a comparison, tonight, my wife, who is almost chef level, made a quick meal of instant noodles cooked in home made chicken broth, Japanese fish slices, some meat dumplings and very lean, sliced Chinese pork, it was as usual, delicious and fast, and the food last night at Maneki absolutely cannot compare.

Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time, because this is a really popular place. One of the best places for Japanese food in Seattle, and also one of the oldest restaurants in Seattle. There are tatami rooms available.

A Japanese-American friend a native of Seattle recommend this restaurant and we are sure glad he did. Rather than a more formal place, this is "home style" Japanese and the emphasis is on the wonderful fish they have available to them (although there is a great steak on the menu). The plates and portions are small(er) like tapas but the prices very reasonable. We couldn't help ourselves and order many plates, mostly fresh specials, and were blown away by the flavors and quality. The owner and staff were so sweet. What a meal and experience! Go!

The restaurant has a family run feel to it. Servers are Japanese (which gives the restaurant authenticity). The croquettes are really good and two big pieces, a meal in itself! The karaage chicken is delicious as well. Price point is affordable; good for groups (reserve the tatami room for privacy)

Dropped in to get a little food and a drink. The restaurant side was full but we were able to sit at the bar. Full menu at the bar so we got some drinks, gyoza, karaage, Ika Maru, and croquette. We added a few house hot sake and had a wonderful evening. The staff was friendly and there were people dropping by randomly that were obviously friends and regulars. All that for $65 and everything was delicious and presented nicely. The tatami rooms looked nice and the atmosphere was excellent throughout. Highly recommended, but get reservations if you want to get in. Even the bar filled up quickly after we arrived.

Cheap, fresh authentic sushi and sashimi, & good entrees (Sometimes).

If you walk in and hear japanese, you know you are right. If those who grew up traditionally in their culture decide to come here, it must be good! And it is! Love the atmosphere at the bar instead of the restaurant. Restaurant needs a clear booking, especially in he weekend, where the bar might find a spot for two even on the busy days. Food —> fantastic *mice drop*

Whenever I do a Seattle weekend trip, I never fail to make a reservation for Maneki for a quick Japanese fix. Located in a secluded corner of international district, with all the construction going on, you will often drive by and totally miss it. Street parking ard the area during dinner time isn't easy to find. Without a reservation, you either have to head there right when they open or after 8.30pm. So be sure to make your reservations dayS in advance. All that aside.. the restaurant is pretty cozy and the food at Maneki is GREAT! never fails to perk me up after every meal at Maneki :D 2 things not to miss! black cod collar miso and sashimi! The black cod collar miso is probably the best black cod miso i ever had! As for sashimi, I usually just pick what I like and they will lay it out in that gigantic plate. They also offer a chef choice for those that aren't as picky. Some Maneki trivial.. Apparently, the elderly woman that serves you at the front desk is the daughter of the owner. And they have been in operation since 1904!

Great traditional Japanese dishes.

I say "legit" because Maneki absolutely delivers an authentic Japanese experience. Everyone who works there is pleasant and welcoming. Food is tasty. Mrs. Playmaker and I split some apps and I had the black cod collar for my main. The black cod was on point! Mrs. playmaker prefers tuna so she got herself the Tekka Don Maguro, it was also delicious. Great price too.

I rarely talk to the owner when I eat in a restaurant. But I was accompanied by a local couple who loves going there. They were able to call and get a table last minute on a Friday night so we didn't have to wait -- that's how good of a customer they are. Talk to the owner. She's a hoot! If you're a visitor, she's really good about filling you in on the local gossip, the interesting and cool things to look at and see, and even how to navigate public transit. And now to the food. EXCELLENT! We have the croquette -- good. The collars, EXCELLENT. You must get the Ankimo which is a monkfish liver -- it makes fois grais taste bland. It was so good, each of us at the table had to get our own dish -- this was the only one that we didn't share. The Geoduck Bata - Yaki was good. Then we had a variety of sushi and sashimi that was also excellent. If you like shrimp, the ebi is great! They fry the heads and bring it out separately.

Maneki is quite a popular Japanese restaurant and for good reason. Their menu has the typical sushi and sashimi you'll find at most Japanese restaurants but they also have more authentic Japanese dishes including croquette and cold soba noodles. Dishes here can work well if you want to go with two or three people and share (sushi, noodles, and a few appetizers works well). It was so busy when I went that I was seated at the bar but being surrounded by the sounds of Japanese conversation and seeing the walls of Japanese Oni masks made up for the cramped placement.

What drew me to Maneki was reading about how it was the oldest Japanese restaurant in Seattle. I love looking for that sort of history in places that I visit. It's also family run, from the no-nonsense obaa-san as its matron to a granddaughter working the bar (where I had my meal) and a grandson elsewhere on the waitstaff. I got one of the "variety ozen" dinner boxes, which came with a HUGE amount of food- a plate of nigiri sushi, a serving of chicken teriyaki, some mixed tempura, salads, a hefty serving of rice, and a small cup of fruit for dessert. Everything was excellently prepared, and very filling. The camaraderie among my fellow diners made for an enjoyable meal, even though I was dining alone, and the fact that I was a party of one made it easier to find a seat (at the bar), as the place was full. If you're in a group, I'd highly recommend making a reservation, since they fill up throughout the night. This was a great experience all around, and made all the easier of a choice for me because my Airbnb was right up the street.

The hot dishes here are awesome, best restaurant sukiyaki I've had on this side of the Pacific. The sushi is nothing spectacular, certainly unworthy of 4 exclamation points..

As long time residents of the area who also eat more than our share of sushi and Japanese food we were pretty excited to finally be dining at Maneki. Our original plan was to sit on mats in the small traditional rooms but even calling a few days ahead we found that wasn't available. No matter, we ended up getting reservations for our family of four for 5:30PM right when they opened. And it's a good thing we did because even people who showed up right at opening were told it'd be at least 9PM or later before they would get a table if they didn't make a prior reservation. Maneki is certainly popular, mostly I imagine for it's historic reputation, location and owner. It's also fairly small which makes tables that much harder to come by. The interior is quaint and exudes the 100 year old tradition the restaurant is known for. I noticed a very tiny sushi bar in the back that looks like it would seat a few people but we were right in the middle of the quaint dining room. Upon entering we were greeted by a duo of friendly older ladies, I believe one was the primary owner. Both were very nice and it immediately felt like we were guests in their home. The menu was a little haphazard and made it a bit hard to assess and decide on what to eat. We went with a few different items with some yielding better results than others. My wife and I had just eaten a fantastic Omikase meal at Shiro's a few nights earlier so I wasn't really planning on getting sushi at Maneki but did end up getting a little bit of Nigiri as an appetizer which was perfect - fresh and exquisitely prepared. My wife actually got a rice bowl topped with Maguro and Yellowtail as her main dish and really enjoyed it. However I was really more interested in some home cooked traditional Japanese food so decied I had to try the Chicken Teriyaki combo plate and experience their homemade sauce. The dish also included a small order of tempura which consisted of one shrimp and a few veggies. Overall it was ok, pretty average compared to any other tempura I've eaten though was very oily. The chicken came out next to a huge mound of shredded lettuce salad that was topped with a pretty good dressing but sadly wasn't nearly enough to even begin to accompany the huge portion of lettuce. A small bowl of rice was also brought out which was welcomed to mix together with the teriyaki sauce. The portion was very generous but the quality of the chicken was medicore including a lot of fatty untrimmed portions and strange shapes and shades of brown. Personally I'm accustomed to some good sear marks on my Teriyaki chicken but this was baked or possibly even poached. The underlying homemade sauce was ok but left me a little underwhelmed as it was so watery and subtle it did very little to infuse the dish with flavor. Again I found myself craving something more akin to a glaze with a more robust flavor. We also tried an order of homemade gyoza which were again, kind of just average. They came out fresh from the pan, searing hot and after a bite all the stuffing fell out. They definitely taseted better than most frozen offerings at many Japanese restaurants but I was expecting a bit more (perhaps unrealistically). My son ordered Chicken Yakisoba which was pretty good but for some reason was served a good ten minutes after the rest of our entrees leaving him to sit and watch us eat and the rest of us being completely finished before he even got his entrée. He had also ordered tempura which I suspect was lost in the kitchen but when we finally asked it came out almost immediately. The full tempura order portion is enormous - three shrimps and ten or so pieces of vegetables. Since we already shared some of the tempura that came with our combo dinners it ended up being way too much and as before, was incredibly greasy. To top it all off the kids wanted to try dessert so we got an order of mango moci which was awesome and loved by all. We also tried the tempura ice cream - which sadly didn't really hit the spot. The green tea ice cream was coated in a poppy-seed type batter that had a greasy finish just like the tempura did. Overall we did have a good experience at Maneki - from the service to the care obviously put into each dish it's a place we'd go back to again. Even though I didn't intend to eat Sushi for dinner as it turns out the sushi was far and away the best part of our meal and something I'd definitely go back for. And while the Teriyaki didn't quite do it for me, I owe it to myself to at least give some Udon or a noodle dish a try next time around.

To say I love Maneki’s would be an understatement. This is my “go to” restaurant when I go out to eat in Seattle. It serves what a Japanese friend describes as tradition family style home cooked dinners. It’s offerings are every bit as good as meals I have eaten in Japan. While I have eaten many things from the menu, one of my favorites is the charashi bowl. But I can’t stop there. The grilled saba (mackerel) is excellent, as are the sushi dinners, sushi rolls, and more. I have let to eat anything at Maneki’s that I didn’t crave in future visits. One of my goals is to make it through the entire menu. :) Service is excellent. Be sure to make a reservation because the restaurant is really popular with locals. Menu items are very reasonably priced. This is the place I take out of town guests for an enjoyable and memorable dinner. Current Schedule and Offerings: While Maneki’s is impacted by the pandemic, it has a limited take out menu. Order ahead and pick up your dinner for the evening. Maneki is a historic Seattle restaurant. Please support it during the pandemic.

Maneki does not need my review but I will write one anyway. The restaurant opened in the early 1900s. It is an authentic Japanese restaurant in the truest sense of the word. It is cozy and unpretentious. You may find a few things on the menu that you will recognize but you will find so many more dishes that you had never heard mentioned or sampled. And everything will be great. I promise. Our 13-year old male enjoyed a noodle soup with beef. The 16-year old female ordered the tempura plate and she did not know where to begin. And she never finished. Everyone had a sample. The tempura batter was just the right amount and the shrimp and vegetables were firm and fresh. One adult female had the black cod collar miso (marinated in miso and then baked) while the other tried the oyster miso rockefeller (plump juicy oysters Rockefelle, r, Japanese style). There were no oysters leftover and no one was offered a sample! Would you believe, that we placed a final order for a shrimp tempura sushi roll?! If all this makes you hungry and feeling adventurous, be sure to call several days early for a reservation. You will be disappointed if you wait until the day of or if you try walking in..

A Seattle institution for old school Japanese

Maneki is a great, authentic Japanese restaurant. There are three different sections. Sushi bar, tables, and tatami rooms. For the quality and quantity of food you get, price is very reasonable. It’s a very popular place. If you do not want to wait, you may want to go just before they open for dinner.

Maneki has been serving traditional Japanese cuisine in the heart of Seattle's Asian community for more than a century. I live in Seattle and have visited Maneki many times. The food and service has always been excellent. The menu includes a wide variety, lists favorites and combinations, and the staff is very helpful in explaining alternatives. I favor the seafood and recommend the Steamed Salmon in Foil Pouch or the Mackerel Sabana Dinner. There is usually street parking near the restaurant in the evening, even though it is located in the downtown area. Be sure to make reservations because the restaurant is very popular.

The food was too authentic for me! I ordered the cod cheaks and hated the texture! But I loved the experience.

I have been coming here for 18 years. The wait can be a little intense some nights, but if you get to where they recognize you, it's easy to get a table. The food is always great, as is the service.

The food here is very good, as others have posted the miso cod collars are excellent and the baked Unagi is what I imagine Japanese people call comfort food. The atmosphere is 60's, it has character in a neighbourhood restaurant sort of way.

Very traditional Japanese food with a lot of history and great flavor. The place has been open for a century or so. Enough said.

Super friendly staff. The food is yummy. Make your reservation if you want to dine there. Basically if you are looking for Japanese cuisine, this is the place for you. I do not care much for sushi there because perhaps everything else is extremely good. The spicy tuna is delicious though. Do not forget to try the oyster soup (if you like oysters). Grilled cod is super famous. There are a few items off the menu (look at the writing on the wall). The salad with raw fish with a taste of ginger and lime is not to be missed. They are open for dinner only (Tuesday - Sunday).

This could be the best Japanese food restaurant in Seattle. This restaurant has been around for decades, and the quality must be the reason. The food is traditional and very reasonably priced. I will go back.

It was not my first time at Maneki's, but the latest had been a few years back and I was enthusiastic to return when my daughter suggested to take me there for my Birthday's dinner. We were 3 adults and a child of 3 yrs who's already learnt to appreciate gourmet food of any ethnicity. What an unforgettable evening with every single course just perfect in quality, variety, taste, freshness, and preparation. Miso soup, sushi, sashimi, seaweed, rolls, seasonings, mango and green tea ice creams, were invariably superb; hot and chilled sakes impeccable. Once again my rating of this restaurant cannot be but the highest and I can't wait to repeat this fabulous experience as well as recommend the establishment to friends and acquaintances.

Spider roll rocks. Overall, quite lovely.

The outside of the restaurant isn't much to look and we had to sit at the bar. However, the food was very good -- the sushi was delicious and the nabeyaki udon was savory and very good.

Maneki's is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Seattle, over 100 years serving. The food is excellent. The service is wonderful. I am very particular when it comes to Japanese food and this place is a winner... Atmosphere, food and its presentation, attentive service. You will be happy... Just be sure to make reservations!

Excellent! I’ve always wanted to visit this place and it didn’t disappoint. Some of the best Japanese food I’ve had!

good sushi, needs hot sauce! lol

If you are looking for authentic Japanese food, this is the place. This is not Pacific rim or any other Asian fusion. The restaurant has been in business over 100 years. You will need a reservation on most nights. The prices are reasonable. If you are in the Seattle area and enjoy Japanese food, this is a must. Good selection of sake. No need to say more, Maneki is a real treasure and speaks for itself.

Just dined at Maneki this past weekend - not only did they do an amazing job getting us in at the last minute (it was a party of 5 to celebrate my sister's graduation) on a Friday night, but they were able to move us up to an earlier time, which I know is pretty unheard of! As other reviewers have said, I highly recommend making reservations if you want to dine here on peak nights. And let's talk about the sushi. Hands down, some of the best sushi I've ever had in Seattle! The maguro was so fresh - and the hamachi and salmon were to die for. All of their rolls were amazing - even the miso soup was some of the best I've had in a long time. And I can't even believe our bill at the end of the night. We ordered almost exactly what we would've ordered elsewhere (edamame, two bowls of tekka-hamma don, and 2 rolls) and would've spent well over $100 - but at Maneki, our bill was just under $50 (before tip). My entire family loved their meals - and we're already planning our next trip. Plus, the history behind this restaurant is amazing. Check out their website for the story - but they've been around since 1904! Net/net: top quality sushi, amazing prices, and outstanding service - this is hands down, a new favorite for me and one I highly, highly, recommend!

This is one of the more authentic Japanese restaurants in Seattle; Maneki offers a comprehensive menu that specializes in Japanese home cooking: takoyaki, agedashi tofu, motsuni, fresh natto, and shiokara. The sushi is very good for the price too but Maneki is more of an izakaya. The restaurant has been in the same non-descript building on a side street for many years so the interior is a little drab. But the food is fantastic.

I recently visited Japan so I was a bit skeptical about going to Maneki, but was pleasantly surprised. My first delight was the authentics separate dining spaces (rooms) toward to back. Mostly older Japanese staff who were wonderful. Sushi, teriyaki, and Sakana dinner choices went down well with our party of 6 leaving everyone in high spirits and charmed with the experience.

The oldest sushi restaurant in Seattle, it had used to be more "antique" look before the renovation of the building in the mid 90s. Mr. Nakayama, the late owner, was a conventional hard working chef who craved for perfection and this tradition has been running in the restaurant ever since. I really can't pick one or two particular dishes to recommend, you know what I mean, but the restaurant as a whole.

We eat at Maneki every time we visit Seattle. Eat at the bar - you get the same menu but the wait is much shorter. The sushi is fresh and the prices are cheap. We were able to stuff ourselves full for under $50. Order the black cod, the salmon namban ( fried salmon cubes in marinade ), the agedashi tofu, chicken karage and your choice of sushi/sashimi

We have visited this Restaurant 4 times now and every time we had great authentic Japanese food. We especially love the Miso Black Cod. It's not fancy and located in the International District in Seattle but well worth it. It's also advisable to have Reservations as they can fill up quick. The prices are definitely realistic and service is good. The fact they have been in business for over 100 years also testifies to their continued commitment of good food, reasonable prices, and good service. We will be back the next time we are in Seattle.

ID sushi staple that's been doing it for while. Liked it's casual atmosphere, but the sushi was only ok. We'll give it another try to see if it can live up to its reputation.

Everyone in my group thought the food was great but for me, it was just okay. I guess if you like traditional Japanese home cooking, you will like the food here. I'm giving it 4 stars as there were 4 of us and I'm the only one who didn't enjoy it. They seem to be very popular and you will need to make reservations. I had a regular beef teriyaki and tempura combination...it was just okay and I find the portions a little small.

Everything was delicious. Soft shell crab, salmon Rockefeller, rolls, all great. Service was pretty good. My only quibble was the hole - in - the - wall ambience. Boxes piled near the door, wasn't sure if it was open.

Party of 4: My review of our dining experience. First I would like to say I am not a big fish eater and actually had sushi for the first time. We had 2 different saki’s, dumplings, sushi with tuna, eel with rice and noodles with beef. There were other dishes but they do not advertise the menu so I cannot remember them all or the exact name of the dishes. I will say all was good except the eel with rice and the noodles with beef. The eel had a very very strong fish flavor. Even an avid fish eater stated this and could not eat it. The beef in the noodle dish seemed to be sub-par and the remaining ingredients did not have any flavor to recommend. All the other dishes were good, but I enjoyed the tuna sushi the most.

I've been coming here, with just three owners, since 1989. Nothing much has changed, including the recipes. Many of the original waitresses are still around bartending and waiting on tables. Amazing! The traditional Japanese food is consistently good and be sure to check out the specials on the back wall. Ask for help because it's written in Japanese. There are many Asian retirees who come early but later they get busy so reservations are a must. There are private tatami rooms that can accommodate groups. If you are a single, take a seat either in the bar or the sushi bar in back. There is a lot of friendly conversation with nice people. As many of you are aware, this is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Washington State and probably the Northwest. Enjoy!

If I read correctly Maneki has been around for 100 years? Mom and her daughter greeted us and they also responded to the text # for reservations. We ordered a sashimi selection and it was expertly prepared and fresh! A long time Seattle friend recommended and he was spot on. The location is in the ID or International District.

Quintessential ID sushi stronghold. An extremely lenghty menu with options for everyone. We got a reso in one of the booths (cant remember the Japanese name) and it provided a great experience. Bring a sake expert as their list is extensive and good English speakers are sparse.

A local friend took me to this small Japanese restaurant. We went early and were fortunate to get a table (place usually packed I was told) Tried sushi, sashimi and the oyster rice pot; all outstanding and the seafood very fresh. Good value for money.

Maneki is a Seattle icon. Opened in 1904 and located on 6th Ave S. just off Jackson in the International District, it is one of the oldest Japanese restaurants in the country, closing only during the Japanese Internment of WWII. It is full of history. I've been wanting to eat here for quite some time and finally made it in. Man am I glad I did. 4 of us ate in one of their semi private Tatami rooms. I lost track of all the dishes we had but I will particularly recommend the soft shell crab, broiled mackerel, black cod collar miso and the whole squid sauteed with butter and garlic. There are many other menu items we will try on our upcoming visits. In short, Maneki is now one of my go to restaurants. Prices are very reasonable, and the quality of the food is beyond incredible. Be sure to walk around the block to Main Street and check out some of the buildings and window displays telling the story of Japanese Internment and the early days of Seattle.

Just thinking about what I ate here last night makes me want to come back! My flight was delayed and I arrived late to meet friends and family with my huge suitcase and the hostess was nice enough to keep my suitcase behind the screen so I wouldn't have to worry about it. Food was already ordered and everything was just yummy. We stayed for 3 hours and enjoyed and savored every minute of it. I loved the black cod! The mackarel was also good. We will definitely be back here soon!!!

This was another recommendation from locals and it was highly rated. I found the food very average, comparable to what I could get on the East Coast. For a West Coast city, Seattle disappoints with its Japanese offering. I ordered my favorite dishes: Yakikazana / Grilled mackerel (9/10) - The freshness of the fish made this a good dish. Tempura (6/10) - The too thick batter made it a greasy experience. Spot prawn nigiri (7/10) - I'm glad they have this but it pales in comparison to what you can get in Vancouver. Other dishes were not memorable.

An izakaya style restaurant (and bar). A wide selection of dishes. We ordered a bit of everything from sushi rolls to takoyaki balls, tempura and teriyaki staples and the black cod miso collar. The only dish that was below expectation (first time having it) was the takoyaki. Would have preferred a firmer shell instead of the mushy texture that we got. Moving on, the sushi rolls were ok, fish and unagi were fresh. The tempura (shrimp and veggie) batter was crispy and tasty. The black cod collar was the one dish that stood out and beyond expectations. Just the right combination of miso that blends so well with this oily fish. The service was just perfect, from receiving text message updates to come in earlier due to a cancellation to the quick and friendly table service. A very family friendly feeling and an extremely fuil stomach. Best of all, for all that we ordered, our bill was much lower than expected (which included drinks). I've spent much much more at other izakaya places with much less of quantity and quality than this place. Definitely make this a stop. Aint fancy in decor but if you want a family meal with good food and service, this is the place to be. Book early and get the tatami rooms for a bit more privacy. Forget about the overpriced, chic decor of the new restaurants and give this 100 year old restaurant a try. I'm sure you will not be disappointed.

I am no expert on Japanese food, but I enjoyed this place. We had a tatami room, which is the "Americanized" version with a hole for your legs so you don't have to sit crossed-legged. We had a variety of dishes, some quite different than the standards. There are a lot of fish options. Services was good.

nice food

This is the one! For decades & decades when you wanted the real thing—, this is where you went. For many years it was owned by members of my wife’s family. No flash, just good food. Enjoy.

The Black Cod was amazing. Location in Chinatown (International District). Old Japanese restaurant in the nation. They also have salmon collar (it's not in the menu so you have to ask for it).

We were so excited about trying this Japanese restaurant but were a bit underwhelmed We knew of this restaurant through Andrew Zimmerns Delicious Destinations First the bar was under construction which limited the bar service 😑 Our server seemed overwhelmed by the many customers at dinner time and kept forgetting or getting the orders incorrect

Excellent food and service. Even the patrons and regular customers at the bar were nice and friendly!

This was our first time to Maneki. I have been many times to Japan and found the quality of the food and service at Maneki excellent. Their nigiri, tempura, green tea and green tea ice cream were all delicious and prepared the traditional way. The freshness of the fish and seafood was obvious. A great place for excellent Japanese fare in Seattle.

Make sure to call and make reservation since it's packed when we got there. The food was delicious. We ordered the black cod collar, sashimi, crab tempura, prawn tempura, and steak dinner. My son loved the collar bone. He said it's not fishy at all. The only problem we had was when the waitress showed up with our soup and no spoons. We had to wait for her to bring the rest of the food out first to asked for it. Overall, the price is decent.

Struck out again, another disappointment for a restaurant. Try to get something new, but I should’ve gone a couple blocks away to get Harbor City instead. Mushy and bland food, except the California rolls and chicken wings, which was surprisingly ok. Everything else needs some adjustments. Anything beef was atrocious, lack flavor. Beef udon was horrible, actually paid a lot to get a decent dinner. At least I tried it and I don’t have to make the same mistake again….

Having lived in Japan for 3 years, this is authentic Japanese food. It is hard to find good noodles. The broth is SO good. We have tried the hot Soba noodles, the Nabeyaki Ubon, the Miso Black Cod, and the Teriyaki Salmon. Everything was delicious! This restaurant has been featured on many food channels for good reason. Be sure to make reservations because there is always a wait

The blackened codfish melts in your mouth, the sushi is incredible, and for a sushi restaurant the prices are great! Always call ahead for a reservation. If not, try showing up and seeing if you can get a spot at the sushi bar in the back. Tatami rooms are great for larger parties.

The modified Japanese style seating in the cozy booths is a must try. The fact that the restaurant is 100 years plus makes it seem like you are eating in a plea out of history. Food is nice. Service unobtrusive and good . We were a party of 10 and well taken care of.

The food here is really authentic and delicious but not over priced. I really like the decoration, it's like you are in Japan. The staff are really helpful and friendly. I really recommend this place.

The best inexpensive Japanese restaurant in Seattle.

This venerable Japanese restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in Seattle. The menu is simple with no specials or fresh sheet. The prices a very reasonable and the wait staff is nice once you get passed the hostess. The sushi bar is different, though. I went as a single diner thinking I would have the usual sushi chef banter. I was the only person there. I made eye contact with the sushi chef but that was it. Not the usual sushi bar welcome. The sushi chef was handy with his knife and looked like he knew what he was doing. Then I noticed he looked strangely un-Japanese. That issue was confirmed when the dishwasher spoke to him in Spanish! He responded with a head nod. The waitresses would communicate with him by pointing, smiling and a small grunt. Perhaps he is a mute! I'll never know because I was there for an hour and he made me some good sushi but I never heard one word. Bottom line, plan on eating some real good, reasonable Japanese food in the dining room.

We made a reservation here based upon reviews and that it has been in business for 100 years. The food was very authentic and we did not enjoy the meal. The dishes had very fishy tasting fish that was inedible to us. We tried to ask to create our own roll, just for the kids, but they do not deviate from the menu. Do not go here if you are expecting a good sushi place. It upset our stomachs and was not worth it. Sadly disappointed.

A staple of Seattle and its legacy of immigration - not to be disappointed when you arrive. Very reasonable prices especially considering the high quality and selection of the food - they have it all, takiyoki, yakitori, hamachi kama, toro and uni... The uni with quail egg was especially delicious - very clean flavor. Also recommend getting the black cod - I've never had this before and was really impressed at how flavorful it is. The mix of fresh Pacific Northwest seafood + excellent japanese preparation makes this a sure bet.

We managed to get same-day reservations for 9 people in one of their tatami rooms. With the happy mood that we were in, everything tasted good. Having to take off/put on our boots (no shoes in the tatami room) each time a kid needed to go the restroom didn't dampen our mood. Apart from the fried matcha ice cream, there's nothing fancy in menu. Pretty much standard Japanese fare but not all are made the way we are used to in newer Japanese restaurants. The tamago sushi that came in as a cube of egg with just a slit to stuff the rice made us wondered if that was how it used to be made instead of the current small slice of egg on a bed of rice. The portions are authentically regular (smallish by US standards) with prices to match.

Before we came to this restaurant we had no idea what a jewel it was. The food was amazing--very authentic. And for the price we had a ton. We had so much fun trying all the dishes. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who comes to Seattle.

This is a good standby for Japanese food at one of the oldest restaurants in the ID. This place fills up with a loyal following but it is really not worth waiting as there are really good options nearby.

Recommended to me by my local friends, I have been to this nice little restaurant a couple of times. Advanced booking is essential as the place is usual fully booked (not full in the usual sense since I've heard that they are understaffed and I noted some unoccupied tables when I was there). Service is okay but not super - maybe they ARE understaffed. Food was very good. Oyster with rice in claypot and the black cod collar miso are both excellent. I would not go far as saying this is as good as a good Japanese restaurant in Tokyo but the food is certainly enjoyable and reasonably prized.

My cousin made reservations here. It's in an old building in the old Japanese area of Seattle. Great selection of good home style Japanese food. Everything we ordered was so good and reasonably priced. I would make sure to make reservations. It was packed on a Friday night.

not good.

As many already commented, this restaurant is fantastic in every way that is if you love Japanese cuisine. I have one advice here is please make sure you make reservation before you go, else they will tell you go to other near by restaurant. We got lucky!

Very good sushi, traditional japanese menu selection, and very friendly service, I love that the restaurant was filled with lots of Japanese customers. rolls are not overly huge.

I had read about this restaurant and wanted to eat there. When we walked by, at around 5pm, it was closed (it opens at 5:30pm on the day we went). A gentleman parked in front(also waiting for Maneki to open) came out of his car to tell us to wait until 5:30pm which we did. When we arrived back at the opening time there were other people waiting to get in. When we did go it we were informed that no tables were available until 8:30pm so we sat at the counter. The reason there were no tables until 8:30pm became obvious when we ordered and ate. It is really, really good. I'm a native of Los Angeles so Japanese food is well known to me I've been eating it for over 50 years. Maneki's food, at least what we ordered, was the traditional Japanese fare that I grew up with. I loved it. Everything was done perfectly. I know that Maneki is a Seattle institution, having been there forever but now I fully understand why that is.

service is not that great

Went with five people for a birthday celebration. Had multi course set dinner for less than $20.00 per person! (No drinks) The food was delicious and the portions were sufficient. Will definitely go back. Need to make reservations.

Wonderful, yummy appetizers and sushi! Fast, authentic service; now our favorite sushi restaurant! Must make reservations (but can make day-of most of the time). When I called, I was told the time they had available so you must be flexible but WELL worth it! Not a huge selection of sushi rolls but everything was really fresh, tasty, and extremely well priced (we found Maneki to be much less expensive than many other sushi restaurants!).

This very nice and modestly priced family style Japanese restaurant is a respected long-time Seattle favorite. Only open for dinner and rather small and old fashioned you'll need to make reservations, a process that can be quite difficult. Only one "auntie" answers the phone, when she isn't too busy and the answer is typically not until 8:30pm... You're well advised to text her. The food is good and the sushi very fresh. Most of the staff and kitchen team seem to be related and aging so service can be a bit slow. The food and style are worth your visit as long as you're not expecting 5 star.

We ordered all sushi and the fish was fresh. Best deals were $8 for order of toro (2 nigiri) and amaebi was under $6. Scallops and ika were just ok. Ordered the appetizer of scallops and mushrooms which were pretty good. Last call for ordering food was around 10pm (closing time 10:30)

The service was attentive and the food was excellent. When we couldn't find a combination we wanted, our server made it up for us.

My favorite seattle sushi spot, hands down.

The BEST!!!!

The place is OK. But comparing to its reputation, I have to say that I'm disappointed. Maneki sure is popular. By 5:30PM its open time, there is already more than 20 people waiting outside the door. It does not guarantee that you can get a table though, even when you arrive early. A family in front of us had to wait for another two hours because they didn't make reservation. Fortunately, we had a reservation for us group of six in one of the tatami rooms. With the tatami and the Japanese decoration around the room, the environment is very authentic. The service is pretty good. Our waitress was always smile and attentive. Of course, what matters the most is the food. I'm sorting the dishes we ordered into three categories: Satisfied, It's OK and Disappointed. Satisfied: Black code collar. It's one of the signature dish of the restaurant and it sure lived up to its reputation. The fish is fresh and skillfully grilled. It's tender, smoky and salty but not overpowering the original flavor at all. Very well executed. It's the must-have dish if you visit Maneki. A little pricey though, $9.5 for three pieces of cod collars. Salmon combo and chicken teriyaki combo. First of all, the portion is pretty big comparing with other dishes. Big piece of grilled salmon and lots of tender juicy chicken. The flavor is a little plain though. It's OK: Chicken kabab, eggplant and tako-yaki. The chicken kabab is a little dry, the eggplant appetizer is nothing outstanding, and so is tako-yaki. A little overpriced as well. But considering they're hard to find at other Japanese restaurants in Seattle, I'd rating those dishes as it's OK. Disappointed: Monk fish liver appetizer. The flavor is OK but the portion is so small. Half of the plant was filled with pickled cucumber and radish. There are only three thin tiny slices of monk fish liver in the plate. Not worth the money. Chirashi and Unagi Don. The portion is so small that why the waitress delivers the food, we joked about it being kid's meal. For a $26 chirashi, that is a very small bowl, and again lots of pickled cucumber in the bowl. Same thing for the unagi don. The eel is fresh and nicely grilled, seasoned. But the portion is definitely not matching the price. In general, we're kind of disappointed with Maneki. For its reputation, we expected better experience and definitely larger portion. With Maneki's reputation, we definitely expected an extraordinary experience from service to food. Unfortunately, we're not impressed.

lower price than regular sushi place, very traditional, make RSVP in advance, closed every Monday

Went there for my going away party, and they were very flexible with the number of people we could bring in the private room we booked for the evening. Food is always tasty, clean and worth the wait of the line if you didnt book a table a week in advance. Go check it out, you wont be disappointed!

This is an ancient Seattle landmark Japanese eatery - read the walls on the way in! The food is good, but not great; but the prices and service are outstanding.

Great small family operated restaurant with history. The service was average but the food outstanding. Had the tripe soup and eel sushi. Portions were very good. Prices reasonable. The three of us are till full on about 50.00 not including alcohol. Would return for sure.

I lived in Japan for 3 years, and spent 2 of those years in the homes of Japanese families. So I know Japanese home cooking when I taste it. This is it. For really unbelievably affordable prices (this is in downtown Seattle), they serve up some of the tastiest Japanese home cooking that I have ever had outside of the island of Japan. The atmosphere is also somehow like you are in a Japanese person's kitchen. Very down to earth, very authentic. This is NOT your super stylish Japanese place (thank God.) It is genuine. The prices are amazingly affordable. The food is the real deal. If you want real Japanese home cooking, this is your place. Don't miss it!!!

The black cod collar miso is quite delicious. The Variety Ozen was diverse and included sushi tempura, chicken kuwayaki, rice, sunomono, fruit, and tea. The service was excellent. While we did not eat in a tatami room, we were able to see inside one and the room looked very comfortable.

Great food, makes the restaurant popular. I recommend making reservations

This historic restaurant in Seattle's Japan Town is a bit more ordinary than we had expected. Menu descriptions of dishes were more appealing than their actual content: an avocado salad which sounded somewhat exotic just turned out to be a few slices of avocado on greens. And Japanese staples fell short of expectations: Our order of vegetable tempura was heavy, and greasy, and not very good. Our favorite dish in Japanese restaurants -- eel over rice -- was even more disappointing, and a skimpy portion at that. Manekis is definitely not Japanese service or cuisine at its best. One can find far better Japanese food in your local neighborhood -- no need for a special trip to the International District for this.

A server at a local beer and BBQ place recommended Maneki as "the place where all the Japanese people eat" and "the best sushi bang for your buck." I don't know about the first one, but the second part certainly is believable. Although the neighborhood is so-so and the decor leaves something to be desired, the food is outstanding. In addition to extremely fresh and delightful sushi and sashimi, the menu includes a number of traditional Japanese items that one rarely finds in the US: shochu, onigiri, kinpira, and much more. And a full meal with multiple appetizers and sake was maybe 1/3 the cost of a comparable meal at one of the fashionable restaurants downtown.

Been here quite a few times. Friendly owner. Same staff that has been around as long as I have been going. Legit sushi. Stiff drinks.