So you're hungry—and you're ready for some Japanese food. Good news: we've found the freshest spots to satisfy your appetite for sushi, robata and more. Here are the newest places in Seattle to check out the next time you're in the mood for Japanese food.
Aburiya Bento House
2100 Western Ave., Belltown
At Aburiya Bento House, you'll find a full menu of bento boxes: Japanese meal combos containing dishes like shumai dumplings, miso soup, poke, and nigiri sushi. The restaurant also offers sushi and sashimi-only bento, poke bowls and maki rolls, along with a selection of beer, wine and sake.
With a 4.5-star Yelp rating out of 46 reviews, Aburiya Bento House has been getting positive attention.
Yelper Lily G., who reviewed Aburiya Bento House on June 9, wrote, "What a gem! They specialize in fresh nigiri and sashimi/nigiri bento boxes."
Thomas R. noted, "You'll eat with your eyes first at Aburiya Bento House! The sashimi box was a standout. I have never seen anything quite like it. Eight different kinds of fish, plus tamago, were arranged in a stunning visual arrangement in a wooden box, and the portions were huge!"
Aburiya Bento House is open from 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.–9 p.m. on Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.–11 p.m. on Friday, noon–3 p.m. and 4 p.m.–11 p.m. on Saturday, and noon–7 p.m. on Sunday. (It's closed on Monday.)
Junkichi Robata Izakaya
224 Broadway East, Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill's new Junkichi Robata Izakaya comes from Japanese owners who have a similar restaurant in Tokyo's Ginza district. Unsurprisingly, this newbie has been getting raves for the authenticity of its charcoal-grilled robata dishes, like scallop, miso eggplant, or squid skewers. There's also a selection of sushi (including pressed "box" sushi), cooked dishes and sake.
With a 4.5-star rating out of 46 reviews on Yelp, Junkichi has been getting positive attention.
Yelper Warren G., who reviewed Junkichi Robata Izakaya on May 27, wrote, "All the food we got was absolutely fantastic in both flavor and presentation. The standout items were the unagi, hot pot, wagyu, and oysters. My sashimi was solid, but the box sushi was lacking on the fish-to-rice ratio, so it was tough to get the flavor of the mackerel amidst the rice.
Yelper Tiffany C. wrote, "This authentic Japanese izakaya and robata spot opened a couple months ago, and did not disappoint. The quality and freshness of each ingredient and the detailed preparation of their dishes evokes a nostalgic, umami flavor. Everything is made in-house, from the sauces to the dishware."
Junkichi Robata Izakaya is open from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5 p.m.–11 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.–9 p.m. on Sunday.
Wa'z
411 Cedar St., Belltown
For those with deep pocketbooks, Wa'z offers an upscale, tasting menu-style kaiseki experience from chef Hiro Tawara, who spent a decade training in Japan and another decade in the Seattle restaurant scene before opening his own spot.
Diners can choose from "mini" or full kaiseki tasting menus of five or 10 courses, respectively. Dishes change with the seasons, but might include lotus root buns with braised eel, grilled A5 Wagyu beef with sea urchin or freshly made warm tofu.
With a 4.5-star Yelp rating out of 14 reviews on Yelp, Wa'z has been getting positive attention.
Yelper Ryan Y., who was one of the first users to visit Wa'z on June 16, wrote, "A perfect Japanese oasis. One of the best meals I have eaten in the Seattle area."
亮太 noted, "Great food and service! Went there twice already. Never thought I could have such a high quality Kyoto-style Japanese food outside of the country. They also have some special sake if you ask."
Wa'z is open from 5 p.m.–10 p.m. on Wednesday-Sunday. (It's closed on Monday and Tuesday.)
