Want to check out the newest izakayas in Seattle? You're in luck: we've found the freshest informal Japanese pubs around the city that fill the bill. Here are the newest places to check out the next time you're in search of a new izakaya near you.
Junkichi Robata Izakaya
224 Broadway E, Capitol Hill
Izakayas are meant to offer informal Japanese meals, and at Junkichi Robata Izakaya, a table robot enhances the experience. The robot, called SOTA, doesn't cook or prepare your meals, but it does have the capability to sync to your smartphone through an app to provide entertainment at the table. The robot can also read off text messages from your server that you can respond to.
The extensive menu offers traditional Japanese fare. Try a cold dish like the Seared Seven Spice Tuna, which includes six pieces of thinly sliced spice seared tuna, avocado, micro greens, fried garlic chips, soy sauce, sesame oil and edible flowers, or try a hot pot dish like Wagyu Beed Sukiyaki, complete with thinly sliced beef, nappa cabbage, tofu, Tokyo negi, shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, watercress and shirataki noodles cooked with warishita sauce. Salads, skewers, sushi, seafood and dessert round out the menu.
With a 4.5-star Yelp rating out 31 reviews, Junkichi Robata Izakaya has been getting positive attention.
Vicki T. wrote, "Loved this place. Service and food on point. The drumming music on repeat almost drove me crazy, but the server mentioned they were working on getting a better playlist."
Junkichi Robata Izakaya is open from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–11 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.–9 p.m. on Sunday.
Ten Sushi #35
1207 S. Jackson St., Suite 106, International District
Ten Sushi #35 is a sushi bar and izakaya, offering signature rolls, Japanese whiskey, beer and more.
Master sushi chef and Ten Sushi owner Shinichiro Takahashi hails from Aizu Wakamatsu, a small town in the Fukushima region of Japan and has been honing his craft for 20 years, five of which he's worked in the U.S. The "Ten" in the business' name "translates directly to 'above and beyond all others' or 'something greater,'" according to the restaurant's website.
Here, the sushi menu includes sashimi and nagiri along with classic and signature rolls. Try the Big Red Corvette Roll with shrimp tempura, white sesame, avocado, cream cheese, tuna, snow crab, Japanese mayo, fish egg and eel sauce, or the deep-fried Love is a Battlefield Roll, which includes barbecue eel, avocado, snow crab, Japanese mayo, cream cheese, eel sauce and fish egg.
To accompany their dishes, diners can order draft beer from Japan's Yo-Ho Brewing Company or choose from a selection of Japanese whiskeys.
Ten Sushi #35 currently holds 4.5 stars out of 14 reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews.
Yelper Chelsea S., who reviewed Ten Sushi #35 on April 3, wrote, "So far I give this place a 10/10. I got the classic sushi box that came with three rolls and ordered it to go. I was blown away by the flavor and composure of each roll. The tempura cook was perfect, the sauces perfect, the rice perfect."
Christopher L. wrote, "Absolutely fantastic. Fantastic service and quality food at a reasonable price. This location is off the tourist well-known path and is a great place for lunch in Little Saigon."
Ten Sushi #35 is open from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily.
Tamari Bar
500 E. Pine St., Capitol Hill
A cousin of Suika in Capitol Hill, Tamari Bar is a sushi bar and izakaya offering traditional Japanese fare, beverages and more in a laid-back atmosphere.
Try one of the six signature cocktails on the menu, like the Yuzu Fashioned, a spin on the American classic that combines bourbon, Angostura bitters and yuzu fruit syrup and is garnished with rum cherries and fresh mint. Pair your drink with a snack like the root veggie chips or a full meal — from sushi rolls to sashimi samplers.
Tamari Bar's current rating of 4.5 stars out of 79 reviews on Yelp indicates positive attention from users.
Yelper Shon C., who was one of the first users to visit Tamari Bar on April 20, wrote, "Ten stars. So fantastic. Food was amazing. Drinks were delicious. Cool ambiance with great music. Super friendly staff."
And Inshiya V. recommended, "For food you must get the bento box. They make a nine-piece bento of appetizers but only prep 12 per night, so come early and order it right away! The dishes in the bento were quirky and tasty: cauliflower with white chocolate — interesting and delicious! Sushi, salmon roe, a potato patty and much more ..."
Tamari Bar is open from 5–11 p.m. on Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, and 5 p.m.–midnight on Friday and Saturday. (It's closed on Monday).
