Readers tell us about their favorite sushi places

Jul 12, 2006

"Da Bruddas" — seen here passing a plate of "Demon's Eyeballs" in 1995 — have been celebrating their love for sushi at their favorite sushi spot, Toyoda Sushi in Lake City, for nearly two decades. (HELEN TOYODA)

Sushi Zen! It's all the way up in Mill Creek/Everett but it's well worth the drive. Lots of original rolls, fresh fish, and decent prices... it's definitely my favorite sushi joint. The website is www.sushizenmillcreek.com.
— Kelsie Brown, Seattle, WA

Yamashiro's in North Seattle. Tucked away off of Aurora.
— RH, Seattle, WA

While I can understand that most people just assume that good/great sushi is the "right" of a Seattle location, I offer up my vote for best sushi bar, that happens to be located in a "sub-par" location: Totem Lake. I urge you to try out the Sushi at Izumi. Fresh, tasty and presented very well, by a chef with a great sense of humor. As an aside, how many sushi chefs do you know that can also speak Hebrew!!!
— Alan Zelt, Kenmore

Have you been to Kiku Sushi in Bellevue? It is small, but my husband and I love it.
— Erin Lynn, Bellevue, WA

Wasabi Bistro is by far the best sushi I have tried. My favorites are the spicy scallops and the samurai roll.
— Jennifer Ulrich, Seattle, WA

Having limited selections in the south end my husband and I will drive to Yamashiro's whenever we want great sushi. The service is always wonderful and the food is consistently amazing. We have referred several friends to them who know are regular customers. The outside is so unassuming that you would never believe what wonders await inside.
— Tanya Gillies, Tukwila, WA

Tenada-san at I Love Sushi in Seattle continues to surprise me with delicious and novel sushi that I've not had elsewhere. With 20 years as a 'sushiinado' under my belt, that's no easy feat! Another testament to I Love Sushi is that the owners of at least one sushi bar on 2nd Ave and Chiso in Freemont both started there. And thanks to all of you for your contributions--more yummy places to try. Domo arigato!
— Bob Margulis, Seattle, WA

I've eaten sushi in japan many times and the I Love Sushi on lake union (Seattle)is equal to or better than most in nagoya, Japan
— Ken Kincaid, Boston, MA

Sam's Sushi in Ballard, next to Tully's Coffee, is the best place to enjoy authentic sushi and other Japanese delights. Another plus, the place is clean and the service outstanding. Try it, you'll love it.
— Porsha Brando, Ballard, WA

My favorite sushi restaurant is Chiso in Fremont for lunch. The price is good, the sushi is great, the atmosphere comfortably zen, and the sushi chef is just the right level of friendly. Nice, but let's me read my book in peace.
— Mikel Milton, Redmond, WA

Hiroshis 2501 Eastlake Ave E Chef-owner, Hiroshi Egashira Sushi is fresh, beautifully presented and resonably prioced. The Himalaya Mountain Rool is a favorite.
— Thom. Probs,Seattle, WA

Atami Sushi Bar in SeaTac. Great portions & fresh seafood.
— Robert Dier, Renton, WA

Rain on 45th has the most amazing Spider Roll on this planet!
— Mary Beth, Seattle

Sushi Zen in Bothell, www.sushizenmillcreek.com, is a friendly, delicious Sushi restaurant. From the friendly greetings of "Hello!" from the staff to the "Goodbyes" your tastebuds are treated to fresh and inventive sushi dishes. The Salmon Lemon Roll is a favoirte on a hot summer night.
— Anne Marcus, Seattle, WA

Sushi Land in Queen Anne and Bellevue must be one of my favorite places to eat and affordable. But another great place would be Sakuma in Mukilteo.
— Vincent Lam, Mukilteo, WA

i can't beleive no one mentioned MAKEKI in the ID.
— nc, seattle

We are always on a search for great Sushi, but we always return to Sushi-in-Joy in Bellevue right by the QFC. The service is great, the converstations better, and the food is superb. Try the Mountain or yummy yummy rolls and you will be hooked!
— Joshua Sestak, Kirkland, WA

Shiki is the true sushi place in Seattle.
— amit, seattle

Yama san in Bothell is a favorite. Also Kyoto House in Bham.
— Daryl Kaiser, Bellingham, WA

I'm glad you put a good word in for Mashiko. My partner and I had the 'misfortune' of having to sit at the counter one crowded evening. Fortunately, we sat right in front of Sato-san, who made up a couple of magnificent custom sushi plates for us, including a surprisingly tasting final 'dessert' course of sushi consisting of sweet glazed grilled eel, avocado, a sweet teriyaki sauce and powdered sugar on top. That was the dish that sealed the deal!
— Dennis Nelson, Seattle, WA

My FAVORITE place for sushi is Chinoise on Madison. It has it all, the quality is there, it's reasonably priced and Jae Ahrens is a master when it comes to making sushi. The spicey tuna roll is perfection!
— Kelly, Seattle

Ginza in Old Bellevue not only has the best sushi, but very authentic and delicious japapense food. Very friendly staff as well.
— Jean Lee, Bellevue, WA

Susumu Japanese steak house in Lynnwood has an excellent sushi bar with a wonderful sushi chef. Very nice employees. The best sushi by far!!! Try it!!
— Hillary, Seattle, WA

How can you omit Nara in Redmond? They have the freshest, best sushi. They always have several different types of toro, and they me the best hijiki salad.
— Rebecca Slivka, Seattle, WA

Our Favorite Sushi places are Blue C Sushi at University Village; Tokoyo Sushi on Rossevelt Way NE near Whole Foods and Toyoda Sushi on Lake City Way.
— Jennifer, Seattle, WA

Chinoise defininately has the BEST sushi!
— Najat Cola, Seattle, WA

Flo in Bellevue and Nara in Redmond are 2 of the best.
— Jennifer, Sammamish

Chinoise defininately has the BEST sushi!
— Najat Cola, Seattle, WA

Sushi-Moto in Edmonds is one of the Seattle area's best sushi restaurants.Excellent presentation and a variety of other menu items to choose from.
— Paul Wacker, Mountlake Terrace, WA

Maneki sushi in the International District is special place, with great sushi, a mind boggling but fascinating menu, low prices, and a uniquely japanese atmosphere.
— Leo, Seattle

Hi Nancy, You should check out the new sushi place near Safeco Field (on 1st) called Bites. The sushi chef (Jay) comes from some of the best sushi resturants in LA to open up a great neighborhood sushi joint close to Pioneer Square. I'm kind of a sushi snob, and here the fish is always extremely fresh, and he's given me the absolute BEST scallop sushi I've ever had. (He sears it ever so slightly). The Albacore carpaccio is fantastic as well, and he offers many other non-sushi items (including some very traditional Japanese fare) for those fans that aren't into raw fish. They also offer a fun "game day" menu, and to get more folks into the bar, they offer a "beer and a shot" special to help increase traffic to this new joint. A fun alternative to hotdog and beer, but also a fantastic place to go on a slow night to talk to the owner and enjoy really fantastic fish. Enjoy!
— Terri, Seattle, WA

Thank you! This is a fantastic article..and will allow me to broaden my sushi-horizons a bit. I faithfully.. FAITHFULLY.. eat at Musashi's. Since I've moved to Shoreline from Wallngford I make my husband trek across the 520 bridge to pick up a take out order on his way home — way out of his way. I will suggest another place for you to try — although not Japanese owned (and I'm half Japanese and lived there for several years), it is very tasty and wise to the wallet. "Sam's Sushi" has three locations: Queen Anne (perfect for a Kirin Beer and sushi before a Sonics game), Ballard, and now in Lynnwood next to Hooters and Taco Time. They also have a happy hour (at the Lynnwood location). The food is always terrific and very reasonably priced.. try the "set of three", and I'll now try Taka Sushi.
— Kim Darcy, Seattle, WA

Our new favorite and champion is Shiso in Fremont, but if we want to walk a couple of blocks to our cheap, friendly and tasty neighborhood joint, we love Azuma in west seattle. Noone does Shiro Maguro better.
— Greg Daly, Seattle, WA

Nara's in Redmond,WA It's family owned and fantastic.Great food and service. A definate must go.
— marianna burns, redmond, wa

Mashiko! No other place in town is as adept in both traditional and creative forms of sushi. The omikase menu is always an experience.
— Vince, Seattle, WA

Bento Sushi in Crown Hill (15th Ave NW and NW 85th Street). It might not look like a fantastic restaurant from the outside, but inside it's a casual atmosphere as good for families as for dates... and the food is the best! Skip the overpriced fancy places in the city and come here for great sushi!
— Jen & Hays Clark, Seattle, WA

I really like Aoki Sushi on broadway for their great prices, broad selection, and great food.
— Matt, Seattle

Hanna sushi on main street in downtown Bothell has been our sushi joint of choice for about 2 years now... my wife and I highly recommend them!
— V. Riekstins, Bothell, WA

Toyoda Sushi is a great family style restuarant, with an excellent sushi bar for the discerning sushi eater. I have taken large groups of "mixed" company, vegetarian to sashimi lovers, and everyone is happy. The family owned restuarant overflows with warmth and charm, even during the dinner hour crunch.
— Heidi Utsugi, Seattle, WA

We love I Heart Sushi on Lake Union. It's always busy, but the staff is extremely accomodating. (you can wait in the bar across the concourse at Blue Water Bistro and they'll call you) The sushi is top notch and the chefs will always make sure you try something special each visit. Since Nikko at the Westin closed, this is our place. Give them a try !
— Janise Hawes, Queen Anne, Seattle

Blue C Sushi No wait, it's right there and very good quality
— Bobi, Seattle

Shiso Sushi in Fremont is amazing. Some of the freshest I have ever tasted. My friend Lee took me there once and I was hooked. Also, the Dragonfish at the Paramount Hotel is a great little sushi bar, especially for the late might crowd.
— Michael Wright, San Diego, CA

My wife and I are serious sushi fans, having dined in New York City at the amazing Jewel Bako restaurant in the East Village. The only place in Seattle that we have found that is comparable is Mashiko in West Seattle. Their website site is www.sushiwhore.com/index.html. I highly recommend this place! Brian
— Brian Abeel, Seattle, WA

Sushiland in Bellevue is where we go. The fish is fresh, plentiful and very reasonably priced.
— Jeff Ibach, Bellevue,WA

Alright, it might be a long way to go, but I dream about Heart Rock Sushi in Fort Lauderdale, FL and Sushi Ko in Washington, DC!
— Eleanor Trainor, Seattle, WA

My favorite place would have to be Ohana in Belltown. I love the atmosphere there along with there spam masubi and there half baked sushi.
— Peter Hua, redmond, wa

Best Sushi in Seattle, is Heroshi's on Eastlake Ave. Always the freshest fish. Always-great presentation. Continuous changing menu specials. Very friendly and attentive staff.
— M Mann, Seattle, WA

Saito has become a personal friend, as well as our favorite restaurant. He consistently goes out of his way to please my wife and I and especially our eight year old son. He seems to pursue toe finest quality in all of his presentations, and the addition of Master Kenzo, a local legend, in the kitchen has brough a large variety of special appetizers up to the same exacting standard as his fresh raw fis. I have many stories that include baseball players, as well as critics like Jacques Pepin, who we have seen dining there. He is by far the tops in Seattle, and one of the finest we've experienced anywhere! DA
— david ackerman, seattle WA

Sushi In Joy (in Bellevue) is still one of my favorite sushi places. Good prices for lunch, good sushi, and they don't serve snob on the menu which is so refreshing.
— Brian, Duvall, WA

If I want cheap but good sushi for a weekday lunch I go to Best of Bento on the Ave or Sushi Tokyo on Roosevelt (They use real crab in their California Rols. For good fancy sushi their are too many to mention, But I like Red Fin Sushi, Saito's, or Ototo's.
— Larry Davenport, Seattle, WA

Izumi is my favorite place to go for consistently great sushi at fairly reasonable prices (for Totem Lake).
— Kita, Edmonds, WA

For fresh, tasty, well prepared sushi we go to Fujiya in downtown Tacoma. For an inexpensive guilty pleasure, take-out sushi, we go to Metropolitan Market in the Tacoma Proctor District.
— Cathy Hall, Tacoma, WA

Hakata, Silverdale, WA and Central Market, Poulsbo, WA
— Lindsay, Silverdale, WA

For an in expensive, every day meal I really like the Morgan Junction Thriftway. Made fresh daily and available around 8 am. At work I like Nara Japanese Restaurant. More pricey, but the rice is perfect and the fish is excellent. Great place for sashimi and nigiri. Highly recommended.
— Jordan Petram, Seattle

Great, great sushi right in the heart of the Kirkland strip.
— Ezra kirkland, WA

The Saki House in Kirkland. Great sushi right in the heart of the Kirkland strip.
— Ezra kirkland, WA

Sushi Ten - Bellevue They have and all you can eat Sushi from 5 - 7 or 8 that's around $25. The Dynamite rolls are "da bomb" ;v) I've lived in Japan and it's pretty good. I like that the owner, the sushi chef behind the counter and the waitress are all Japanese. Definately no "local" help working this place. Sit at the bar for the best experience. It's not fancy it's simply japanese.
— Andy, Seattle

In Seattle, Wasabi Bistro on 2nd. Closer to home, Zen Sushi at Petrovisky and Hwy 515.
— CMC, Renton, WA

Since moving here into the Seattle area in 2000, I have searched long and hard throughout the city and suburbs for quality sushi -- like my grandmothers and aunt made for all our family gatherings. I have visited restaurants that received rave reviews in the newspapers only to discover that the restaurants were as bad as all the rest. There is also the belief that places that have "all you can eat" sushi are good places. Only if you want mediocre sushi in abundance. Good sushi is formed with a light hand and the grains of rice are shiny (we stand over the rice and fan it while gently tossing in the flavoring syrup.) Almost every place I have visited has "leaden" sushi, meaning the sushi has been virtually crushed and compressed so that the sushi is no longer light and delicate with "air" between the rice grains. When I moved from Seattle to Kirkland I found a notable exception: Izumi in Kirkland, WA. When I haven't had the time to make sushi myself -- this is where I go to scratch that palate itch.
— Cheryl Watanabe, Kirkalnd, WA

I have no intentions of telling you where the best sushi is... the line is long enough already.
— bill, Seattle

Wasabi Bistro on 2nd and Bell is always fantastic.
— Dustin Johnson, Seattle

Shima Sushi is incredible and they use organic products.
— Russ, Bainbridge Island, WA

North Beach Sushi San Francisco. Nothing in Seattle is even close to the quality of Sushi in SF.
— John Marino, Seattle

Nishino (Mad Park), Flo (Bellevue), Toyoda Sushi (Lake City)
— Andrew Skotdal, Everett, Wa.

I lived in Japan for a year back in the day and became very spoiled with fabulous Sushi. Since moving to Seattle, I became a big fan of Koto Sushi up on Boston in Upper Queen Anne. It is excellent in taste and presentation and I get to use my few remaining words of Japanese. However, thanks to my pre-pubesent nephews-in-law I have been educated in the ways of the circular sushi joints. These places scared me at first but I see I was really just a sushi snob. They have now become come of my favorite places to dine. Lets face it, where else can you fully enjoy such drama and competition? I find myself completely distracted from conversation each time I spy a new little dish placed on the conveyor belt. I am completely destroyed when a little kid grabs the fake crab or slightly wilted edamame before me. But, I am ready the next time and unabashedly grab each tempting morsel I have marked as mine. This fun cannot be beat. And these lively neighborhood places are packed with multi-cultural families, spirited energy and lower prices. All this completely makes up for the somewhat lower taste value. My current favorite is still in Queen Anne: Sushiland on 5th. It is always packed but the wait seems to go fast - as long as you keep your eye on the conveyor belt!
— Kim Ivy, Seattle, WA

mori's just off of greenwood on 85th. great sashimi
— s., seatle, wa

Toyoda Sushi in Lake City. A hidden Gem with great service.
— JB, Seattle, WA

Hands down my favorite place to get sushi is Mashiko in West Seattle. The creativeness and tastiness of their food keep me coming back time and time again. You can never go wrong picking from the specials board they are always amazing but if you are looking for something fun different and tasty I say try the red violin, temptation island, and the dragon roll you won't be disappointed. Be prepared for a wait but the wait is well worth it, or you can do what I do call and make reservations so your table is ready when you get there. Plus with a website of www.sushiwhore.com what's not to like?
— Mitzie Hoffman, Seattle, WA

My favorite is Sakuma's in Mukilteo. They cater to many Japanese customer and suppliers of near by Boeing, so their fish is extremely fresh.
— Rich White, Everett, WA

While I'm not one to travel all over the Puget Sound region to discover another sushi bar, I think it is really hard to beat I LOVE SUSHI in Bellevue. I've been to perhaps 15 different sushi bars and I LOVE SUSHI remains steadfastly at the top of my list.
— Glenn Rimbey, Snohomish

Sam's on Lower Queen Anne!
— pete, seattle, wa

Well, some great sushi places reside on the Eastside. Rikki Rikki-A Japanese Restaurant in Park Place plaza in Kirkland is very very good. Izumi Restaurant in a strip mall in Totem Lake off the NE 124th Street exit on I-405 is superb. I enjoy the warm towels served before dinner to wash one's hands, the lunch and dinner served in bento boxes with tempura veggies and the green tea ice cream. I've not been to the Eating Factory in Bellevue but heard it has reasonably priced all-you-can-eat sushi. Also good sushi is served for lunch at the Fred Meyer in Issaquah. My dad likes it. Thanks,
— Katlin Hanson, Bellevue

The best sushi restaurant in Seattle is Diamond Ji on Corson & Michigan Street in Georgetown. They have a fabulous sushi bar and a daily special. The food is fresh, the place is clean and it smells wonderful the moment you walk in the door. To me this is a 5 star resturant to get a reasonably priced lunch.
— Susan Schrader, Seattle, WA

I love Kiku Sushi!!! It's located next door to Uwajama in Bellevue. The sushi chef here has trained other sushi chefs in Seattle (all now well known and have great resteraunts of their own). You must try the Kiku roll! I can't seem to get enough :) This IS my favorite sushi restaurant!!
— Michele G., seattle, wa

We love Nijo's, just off Spring on Post Alley. We don't order off the menu, but give the wait person a price range for our total and ask to be surprised. In every case we are surprised and very happy!
— Clif Curry, Seattle, WA

I have been going to Shiro's for years — he is the old grand master sushi chef of Seattle. Several times we have had Shiro-san cater events for groups of 50-100 visitirs from Japan, and they always love it.
— Dean DeCrease, Seattle

When I use to work for an environmental firm in Bothell, coworkers and I would stop by Hana Sushi in downtown old Bothell for great sushi. They are not shy with the wasabi.
— Katlin Hanson, Bellevue, WA

Aoki on Broadway has some of the best sushi for the best prices — and friendly service to boot! Chiso in Fremont is my next favorite place — the sushi is exquisite though the prices are higher and the portions are smaller than Aoki.
— Kelsey O., Seattle, WA

Shota sushi in bellevue on ne 2nd & 107th is the best sushi on the eastside. See mike @ the sushi bar.
— troy, bellevue

Toyoda in Lake City, the best!
— Teri McFarlane, Gold Bar, Wa

Blowfish Sushi on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood is amazing, if you are ever in LA and want good sushi, this is the place to go. It is also a great place to spot celebs.
— Austin, Turlock, CA

For a quick, cheap fix...Sushiland. For freshness and quality...Seito's.
— Lydia, Seattle, WA

Flo in Bellevue
— Lemuel, Issaquah, WA

When we lived in Seattle we loved Hana on Broadway. Sitting at the sushi bar and drinking Sake from our own wooden boxes while sampling some of the house specials brings back endless memories. For years I bugged them about adding a Spider Roll to the menu, but the reply was always the same, "Not traditional enough", then after we moved it was added. This place is not fancy, not intimate, but the sushi is great, the sake selection is vast, the service is good and when you get to sit at the sushi bar the rest of the world melt away. Try the munkfish livers or the satueed Geoduck.
— Willow Ayers, Miami, Fl

my daughter and i tried AAsushi in juanita village couple weeks ago. they have the little conveyor belt that goes around and you choose your sushi, and at the end of the meal they count up the plates, and tally your (tiny!) bill. they (the staff) are very nice, and the sushi is pretty good too! the sushi chef will also make what you want for you if you don't see it on the line.
— cindy, kirkland

By far, the best sushi in the city is Hiroshi's on Eastlake...wonderful food, reasonably priced, with a super friendly staff.
— Sheri Greaves, Seattle, WA

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