Nancy B.

This is every sushi lover's dream. Great quality sushi at a low price? How is this possible? Where do they source the fish? Are they profiting as a restaurant? Pretty sure they are because Musashis is constantly busy. I work nearby, so I am a spoiled walking distance to this restaurant-which means I definitely come here at least once every week. THE HITS: (1) $15 Chirashi Bowl. Do I really need to say more? $15!! (2) The sashimi is super fresh, melt in your mouth good. I usually ask for no tuna, and more salmon in my Chirashi. That's one of the biggest perks of Musashis-you can essentially customize your Chirashi bowl if you do not like a certain type of fish, and replace it with one you prefer. (3) Fast, friendly service. I'm pretty sure the servers recognize me by now, and they are always extremely kind and customer service oriented. (4) The hot "tea". If you sit in the restaurant, the hot rice tea (...I think it's barely or rice?) is comforting. (5) Beef sukiyaki is also very delicious. On the rare days I'm not craving their chirashi bowl, I opt for the sukiyaki. It's a huge portion for the price and comes with rice. THE MISSES: (1) In a world where payment is as quick as a credit card swipe, this place only accepts cash. (2) If you are going to eat here with a large party, you better plan a M-W weekday, at not a so busy dining hour. This place is usually packed during lunch during the weekdays, and dinners. Thank you Musashis for allowing my love for sushi to be more affordable.
(5)
Sarah T.

I heard so much about Musashi's and decided to check it out. It is a small place with a long wait, but I noticed that a lot of people did takeout. The sushi was really good and at a great price. Mostly simple rolls and nigiri. The chirashi was also very popular! Overall, great sushi for a great price!
(4)
Ivy L.

Sushi cuts are big and delicious and fresh! The sake is yummy! However the place is small and they leave the tea out, I wish it was hot or even warm!! Also the service isn't great.. I ordered miso soup twice and never got it! Pretty decent price for good sushi though but don't expect anything fancy. Just a nice place to satisfy a sushi craving on a random night. Also the menu options are very small.
(3)
Devina G.

After hearing great things about Musashi, mi madre and I finally picked this place for our weekly lunch date. We snagged the last open table as it was rush hour. Get here before noon or after 1pm to skip the wait. Lunch menu is very traditional but they have a large selection of nigiri. I really like that sushi is served by the piece for about $2 each. Perfect to have variety without over ordering. Now on to our lunch. We both ordered the infamous Chirashi bowl. My eyes grew even bigger than they already are with excitement and disbelief when I laid eyes on it. The bowl is generously packed with salmon, unagi, albacore, tuna, hamachi, ebi and tobiko. The emphasis here though, will be on quality rather than quantity. They are very fresh and slices are thick. At $15, this is the best value ever!!! Their unagi is fantastic. We ordered a couple more. Must remember that it's CASH ONLY! However, if you forget (like I did), there's a gas station next door for cash back and stuff.
(5)
Kathleen C.

Food: I really only get the Chirashi bowl here as w/ most people. You get 4 slices each of salmon, seared albacore tuna, red tuna, and hamachi + some scallops, eel, shrimp over way too much rice. Plenty of food for me, maybe even too much. The non-fish items are whatever, doesn't really matter to me. You can customize your bowl too. For example, I get more salmon/hamachi instead of the red tuna. Anyways, the quality is super inconsistent here, judging from maybe like 7-8 visits. Only 25% of the time is it a good meal. Even then, it's not super duper good quality, but it'll do alright for me especially at this price. The other 75% of the time, I really wish I didn't come. There were two times that I came and the hamachi was still frozen. I find that kind of embarrassing for a restaurant. Prices: So this is the main selling point. The Chirashi bowl is only $15-$16. The Wallingford location (original) was a lot better in my opinion, but I also didn't frequent as often since it is such a tiny place/long wait and not too close to home. Maybe it's the same as the Factoria location now, who knows. I have to remind myself not to come just because it's cheap...until I forget about how bad my experiences have been and return again.
(2)
Karyn M.

Let it be known that this place is mainly popular for one item - their chirashi bowl. I had their different nigiri and they're pretty average. The price, cuts, quality of their sashimi over rice bowl is on point for me. Fills me up every time. I like the bellevue location a little better because I never really had much of a wait here. And i'm glad to see that the chirashi bowl is still about the same price after so many years. Definitely remember to bring cash.
(4)
Miyo E.

Seriously though. Get the Chirashi bowl. In my opinion, it's the best in the Eastside area and I've tried it in different restaurants. Excellent place for lunch!
(5)
Andrew K.

I've heard great things about this place and all my friends keep asking me to go and now i know why! I'm not too fluent on prices but I can see that the portions for the price and quality is nice.
(4)
Joyce J.

I have been here several times, as well as the U-district location. The first two times I ordered the bento boxes with the meat skewers. The first time I ordered it, I thought the meat were too dry. Then the second time I ordered it, I remembered why I didn't like it the first time, the meat was too dry. So it seemed like this place consistently overcooks its meat skewers. This last time I went, I learned my lesson and ordered the chirashi. After all, that's what every raves about, chirashi for ~$15. The fish was really fresh and there were a lot of sashimi for the price. However, my complaints for the chirashi are that 1) it was not seasoned with vinegar/sugar (at least I could not taste any seasoning), and 2) it was warm (i.e. not sushi rice as it's supposed to be seasoned and chilled). Other than serving chirashi with warm rice, this place offers a good value for the price. The service is friendly and prompt. The store is decorated with various posters of events happening in the neighborhood so I often note down the events that interest me. I do wonder how they manage to keep the posters so up to date as I didn't notice any events in the past. Anyhow, make sure you have cash when you come since they don't take credit cards.
(3)
Jamie P.

My first time trying Musashi's was at this Factoria location. Had I not been to the Wallingford location, my rating would be closer to 4 stars. The service is questionable, in that I've had an item that was forgotten about (just a seaweed salad, and it wasn't terribly busy for her to have forgotten in the rush of things). Other times when it's more hectic, it's difficult to get a server's attention, especially if they seemed understaffed. Chirashi bowl is the way to go; pretty affordable for all the fresh fish you get! You can also customize the bowl to come with only specific types of fish. I tend to order sushi rolls and some sashimi to balance the meal out. And I usually check out the specials for a special roll or whatever else that sounds tasty. While the sushi's pretty good and not crazily priced, the service forces me to rank down this place along with how the sashimi seems not as fresh as the Wallingford location.
(3)
William S.

So I came here to wallow in my sorrows after Darrell Bevel decided NOT to run the ball at the 1-yard line... anyways enough about that (you can tell im bitter) but I brought my dad too because I thought he would like sushi. The food was delicious, and I felt like I could drink a gallon of the miso soup! My only suggestion is to have the server be a bit more friendly and attentive. That is all. In football terms, this was a solid hook route that netted 7 yards. Like those comeback routes in madden to Calvin Johnson. Just reliable and money. You know what you are going to get, and it is solid everytime.
(4)
Marika F.

This is my go-to place when I'm craving sushi. The restaurant itself is small, casual, and simply decorated with posters on the walls, but the FOOD is fresh, delicious, and light on both the hips and the wallet ;) I can't go more than 2 weeks without their chirashi bowls. For the Japanese newbies out there, chirashi bowls are bowls (surprise) of sushi rice topped with slices of fresh fish. In this case, they're generously topped with salmon, albacore tuna, shrimp, scallop, unagi, ebi hamachi, and roe all for $15 LOVE ME A DEAL. The bowls are customizable so you can replace any of the aforementioned fish with your favorite(s)! More buttery salmon that melts in your mouth?! Yes please?! I have yet to try anything else on their menu, but I think this place is worth a visit just for their chirashi bowls.. they'll fill you up and they're sappari (translation: fresh, light, neat, and simple). My only complaint is that they don't have dessert - this would normally warrant a star deduction, but I'll let Musashi slide. Last points: Parking is plentiful & cash only
(4)
Mark H.

Being half Japanese, I really only half know what I'm talking about. But what can I say, this place is a hidden, cash only, bang for your buck, little man cutting sushi in the back, Chirashi & Sukiyaki all up in your mouth, GEM of a restaurant. But seriously, portion size is awesome! None of this empty your wallet for a tiny roll "may I have more" Oliver Twist shit! You'll probably have left overs. And the quality is decent enough Try the Chirashi bowl! And you can customize it, I recommend half salmon and half unagi. The sukiyaki is nom nom too All in all...COME HUNGRY PEOPLE!
(4)
Inna B.

I'm a fan of the Wallingford Musashi's and love sushi, so I had to check out their much newer Bellevue location! I love the chirashi bowl and almost never order anything else at (either) Musashi's, so that's what I've had each time I've visited. I'm usually only in the area during the day, so both visits happened during lunch-time. There were plenty of tables available each time I stopped by, but I could have stopped by at an odd time. The fish was good each time, but the rice... not so sure about the rice. I was thankful the rice was fine the second time because the first time I started feeling really... physically uncomfortable and off and... kind of sick... while eating the rice. Didn't finish it the first time but felt okay eating most of it the second time. (3/12/14 update: I stopped by for another chirashi and had a good rice experience!) My favorite thing about this location is probably that there's a BECU in the same parking lot and a lot of other banks near-by. In Wallingford I usually have to buy something at QFC and get cash back (Musashi's doesn't take debit/credit cards!) so I can visit Musashi's. I can do that here because there is a QFC in the same parking lot, but I usually just visit the BECU ATM. If you like good and simple sushi, stop by... and make sure to try the chirashi bowl at least once! :)
(4)
Aprameya R.

A-OK. - The nigiri is decent. It is not memorable but it is filling. - The ratio of rice to fish is a little off - there is a touch too much rice in my opinion. - The price is very good - The presentation is okay, nothing to write home about and not comparable to Oto. Overall, a decent place. A-OK. I do not mind having tried it, I left well fed after the meal but I will not go here out of choice. Oh, and cash only.
(3)
AShley W.

A bit skeptical because of the location, but the reviews were good, so we decided to try it. It was delicious! Super fresh, and the Chirashi bowl is awesome. Its a lot of food, so could even be shared.
(4)
Alice C.

Been here twice and will come again! Chirashi Bowl - Really Good!! Wish it wasn't so pricey though. California Rolls - 5 pcs for $3.75 and 10 pcs for $6.25. Avocado Salmon Roll - 8 pcs for $4.00 Chicken Skewers - A bit dry $2 each.
(5)
Clarence J.

Interesting place. Based on the name and that it was called a sushi bar I expected a more polished Japanese looking restaurant. It ended up being a sushi dive (in a good way). Their menu is limited with the type of rolls but you can buy nigiri sushi by the piece. I had salmon which was excellent. Large cut of good tasting salmon on a small chunk of rice. I ordered the salmon cheese roll which was listed with using smoked salmon, but I was able to have them use raw salmon. It was very nice. Ok had a few other types of salmon equally good. I'd definitely recommend this place but it is tight quarters and doesn't lend itself to a large group. The service was fast in spite of the fact we arrived at peak lunch time where every seat was taken. I tried plum wine for the first time and found it nicely sweet and tasty. Their liquor offering is limited to Sapparo, plum wine and Sake.
(4)
Atlas W.

Being a crazy lover of sushi and sashimi, I've experienced quite a few world class sushi places. Musashi ranks top among them. Provided with their very affordable prices, their fish is always fresh like a magic! Moreover, though the place is rather small (the Toyko "street side" style), the severs are very much welcoming and accommodating. Perfect memory for every visit ever.
(5)
Rebecca B.

This is a cash only place that is small and serves more deliciousness than one would expect. I had the chirashi bowl and an extra order of yellow tail that was awesome! I wish there was one closer!
(4)
Cody B.

Great quality fish, low prices. That's why people come here. Don't forget to bring cash! The chirashi bowls keep me coming back. The perfect amount of rice vinegar on the sushi rice, covered in mounds and mounds of succulent sakana. The service isn't stellar, but that's not why we're here ;)
(5)
Anthony N.

One of my go-to places for fast and quality sushi. I almost always get the chirashi bowl and you can substitute the different fishes. It's a lot of food for about $15. Depending on the days and times, it can get pretty busy. Oh and it's cash only, but definitely check it out if you haven't been!
(4)
Anhdao L.

We absolutely love coming here for their Chirashi bowls! It's such a good deal for $15 and I love that you can customize it. I usually get all the salmon seared and replace the albacore for surf clams . I also love their uni (when they're in season).. Pieces are huge and so satisfying! Restaurant is really small and gets really busy during peak hours so we usually get there right when it opens. Staff is friendly but service is not superb. Overall, I am so glad we have this place to get our sushi/sashimi fix that's not too far from home :)
(4)
Jen L.

This is the place to go to get your sushi craving satisfied for a decent price. I go here for the fresh sashimi. I usually get the chirashi bowl with half the amount of rice (as you do get too much rice for one meal, I think) or the nigiri platter. Having either one of these menu items leave me very full, so I usually do not have room to try other menu items. When I am super hungry, I would order one of the above mentioned items and also the harusame salad. This leaves me walking out feeling like an oompa loompa. haha. From my experience, there has always been a wait here between 6 and 7:30pm or so. You'd have to be waiting outside some times as the place is very small, although there are a few seats next to the door. I usually come around 5pm or after 7pm to avoid the crowd. The service is a bit slow when it is busy. They should really schedule more workers during peak hours. I am not a fan of their tea; it's not very flavorful. I also dislike the fact that they leave a giant kettle with tea in it on each table. The place is small, so the tables are not big. The kettle takes up more room than necessary on the small tables. On a two-seat table, you'd probably have to be holding the fourth dish of food while you eat. And...their "tea" cups are fugly! :) I am definitely a fan of this place, but this is not as good as it gets. hehe
(4)
Brian W.

Musashi's is great. I've only been there once but their signature sashimi bowl (I forgot the name) is awesome for $15. I'll go back for that alone.
(4)
Brenda L.

Love their chirashi bowl. $15 is such a good deal - the sashimi tastes very fresh and they are generous with their portions. Downsides - the place is very small, you will probably have to wait if you come right at lunch or dinner time, or if you have a larger party. Also, they only take cash, so make sure you have some!
(5)
Traci M.

Relatively inexpensive and delicious sushi. The ONLY downside is that they only accept cash or checks, however, it's worth it grab cash before going in (a BECU atm is close by). Servings were generous and the sushi tasted fresh. I agree with other reviewers that the chirashi bowl is a great way to go - so much sashimi for a really good price. The restaurant is small and seating is cramped, but they really try to accommodate all parties. Service and food delivery is quick, so this is definitely not the place to come if you want to sit and talk with people. We will definitely back.
(5)
Carol C.

I often crave their chirashi bowl and will drive from downtown Seattle to Factoria to get it during my lunch hour. For $14.95 it comes with plenty of sashimi. You can also customize it to your liking. I subbed the seared salmon for the tuna. I have yet to meet another chirashi bowl that beats this one when it comes to quality, quantity and price. Another plus, the food comes out pretty fast helping to keep my lunch including travel within an hour. If you do want quick service be sure to go during non-peak hours. I have had lunch at 1 pm and dinner at 5:30 pm without waiting.
(5)
Andy Z.

dinner food: unagi don. seared salmon, beef sukiyaki, salmon kama, chirashi. everything was so good and fresh. the unagi was so tasty and sweet. the beef sukiyaki was so good. the onion was carmelized down and paired that with the beef...mmm. the fish tasted so fresh. ***4/5 service: the server forgot one of our orders but we got that remedied pretty quickly. ***4/5 atmosphere: pretty cramped. even the booths dont look that spacious. one side of the booth may fit one big guy at most. there is a small bar area, maybe good enough for 3 people. plan to go early since they dont take reservations and their waiting area isnt that big. ***3/5 value: i figured it was going to be a lot more expensive based on the food we ordered, but it wasnt that bad. we wanted to try a lot of different things or we couldve gone cheaper and probably less stuffed. ***4/5
(4)
Stephanie T.

I finally got to check out Musashi's and took the other reviewers' advice about getting the chirashi. Incredible! I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Risa N.

I'm so grad they opened one in Factoria, bellevue. I always order their Chirashi, California roll, and noodle salad! The best part is the price is amazingly reasonable for the quality and amounts. The place is always packed but the line won't be so long (about 10-15mins? I have once waited about 20-25mins tho, it was worth it :)) Me and my husband is always happy to go this place. If you are hungry and craving for sushi ASAP, this is the one. The atmosphere is very small and casual. They close on Sunday!
(5)
Talia E.

This is a hidden sushi gem in Factoria.Was in the area running some errands, and had a sushi craving so I Yelped for something nearby. Happy I stumbled upon this one. First off, you know it's legit when 90% of the people in there... are actually Japanese (no offense Blue C). They have a pretty large selection of nigiri staples, including the squid and my personal favorite, unagi (eel). They also have a couple sushi rolls (like california rolls) and bento boxes and such, for the less adventurous. The nigiri was phenomenal, about $2-3/piece, with good sized pieces of fish. The california rolls ($6 for 5 pieces I think) were average. The miso soup ($1.50) and seaweed salad ($2) were what you expected -- cheap and satisfying. The bento box ($15) came with little skewers of beef and chicken teriyaki (served on a skewer), some rice, a side of veggies, and a sizable portion of sashimi (which was delicious). Quick things to note: it's not a huge space so coming with large groups during the weekend lunch rush is probably not a great idea. Also, it's cash only so don't forget your dollar bills! I will definitely be back if I'm hanging out with a sushi fan in the area. There's lots of other stuff on the menu that looked great!
(5)
Yavnika K.

With great expectations come great dissatisfaction. I am a fan of delicate looking sushi. I am ofcourse not happy when loads of fish is sent out in a way that says "We are too busy to put some extra effort here". That said two of us had our fill in twenty bucks. I guess you can't ask for more- fresh fish, inexpensive sushi. But I jumped at my husband's suggestion to stop at Oto Sushi to satisfy the senses.
(2)
Barry W.

For me, Musashi is all about the fresh, generous servings of raw fish at unusually reasonable prices. Whether it's the nigiri lunch/dinner plate, the chirashi (which is probably the best value), or even the bento (more variety, but less fish), that's what I look forward to. The inside of the restaurant is tiny, and there is often a (crowded) wait. Parking can be difficult during the usual busy hours, and they don't take payment cards, so be sure to bring some cash. But Musashi remains one of my favorite spots for lunch or dinner. A short postscript: I had one experience of being there for lunch, during which I inadvertently spilled a bowl of hot miso soup on my lap. It was scalding hot, and I'm sure that I was in danger of really being injured. But the staff quickly provided towels and a bag of ice, which probably saved me from significant burns. If that experience was any indication, the service is very good.
(5)
Charlene T.

Musashis (especially this Bellevue location) had a very simple menu but it so yummy! They're prices are more than amazing considering their portion sizes are never sparse. The head owner and the workers are also very nice and offer quick service. They remember my order every time I'm there and are nice enough to give me a little complimentary side every now and then. Love it here! I always get the chirashi bowl and the crab noodle salad. The chirashi bowl is awesome if you substitute the salmon with seared salmon. The spicy tuna roll is also another favorite of mine if you're looking for a quick, good priced bite.
(5)
Aaron N.

Musashi's serves some of the freshest, most impeccably prepared sushi I've ever had the pleasure of eating. I visited on a Tuesday afternoon. The restaurant is small: so small that it seems to defy the laws of physics. Booth tables for two are big enough for one average-sized man. I arrived upon opening at 11:30am. The dining area reached a capacity of about 25 people before 11:45am due to T-Mobile employees taking lunch. Bring cash and be prepared for a lengthy wait. I ordered the chirashi bowl and it did not disappoint. The customizable bowl generally includes very lightly seared maguro (the searing produced about a millimeter of discoloration...VERY well executed!), yellow tail tuna, salmon, small bay scallops, shrimp, flying fish roe, and broiled eel over a bed of white rice. Don't be fooled into thinking that the chirashi bowl is a "light" lunch: it's gigantic. It is piled to the brim with glorious seafood. Each piece of raw or semi-raw fish was impeccably sliced, beautifully presented, and incomparably fresh. I could not imagine experiencing fresher seafood had I caught it from the dock with my own two hands: there's sashimi, there's sashimi, and there's SASHIMI. Musashi's has elevated their craft to an art. Musashi's rice is elegant: sticky enough for great mouth feel; fluffy enough to avoid "balling up;" and seasoned with wonderfully sweet undertones of nihon-shu and just the slightest bit of sugar... Musashi's provided one of the most phenomenal lunch experiences of my life and I look forward to many, many more meals at this fantastic restaurant. Kudos to the staff: you've hit a home run, and this is my first "five-star" review in 26 tries. The stuff of legends. WELL done, Musashi's!
(5)
Alisha W.

Great go-to place for authentic Japanese cuisine. I love it when a place serves Kama (fish cheek) and at such a reasonable price (only $8!!) I ordered their yellow tail Kama and it was cooked very well - tender, juicy but a little too smoky. There's nothing I hate more than ruined fish skin (okay that's extreme, I hate a lot of things more than that), but I really really did not like that the skin was too charred and carcinogenic for me to eat it. The skin is the best part! Think of all the omega fats I missed out on! Otherwise, their sashimi was cut thickly, which I love, and very fresh. Musashi always makes good rolls, but in my opinion too much rice! In summary, solid fish, solid food. I'm giving 4star instead of 3 mostly cause I'm biased and I love Japanese food.
(4)
Nicole O.

Cash or check only, weird to me. Smells a little funky when you walk in. Okay sushi, okay miso, okay prices, okay ambience. Slow service - you really have to flag them down and ask for everything you need including little soy sauce dishes. It was very much just okay.
(2)
Kristen R.

Fresh raw sushi (their famous chirashi bowl) with only $15!! Very delicious unidon, comes with choice of salad or soup!
(5)
Danielle L.

I can't believe I haven't been here until this summer! It's a total hole in the wall but the sushi is legit. Their fish portions are generous and prices extremely reasonable. Most people were having the rice bowl with sashimi but we ordered a couple rolls, nigiri, and cones. All delis!! This is a small sushi hole in the wall but fish is fresh and delicious. Cash only.
(5)
P L.

Best sushi in Seattle! Says my daughter who's eaten a lot of sushi Simple menu makes it easy to order. Venue is small so expect a wait during busy hrs (well worth the wait!) Price: $10-15 avg - very reasonable for such quality sushi! (ie there may be other places where you pay more and the foods not as good) Service: super friendly and flexible ( they let you swap out different kinds of fish in the order if you prefer another choice) Food quality: very fresh, large pieces of fish, excellent taste! I love ordering the Nigiri combo $9 My kids love the Chirashi bowl $14
(5)
Kevin W.

They open for dinner at 5:00 PM. A few minutes after that, probably every table will be occupied. At 5:10 PM, there's a good chance that a line has already started forming. People really like this restaurant, it seems. I would too, if it weren't so crowded and expensive. It's not that there's anything wrong with the food. You could even say that there's nothing wrong with the food because it's so good. But I'm not going to be able to come here all the time. I ordered a chirashi bowl because it seems to be what pretty much everybody gets here. It's a lot of varied sashimi over vinegared white rice, although the bowl itself is quite small. Fifteen dollars is a bit too much for me to shell out even if the food is a masterpiece and the waitress happens to be ridiculously cute.
(4)
Delfina G.

Yes I am a fan of Musashi's! Everything I have tried there I like. I have had the chirashi bowl, which is a pretty good deal for a big bowl of delicious buttery seafood goodness. Their noodle salad is so refreshing, I ALWAYS have to get it, I feel incomplete when I don't. I've had the chicken and veggies skewers, chicken is not dry and the veggies are lightly seasoned. The hand rolls are huge! Scallops are tasty, but I do like the octopus better. Very small place, so we always make sure to come in right when they open. Don't really like that its cash only.
(4)
Suie C.

I love Musashi's. Finally had a chance to stop by at this location and there is definitely better seating. Food wise, I went with the chirashi bowl, which they allow you to customize. The food here is the same as the original location and came out quickly.
(5)
Vanessa W.

Love this place! Its a bit small, but if you come at the right time, no waiting is always the best. Otherwise it couls be a long wait. Love their chirashi bowl! The rice to it is super yummy. I dont eat much rice but this is tasty for sure. Their sushi, delicious! Not much bad things to say about this place!
(4)
Krista T.

Let me start by saying that I'm typically not a sushi fan. Now let me follow that up by saying that I LOVED Musashi's. In my limited exposure to Musashi's I tried, loved, and would recommend the following: -Four pieces of salmon sashimi (YUM) -1 spicy tuna-avocado roll -1 salmon-cucumber roll It was such a large helping of food that I was able to save half of it for dinner. I will be back to try the infamous Chirashi bowl.
(4)
Kim L.

Chirashi is a good value , but I rarely come here for that My top two hits everytime I come: seared salmon and the yakionigiri :3 grilled rice balls with salmon filling and seared salmon My fav.
(4)
Thuy D.

It's been a while since my initial visit so I thought I should give it another chance to see if anything has improved, unfortunately that thought vanished shortly after I got my food and my last rating still stand. I decided to try the Chirashi bowl again for comparison from the last time. Here's what I get in my chirashi: 4 slices each of salmon, seared albacore, maguro, hamachi, 2 small scallops, 2 unagi, 1 ebi over rice. First of all, the rice had way too much vinegar although the moisture and consistency is about right. Salmon was decent, however, hamachi/maguro/albacore tasted very fishy. The worst was the scallops, it tasted as though it was left out several days. I still don't get why this place is so popular even if the chirashi price is lower than other places. You get what you pay for, I rather pay a little more for fresher fish.
(2)
Nina T.

Great value, great food! I've ordered lunch here through Peach a few times, and their salmon nigiri and rolls are always delicious. Finally made it to the restaurant and got their famed chirashi bowl. Was not disappointed. Four pieces of salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and seared tuna, two bay scallops, two pieces of eel, and a shrimp. I got hooked on their spicy sauce from the Peach lunches, so I asked for a side of it to use with the chirashi rice. Yum! My brothers got the nigiri combo and the eel don, and both looked great. Eel is really good here, and the portions on the nigiri are very generous, so you get a lot for what you pay for. We didn't order any rolls, but they're really well-priced, with many of them less than $4. Downside is that they don't take credit cards, and it's very busy. We showed up at 5:15 on a Saturday and were seated at one of the last two tables available. Lots of people order takeout.
(5)
Jeannine N.

This place had good sashimi, not much selection, service is okay, for these reasons I'm giving it a 3 instead of four. My kids had the teriyaki beef and we've had better before.
(3)
K B.

The food is strangely delicious here. They have a customize-able chirashi bowl, some request only so much types of raw fish on top. If you are looking for customer service, then this place is probably not the place that I'd recommend. Every 10 times I go there, I'd say I receive a cup of water 2 times, and one of those times only because I asked them like three times. They are quite hasty when it comes to bringing the check to the table even if there is no wait and you are not even half way done eating. The place is small so the seating arrangement is not recommended for big groups. CASH AND CHECK ONLY
(4)
Sasha B.

After reading raving reviews, I begged my hubby to take me here - I've avoided sushi for most of my pregnancy but couldn't take abstaining any longer (there is no scientific evidence it's any more risky to eat than anything else you'd get eating out). We arrived right at 5pm on a super hot Wednesday. The place looks like a hole in the wall from the outside. The inside is decorated with posters advertising local events, which was neat. Each table had a carafe of tea and a mug. It was a bit stuffy in there, but I also chose to sit near a sunny window, so that plus being quite preggers likely caused the discomfort. We ordered the chirashi bowl - the hubby got the standard chef's choice, and I got all salmon because it's all I can think about. So. Good. Service was fast, the food was delicious, and I desperately want to go back...daily. Don't forget to bring cash or your check book - no credit/debit here.
(5)
Dalina L.

I had the chirashi bowl and the spicy tuna roll with avocado. it was so cheap! im sure in all of these reviews everyone talks about how the bowl is only 15 bucks. and i'm telling you! it's worth it If you like raw sushi. it's fresh- actually i found a little bone in my tuna... but other than that it was wonderful, that's why i didnt' complain. They give you a whole thing of tea, and i dont think they even charge you for it. The only bad thing about this place is that it's super small.. i'm not sure if people have to wait outside for it, but i came around 7 oclock on a weekday, and there was no wait. I most definitely would come here again, just sad i just now found out about this place.
(4)
Niki F.

Food is awesome for the price. Long lines and small space though. Better for to-go. Their sushi rolls are golden deals (spicy tuna is only $3 something for 6 pieces)! Cash only, please be aware. Will go again for sure.
(4)
Lisa W.

Like what everyone else said, $15 for a chirashi that is fresher and larger than most of the other Japanese restaurants. I haven't gotten anything else from the menu because I really never needed to. The chirashi is exceptional and so affordable. Just remember to bring cash.
(5)
Jared B.

Almost a hole in the wall, Musashi's is a tiny little sushi place that delivers a typical sushi fare without being terribly remarkable. I tried the nigiri plate and was not impressed by the cuts or the quality of the fish but they were large. The rice was a little dry and the flavor was just not as strong as I was expecting with how much this place was talked up. Compared to local fare, yes this is one of the better spots, but on it's own the food was a little lacking. The restaraunt is fairly nice but rather small, and the menus on the table don't include the full menu. Another thing to be aware of is that they only take cash or check. I might stop by for lunch but I wouldn't go out of my way for Musashi's.
(3)
Debbie P.

Get here early or get here late. Any time before six or after eight. Otherwise, you'll have to wait...
(4)
Jon G.

The beef sukiyaki is fatty. The beef skewers are not flavorful and a little fatty. The eel dish was too slimy for me. I also noticed that they set the clean dish rack on top of the garbage can. Grossed out by that alone. I likely won't be back. UPDATE: 2/27/15 I went back at the request of my wife and got the spicey tuna roll and California roll. Edible, but not amazing like Japonessa. This place only does hosomaki (seaweed on outside) and nothing fancy like rainbow roll. And they don't roast the seaweed (sushi nori). I personally prefer rice on outside and roasted seaweed. I'm sure the sashimi is good based on other reviews, but everything else doesn't really appeal to me. I definitely won't be back now.
(2)
Tim C.

I love Musashi's. It's affordable sushi that's super tasty, and I'm all about food that tastes good and isn't super expensive. In my opinion, the best thing to get here is the Chirashi bowl, which includes a sampling of sashimi over sushi rice and seaweed. It's AMAZING and you won't regret it. I have heard the Yellowtail or Salmon Kama are good, but when I came here recently, they had already sold out. :( I guess I'll have to come again. This location is a bit roomier than the Wallingford location, but I actually appreciate the coziness of the Wallingford Musashi's, even though it usually means having to wait a bit longer. Besides, the Wallingford location is closer to where I live, so it just makes more sense to go there. However, whenever I make it back out to the Eastside, I'll be coming back for that Kama. And don't forget - cash or check only!
(5)
Jason T.

Big ups for the Musashi's in Factoria! I love that they've opened up this new spot, especially because it's so close by. It's not even a question what to order here, Chirashi bowls all day. They do a great assortment of sashimi that's not only fresh but offers great portions as well! They're also more than happy to customize your bowls which is awesome (I usually go with half seared salmon and half unagi, which is amazing). Just browsing the yelp pics makes my mouth water. This place is one of the best spots in Seattle for what it is, and now they've brought it to Factoria! I like this location a lot because parking is super convenient and usually if there's a wait it's not too bad (contrary to the Wallingford spot). Mad easy. JUST GO HERE.
(5)
Dan P.

As others have said, the chirashi bowl is a nice standout. It will fill you up. The rolls are also pretty good. If they have yellowtail or tuna collar, get it. It's nice and full of flavor. Personally I like yellowtail collar a little more though. It's a small place so there is usually a wait if you get there after 6:30pm. It is cash only so don't whine.
(4)
Jane K.

Great for take out. It can get pretty busy especially during the weekend. Fresh sushi at a decent price!
(4)
Corinne M.

First time dining in, next time id probably try take out. The food was simple, fresh, and tasty. The prices were also good! The service however wasn't the best... It's a small over crowded whole in the wall place. We asked for water and they brought out one glass for four people...??? Wasn't the typical night of service. Also note: cash or check only.
(3)
Ali J.

I came here with my family on sat night, which was packed with people. Regardless of having a small line, we were seated in 15 min. The Place was very small and buzzing loudly with people. Food quality was extremely good but service was awful. We ordered chirashi bowl, spicy salmon roll, beef and chicken skewer plates. There were variety of sashimi in chirashi bowl and melts in your mouth. Spicy salmon roll was great but beef and chicken skewer were on dry side. Person who took our order forgot to bring miso soup and salad and we had to remind her 3 times to bring it. She also forgot water and I had to tell her 4 times to bring it. There was absolutely no follow up on any food or service. Best is to call and order to go. Worst is that they take cash only . No CC.
(4)
Cherise F.

The food here is good (I prefer the food at Blue C). The staff did not seem as friendly as they could have been. The menu seemed a little limited.
(3)
AT C.

great value sushi. nothing else on the menu, maybe except udon bowl, i would eat other than the sushi though. chirashi bowl or nigiri set is all i eat there, which is one a week since i work nearby.
(4)
Roy H.

California rolls were the best thing here and that's sad. Small restaurant so get ready to be ease dropped. Cash only (I'm guessing they don't report all their sales to evade some tax. Shady shady. I HOPE THE IRS SEES THIS
(2)
Samantha L.

I only come here for the chirashi bowl, decent portion for the price. The customer service was DECENT, could be better. The wait is usually quite long unless you're there when they first open. I do like that you can customize your chirashi bowl
(4)
Tony L.

We stopped by Musashi's on a Wednesday night, and were seated right away. The place is definitely small, with little space to wait for a table, so I wouldn't want to come here with a big group. There was only one waitress for the 10 or so tables, along with someone else to help bring the food out, so I can see how things could get slowed down with a full house. We ended up getting a bento box (noodle salad, steak, chicken, mushroom and zucchini skewer, rice, omlette, and some sashimi) and the chirashi bowl with a side order of miso soup. The food was really great, although you wouldn't think that it was a lot of food. We left stuffed for around 31.00 including tax. It's great that I can go to Musashi's without driving all the way to Wallingford. Definitely check this place out if you are in the Factoria area.
(4)
Terry D.

This is a small, pretty authentic feeling Japanese restaurant. We ate there on a Tuesday night and it was hopping. Very friendly service. Not too loud. If you go, the chirashi bowl is absolutely required! $15 for a LOT of sashimi and some rice is really hard to beat. Not the most skillfully cut sashimi, but it was all super fresh and very tasty. We also had the grilled salmon jaw (kama) and it was fantastic. Hopefully next time they'll have hamachi kama back in stock. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Crystal C.

I have been to the Seattle location many years ago and had a pleasant experience. Good food and service. Ever since I heard about the owner change and the overall quality being not as good I haven't been back since. So this would be my second time visiting a Musashi's and my first time at this location. On a Monday around 6pm, we decided to try. I heard that the place was very small, with usually a long wait but pleasantly surprised that only two tables were occupied. This must be our lucky day! yay! We got seated right away. Everything seemed good upto this point!! 1) We didn't have menu at our table and since giant Zojirushi thermal tea pot, tea cups, utensils & napkin are already conveniently set-up at each table, the waitress didn't need to check us after we got seated. (In other words, if we didn't have anything to drink, I guess she would have came by shortly after we got seated to ask us what we want to drink and also brought us a menu but there was no need for that). All other empty tables already had menus set up.. That's okay, we helped ourselves by grabbing two menus from the adjacent table that was not occupied. 2) The waitress still didn't come by.. shortly after (maybe 5-10min) another couple came in and sat in the adjacent table that I grabbed the menu off of. The same waitress went to that table, glanced at us, and grabbed two menus from this other empty table and gave to the couple. Right away, the girl(of the couple) said, "oh we already know what we want." And so the waitress ended up taking their order before ours.. (I would think that waitress's response should have been, "Great! would please hold on a minute? (or something similar)" then just check with us quick (whos basically sitting next to them) if we need another minute to look over the menu, THEN take her order if we said we still need another minute. We've BEEN ready and WAITING to order. 3) The couple next to us ordered same thing as us, which was 1 Unadon and 1 Chirashi. The waitress brought out both bowls to them first and for our table, brought out only Chirashi bowl first, and then 10 minutes later, brought my Unadon..... and this made me EXTREMELY UPSET. We basically shared Chirashi first, end then shared our Unadon... T____T we should have been able to eat our own dish at same time together. WTF is this. To comment on the food both Chirashi and Unadon were very mediocre and not worth $14.95 and $13.95 respectively. I could've just gone to Tokyo or Ginza's.. T_T The nightmare didn't end here. 4) While I was eating I saw something moving around our table top... it was BABY ANTS (TWO)! I crushed it with my napkin but I wish I could've taken picture of. When its an adult, it may well have been a stray but BABY ANTS means there may well be an infestation somewhere. After that I totally lost my appetite. ANTS ON TABLE TOP???! not on the floor but table top?! 5) I wanted to keep my anger down and just finish food. I asked the same waitress if we could have extra ginger (because our bowls came out with little ginger to begin with). She said sure, and then she kept going around other tables to take their needs.. taking checks, asking if they need more tea, or to-go box.. etc etc. At this point I really thought she just didn't like us?!?!?!?!?! I really could understand if the restaurant was really busy or if the restaurant was huge that she had to walk around far distance to different tables.. but its TINY restaurant with not as many crowd as I've heard being crowded. We just paid and got the H*ll out of there. I think I'm a reasonable person not demanding so much but this was not acceptable. This must've been the worst dinner I've ever gone out to in a long long time. Please go here if you want expensive mediocre slimy fishes with baby ants on side with Terrible Terrible service. NEVER EVER AGAIN!!
(1)
Brig A.

This place was good, but it wasn't five stars as it wasn't as good as sushi in Tokyo, and it didn't make four stars because of the annoyance of not taking a credit card, plus the roll that I had was ok (that is being nice). The unagi was plentiful and if you are unagi person, I was impressed with it. This brought it back to three stars. Also the prices were very good. The smoked salmon was good, so was the yellowtail. The sushi in general had more meat than most places, which given the fact I like to eat, was a very good thing. I ordered a roll with tuna in it and was disappointed that the tuna almost tasted a little bit canned. Now I don't know if it was canned or not, but it had that kind of tuna from a can texture. other than that, the skewers were very good. The restaurant itself is small and a little run down, but strangely I like that for a sushi place. It makes it feel more authentic...
(3)
Alanna M.

First time I went to Musashi's I had a hard time finding it. It's between Starbucks and Subway facing the street! I'm either dumb dumb dumb dumb or yeah well... Anyway, private lot which should be plentiful but I struggled to find a spot during the busy lunch hour. Love the Chirashi bowl for less than $15. So much fish and the rice is so deliciously seasoned. The fish is superiorly fresh in comparison to a lot of other places... and especially for such a small restaurant. Don't expect any fancy fusion rolls. They have basic traditional sushi. This location is quite small and can get busy during lunch. Don't try to go with more than 4 people. Even that is pushing it to be able to sit together. It's a cash only establishment so make sure you have some!
(4)
J N.

I did not enjoy the sushi - I am an avid sushi eater and this was my first time at this restaurant. Everything they stuffed the sushi with seemed like it came out of a can. Won't be going back.
(1)
Kristen L.

Just as good as the Wallingford location. When we first arrived around 8:00 there weren't any free tables so we had to wait about 10 minutes before being seated. I ordered my usual onigiri and tuna roll along with the harasume salad. My mom got the sukiyaki bowl. The total after tax and tip came out to $23.50. So, this is a great place to eat if you're on a budget and want some good Japanese food.
(4)
Nalie T.

Great price! Great portion! Great food quality!! It's a small restaurant, not fancy. Their $15 chirashi bowl satisfied me, thick slices of fish, tasted fresh. The beef and the sauce in the sukiyaki beef bowl were delicious! I enjoyed eating at this place. PS. Cash or check only, no credit card.
(5)
James L.

Omg, I don't know why people like This place. I had worst Chirashi ever, not fresh fishes and $15 is not cheap for that quality and quantity. People who know sushi and nigiri, don't waste your money.
(2)
John M.

Cash Only, but I think that's been mentioned by everyone here. The foods ok and I wish the sushi was a bit fresher, but I think it's okay. It's adequate pricing for the quality.
(3)
Sunny L.

I've been here a few times now and I think I prefer the Seattle Musashi's to the Bellevue one. The Seattle location is easily a 5-star, whereas the Bellevue location is more of a soft 4-star. At the Bellevue location, the fish seem smaller and less fresh. It could be all in my head, or it could be the way that it's prepared by the different chefs. Don't get me wrong - it's still delicious, but different. The interior is a bit nicer though, and the wait is much, much shorter all the times I've gone. I normally get the chirashi bowl, which is a great deal for $15. You get a bowl of rice with four pieces each of salmon, tuna, yellowtail, eel, and albacore. Sprinkled on top are some fish roe, one shrimp, and scallop sashimi. It is usually my go-to favorite, but occasionally I'll order nigiri and some rolls. The spicy tuna roll is one of my favorites, since it is actually pretty spicy compared to most places. Musashi's is one of only a few great sushi places in the Bellevue area, so I would definitely recommend it. Be prepared - they only accept cash and checks!
(4)
Yulanda W.

I was introduced to this place by my friend. This is a pretty decent sushi place. If you want inexpensive yet decent sushi on the Eastside then this is the place! The sushi quality is better than those conveyer belt & colored plate places. This place is always packed, so that's a good sign. I love the Chirashi Bowl here. For $15 you get about 15 pieces of sashimi where other places I get about 9. The sashimi taste great too! The seared Salmon were tasty. So tasty that we order another 2 orders. The Harusame Salad was awesome! I generally don't like mayo, so when I was told that this salad had mayo mixed in there I was reluctant to try it. After I tried it & loved it we placed a second order! The California Roll & Salmon Roll were good too. I would come back to this place for sure! Just make sure you have cash & be ready to wait in line before getting a table.
(4)
James H.

This particular sushi spot is pretty tiny and usually has a wait from what everyone says but it's worth the wait. I like that the menu is simple with no crazy and exotic rolls. When I went I had the spicy tuna roll and a nigiri combination. All for a litle less than twenty dollars which is a good deal in my opinion. The rice to fish ratio was spot on and the cuts were large slices of fish with not a lot of rice for filler. The spicy tuna roll was not good but I can easily overlook that due to the quality of everything else. Next time I'm in town, I'll have to try the chirashi bowl. Service is decent but they do the best that they can since it seems like they are usually busy.
(4)
Jessica K.

This is the worst place ever I've completely lost my agency and now I have to come twice a week
(5)
Cassie N.

All you need are 3 things here. A parking spot Cash The Chirashi Bowl Oh my god. Is it weird that I am still thinking about the Chirashi Bowl I had here 4 hours ago?! The sashimi was so fresh and luxurious. The rice was fluffy and perfectly seasoned. Not to mention they give you a gigantic portion for under $15. It was one of the best Chirashi Bowls I've ever had. Salmon, Tuna, Unagi, Ebi, Unagi, Hamachi, Scallops, Tomago, and Roe... It was all there...on top a perfect pillow of sushi rice. I didn't even think about customizing or tweaking my Chirashi because I wanted to try it in its original form first but I will keep that I mind next time I go. The seared salmon was excellent too. This place is tiny so come as soon as they open or before because it gets packed fast and they do not take reservations. They also only take cash or check. The parking lot is huge because it is shared in a strip mall but parking is wack so happy hunting. I hate parking lots in Factoria they are always a accident waiting to happen. I'm so obsessed and mad that I didn't come here sooner. I cannot wait to come back for more!!!
(5)
Gary S.

I am totally blown away by this place. Very unexpected. Portions are big, prices are low, quality...delicious! I'm a huge Hamachi fan, and this was really wonderful. Their chirasi bowl is a must...their spicy tuna roll, perfect...the ONLY negative.... And it really isn't if you are expecting it....is a very small menu. Focus on a limited menu and do it well they have. Also....be advised...cash only...25 bucks is more than enough to stuff yourself with goodness.
(5)
Gavin N.

I'm not a big fan of cash only places because I always forget to get cash, but oh well. I must say their Chirashi bowl as others have said is fantastic. A LOT of good quality fish for a great price. I always get it to go, but it seems like the waits here aren't too bad. The parking lot for the entire complex especially on a weekend sucks though. REALLY SUCKS. But that's not Musashi's fault. I really do like that they let you swap out fish types in the Chirashi bowl as I'm not a big Albacore fan and I like more Salmon. Anyway, definitely a fan of Musashi's. Might have to do some more takeout this weekend.
(4)
Jonelle T.

I mostly come here for the chirashi bowl or seared salmon to go when the craving hits. The restaurant is super tiny and I'd rather eat in the comfort of my own home. For the quality and quantity of food, the prices are amazing. Cash only, but hey, they'll customize your chirashi bowl with whatever you want!
(4)
Courtney L.

This is a small establishment, but once it opens, it's consistently busy! **BRIEF STORY**: We went here for lunch and somehow missed sign on the door noting it opens at 11:30am... the door was open, so we just went in around 11:15 thinking we were the first customers of the day. Although all the employees were in the kitchen area, they still greeted us and brought tea. Then, other customers started coming in and one lady said "Is it open early? We saw you guys sitting here but everyone knows it opens at 11:30...." We were clearly first-timers. If you make this same mistake, the staff doesn't seem to mind but actual service won't begin until 11:30 sharp. Also, be aware that people may silently question your reading abilities. But since you're reading this, I'm certain we spared you from experiencing this awkwardness. Now the review.... **Combo Teriyaki (Chicken + Beef) - The meats had a nice grilled flavor, but the beef was a bit on the tough side. I liked the grilled zucchini and wish it came with more. I was surprised to see half the plate was filled with rice, but I didn't really mind much since they give you an extra cup of teriyaki sauce. It comes with either miso soup or salad. The salad is like a crab salad, which was delicious and different! **California Roll - this was the most unique California roll I've ever had and it's great. In addition to the crab, avocado and cucumber, it also has omelette and shrimp. The pieces are pretty big and I'd say $7 for a full roll (10 pieces) is fair. **Cucumber Roll - it was good, nothing different than expected. The seaweed for both rolls seemed tougher than at other restaurants though...wasn't sure it that's normal for Musashi's or not. Despite the lunch rush with both take-out and dine-ins, the employees still supply great service and have a good memory. Food was prepared pretty quickly and the staff is friendly!
(4)
Merina H.

I love musashis! I come here for chirashi bowl and sometimes the salmon rolls and the spicy tuna rolls. So yummy and reasonably priced. For the chirashi bowl, my boyfriend opts for seared salmon and raw salmon only instead of the other sashimi and they accommodate for no extra charge. If they are running low, they won't be able to do it, but that only happens on rare occasion. Same as the Wallingford location, but only a tad bigger with better parking spaces. Service is generally fast and the waitress here is friendly. They only take cash though, so drop by the ATM before heading over! Location is small, so I wouldn't come here in a big group unless you don't mind waiting for a long time.
(5)
Michelle C.

It's been awhile since I last went to the Wallingford Musashi's, so I was excited to finally try out this (somewhat) new Bellevue location. It was no surprise that it was packed at 5:30PM on a Saturday night, but my mom and I were surprisingly seated fairly quickly. It took a bit longer though to grab the attention of one of the waiters - I saw only one or two people actually working the floor. I ordered the chirashi bowl (of course) while my mom got the udon and California rolls. You can definitely tell why the restaurant's claim to fame is the chirashi bowl - for $14, you get a pretty generous serving of sashimi and rice. The table next to ours had five orders of it! On the other hand, the udon was a bit bland and just okay. I would recommend sticking with what the restaurant is known for. :)
(4)
Serena Y.

Musashi's is where I had my first famed Chirashi bowl. Never in my life have I experienced such bliss in Japanese cuisine for a Chirashi bowl. The Chirashi bowl at Musashi's is priced at $15(an amazing deal for the quality of Sashimi). The usual Chirashi bowl consists of: Salmon, Unagi(seared eel), Tuna, Seared Albacore, Hamachi(Yellow Tail), and a prawn with some scallop paired with Tobiko(fish eggs) for decor. Musashi's are also wondrously flexible in your preference of Sashimi pieces; You get to pick and choose or switch Sashimi pieces(You just have to tell them!). Let me tell you yelpers: each tender piece of Sashimi is AMAZING AND UNREAL. I have gone back numerous times, trying to find disbelief in the heaven-sent Chirashi bowl, but have gladly failed. The restaurant itself is quite small, but has a very clean and nice atmosphere. The servers there are angels; super nice and sweet to your hunger-craving needs. Even though I wish they took credit cards, they are CASH AND CHECKS ONLY. They have other great items on the menu as well such as the Salmon Collar(not pictured because we inhaled it before we could) and the Nigiri(stupendous quality). Musashi's has two locations: one in Wallingford and here. I have gone to both locations and each time I pay a visit, I am reborn again. Eat at Musashi's. You'll be begging for more.
(5)
Ruby Y.

Love it! I love sushi, especially sashimi. I was so happy when my friend introduced me to this place. I ordered a regular chirashi for my first time. It was good, but I like that I would enjoy just salmon and eel more. Knowing that you can customize the order, for the next few times that I went back, I asked my salmon and eel only. And it was great! $15 is definitely worth it, especially when you can customize it. I always have a hard time finishing everything. Only wish it was closer to me!
(5)
Amos Y.

I just keep liking this place more each time I come. Place is cash and check only. And it's a pretty small place with around 11 small tables, so there's often a wait at peak hours. Not quite out the door, but I've regularly seen 6-10 people in line. Try to come for early lunch or later at night to avoid the wait. You can also get take out if you don't want to wait. EXCELLENT * Chirashi - It really is the best thing to order here. It's not on the normal menu, but on the special menu whiteboard, though it's always available. For $15 you get a bowl of rice with four pieces each of salmon, tuna, yellowtail, eel, and seared albacore. Sprinkled on top are some fish roe, one shrimp, and a small scallop. There's a fair amount of sushi rice on the bottom which tastes great, I would just eat it by itself. And the sashimi is fresh and chilled. You get complimentary green tea in metal thermos on the table. Pro tip: You can replace any of the sashimi in your chirashi bowl with other sashimi. My favourite is half seared salmon and half eel. GREAT * Salmon kama * Yellowtail kama - This is grilled fish collarbone. It's also not on the normal menu but offered for $9 on the special menu. I was surprised at how big a portion they give you, easily double what many other restaurants give you. It's not the most buttery smooth collarbone I've had, but it's close. I love the slightly charred bits and interspersed with the tasty smooth parts. And they also give you a nice helping of rice. Note this rice isn't sushi rice, but it suits the grilled collarbone better. The yellowtail is more oily than the salmon, but the salmon has a more distinct salmony flavor. Both are good.
(5)
Clare V.

I was surprised there wasn't a line out the door like there usually is when a friend and I came in to have a quick lunch. We went around 130ish. This restaurant is definitely on the smaller side. I like that they already have hot tea on the table as soon as you sit down and since we already knew what we wanted to order, our dishes came out in less than 10 minutes! Talk about quick service. This is my go to spot when I don't want belt sushi but I don't want to go to a sushi restaurant that's too fancy, Musashi's is in between and casual. Fresh sashimi & reasonably priced. I ordered the chirashi bowl (my fave!!) with salmon, albacore, and tuna. Only thing I don't love too much is that it's cash & checks only. Other than that, check this place out if you haven't already! (But be prepared to wait, because I think we just got lucky) :p
(4)
Ann W.

You don't go here looking for the spicy mayo, cream cheese, deep fried, special Seattle roll. Ok, fine, they have one cream cheese roll. But overall, the menu has a great selection of sashimi, skewers, as well as a few standard hot food items (bento and teriyaki for the squeamish). Apparently the chirashi bowl is very popular, and I have never ever ordered this before anywhere, but I gave it a try since all you peeps yelped about it and recommended it. Thank you, by the way, to those who made it known that you can make almost any substition you want! I did exactly that - I asked them to sear my salmon, to substitute albacore for surf clams, and omit them ratchet roe. All the fish tasted fresh, and the portion was huge for $15. I took a 20 minute break from eating so that I could finish my fish! I didn't eat all the rice though-- I wasn't a huge fan of it. It might just not be my taste, and mind you, I have nothing to compare it to since this was my first chirashi bowl. I just felt there wasn't a ton of flavor, and I didn't like the texture....a bit clumpy and dry for me. The service we experienced was good - our waitress was smiley and polite. There was a large thermos of hot tea on each table, so we could serve ourselves. That part reminds me of my restaurant experiences in Japan. I liked that she didn't come up to our table every 5 minutes to check on us, and she also didn't rush us out when we finished eating. Overall, a solid experience. The restaurant is nothing fancy, but you don't need to be in a bougie setting to eat tasty food. And yes, cash only....or write a check if you are an 80 year old woman with 6 cats.
(4)
Stephanie W.

I just started a project in this area, and I already know I'll be a regular. Musashi's is a tiny Japanese restaurant that seems to be constantly packed (for good reason!). I concur with the 352334928 people before who HIGHLY recommend the chirashi. I'm not sure $15 has ever gotten me this much fresh sashimi. They are also super accommodating if you want more or less of certain types of sashimi. I tried the classic since it was my first try, but one of my (local) friends had a chirashi with just salmon and eel. I promise you won't miss out on the portion by customizing. The rolls and by-the-piece orders were also very reasonably priced. The cuts were HUUUUUGE and so tasty.
(5)
Rene M.

I would go with Chirashi. It's the best value. Good amount of fresh sashimi over rice. Not too impressed with teriyaki or curry plates. It's a small place so seating is limited and cramped. Service today was especially blah, just too busy to notice customers (not just us) waiting.
(3)
Elina K.

This was my second visit here and I had a MUCH better experience than the first. This time I was ready and knew exactly what to order. Instead of getting the regular chirashi bowl that everyone gets, I got a customized bowl with only salmon, tuna, and albacore! The regular bowl comes with a lot of different components that I would never eat (like the raw calamari and shrimp bleh!!) I guess if you're a hardcore sushi sensei you would enjoy this, but since I only like certain fishies, I personalized my bowl so that I'd actually enjoy it and I really did!! They provide a wide selection of raw seafood and various types of cuts of fish to decide from and what I got was really fresh, light, and required almost no chewing (how you know it's good soosh!) I liked how the rice wasn't too hot so it didn't heat the fish at all and both kept at a pretty cool temp. I also ordered the seared salmon and unagi and was very happy with these because they were HUGE! Normally a seared salmon can be devoured in one bite at a regular conveyor belt sushi restaurant but these took me 3-4 bites to eat just one piece! But they were also about $2 for one piece so that's probably why. The service is also noteworthy here, the ladies that were helping me were super attentive. Even if I just looked up at them, they came straight to my table right away and were patient with us although the place was completely crammed. Speaking of which..what I hate about Musashi's is how PACKED it can get. I was literally sitting so close to the people next to us that I couldn't help but overhear what they were talking about. Too close. I need my space. The wait time for food also sucked. 30 minutes for 1 bowl and 2 plates of sushi?! I didn't think much of it because it was all so yummy!
(4)
Alice T.

This is the best that it gets when it comes to quality sushi and great prices. Yes, it's a bit weird that they don't take credit cards, and they have a tiny little space so there's usually a wait, but it's all worth it. After Musashi's came onto my radar and after my first try, I've been hooked and wondered to myself why I ever wasted my time and money at those awful low quality conveyor belt places. This is so much better with maybe slightly a higher price (but for the large pieces of fish you get, I think it may end up cheaper). Musashi's has a very simple and edited menu. If you're looking for large variety, you likely won't get it here. Now that I've been here about five times, I've settled on my favorites: 1. Salmon. Large cuts of salmon (whether nigiri or sashimi), and really great quality. They are buttery and melt in your mouth, every piece I've had here so far. 2. Noodle Salad. Forget the name of it on the menu, but it is essentially a small bowl of rice noodles with egg and cucumber seasoned with a white dressing. Very yummy, and is something like $2.50. 3. Ama Ebi. Huge pieces, always fresh. Here and there we'll order some grilled vegetables. You'll get a skewer for $1.95, which is lightly seasoned with teriyaki sauce. This is good to balance some veggies in with the fish. I've tried their bento box with beef and chicken, and was not very impressed since the meat was not seasoned at all so it tasted extremely bland. I've tried to salmon ogiri (one large triangle is $3.50 maybe? great value), but didn't like it too much for lack of flavor and it was a bit dry. Next time, I will try the chirashi bowl since everyone raves about it!
(5)
Carmen K.

Dive restaurant; loved the sushi. The curry was too spicy for my kids but I liked it. Would definitely go again.
(4)
Ulyana D.

Hands down, our favorite sushi in town. Always fresh and delicious. The only negative thing is that they are closed on Sunday :(
(5)
Summer S.

Great place for sushi and probably one of my favorites on the eastside. Here are some tips: 1) Arrive early for dine in or do carryout. It is a tiny place so seating is very limited. 2) They accept cash or check only. As for the food, the fish is fresh and their rolls are excellent. I highly recommend it, their sashimi is a nice, large, and thick cut. Sometimes the chefs skimp out on the wasabi and ginger, and when the restaurant is busy - it makes it hard to get a server to bring extra over. But otherwise they are friendly and try their best to cope with the busy business. Other than that tiny issue, I love going to this place for its simplicity and fresh fish.
(5)
Janey W.

Loved chirachi bowl!!!! Such an amazing deal and always fresh! Worth the wait in libe
(4)
Andy A.

Always top notch stuff when I go here. The only downside is that they only take cash! Get the chirashi bowl! Sashimi over rice and it's honestly really amazing and fairly priced. Super high quality matching some high end sushi restaurants I've been to but only a fraction of the cost. Must go!
(5)
Navi R.

Love, love, love Musashi's!! It's my go-to place whenever I'm craving for some homey Japanese food. Every time I'm here, I never deviate from my usual because it is that good. A chirashi with half fresh salmon and half seared salmon. For the price, you're getting a large portion of fresh seafood and no other restaurant in Seattle can beat it. I also love their spicy mayo, it compliments the fish so well and love mixing it with my rice. The only downside is the wait for a table, the restaurant is not very big so it can be awhile for a table. But, take out is an option which is what I usually opt for. Oh, cash only!
(5)
J. C. L.

Very small restaurant and make sure you bring some cash (cash only). The chirashi bowl is pretty good!
(5)
Gabriel C.

CASH ONLY! Consider the takeout option if it's too crowded for your liking. I opted for takeout and was very impressed. I gotta admit that I was definitely skeptical coming here after hearing so many great things about it from my friends. A lot of places have let me down after all the hype. But this was not one of them! Chirashi bowl ($15) - 5/5. A generous portion of 4 salmon, 4 tuna, 4 yellowtail, 4 eel, 4 albacore (seared), 1 shrimp and 1 scallop covered in roe and served atop rice. The sashimi is fresh, delicious and good cuts. I can see why everybody raves about the chirashi bowl at this place! Will definitely be returning here again (for take out again, it only took all of 10-15 minutes to ring up my order before I was out the door).
(5)
Brian H.

The thing to get is the Chirashi bowl. Chicken and beef skewers are a nice supplement.
(5)
Howard C.

I really like this place and eat here regularly. Great big pieces of nigiri and generous amounts of fish in the chirashi bowl. Ask for free extra rice if you're running a marathon soon. The hamachi kama and rolls (spicy tuna and California) are good as well. Prompt service to turn the tables quickly and consistently prepared food. Same Korean owners as the original location with slightly shorter wait times and much better parking options (lot vs street). Put your name on the waitlist upon entry. Cash only here - hello IRS. A few small suggestions for improvement: lessen the bleach smell and get better chopsticks.
(4)
Alice C.

Basically the same value and selection as the Wallingford location, with one plus: the udon. I don't know why, but Musashi's in Wallingford doesn't offer the udon and I have to make my way over to the Eastside to order it. It's a combination of the refreshing broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and great value that make it one of my favorite things to order. Other than that, my favorite things to order are the chirashi bowl, salmon and smoked salmon sushi by the piece, and the spicy tuna roll. The noodle salad is also very very delicious! Overall, the value and selection is about the same as the original Wallingford location. This Musashi's is still cash only, but the interior is a tad more spacious and the wait time is less (but not non-existent especially during peak dinner hours!)
(5)
Tracy S.

Quality sushi, quick service, and competitive food prices! Be sure to arrive early as the wait time can be long. The place is very "cozy".
(4)
Chris A.

TASTY TIME SAVING TIP: Cash only! Don't forget! I'm usually only a fan of Japanese owned Japanese restaurants, but honestly the food at Musashi's (the Chirashi bowl) is pretty awesome. You'd never get the thick cut pieces of fish at a normal Japanese restaurant like you do here. FOR SURE... I would go with the Chirashi bowl. Its pretty good priced ($16 I think) and it tastes great. Q and A Q: But what if I dont like seared tuna (for example)!? A; Substitute! They are so willing to substitute things, its great. I never like the seared tuna for example and I've always been able to switch out for salmon without any charge. YUM. and the Salmon... is delicious. YUM YUM YUM Q: But what if I dont come with cash!? A; You're pretty hosed. Make sure you go with cash Q: The seating area is so small! What if I'm in a hurry? A: Order it to go ahead of time! Its a great pick up food and definitely enough to feed 1.5-2 people per bowl. I hope that Q and A was helpful! Happy Eating my friends!
(4)
Ninette C.

Like the Wallingford location, Musashi remains the place for quality sushi at great prices. There are no crazy rolls here- just delicious chirashi and nigiri. (Ok they have normal rolls and cooked food but the chirashi and nigiri are the standouts.) The menu is exactly the same as the Wallingford place. The chirashi is a great deal for $15. I also love the nigiri because the slices are huge! They're way bigger than the rice portions which is kind of funny. The standout in the chirashi is the hamachi and in the nigiri, the seared salmon. With two chirsashi bowls and three plates of nigiri and rolls, we fed a group of 5 for $80 before tax and tip. What a delicious deal!
(4)
Lucy Y.

Chirashi Bowl, Hamachi Kama, Bento Box is what we always order. Everyone is happy! For kids: Difficult to squeeze in a high chair. Have to ask for utencils, plates.
(4)
Violette L.

I am a pretty frequent customer at this Musashi's given their great tasting and fairly priced chirashi bowl. However I am extremely disappointed this time due to the food poisoning both my boyfriend and I contracted after dinner here. That night we were woken multiple times by stomachaches and trips to the bathroom. My boyfriend's illness pretty much ended at that but mine continued onto the next day with headaches and an abnormally fast heartrate. Honestly I didn't expect for both of us to get sick though, because we ordered two chirashi bowls and didn't share anything so it must've been both bowls that were contaminated.
(3)
Vivienne L.

Good price with lots of sashimi! I get the craved once a while and I have to get the chirashi bowl here. The line can be pretty long sometimes. They only accept cash. The customer service is a hit and missed. Fist let me say, Everytime Im at this restaurant , there is always a wait, and the place is full house. Sometimes they are fast and they remember to bring you the teriyaki sauce/ spicy mayo. And sometimes you have to say 2 times... For my first experience, it will be a 5 stars. But after a few visits, it is a 4.
(4)
Sarah T.

This place is good for quick sushi for lunch. Small space quick service. Sushi is decent and moderately priced. Usually packed with T-Mobile employees around 12. Get there early if you don't want to wait.known for chirashi you can get a medium sized bowl packed with rice and an assortment of fish for about $15. Not bad!
(4)
Elisha T.

I heard about Musashi's chirashi couple times so I decided to try it out with 5 other people in my group. We arrived here around 7pm and took about 30 minutes to get seated. The restaurant is small so you should be ready to wait longer for larger group of people. Apparently it's actually Korean-owned but Chirashi was pretty decent and there was no issue in terms of authenticity of food. Basically you get decent sashimi on top of rice for really cheap price. I suggest you speak up about substitution of sashimi so that you don't end up with ingredients you don't like much. Personally, I'd swap out boiled shrimp and tuna with salmon next time.
(4)
Terrene R.

I guess I am not a "real sushi" person. I guess I am a "fake sushi person".......who likes rolls with tempura shrimp, raw tuna or salmon, avocado, fish egg toppings and great sauces spread strategically around the plate for presentation. This place is not one of those. It is real sashimi bowls that are wonderfully fresh, colorful and tasty to those who like that stuff. My spicy tuna roll was seaweed wrapped around rice and tuna. That's it. I did get free tea while I waited for my order though.....that was nice.
(3)
Jakie S.

My favorite and the only dish I have ordered for lunch is the chirashi. I love that I can substitute for seared salmon! I hope they expand their restaurant soon. It's always busy, but you never feel rushed. Love this little find!
(5)
Vanna P.

Mmmmm just thinking about Musashi's makes my mouth water. This location is right downstairs from my work so when I crave sushi I just walk down to get some. The only negative I would say is that the place is tiiiny and gets packed during lunch time. So, make sure to go early if you want your sushi fix. This is my favorite place for seared salmon. You can tell that it is very good quality pieces of fish.
(5)
Star F.

Tasty veggie roll--love the fresh veggie crunch! Very small place though and if you go get there early you have to wait in a VERY small doorway or outside.
(4)
Danielle C.

Musashi's is a small Japanese restaurant but this location is a lot less busier than the one in the University District. If you live closer to this location, I would recommend coming here, as there is parking and there aren't as many people. The beef sukiyaki bowl here is huge and absolutely worth the $9 or so that you pay for. The beef and its sauce are very good, and you will not be hungry after eating this meal. I also get the ikura (salmon roe) every time and I have not had any problems with that so far. The chirashi here from what I understand is pretty decent, although obviously not as good as Shiro's. But for what you pay, it is a good deal. The barley tea that they serve here is delicious. Everytime I come here, I drink a lot of the tea, for some reason. This place is cash only, so come ready with cash.
(5)
Ashley T.

The first time I had Musashi's was at the original Fremont location, so I was really happy when they opened a branch five minutes from my house in Bellevue! What I love most are the huge slices of sashimi that always taste fresh and smooth. The chirashi comes with at least sixteen pieces of raw fish, scallops, and shrimp. The amount of sashimi you end up getting is ridiculous! It's all served over a generous amount of sushi rice that has the right amount of vinegar taste. For 15 dollars, you get more fresh seafood than you'd get for double the price at a lot of other Japanese restaurants. I also love the special bento because it also comes with about nine pieces of sashimi, along with a variety of grilled chicken, beef, zucchinis, onions, mushrooms, and egg. They drizzle on a light soy sauce for flavor, and serve it with a generous helping of rice. I think bento boxes are so cute, so this is definitely one of my favorites! The salmon onigiri is also one of the best and biggest onigiris I've had. They season the rice and fill the inside with fresh salmon, and one order of this alone could fill me up! They also have a variety of rolls that are delicious, reasonably priced, and of course largely portioned. This is definitely one of my go-to Japanese places when I'm home. I know I'll get quality goodies that will satisfy my Japanese food cravings!
(4)
Min Y.

Had chirashi and raw-shrimp nigiri as always. Service is bit slow but the place is always busy so I understand. Will definitely visit again!
(4)
Tony L.

Place looks like a cheap teriyaki place. DON'T BE FOOLED. I've only had one thing here. Get one thing here and only one thing ever. Chirashi bowl. $15. It's like immortality. ALL YOU NEED. i cant hardly read or write. but i love me a good chirashi. at this price, it's unbeatable. Cash only. Get yo shit in check. BRACE YOSELF. 5 fishsticks out of 5
(5)
Simon C.

I've had a chance to try most things on the menu and everything is pretty good. If you're looking for premium sushi this is probably not the place for you, but if you are good bang for the buck I would definitely recommend this place. The Chirashi seems to be very popular, but all the things here I've tried are good. Unfortunately they don't take reservation and their udon cannot be ordered to go.
(5)
Lauren D.

Even hours after I've eaten here for dinner, I'm still thinking about my meal... the Chirashi Bowl!! It is honestly one of the best sushi places on the east side, hands down. The tuna and eel was absolutely delectable and ugh... the rice was perfect, too! P.S. It is a cash only establishment, so be sure to hop into the gas station right next door if you don't have any on you.
(5)
Daniel H.

Best sushi for your money on the eastside if you have cash lol They only take cash or check and nearest atm will be the becu in same plaza. We use to dine in but the waits can be really long unless you go right when they open or closer to close. Plus it can be annoying if they sit you in the middle because you sit really close to other tables and can hear all the conversations going on. If you end up waiting in line make sure to get your name on the list because several times I've seen people who don't and end up getting seated first. The Chirashi Bowl is their most popular and famous dish probably because you get the most variety of sushi but usually is not as fresh as the ones you order separate. My wife is not a big fan of sushi but does like their spicy tuna avocado and spicy salmon roll. I have probably gone and taken out Musashi's more than 20 times and had issues with their sushi once not being very fresh and their rice being hard as a ROCK that I didn't eat it. I can understand the sushi sometimes not meeting their expected level but when you start serving rice that hard and not making new rice I can't give them 5 stars.
(4)
Trang N.

My bf is a huge sushi/sashimi fan, me not so much. I do have to give it to them the Chirashi bowl is a great meal for a great deal. It's always packed we waited for almost an hr out first visit, it a popular lunch spot for many. It is cash only here, but well worth it, speedy and friendly service
(4)
Sonya B.

I have been coming to Musashi's for 6 years. My favorite place of all the sushi places I have been to. Friendly staff, clean, quick service, and most importantly, YUMMY and FRESH sushi!
(5)
jamie c.

This is my favorite sushi place in Bellevue. Get chirashi for 15 dollars. The fish is very fresh.
(5)
KT E.

With the exception of their cash only policy (what's up with that?) I love everything about this place! The prices really can't be beat! The hamachi Kama is my favorite! There was one time when I got it that seemed overcooked but usually the quality is great!
(5)
Elle G.

Such tasty sushi here! Like everyone says, the chirashi bowl is the best deal for your dollar and the portion size is great to share between two people. The fish was very fresh; I particularly liked their eel. Also went super generic and ordered the California rolls. I was surprised at how big they were but had a good ratio of rice to avocado and crab meat. This location is really small and generally very busy. We stopped in on a Thursday night around 8pm and waited for about 20 minutes for a table. Friendly service though and we didn't have to wait too long after placing our order.
(4)
Andrew C.

Not authentic sushi place. They are all speaking Chinese. In terms of quality, I do not think the fish is sushi grade, I wouldn't eat there for fear of getting sick or getting worms. Why do you think it is so cheap? If you just want some cheap sushi, sashimi and can care less about quality of fish, this is the place.
(2)
Eric D.

Like most people I came to Musashi's for the their chirashi bowls. For $15 you get a lot--I didn't really count but it must have been 12 - 15 pieces on rice. You get to customize your bowl, so I substituted unagi for more tuna. I like mine seared and everything tasted perfect. Don't forget to ask for spicy mayo. It's a small place so be prepared for a little wait during peak hours, but that's expected everywhere you go.
(4)
Darlene L.

Chirashi bowl, sukiyaki bowl, or udon...can't go wrong with any of them! High quality, generous portions and a cozy environment. The wait to get a table in this place is long but it was worth the wait. They have a surprisingly fast and efficient food service!
(5)
Megan Y.

Same great value and food at this second location (the first is in Wallingford)! The chirashi bowl is a dollar more, but the price increase is exchanged for some elbow room and shorter wait time -- a worthy trade. I used to live in Wallingford, so I had the luxury of skipping the line and doing take-out. However, you only need one experience of waiting for a very cramped seating space at that location to truly appreciate the spacious (relatively) accommodations in Factoria. Customer service was good and on par with my expectations. The waitresses are polite and food is out in a manner of minutes. The only down side is that it smells like Subway inside like VERY strongly. Mm subway sushi...
(4)
Dayna C.

YES! Something in Factoria I actually want to go to! 1. Food (1/1): SO GOOD! Love the sushi rice (sweet rice vinegar) which is HUGE coming from me because I am typically unimpressed with the way Americans make sushi rice. Their sashime is sooooo fresh! Gotta have that. I usually get their chirashi and sukiyaki bowl with a friend. ALWAYS a winning combo. I do enjoy their veggie roll and veggie skewers. -Cons: their meat skewers are overdone like 2x over. -Miso soup is too salty! But sometimes they know how to tone it down. -I am not a fan of their mayo-salad. I wish they had just a regular leaf salad instead. -Udon is very bland but huge size. Not my favorite though. I basically only come here for the sashimi! 2. Price (1/1) UNBEATABLE. For that whole fresh chirashi bowl, only $15? What a steal! The other items are well priced. 3. Portion size (1/1) YES I can rave about the generous sashime cuts for dayyyzzz. I don't mind that they are "Costco-sized" ;) 4. Service (1/1): Pretty fast. I usually get my order in quickly. Sometimes I need to catch their attention but nothing bad. 5. Willingness to go back (1/1) Always when I'm in the mood. 5 out of 5, baby. Could improve their other items and would be nice to use card to pay but whatever. It's allll good.
(5)
Daren D.

I haven't been to the other locations but you definitely get some great sushi here. The salmon and tuna were awesome--always love the cuts--and the onigiri items were good, as well, if a bit more tame in flavor compared to everything else. Solid salmon rolls, too. I usually enjoy sake with my sushi but didn't happen this time. I wish a few things could be fixed: -Too small location but waits aren't anything new, right? -Could be cleaner in some areas. -I felt vibrations (not, uh, positive) in my booth seat whenever someone in the booth behind me sat down.
(4)
Mercy H.

The food here is just as superb as the Musashi's restaurant in Wallingford. More spacious, no long line, plenty of parking and the staff are more friendly. My friend arrived late but I was still able to get a table for two and ordered ahead of time for us. I had to wait a bit for my friend but the server did not rush me. Overall, everything was good and yummy!
(5)
Tim R.

We had chirashi bowls. The sushi rice had too much vinegar and some of the fish, especially the tuna, seemed a bit stringy. The service was also a bit slow. Overall OK.
(3)
Rafael Z.

Chirashi bowl is where it is at. Pretty much a load of various sashimi dumped onto into a bowl of sushi rice. It's very flavorful and I believe it is the most popular item here. Def give this place a try.
(4)
Avian N.

Sublime. Everything in the chirashi bowl was so good, it's 5am as I speak and I still can't get it of my mind. That salmon.... Omg. Good portion, decently quick service, I was so pleased.
(5)
Travis N.

Another sushi review - why you ask ? I'm on a mission to find good sushi on the east side. PROS- Fair price - keep in mind the do by the piece for nigiri, not per two pieces Fresh fish - no fishy smell Cons- Cash only - seriously this is the 21st century... pay taxes ! Oversized nigiri pieces - tasty but annoying with the epic rice that comes with it Only 12 tables - makes it noisy and claustrophobic Slow service Limited selection One bathroom - yep just wait for the line at dinner and lunch rush Zero ambiance - movie, theater and event posters.. Overall they would be a lot better off with a bigger location and more customer focus.
(3)
Melissa N.

This is my first time coming to this location! I love everything about it.. there is more room here (especially for bigger parties). The wait time is definitely not as terrible as it is in Wallingford. I'm glad that this is only 10 minutes away from home, with ample parking. Service was OK. I'm used to the very friendly and kind service at the other location. I think they could also do a better job at displaying their specials! It's hard to see especially if someone is sitting there. Food: CHIRASHI BOWL. I also tried the salmon avocado roll, pretty decent. 8 pieces for 4 bucks! Good deal
(4)
Jen Y.

I'm a sushi fiend and I'm always on the lookout for cheap and quality sushi. I go to school near the original Musashi's up in Wallingford, but there's constantly a long and dreadful wait there that I don't even bother anymore. The new Factoria location is only about 15 minutes away if you go through I-90. Service is always efficient and friendly, and the sushi is as quality if not even better than the Wallingford Musashi's; plus no dreaded wait! Sushi is tasty and fresh for the price. I always get a miso soup, a seaweed or noodle salad, a roll and some sashimi- all usually for about $15. The sashimi is tender and flavorful, especially the salmon. The rolls are basic, but their spicy tuna roll is always good and just spicy enough. The miso soup is always piping hot just the way I like it and their salads are nice and cold. You can't beat the prices and the quality!
(5)
Jeff C.

This is as good as the original Musashi's! I was kinda afraid to try this place.... because it's so hard to top the original store! But this new location is legit! Everything is the same (if not better) compares to the original store. The albacore is amazing, by far the best cut of fish in both locations. I would come to this place for lunch if I could everyday... it's this freaking good! I love their sushi rice as well.... is a little sweeter than the regular sushi rice... but it's unique and you are going to love it. However, I prefer the original store because Molly Moon's is right next to it! You can't beat having a scope of earl grey ice cream after sushi =]
(4)
Alex B.

The sushi pieces are enormous, the taste is clean and delicious (some other sushi places have slimy disgusting fish). I highly recommend all their dishes with raw fish. They only accept cash, so you know the price for quality is extremely good, as they have enough repeat customers to be able to turn away credit cards.
(5)
Miranda B.

I really don't know what anyone is complaining about! This place is amazing. For $15, you can get a Chirashi bowl, which includes about 15 pieces of fresh, delicious fish, all over a bed of warm sticky rice and seaweed. The fish is fresh, delicious, and incredibly cheap! I also tried a California roll, which was awesome and less than $7 (!) and my boyfriend got Udon noodles that he also described as impeccable. Yes, the place is small, but the best sushi places always are! However, they do NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS. That's the only problem. There's a bank next door though so you could always run over to the ATM while waiting for your table. Delicious!
(5)
April S.

Great value for price- really good actually. They don't take cards though, and I never carry cash - like many people. Also service could be better.
(4)
Anthony H.

Awesome place. Much less crowded than their Wallingford location. Chirashi bowl is around $15, but the fish is really good for the price and the portion is quite large. I've also had the beef sukiyaki. Their version is a big rice bowl with sweet beef on top. The sauce is on the side and you can apply as much as you want. One of my favorite places to go on the regular.
(4)
Steve F.

Ate at Musashi Bellevue last night. So disappointed! The sushi didn't taste fresh & the textures were a bit off as well, like they had been frozen. Has the ownership changed? Last month when I ate there, the sushi was really good
(2)
Rachel P.

Not as good as the original place. :( I got what I normally get, salad, misosiru and chirashi. Duh. Fish feels warm and doesn't taste as fresh as seattle one. Why bellevue branch?... Dissatisfied and disappointed; I don't think I'd go back..
(2)
Tma Y.

Our go-to choice for dinner. The chirashi bowl is super fresh and BIG even for big eaters like us. Prompt service. Cash only. Weekday wait time is acceptable.
(5)
Celine L.

Best place to had sashimi ever! Always go here for the Chirashi xx
(5)
Jeff C.

Did take-out here once again several months after first experience. I was pleasantly surprised to see the size of the cuts of fish have not dwindled - huge pieces and a good deal at $4 per order for most nigiri and of good quality. Considering the takeout experience, the only reason this place doesn't get 5-stars is the teriyaki skewers were overcooked and dry (the beef moreso than the chicken.) Maybe they got busy or something and accidentally left them on the grill too long but the amount of charring seemed to indicate they just have the grill a bit too hot. Other small nitpicks: - Very limited menu - No online menu (have to use the photos here.) More good things: The cold noodle salad (mayo based with cucumber, and tiny bits of surimi and egg) is actually quite good (comes with the Teriyaki and can be ordered a la cart) The Teriyaki Combo (like the lunch Chirashi) is a great deal, including grilled veggies and sashimi. If you like the chicken thigh teriyaki instead of chicken breast skewers, then pass on the teriyaki. The Suhshi Combo is also a good deal. They got the order right. As good of a value as a conveyor place when you factor the actual amount of fish you are getting for the money. This will continue to be a go-to place for sushi for me in the Factoria area. If you are looking for upscale Japanese dining with a wide ranging menu, this is NOT your place. Rate it for what it is, a small, low-key, simple place with good value decent quality sushi/sashimi (and a few other basic menu items.) Nothing more. Nothing less. A better alternative to conveyor in my opinion.
(4)
Gorman E.

Musashi's sticks to the more "traditional" style of sushi options leaving you with less selection so don't expect fusion exotic rolls with a lot of crazy sauces. In return, you get quality fresh cut melt in your mouth fish. This is a new location right between Starbucks and Subway in the strip mall with plenty of parking. LIKE. This location is little bigger than the 45th Wallingford location but you will still find long lines and wait time since it max out 25 or less. Not a good place to bring large parties. The service is on the slow side but I guess they are still working out the kinks. Our table was little shaky, so we let them know...and they slip cardboard under the legs. The prices are higher than the 45th Wallingford location but I don't mind because this location has way better parking and closer to where I live. I always get the Chirashi Bowl with thick fresh cuts of melt in your mouth fish over nori and the best rice I had tasted. It has thick slices of yellowtail, eel, sake salmon, tuna, seared abalone?... two scallops and a shrimp for ONLY $15! The beancurd noodle crab salad is pretty delicious. My Chirashi Bowl was very filling that I couldn't finish my bowl of food. Musashi's Factoria location will soon become one of my favorite spots for melt in your mouth fish. So if you love sashimi like I do....I recommend you come here but come early because it gets busy. Pro Tip: Only accept Cash or Check, so hit up the ATM before you get here.
(4)
Ariel P.

The chirashi bowl is high quality at a great price
(4)
Whitney B.

You know what happens when your sushi dinner ends? Life. Life happens. When you're enjoying sushi at Musashi's, it is an experience not from this world. I am in love with the fact that they don't offer deep-fried rolls topped with bonito flakes, salmon roe, spicy mayonnaise, and regular mayonnaise laid on a pile of glazed soy sauce. Sometimes I don't want Andy Warhol's remake of sushi. I want old-fashioned, hey, look, it's fish. This is truly a lost art. This is a small restaurant located in Factoria, where all of the good restaurants inconveniently happen to be. Due to its size, it's not the greatest for large groups. At every table, they have hot tea ready to go. Serve-it-yourself tea? Love it. Often at Japanese restaurants, tea doesn't get refilled enough so this is improves the rating. The price per piece of sashimi is a little more expensive than you would expect, but the cuts that you receive are huge. I'm rather amused that, on the menu, they write that each slice of a roll or sashimi is cut into "bite-size." The proper way to eat sushi is to eat it in one bite, not two or three, and to enjoy all of the flavors waltzing together in your mouth. Okay, their definition of bite-size here is like at least three bites to me. I can't freaking do it. The pieces are simply too big, so don't worry if you feel like you won't get your money's worth. Everything I had was beyond delicious. There's no need here to soak your sushi in a bucket of soy sauce and wasabi mixture. The fish they had was the melt in your mouth fish, and did not have that weird funk or sandy texture going on where you know it's old. The chef served us with sushi that had great presentation, as well as perfect butchering of the fish. They made the best veggie roll I've ever had. . . made with pickled radish, cucumber, avocado, and seaweed. Seriously, why have they been keeping this at Wallingford for the last two decades I've been living here? It's about time they brought this to the Eastside. What else we tried: unagi, California roll, salmon nigiri, spicy tuna roll, and the chicken skewer. The chicken skewer came out supremely dry, and it was a mistake to order. Everything else, though, was amazing. I need to go back to have the chirashi bowl and everything else. Super nice service, as well, and made an effort to keep checking back on us and asking if we needed anything more than what we had ordered. Also: cash only!
(5)
Rika O.

Found musashis through yelp and had to write a review, Super fresh sushi! Me and my boyfriend tried the chirashi bowl (14.95) and was surprised alot. You won't find a sushi restaurant that has this quality fish with same price in eastside!!
(5)
Peter S.

Ohhh, there's another Musashis?? Well, then. Let me make my presence known! Got here right as the door opened and, with a group of 3, ordered a trio of chirashi bowls per recommendation by fellow Yelpers. Makes me feel a little self-conscious reading all the reviews, but I did not come away eating this thinking it was all that large. Don't get me wrong, it's a generous helping for $15 and the quality of fish was excellent, but most of the dish is rice. If I wanted rice, I'd just go to my momma's house and open her Zojirushi and scoop me a bowl full of it. I came for the fish! The tunas were on POINT! Minus leaving a tad big hungry, my only other mild complaint on how long it took to get the dish. Being the second patron there, I don't think a charashi bowl should take over half an hour to receive, but patience is supposedly a virtue so....watch me be virtuous! Come here early, it gets packed in here.
(4)
Nina H.

This was a very smart decision on the owners' part. The Bellevue Musashi's is a bit bigger and cleaner than the Wallingford one. Parking is also awesome because it's located within a strip mall, so the location is ideal too. It's also right across from the Drive-Thru Boba spot if you're craving some BBT. My friend and I visited the new spot last night around 7 pm and there was about a 10 minute wait, which was no biggie. We were seated quickly when the table opened up and we were quick to order too cause we were starving. We got exactly the same thing: two special bentos with miso soups, and noodle salads. Their noodle salads are seriously to write home about. Not sure what all the ingredients are, but it has crab, sesame seeds, cucumbers, mayo... and I don't know... amazingness is what it is. Their miso soup was legit too. We contemplated getting their chirashi bowl, but opted for the special bento instead... it was definitely enough food because we were stuffed by the end. I also noticed that they had the chirashi bowl listed on one of their board menus, and I thought it was always on their "secret menu," but I guess they changed that. No problem! Everyone should know about it anyway. It's the best bang for your buck you'll get in Seattle for amazing fish over nori and rice. Speaking of rice, their sushi rice is superb. It had just the right amount of sugar/vinegar/salt... simply perfection. I am hungry for Musashi's again after writing this review. Service was decent too for a new restaurant - they forgot to give us tea cups at first and left some food bits on my friend's chair... but WHATEVER. The food makes up for the tiny flaws. I hope to be back soon because the wait at this spot is way shorter than the Wallingford one! Also, the prices are a bit more than the Seattle one, but that's understandable. Don't forget it's cash or check only too.
(5)
Nelson Y.

One of the best sushi spots on the west side with its large portions and consistency. The Chirashi bowl is a must-get at $14.50 (off menu, but technically available every day they're open). They're not open for lunch on Saturdays and closed all day Sunday- which is a bummer!
(5)
Lily L.

Tight seating at either locations in Bellevue or Seattle, but definitely worth the wait. I can only say one thing about what to order: CHIRASHI BOWL! I have been to the Musashi's in Seattle and though the Bellevue branch is ran by Koreans, the taste is practically the same. The fish actually looks and tastes fresh. Not saying you should take home sashimi, but if you do and it's still okay the next day, it's legit. I don't usually like to eat too much rice, but the rice today was well seasoned with a decent amount of vinegar and sugar. My friend and I did have to wait about an hour before we got seated, but it was well worth the wait and overall satisfactory for the evening. Last thing you need to know: BRING CASH!
(4)
David L.

This place is excellent, great value for what you pay. The chirashi bowl is great for the price, but not excellent on quality. I also ordered a few pieces of their sweet ebi nigiri. It was served with a bit of seaweed wrapped around and some tabico sprinked on top. Overall, not the sweetest and didn't taste all that fresh. Will not be ordering it again. The rest of the meal was great. Get there early as there is almost always a wait for a table given the small size of the restaurant.
(4)
Phily B.

So fresh it melts in your mouth. PROs: * The perfect bite. We loved the 'rice to fish ratio' of the rolls! It was the perfect amount of each! Also, the pieces were big, but not so big that it was difficult to put in your mouth *Check out some of our photos to see what I mean. * FreshFresh! The quality of the fish here is top notch. Every roll and every piece of nigiri was so velvety and delicious! CONs: * Long wait. We got in too a nearly full house at 7:00pm. Our first rolls didn't show up until 7:20. The rest of our order took an additional 10 minutes after that. * Pricey nigiri? Currently a SINGLE nigiri piece was $2.00. A bit steep considering a conveyor belt sushi place will generally sell you TWO pieces for $2.00. The upside here is that pieces at Musashi are larger and are of higher quality. OTHER COMMENTS: * CASH or CHECK only. They do not accept debit or credit cards here. * Located between a starbucks and subway. * Spicy tuna might be too spicy for some people. We have a relatively high tolerance for spicy food, but I could definitely see a few of my friends wanting to chug water after having a spicy tuna roll. FAVORITES: Spicy Tuna Roll, Albacore Roll, Salmon Nigiri FINAL THOUGHTS: Musashi's is the definition of "good food, made simple." The menu sticks to the more "traditional" sushi options leaving you with low variety. This is NOT a place for deep fried rolls with 20 ingredients topped with a sauce. However, the beauty of the sushi here is found in the quality of the ingredients. The fish literally melts in your mouth...it's amazing! On the other hand, if you are more interested in the more Americanized sushi, such as California rolls or baked/deep fried rolls... then this isn't a place for you. We still recommend everyone tries this place out at least once so they can get an idea of what really FRESH sushi should taste like. We will definitely be back again!
(4)
David H.

Their chirashi bowl is good. I am not a huge fan of sashimi in general but this one is decent.
(4)
Linda Z.

Good sushi with large portions. The chirashi bowl is a great deal at $15 with 3-4 pieces of 5+ types of sashimi (including salmon, tuna, albacore tuna, scallops, eel). Quality was overall good - I didn't like one of the sashimi types but the albacore was great. The rolls are huge as they're stuffed with a lot of rice, and the nigiri also sits atop a huge mound of rice. Cash only!
(4)
Tom P.

We've been going to the Musashi's in Wallingford since we were dating. Tonight we are celebrating our 18th anniversary and where are we going? You guessed it - Musashi's. Only now we go to the Factoria location. While I miss the great staff in Wallingford, the Factoria location is every bit as good and much, much more convenient. The sushi is always fresh, big portions and great service. If you are a sushi aficionado and looking for a great Eastside experience, give this a try!
(5)
Annie T.

No more 520 toll, tons of parking space, more room and open 1 extra day? Musashi doesn't get better than this! Food is slightly more expensive I think, but it's still cheaper on gas and toll money. No more waiting in the freezing rain in Wallingford, I'm sticking with the Bellevue location from now on.
(5)
James H.

Good sushi, but this place is overrated. Why? There is simply a void of fine sushi in Bellevue, so this place just happens to be better than most and cheaper than most. It's pretty much the only choice unless your going to spend 40+ or take a plane to Japan.
(4)
Alex L.

New Location in Factoria right in between Starbucks, Subway, Brown Bear Car Wash in Loehman's Plaza. Some of the staff from the 45th Wallingford location have come over. I prefer this location a little more because of the parking lot and more spacious area. They still get pretty busy over the weekend. The food still remains to have the same great quality as the original. Our food came out lightning fast. But the service of the head girl there is not very good, which is why I am deducting a star. Otherwise this is another hidden gem on the eastside!
(4)
Jacqueline T.

Cash only?! In Bellevue? :O Not the same as the original musashi. A lot smaller portion, and pricey for their size! Fish is still good, but seems like the cut isn't quite there. Tables wobble.. and this is a grand opening? Tea pots are on the table, but who refills the tea? sigh sigh sigh.. total = Two star.. for the big disappointment, and difference in food, and in service. The only good thing about it.. is its quite japanese tasting. haha. I'm going to repeat that I'm also not a fan of paying cash only :(
(2)
Meghan C.

I always get the chirashi bowl here. The value is great for what you get.
(5)
Dan W.

Love their cherashi bowl. Best deal. Good selection of fish: im sure it varies from time to time, but with a few pieces each of tuna, salmon, yellow tail, albacore? Plus a shrimp, fantastic! Quality fish here. Delicious. I've ordered their vegetables on a stick which you only get a few grilled pieces, so I'll skip those on future visits. Don't forget unlimited tea... at your table... Included in price. I hate having to pay for tea. Small joint. Sometime there's a line. I prefer a late dinner when fewer people abound, waiting for a table.
(5)
Todd T.

The chirashi is a great deal if you're a fan of sashimi. The cuts were fresh, and chunky, which is rare among more commodity chirashi you'll find in a sushi joint. The restaurant itself is pretty small and hard to find, but it has real authentic japanese ambiance. The sheer amount of food and quality of it makes this among the best deals outside of Seattle for sushi I've ever come across.
(4)
Jerry T.

Musashi is on my list of Eastside Sushi Joints A friend and I often choose Musashi as our lunch spot. There is always a tasty special, check the whiteboard in the back. I am a sucker for bento boxes, there is always a great assortment of sushi and tasty sides. If you are looking for something more fresh try their Chirashi; it is a fresh, melts like butter. The only drawbacks are cash only and seating; there is a ATM around the corner if you are low on the moola. Parties 3+ will have to wait awhile with the lunch time rush and limited booths. For larger parties- its worth the wait (^_^)
(4)
Patrick L.

A solid option for quick Japanese in factorial. Service here is quick once you get a seat and the chirashi bowls are a filling fix if you are craving the basics of raw fish. The menu is small and limited and prices are moderate. The restaurant is small and seating during the dinner rush is always a decent wait.
(4)
Kevin C.

Get the Chirashi Bowl. Just as good as the Wallingford location, with more parking! Still cash/check only.
(5)
Lydia N.

SUPER TASTY!!! So psyched that Musashi's just got waay closer. I went Saturday night and the place was packed. We were probably the 3rd small party waiting for a table but we got seated in 15 minutes. The worst part was probably waiting so long for food though. We each got chirashi but it probably took 20-30 minutes for it to come out. Can't really blame them as the kitchen was super busy - at least they got us a new pot of tea each time we ran out. Chirashi was amazing though! Super fresh, thick slices of yellowtail, salmon, tuna, something seared... some scallop and a shrimp. Eating all the sashimi was a meal in itself, but the bed of sushi rice was well seasoned too. It was just so much rice that no one could finish it. So, definitely eat here some time, but don't come starving because the wait time might just kill you.
(4)
Michelle S.

Seriously the best sushi ever! Definitely bring cash and expect to wait a few minutes because they are super busy but totally with it. Everything here is amazing and great quality fish too.
(5)
Jennifer W.

I get the value proposition of Musashi's - several large pieces of okay fish at a great price = winner! But it was just so much medicore fish that I ended up only eating half of the chirashi. If you're looking for quality sushi, I'd look elsewhere.
(2)
Philip T.

I've been here a few times now and the only thing lacking is excellent service (I mean, they have OK service...so I guess I can't complain). Other than that, the food speaks for itself. The fish is fresh and generous. The Harasume Noodle Salad is delicious. The Chirashi bowls are always a great value. I like that there's a whiteboard with the specials. The past few times I have been to Musashi's, they have had salmon or tuna kama on the board. I know of no other place that serves that!
(4)
Carolyn T.

I am still leaving a five stars for this place, but I thought I'd address to the people who do not like the cash only aspect. I would like to point out that there are many banks within the area, whether its in factoria mall, or in the same strip as Musashi. Is it really THAT difficult to go to the ATM for a quick $20? No. So stop complaining and acting like little princesses! Its for the food not payment method...
(5)
Jenn L.

CHIRASHI. Oh my goodness, the delicious chirashi. SO much fresh fish that melts in your mouth, in addition to the abundance of lightly seasoned rice. I could probably eat this every single day. I really want to try their nigiri and spicy tuna roll someday, but I don't know if that's ever going to happen because I'm too enamored with the chirashi bowl. Maybe I'll just get SUPER hungry and order all of that in addition to the chirashi... and end up eating all of it (no seriously). #PhatGirlLife
(5)
Lisa N.

Genius idea to have opened a location on the Eastside next to a mall, several businesses, and a high school! For those of you who don't know (are you living under a rock?!), Musashi's in Wallingford is notoriously busy; a large crowd can always be seen waiting outside of the tiny restaurant around dinner time, or really any time they are open, and with good reason. The fish is delish! For less than $15, you can spoil yourself silly on thick cut slices of sashimi over perfectly seasoned sushi rice in their gloriously popular chirashi bowl. This is not featured on the printed menu, but always written on the board of specials alongside whatever else they have to offer that day. The beauty of the Factoria location is that they are open for a solid chunk of the day with no break between lunch and dinner. I have only been to this location on weekend evenings, but both times they were not too busy and we didn't have to wait nearly as long as at the Seattle location. They have no problem preparing an order for you to take to-go, but if you have the option to dine in I don't see why you wouldn't. Service is standard small Asian restaurant service, not really super remarkable, but it doesn't need to be. Their food and their prices definitely make up for any potential negatives. Please remember to bring cash, as they absolutely do NOT take plastic. With such a prime location in Factoria, it's really your own fault for passing by ALL of the ATMs around-- literally every bank is represented in a 3 block radius, as well as a grocery store that offers cash back right around the corner. Parking here is also very easy as it is in a strip mall, so no complaints about that either. The biggest tip I can offer is to come with a small party (just yourself or you and one other person) because it's easiest to get seated this way-- last time we walked in there was a large crowd waiting by the door, but we were seated immediately because they were in bigger groups. TL;DR: bring cash and maximum of one dining partner, order the chirashi bowl, be happy.
(5)
Homan L.

After my Genki Sushi incident, I made a sacred vow with the sushi gods to never set foot into a conveyor belt sushi restaurant again. So to see such affordable chirashi was very concerning and intriguing. The hot tea at each table, although a nice touch, I felt they could have done without. The tea was low in quality and had no flavors or even hints that it was what I assumed to be green tea? I felt we would have been better off with just water. The chirashi bowl was huge, an incredible value. Don't expect the highest quality sashimi but absolutely better than Genki or Sushiland. One of the few times I struggled to finish all the rice, the side order of sweet shrimp was good value as well but what about the fried shrimp heads?! 404, not found. All in all, would go again. It's nice to walk out of a sushi restaurant with a full stomach and only slightly lighter wallet.
(4)
Brandon F.

Excellent price to quality/value ratio. Never disappoints...unless you forget the cash
(5)
Alec Z.

My friends and I came here for lunch ,first the table was cleaned with mop of water. It take us to wait 10 mins to get our empty cups and menus. We weren't greet when we come unlike the standard Japanese restaurant with manner. Then the miso soup tasted indifferent from the mushashi and the salad have big chunks of cucumber, it was not shredded like the ones from UW mushashi. The customer have to walk in the front to grab their to go box. The service was horrible , atmosphere was like old mom drinking teas and the food was salty especially the salmon roe! It was extremely salty makes me want to throw up.
(1)
Joy H.

Small, but simple menu filled with the classics - there's no fusion, no tempura or spider rolls here! No ma'am! Musashi is also super tiny - it maxes out ~24 people, so forget about bringing a big group here! We unknowingly arranged for a group of 6 and there's really only 2 tables that would be able to seat us somewhat comfortably! Other than the crazy small space, I was disappointed that they ran out of udon at 7:30pm on a Friday night! I ended up getting the california roll which was tasty and super large portions! The hubs got the classic chirashi bowl (his first time ever) and LOVED it! Prices are reasonable (although our friends told us that it's actually cheaper at the Wallingford location and you get even bigger portions), everything tasted fresh, and it's conveniently located!
(3)
Matt C.

Served at the perfect and correct temperature (just below room) and the spicy tuna roll is a must have.
(5)
Madison L.

One of my first time in the Factoria area. I've had Musashi's in Wallingford and have always had a great experience so after a long day hiking, my friends and I ventured for some sushi there. We had a chirashi bowl and this big platter of assorted nigiri/sushi. We were all raw foodies so it was very exciting! The quality is excellent like the one in Wallingford. All the fish was fresh. I tried raw scallops for the first time. It was a bit too fishy tasting for my taste. All my normal fish was delicious! Service was a bit slow..... Other than that, I would definitely come back here. Chirashi bowl isn't on the menu I don't think but they are always able to make it.
(4)
Shirley K.

I've been to their other location in Seattle and really liked their food, so I thought I'd try this location out. I am usually really picky when it comes to sushi because of all the sushi restaurants with their poorly made rolls but Musashi's had good sushi. My boyfriend recommended the beef bowl and and it was really good. It was pretty much bulgogi on rice. My friend ordered the spicy salmon roll (I think, I don't remember) which was really good too. The rolls weren't all mushy and you could actually taste each ingredient. I definitely will be back, especially because it is closer than the Seattle location.
(4)
Sunny H.

Liked food and price. No likey "cash only." What is that all about. If it accepted other forms of payment, we would probably be more regulars. It just makes it inconvenient to remember to have cash before we go. Who carries cash anyway - it's all about plastic nowadays. Oh well. But will definitely return the next time I have cash. Got the every-so-popular Chirashi Bowl and sukiyaki bowl. Both yum yum.
(4)
Moses M.

Normally, I love Musahi's for the quality and price. I've been a consistent customer at the Wallingford location until I moved to the eastside recently. I have also visited the Bellevue location twice for chirashi and have been happy. However, this is my first time order to-go from Bellevue and I was very disappointed. The two chirashi bowls that we had ordered had barely filled half of the to-go containers and the fish cuts were significantly smaller (about 1/3) the size of what we would usually get. If the restaurant was running low on fish, they should have let us know instead of trying to skim us on our meal. After the chirashi bowls, we will need to eat another dinner.
(2)
alexis r.

We love this and the Wallingford location. Such fresh delicious fish and super reasonably priced! Really some of the best fish on the Eastside at this point. Make sure to bring cash as they don't take cards.
(5)
Aaron L.

My go to is the charashi. 14.95 for a bunch of different fish over rice. Could not ask for much more. Filled with salmon, seared albacore, yellow tail, eel, scallop, egg and shrimp. This is a full meal! The rolls are pretty well priced and good. Nothing crazy with a lot of toppings but some interesting rolls.
(4)
Chu N.

So good! Regular Wallingford customers should appreciate this new branch cuz there is no line yet! Food is as good and cheap as in the one in Wallingford. Yelpers who left 3 stars or below should give it one more chance a couple months later. My reasoning is that food is good afterall but servers are kinda new there. Hey, that's a cute jp girl anyway. Your patience should have been comped by just that. Recommendations are chirashi, sweet shrimp, unagi over rice etc. Remember cash and personal checks only.
(5)
Tracy S.

Love this place. It's cash only so be sure to swing by the ATM. There chirashi bowls are ginormous for under $15. There sashimi are thick and fresh! Favorite place for sushi in that area.
(4)
Doug M.

I ordered a Bento Box, the sushi was good, but the teriyaki was the smallest portion I had ever seen 4 tiny peices of chicken and beef on a toothpick, it was also pretty horrible. Dry and chewy. I would never order it again.
(2)
Andrew K.

I was skeptical to try this place because of other negative reviews, but wife override got me a couple of visits here. Overall, very impressed with the value of the Chirashi bowl. The Chirashi bowl has very generous portions of sashimi (didn't care for the super-cold scallops) and a great value at $15! It's not super quality, but not low enough to cause the runs. I'm a fairly big eater and it filled me up and was quite tasty. I did try a couple of rolls and wasn't too impressed, the Salmon Cream Cheese role is actually ground Salmon and had an odd texture. I only recommend the Chirashi bowl, it's what got them the 4-star review from me :) Food (x1.2): 3 Service (x1.1): 4 Value & Amenities (x1.0): 5 AK Yelp Score: 4.23! :) Tips: Chirashi Bowl is the way to go!
(4)
Eric P.

Was really excited to hear that Musashi's in Wallingford was expanding to Factoria of all places. I've given the new local a few tries and have to say that it doesn't really match up to the original in Wallingford. Prices are a little bit higher due to local which is understandable. But the taste of the food is different. It just doesn't taste as fresh as the original location. Rice is at times dry and unevenly seasoned. Fish temperature ranges from nice and cold to near room temperature. All the nigiri and rolls looks the same but the consistency of taste is an issue. Tuna nigiri are large but the slicing of the tuna is uneven and doesn't rest well on the rice making it easy for the whole nigiri to fall apart. Spicy Tuna rolls are larger then the Wallingford local but lack the heat and punch and feels like it's just bloated with rice filler. Chirashi is still a good deal at $15 though the separate times that I ordered it I got two different portion amounts. Overall they are not bad for cheap sushi in the area. Compare to the original location they have big shoe to still fill. If you're looking for something fancier then the common nigiri and roll that Tokyo Restaurant would serve you better.
(3)
Sophia W.

The fish is fresh but the portion is not as generous as the Wallingford location.
(3)
Kay C.

Love it! It's not the highest quality but for the price you can't beat it - and as everyone says, the chirashi is a steal. That's the only thing I ever get practically. The fish is huge!
(5)
Lesley D.

If size matters to you, hit Musashi's! This place has some of the biggest pieces of nigiri I have ever tried to fit in my mouth! There have been a few sushi places in and out of this space, but I hope Musashi's is here to stay. For quality and price nothing comes even remotely close in the area. The selection is somewhat limited, but everything is well executed. Only getting 4 stars because they don't take plastic...COME ON! Pros: Quality fish Fair prices Large portions Cons: Cash or checks only! Not good for groups
(4)
Rich T.

Great addition to the Eastside! Their food tastes closer to the Japanese food I'm used to eating having lived, worked, and travelled to many places throughout Pacific and Asia. We attempted to eat at Musashi's a couple of months ago but were turned off by the cash or check policy, mostly because I had neither on me at the time. After getting around to giving Musashi's another try (and being armed with some cash this time), I wished we stopped by sooner. The food is good and so are the prices! We enjoyed the spicy onigiri, fresh-maki roll, sukiyaki bowl (think gyu-don), combo teriyaki plate (love the sauce) and everything was deeeelicious! -1/2 star for being cash only. -1/2 star for limited seating... but I guess that just means that people like the place as much as I do.
(4)
Mark L.

BOMB.COM!!! Was in the area and had a craving for sashimi and Musashi's delivered in spades! Upon entry the place has a pretty odd decor consisting of mainly posters for local plays and events which is cool but not what you'd normally expect from a sushi joint. My waiter was a younger guy and when I asked for suggestions since I don't eat shell fish he was extremely helpful. I ended up ordering the Chirashi bowl with extra super white tuna. I can't believe how much sashimi came for only $14.99! Very fresh and extremely flavorful! I could barely finish the thing and I'm a pretty heavy eater! I can't wait to come back and try some of the rolls and indulge in more awesomeness!
(4)
Matt N.

I liked musashi in factoria. It isn't anything fancy, but the menu is the exact same as the one near UW. So yummy. I had the chirashi bowl and it was so good. I'm always surprised how much slices I get. The rice in the Chirashi bowl is the sushi rice and has a little kick to it. I would go back again over and over again. If I didn't have to worry about my weight, I would go back day after day. It's a favorite place to go. I'm so glad I don't have to go to seattle to make it there. There is limited seating so be careful if you have a large party.
(5)
Allan E.

Finding a cheaper alternative and still be filling on sushi on the Eastside is close to nil.....until I ate at Musashi's in Factoria. They have a limited selection of sushi, but those few they do really well. This place gets crowded around dinner time because of the limited space they have, but its well worth the wait. The quality and freshness of the sushi is decent. The price of sushi is EXCELLENT. I have a go-to place in downtown Seattle, but this is my new go-to place on the Eastside. Last time we ate here there was 3 of us and our total bill was $21....yeah! AND we left satisfied. REMEMBER: Cash rules this place, so leave the plastic in your wallet.
(4)
Tam N.

I go to this place every Friday night. Sashimi is my best favorite. I always use 20 pieces Salmon when I come. You guys cannot find any place better than this Japanese restaurant.
(5)
Susan C.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that a location opened in Factoria. No more circling around the region for parking as you can park in the huge parking lot of the QFC plaza. I got there early, 6:15 on a wednesday, so the wait was only 10 minutes. The food quality is the same as Wallingford, with huge pieces of fish. And I only discovered when walking back to my car that a Peaks Frozen Yogurt is now opened in the same plaza so that's a place to go for dessert if your tummy hasn't become an aquarium by the time you leave Musashi's!
(4)
Melissa L.

Great cheap sushi! This one tends to not be crowded like their Wallingford one, so in my book it makes it that much better. My go tos are the chirashi bowl with a side of hamachi kama. Mmmm!! Don't forget cash or that check book though.
(5)
Sparky T.

I have been here twice now over the span of 6 months and will gladly return again when I am back in the area. A small place in a shopping area but good service and plentiful, good quality, sushi at reasonable prices. The chirashi is the best lunch deal at $15 for a good sized bowl of sashimi on a bed of rice. Only downside is the 'cash or checks only' payment options. Know that before you go and all will be well.
(4)
Cliff D.

I was SO HAPPY to learn about their new Factoria location. I'd been going to their Wallingford location since I was a UW freshman in 2005. And their new location has the SAME menu and it is FREAKIN DELICIOUS. In the last year I've probably been here at least a dozen times. Pro tip: they have a special, spicy salmon roll that's not on the menu. Another pro tip: you can order a chirashi bowl with just your favorite fish in it (as long as they're not running low). I frequently get one with just smoked salmon. So. Good.
(5)
Brian H.

After coming here, I had to sign-up and write a review on yelp for this place. When I found out that I didn't have to go all the way to wallingford for this, I felt compelled to stop in to make sure it was as good as anything I'd ever had at the seattle location. Walked in the door around 8:45pm last night with 4 friends and without hesitation, they quickly put some tables together and welcomed us with tea. We ordered 2 rolls and 4 chirashi bowls. They went right to work on this astronomical amount of food, and it was delicious. Service is great, atmosphere is more spacious than Seattle, food is awesome as usual, and prices aren't going to kill your wallet. Living in the Factoria area, we haven't always had the greatest selection of places to eat; and now they put a musashi's here of all places? I couldn't be happier. Plus, Drive-thru boba is right across the street!
(5)
Olivia S.

New location in Factoria! You can't come here and not order the chirashi bowl. For $14.50 you would just be skimping yourself. DO IT DO IT!!! You can't beat it anywhere in town. They give such a generous portion and it is sooo satisfying. They have your basics, nothing fancy, just cheap and delicious eats. CASH ONLY!!
(4)
Jo P.

After moving to the Eastside, been on the search for a local sushi joint and I was SO HAPPY to see such a familiar and loved name - MUSASHI'S Ordered take out since we expected it to be busy - the wait was long but the service was friendly and kind. Chirashi was hefty & delicious as expected. Hamachi Kama was a tad dryer and smaller than what I am used to at their Wallingford location. Overall you can't go wrong with Musashi's when you are craving simple traditional sushi - fresh fish, large cuts & great prices just like the original.
(5)
Kim O.

Wow! People are right, it's packed! ALL THE TIME! Even if it's a WEEKDAY dinner! We got there around 640 and waited maybe 3 minutes for a table to be seated. For a tiny tiny place, that wait is pretty good. I was reading reviews for this location and one guy nailed it down- it's your traditional Japanese sushi. No fancy rolls here. There is a fair selection of QUALITY FRESH FISH. Gotta say, I had put all my trust on all the other reviewers for the quality of food here and they hit it right on. I can only add to their compliments to this place! SO DERICIOUS! They had 2 specials going, chirashi and unadon bowls. Got both bowls, a bento box, and the salmon onigiri. YUM! Felt like a kid again eating the onigiri- or maybe because I saw a little girl eating one and I felt like a kid haha. Either way, brings out the inner child eating with your hands! YUM! I'm not big on unagi but DAYUM that was some DERICIOUS unagi and rice! It was a large helping, too! 6 pieces of unagi in this big and heavy ceramic bowl- could only eat half, took the other half home. I like the chirashi bowl here best because of the quality fresh fish you get. The bento box was very generous. The tea was confusing! Haha, we are NOOBS at using the teapot or something. Becauuse we thought there wasn't any tea in the urn so we opened to see that there was in fact tea inside and we had to turn the knob a certain direction in order to pour tea... YAAAAAAAAAH... NOOBS. Overall, DERICIOUS quality fresh fish, flavors are all there, and portions are more than enough!! Heck, cash/check only- that's ok! There are 3-4 banks on Factoria BLVD people can stop by before dining here. WORTH IT!!
(5)
Tu Uyen H.

I'm conflicted about this place. The food is amazing, yet the service is horrendous! The staff running the business are all young so I guess they're inexperienced? Still, I can't see it being difficult to please customers, as I did work in a restaurant before. There were 2 of us, yet only 1 place setting. We were never provided with the 2nd set. So we had to walk up to the counter, only to be given a bowl for soy sauce. What about chopsticks? Back to the counter we go. Umm, napkins please? Seriously??? After our meal, we had to flag them again to remind them of our miso soups. I felt as if I was in NY hailing cabs to get the attention of our waitress. It took us forever to get acknowledged. Never ONCE did she apologize for any of the above, but instead acted nonchalant about her errors or lack of attentiveness. If she were to utter the words "my apologies," I'd be more forgiving, but for her to act as if NOTHING was wrong really pushed me over the edge. I think the staff here may benefit from the game "Diner Dash." The food was really good - great quality - unfortunately it's overshadowed by the poor service. Even with mediocre customer service, I'd happily rate this place with 5 stars. But this poor service issue is so great that it can't be ignored or omitted from this review/rating. I'm so dissatisfied that I'm writing this review on my phone, while sitting at the restaurant! Perhaps I'll give them a second chance, maybe then they can redeem themselves and I'll change my rating then. Quick tip: skip the miso soup - it's bland. Don't order the hotate (scallops) - tasted strange (bad)
(3)
Allan G.

So after all the buzz about this place on yelp, I decided to visit this place earlier this evening with my gf. I've never been to Musashi's in Seattle, in fact, I didn't even know a place like this existed until I saw pictures on yelp that showed the sashimi they were serving. When we stopped by, it was kinda hectic seeing how small and yet how busy the place was. There are about three tables/booths against each wall, and about 6 tables or so in the middle area; this place definitely isn't the kind of place to bring more than 4 people, there isn't a lot of room. Besides that, what intrigued me was the simplicity of their food. What it lacked in fancy looking sushi you'd find at other restaurants, it made up for in value/serving size and taste. My gf and I ordered two smoked salmon, two salmon, one yellow tail nigiri, an order of spicy tuna rolls, order of salmon/cheese roll, and the sukiyaki beef bowl. We shared everything and it was more than enough to feed us. The smoked salmon was a little more pale in comparison to the regular salmon nigiri, I preferred the regular salmon if I had to choose between them. The spicy tuna roll looked very simple at first but has a delightful kick of spiciness them. The salmon/cheese rolls taste something like a philly roll that you order at other places. But that makes sense since a philly roll is basically a salmon/cheese roll anyway. But between my gf and I, we appreciated the sukiyaki beef bowl the most because it reminded us of something we'd order from yoshinoya's, except that it's much better tasting. Also! Take note that they do not take credit cards here, it's cash only. They even had a sign at the door right that says cash only before you walk in so you won't embarrass yourself when you have to pay afterwards.
(4)
Girja P.

Chirashi chirashi chirashi and yes their seaweed salad is a must for everyone that goes there. Edamame is also great. It's a very very chilled out restaurant and cash only. I wish they would start accepting card and I'd be there more often as I don't always have cash in me :). We live in a plastic world guys. I hope the owners give this a serious thought as it would make me go there more than once a week! Overall one the best non fancy sushi places in bellevue ...
(5)
Alison G.

This small restaurant is always busy and bustling with families, couples, etc... Every time we end up ordering the chirashi ($14.95) and udon ($8.95). The other prices for sushi are pretty cheap & the quality is pretty good! Wait time for the food can take a little longer at times depending on the day & time. As for parking.. I wouldn't recommend coming at 6:30pm. I always end up parking closer to QFC because it's absolutely ridiculous to find any spot closer.
(4)
Subie C.

I mean.. how can you argue with 2 rolls for $7.80? It's my new go-to lunch place when I need a sushi fix. This is solid, no fuss American-style sushi (sorry, am I a snob? I don't apologize for knowing the difference here)... fresh fish, good-sized rolls, a nice basic menu (spicy tuna, California etc) that doesn't overdo the choices. Their una-don is good too -- nice and fatty without the bottom of the lake eel aftertaste. And they're nice. And their walls have cool local event posters going on.
(4)
Astrellita C.

Having lived in Factoria for the past 12 years, I have seen different restaurants come thru this venue and inexplicably died - however, Musashi's look like they are doing quite well and I hope they become a permanent fixture in this neighborhood. The $15 (cash/check only) chirashi deal is unbeatable and feature thick slices of fresh fish on a bed of seasoned rice - it's my favorite item on the menu. My dinner date ordered an una-don dish (seasoned eel on rice) and seems to enjoy it as well. Portions are decently sized given the price, you'll definitely get your fill for your buck. The only thing I dislike about this place is the cramped dining space. Unless you manage to get a comfortable booth, you will be seated in the middle of the restaurant and last time I was there, it meant being only inches away from the diners next to your table. I totally understand that they are doing this to maximize space due to the small venue but I was hoping the tables can be placed just a little further apart. They are also open at 5PM and I would recommend getting there AS SOON AS POSSIBLE because by the time we got out, there was a line forming out the door
(4)
Kristina P.

I love sushi and in my own little world I like to think I am a connoisseur (which is about as accurate as the pink sky in that same world). Anyway, this place is fantastic. The prices are more than fair and the serving sizes for the nigiri are insanely huge. Also: delicious. Such a surprise find for the area. Definitely will be frequenting it.
(4)
Tam Q.

Delicious! The restaurant is small but the wait for a table wasn't too bad for a Friday night. Boyfriend and I ordered the nigiri plate and chirashi bowl. Both were amazing. The downsides however -- we waited an exceptionally long time for our order (more than 30min) and they ran out of salmon. The chef was extremely apologetic and offered us a free drink. Luckily, my bf and I are patient people and weren't starving so the wait wasn't too bad for the quality of the food we received. I wish the tea kettles were smaller though...We had a pretty small table and the tea pot and cups took up too much room. another downside... CASH ONLY! :(
(4)
Vivian T.

I was really excited to hear that my favorite sushi place is now also in Bellevue! It's a cute place that sometimes plays Kpop music and has friendly staff. Nowadays, there's a good wait if you want food there - so get there before 4 or after 7. My first time here, I ordered the Unadon while my boyfriend ordered the Chirashi bowl. We got our food and it was great! I loved the quality of their eel in my unadon (I'm pretty picky about my eel) and the chirashi bowl had big slices of fish. I couldn't be happier! The service is good, the portions are nice, the place is bigger and nicer than the one in Seattle, prices are good, and the food is amazing. Now that there's one closer to home, I know for sure I'll be coming back again and again! Addition: Their sushi rice is always terrific. Their maki-sushi is alright, but if you're also in the mood for just sashimi, their platter is impressive. The cuts are big and thick. I also tried their sukiyaki beef bowl and it is sooooooo good!!! It's a bowl of rice with thin slices of meat, cooked onion, and a sauce that makes the whole thing soupy and yummy. Their sukiyaki beef bowl also comes with a choice between the harusama salad or miso soup, and the portion is HUGE! A great deal at just $8.95!
(5)
Robin K.

Living on the coast of Southern California I thought we had pretty good sushi--Musashi has changed all that. My local sushi is no comparison to what we got here on vacation. My husband and I decided to try out this wonderful little restaurant because of the good Yelp reviews and we were so happy we did. We tried a little of everything and all of it was fantastic. Went on a Friday night around 8:00 and we got seated right away, but it did fill up after that. I loved the self-serve hot tea at the table. The menu is small (which I love!). They keep it simple and keep it good! We ordered the cold noodle salad -- very refreshing and flavorful. One of the favorite things we tried was the beef bowl--OMG, It is like a homey beef stew over wonderfully satisfying sushi rice. It is quite filling and super tasty. The chirashi bowl that everyone raves about is not actually listed on the menu, but we saw a small dry erase board that had it listed on there for the $15. We ordered that and I have to say, it was so good and a great deal. A big bowl of rice covered in about 5 kinds of different fish, plus scallops and a piece of shrimp. I have never before liked eel or salmon--but I know realize that the eel and salmon I get back home pretty much sucks. This stuff is amazing here. I loved every bit of fish in that bowl. We also got some spicy tuna rolls which were very good too. We left stuffed to the gills for under $35! As noted in every other review, they are cash only so come prepared. You won't be disappointed. Overall, we'd love to go back if given the chance before we have to head back to Cali (and back to our mediocre sushi--boo.)
(5)
Sadie W.

I will definitely be going here again, and again, and again!!! You can't beat the prices either.. SO good and so affordable!
(5)
Jacky A.

Happy ending occurs after you eat Chirashi from Musashi! *cross fingers*
(5)
Lisa D.

Come for the CHIRASHI. I love sushi/sashimi and love this place. Pros: Price = is a steal for the amount and quality of raw fish you get. Quality = quality of the cuts were better than the Wallingford location. Cons: Limited Seating = We were able to beat the rush by getting there at 6 on a Wednesday Cash only
(5)
Mylinh N.

I have always loved the Wallingford location so when I heard there's a new one opened up in Factoria, I immediately came. Same waiter helping out until things settle down. Remember this place is cash only. Sashimi is fresh with a good size portion to fill you up. The Chirachi bowl is my favorite here. They allow you to substitute if you don't like a certain kind of fish. Overall great place for sashimi. Definitely recommend :)
(5)
Twila B.

Wish I could give'em 4.5 stars. Food was very good - ordered mostly sushi. Sushi was all fresh, flavorful & generously cut. Even the California roll was good, and I usually find them bland & boring. Didn't care for the soggy fried tempura shrimp in the bowl of udon. Would have preferred not having them at all. Also the miso soup had some small fried bits of tofu which were soggy and not all that tasty. Otherwise, this place is excellent! CASH ONLY.
(4)
Krystal P.

I've been to the Wallingford branch many times and always been satisfied with the chirasi bowl there. I heard from my friends that this branch tasted exactly the same, which is mostly true. There is always a lot of customers coming, so I came in around 5-5:30pm and was able to get a seat right away before the peak time. I only get the chirashi at Musashi's because the proportion is good for the price. The $15 is worth it. I was surprised to see that the size of the sashimi was bigger than the one in Wallingford, which is great, but I was not too impressed by the sushi rice. It was more on the sour side. The quality of the fish is the same, which is great, but it's a bummer that the rice didn't taste as good because it's a great compliment with the fish. I don't know if it was just that one day the rice tasted average, but I would have given a 5 star if the rice was as good as Wallingford's.
(4)
kevin z.

overall better dining experience than the one in wallingford. it does feel more spacious, cleaner, parking is easier, same menu, the food quality is the same. But the line is still the same once it gets to dinner hours.
(4)
Jenny C.

Cash only please! Great prices and good portion size! I use to think the quality of the fish is rather good when it was in Wallingford, however, not in the chirashi (variety of raw fish over rice). Everyone seems to crave for the chirashi as I use to as well, but I notice that when you order nigiri (sushi by the piece) the cut and selections given are much better!! And to be honest, the price difference wouldn't range too much, chirashi is $15 and sushi by the piece is roughly $2, so when u order 8-10 pieces or so its rather filling! I do recommend the harusame salad (noodle salad) and the beef bowl which is always tasty, but do stay away from the skewers and chicken, they tend to be rather dry! For 2 people, probably around $40-55. -1 star, the service on the other end, is not so good! At times, I feel like they don't know English! There were a few times the food arrived but the waitress fail to give us utensils or even a napkin, and the seats/booth was a tad dirty!
(4)
Kayan H.

Just like in wallingford! Delicious! Great price! A little bit bigger space and a lot bit nicer atmosphere so we love it! This place is great for sashimi and sushi, not rolls, just FYI.
(4)
Jill K.

LOVE the chirashi bowl, I thought it was a great deal for what I got - salmon, tuna, eel, albacore, scallop, shrimp, eel on top of rice. This is a cash only establishment which is the only thing I didn't like about it (oh and the limited seating). Convenient location in Factoria, definitely will be back soon.
(5)
Lisa E. L.

Service is nowhere near the Seattle location. You can tell the server here is not very experienced. And when we asked him to seat us at the booth instead of by the window, he looked a bit awkward. Anyway, chirashi and unadon were awesome. Along with it, we ordered some salads and sushi by the piece. For a 2 person meal, our average spending is around $55. Do not ever try to come with more than 2 people because all the tables are set up for couples. Oh and bring cash!
(4)
Carla F.

I was thrilled to learn that Musashi's now has a presence on the east side! Don't get me wrong, I will drive wherever necessary for some honest-to-goodness traditional sushi, but it's a pleasant bonus when I don't have to. Well, this review is based on my first time to the Bellevue location ... to be fair, I didn't have time to sit down, and the restaurant didn't have the space to accommodate me anyway during the dinner rush on a Wednesday evening. Fully prepared for the infamous "no-credit cards accepted" policy, I strolled up to the register to place my to-go order. Accustomed to being greeted with the standard, "Irrashaimase" at most traditional Japanese restaurants (and even at some not-so-traditional Japanese and fusion restaurants), there was no such greeting to be had here. I felt a bit overlooked as I waited at the counter for any one of the 3-4 servers whizzing past to acknowledge me at all. Regardless of what type of restaurant, or how busy the rush is at the time, it's just good business to acknowledge your customer, at the very least to say "Someone will be right with you", am I right? Within a few minutes, one of the servers pleasantly greeted me, so I began the process of ordering, only to discover I had lost her attention within the span of about 10 seconds, while she discussed the waitlist and customer queue with another employee. Her eyes darted back to me so I seized the opportunity to ask her what types of udon they serve (they only have one line item titled "Udon" on their menu, but no description, is it Kitsune? Can one add tempura or meat?). I must have used one word too many because yet again, I had lost her to another discussion with her coworker. This time I felt I was to blame, had I not given her enough time to sort out her previous conversation? Had I misread her eye contact, and instead she was looking at a table in need of bussing just behind me? Once I received a "Yes?" from her, I began again, "The udon ..." but my order was abruptly halted with a curt, "No." No??? Is this like the Seinfeld "Soup Nazi"? "No udon for you!" For my own clarity, I completed her sentence with, "No, you cannot make udon for a to-go order?" She nodded, with just enough time to again be distracted by a conversation with a passer-by. As stated earlier, I didn't really have the time to continue this cat-and-mouse ordering game, so I gave my thanks and stated I'd try to return another time. I do fully intend to do so, but not during their peak hours, and only when I have time to sit down. I hope to post a more thorough and positive review in the near future. In the meantime, I'll continue to order my Japanese take out from Tokyo Japanese restaurant across the parking lot, where btw, one can order udon to-go.
(2)
Korina K.

Even though the one in Seattle's is packed but I still would stop by at the non-peak time. I like the big sushi there! They are huge and delicious! Why did I only rate this bellevue's one 3 stars? Because of the quality of the fishes are different than the one in Seattle. The color of the Saba is pale and not oily-looking. Texture was acceptable. The scallops in the famous Chirashi bowl taste like mushy rubber with soaked in salt water for a while. Another thing is, the service was okay because we know the menu so well. However, I accidentally heard the conversation at the next table. The servers seems like not well trained. The lady asked her what's in the chirashi and she said "everything is in there" :P I also ordered our food by speaking the Japanese name of the fish such as "Tamago" which is egg, but she didn't know what I was saying and I had to point to the menu and show her what it was. I am not trying to be mean but I hope they can make some changes and improve their business with good customer service. : )
(3)
Brian D.

Saw the high ratings and came here for a sushi dinner. Small place, good service, good miso soup. I would not return for sushi, though. The nigiri sushi are served as slabs of fish on logs of rice, and require 3-4 bites each. Maybe it's the amount of rice, but I've had better sushi rice in many other restaurants. Because of the size of the pieces, the flavor and texture balance was way off. Again because of the size, the pieces of fish were more chewy than I prefer. As an example, I usually eat 10 pieces of nigiri sushi for a dinner meal. I ordered 10 pieces this time, and left feeling stuffed after eating 6.5 pieces. I'd rather have more, smaller, better proportioned pieces than fewer Costco-sized pieces.
(2)
Wilson U.

I'm glad there is a good and more affordable sushi place in bellevue area. I put it this way for sushi price, there is the expense of Ginza or the bad quality of the kaiten-zushi places where I would have eaten probably more in cost but for bad quality sushi. I actually tried sushiland recently (after a long time away) and was so shocked at the drop in quality. I've been to Musashi's twice so far and I do like their chirashi. The unagi and bay scallops are good as well. Good size cuts of sashimi for the price. The fish quality isn't bad. One day I will try the skewers and the hamachi collar. The service is friendly. Some things to note. This is a cash (or check) ONLY place. It isn't a place meant for big groups, pretty much a smaller place, somewhere around 10ish tables. There is plenty of parking because it is in a Loehmann's plaza in Factoria. You can walk a little ways down towards the QFC to get some Peaks frozen yogurt for dessert before or after the visit to Musashi's.
(4)
Pooja V.

I popped in here for dinner last week when I found myself in the area. I was seated right away and was thrilled to see a welcoming thermos of green tea already on the table. I read their chirashi and noodle salad are good, so I ordered those. I thought the noodle salad was ok - It small but rich. I probably won't order that again. The chirashi was fresh and filling. Portions were generous compared to other restaurants. The service was also really good. I'd go back for the chirashi again.
(4)
Jen X.

California rolls do not have tiny salad shrimp and egg in them! And they should fit in your mouth! Also it was all cold except the beer. Booooooo.
(2)
Ian F.

By far the best sushi in Seattle! It was a dream come true to hear that Musashi's opened on the east side. Everything here is a great price and you could not ask for better quality fish. The pieces of sushi are huge! I'll be stopping by way more often ow that I don't have to drive to Wallingford anymore. I highly recommend the chirashi bowl. Cash only.
(5)
Katherine Y.

The restaurant is definite better than the original, more spacious and lesser wait time (so far). I am so glad it is in Bellevue now. I love their Chirashi (I oder without scallop and substitute with yellowtail) YUM!!! I also like their noodle salad and a la carte sushi. The only thing I can recommend is that...this restaurant doesn't have high chair...which is pretty hard for me with my 3 young boys. However, we normally order it to go, so it's ok.
(5)
David K.

Summary: bring cash (no credit/debit), sign up with the server for a table, if you have a group of more than 5, you should think about going elsewhere. Met up with some family and friends (group of 4) on a Saturday night. The suggestion was to come here, cuz of the reputation from the Seattle location. First of all, be prepared to wait. I think our group waited for about 25-35 minutes, and that's only after we convinced the server to hold 2 two-person tables and put them side-by-side to accommodate us. Second, be prepared to wait outside. Our group was fortunate to grab some seats, but a lot of people ended waiting outside (where it was cold, and unable to hear their names being called for seating, which was good for our group). Once you are seated, the menu is pretty basic. Nigiri, maki, Chirashi, and some other small plates. Pretty simple. Nigiri is priced per piece (as opposed to two pieces) so take that into account. Chirashi was very nice and reasonably priced. The nigiri had fairly large pieces of fish on them (and of reasonable quality too, better than kaiten, I'd say). I take note of the scallops, nice large pieces, smelled and tasted fresh. Maki was ok (which means good for normal people, I tend to use 'ok' a lot as a generic filler). Once we were done, it came out to about $20 person, but since we actually had enough to take to my mother, it was more like $16. For a meetup of two, I'll definitely comeback. For 3-4, we'll plan accordingly to come here (lots of time, weather appropriate).
(4)
Max L.

We (party of 3) arrived there at 7pm and they were just full. A table with party of 4 already had their bill and cash on the table ready to pay. The waitress did not collect the bill until 7:25pm. And by that time 2 parties of 2 (total 4 people) left. We asked if we can take those two small tables but we were only offered to squeeze in one small table. So we left. TL;DR: They are slow and don't care to do business with you.
(1)
Hiroshi M.

Even though their menu is limited and the place is really small, the quality of their service and food is one of the better ones around Bellevue and Redmond. Their Unadon is really good Japanese kind of food. Their Chirashi has nice thick cuts not like some places where you can almost see thru the fish. My Asian friends think this place is pretty good also.
(4)
Jason O.

Huge pieces of sashimi on their sushi for very reasonable prices. If there's any problems with this place is that seating for more than a couple of people can see wait times for a seat a bit on the long side.
(4)
Cindy H.

it is not the size of the piece of fish that goes on top of the rice. it is the taste and freshness. the undo was terrible. I never have a bad fishy taste after eating sushi and This is the first time. and also this is my first time to the restaurant and will be my last.
(1)
Melissa N.

Amazing fresh sushi with an amazing price. Cash or checks only so be prepared. I love that it is tiny and simple. Will definitely come back.
(5)
Christine N.

fresh fish. get the chirashi bowl for a good variety of nigiri.
(4)
Chris L.

Just starting a job in Issaquah I was shocked to find zero sushi places for lunch. That is until I expanded my search to include Factoria, and am I ever glad I did! WOW! Musashi is by far my favorite sushi on the eastside. Once I visit their Fremont location they could very easily take the sushi crown for all of Seattle for me. The fish is beyond amazing, very fresh, soft, melt in your mouth kinda fish. The proportion are large, maybe too big because you leave stuffed but craving more. Now lets talk about the Chirashi bowl, yes it is amazing and yes if you just want to get into a great pile of fish you order it and be happy. However, venture into the menu a bit and really explore some of the awesome items, they will not disappoint! Also, go early and expect a wait since there are very few tables. If your in a hurry and dont care about life, go to McDonalds. I love Musashi!!
(5)
Kate L.

Rude customer service, terrible onigiri. I think they should be an order and pick up place instead of a sit down and order place. They don't know what they are doing in terms of seating and serving in a timely manner. I don't expect a high quality experience from a cash only restaurant, but I at least thought they'd be polite. I had to ask for tea three times and was basically ignored after receiving my food. And honestly, the udon is soggy (tastes like instant), and sushi has too much rice with a lack of seasoning. Service and food overall- Awful, seriously.
(1)
Jo C.

Not quite the same as Wallingford location. Not as skillfully sliced, but still get a good amount for your sashimi and charashi bowl! The prices were a little more expensive than Wallingford location as well.
(3)
John M.

This restaurant is a C at best. It is edible, better than sushi from the grocery store or a large chain restaurant; a place we might stop by if we were in the area at the right time, but not one that we would make a special trip for. There is no sushi bar; order an extra item and it arrives in 30 seconds, so it is pre-made, not made to order. Some items were really fresh, others not so much. The menu is limited. It is a small restaurant; if you arrive for dinner after 5:30 PM you will have to wait. Many people were ordering chirashi bowls--we didn't order that. Perhaps that dish is the attraction of this restaurant.
(3)
Rosenna T.

Really fresh sushi with really affordable price! Can't complaint!
(5)
Isaac K.

Their Chirashi bowl is great value. I love their California Rolls as well. One of the best I've had..!!
(5)
SungWon C.

As good as it gets! It tastes exactly the same as the Wallingford one! (which is a good thing!) The quality of the sushi is ridiculous compared to the price! You can't get it anywhere else! If you want sushi around the Factoria area, this place is must! And for now, there are no lines, but I'm certain when word spreads this place will start having lines similar to the Wallingford!
(5)
Jessica W.

Love their chirashi bowl! I haven't tried anything else so I'll definitely come back to try something else.
(4)
Ed S.

I've been to the Wallingford location many, many times and in the past couple months, I've visited the Bellevue location twice. I've ordered the Chirashi bowl every time with extra rice. I'm very surprised people think the two locations are equal in quality: First off, the rice is VERY different. You can tell at the Bellevue location that the rice is long-grain (suppose to be short-grain for sushi rice) and that it lacks that vinegar-y taste and the sticky consistency like in the Wallingford location. I love the rice at the Wallingford location and the Bellevue rice was absolutely disappointing. I ordered the Chirashi bowl with extra rice in the Bellevue location and didn't finish the rice because it was not up to par. Second, the sushi itself is not very fresh. The salmon lacked composition and texture. It literally melted in my mouth (from the lack of composition) and tasted like Sushiland's salmon, but worse. My conclusion - either previously frozen salmon or salmon sitting out/in the fridge for too long. That is not what fresh salmon is suppose to be like. It's suppose to have a more silky, rubber-like texture. The tuna was also not very fresh and probably previously frozen as well. I don't think the two locations are connected and that something went down between the two. I told the head guy at the Wallingford location how much better this location was than the Bellevue one and he and the hostess was all ears about it. They were very appreciative to hear the compliment/encouragement. I will never go back to the Bellevue location (voluntarily) - the only exceptions are if my friends end up going there. Please, the original location is always the BEST location - they keep the standard where it ought to be.
(2)
Alex K.

Upon further review, the Chirashi Sushi is definitely the best food $15 can buy within walking distance of our condo.
(5)
Dean K.

Although I really do like this sushi restaurant, I was curious about the reviews and comments from others who were negative about the service and some about the food. As someone who's eaten sushi around the world (see my posts on Tripadvisor, DeanfromSeattle), I can say that this is some of the freshest fish I've had. Had a great chirashi bowl last night. There was a self service vacuum pot of tea on the table, which is status quo in this type of restaurant. Not many tables, all full with a 15 minute wait at 6:00 on a Saturday. I have to say that although the server was busy, she kept up a good pace of providing setups, taking orders, and delivering food. She was assisted by someone from the kitchen (manager?). Perhaps they've paid attention to other Yelp posts and upped their service game. Decor is nothing to write home about, but the sushi is excellent. Well worth the trip and challenge of finding parking in this busy shopping center.
(5)
Kevin T.

Come here for chirashi if you like sashimi but can't afford the decent restaurants. The fish quality is borderline between good and unacceptable... you won't get diarrhea but the fish temperature and texture are all wacky.
(3)
Eclat L.

The chirashi bowl is so big portion!!! But really good!! Will def. come back again try other ones!
(5)
Dong L.

Yeah, this place is pretty much a big deal....despite the actual venue being pretty small. But do you really go to eat out because of the decor or the food? For me it's always for the love of the FOOD! All things aside, this place has delicious, affordable sushi. And yes, I did just use those two words to describe sushi in the same sentence. Like most people suggested, the Chirashi bowl is awestacular. There's a reason why it's gotten rave reviews. Go try it for yourself if you don't believe me or the hundreds of other people that have posted tantalizing photos of it that make you hungry and crave for it at this very second even though the restaurant isn't even open until 11:30AM and you have to wait for the next 25 minutes until you can go there and pick yourself up a delicious bowl and so you have to distract yourself by writing a lengthy review of the restaurant on Yelp just to kill time until you can finally fulfill your craving. Well, that basically sums up how I feel about the place. I liked it so hopefully you will too. Enjoy and happy eating!
(4)
J Y.

When it comes to sushi and chirashi, everything is big here. Ideal for hungry people like me for good fresh raw fish and big portion of rice. Nothing fancy, nothing really authentic but OK to good value for money.
(3)
Hayato I.

It was just a mediocre Korean run fake Japanese sushi restaurant.
(2)
Hazel l.

The chirashi was excellent. This place is amazing, fantastic prices, super fresh fish. One chirashi, 3 rolls and a saki..$33. Amazing. We had a 15 min wait which for 7 on a Friday was reasonable. Cash only it check but at these prices it is not big of a deal. Don't be fooled but the appearance and the line of people, they move you in and out very efficiently without you feeling rushed. Wish we loved closer!!!
(5)
KM C.

Musashi is awesome. keep in mind it is cash only and if you are not one of the first ones there, you will have a line. I've had the teriyaki, chirashi, rolls and the various kama collars and they are all great. their beverage service leaves a little to be desired, but it is ok because I am fine with the tea that is self serve at each table.
(4)
Elizabeth E.

I have been going to the Musashi's in Wallingford for the past 15 years and when my office was down the street, I would order the chicken curry 3 times a week. That was my favorite dish! About 7 years ago, I became an "Eastsider" and my work ended up moving down to Kent so I was bummed about not having my weekly Musashi curry =( I was SOOO excited to find out that Musashi's opened in Factoria but quickly found out that they don't carry the Chicken Curry at this location which was a negative for me. Even all my friends are bummed they took this off the menu! My husband still loves the Chirashi so we came back a 2nd time but if they would bring their chicken curry to this location, I would come more often!!! PLEASE BRING IT BACK!
(4)
Vince N.

love their chirashi bowl. it looks sort of small at first, but it is very filling and the cuts of fish are very generous. it is not outrageously priced either.
(5)
Lu z.

all time fav. we always get takeout coz the table here is too small. now they separate sashimi from rice in the takeout so fish doesn't get heated. great improvement.
(4)

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Address : 3720 Factoria Blvd SE
Bellevue, WA, 98006
Phone (425) 463-9150
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Musashi’s

3720 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue, WA, 98006

Musashi’s Menu

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