Koharu Restaurant
31840 Pacific Hwy S, Federal Way, WA, 98003
Koharu Restaurant Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Federal Way for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Federal Way for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Federal Way for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
31840 Pacific Hwy S
Federal Way, WA, 98003 - Phone (253) 839-0052
- Website https://www.koharusushi.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
- Mon :Closed
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Teresita C.
If you would have told me I would have a transcendent experience at a strip mall restaurant in Federal Way, I would have asked if maybe you were celebrating our legalization of marijuana with a little too much fervor. Seriously, every element of this restaurant screams class and excellence. The restaurant is a quietly elegant escape from the surrounding madness of Pacific Highway and the malls, stores and chain restaurants that clog the area. Upon entering we were immediately greeted by a lovely woman in traditional Japanese dress. After being escorted to our table we were brought perfectly prepared green tea and given menus. The menu is extensive and the emphasis is on traditional Japanese fare, along with sushi. The chef is a professionally trained sushi chef so the fish is a lovely sight to behold, arranged with all the panache of a Michelin starred restaurant. I had the vegetable tempura dinner, very good, not greasy at all, served with rice, miso, seaweed and salad. The prices are moderate, not cheap, but the food and experience are certainly worth it. They even offer you a small dish of peach or coffee jello, the coffee served in a tiny pool of sweetened, condensed milk-slightly bitter coffee cubes, bobbing happily in the syrupy milk. I will return, despite the distance, to experience a truly enchanting dining experience.
(5)Daniel S.
All the recommendations were on point! Great service, atmosphere, and food at a reasonable price!
(5)Navy M.
Authentic Japanese restaurant serving amazing food. I don't come across very good restaurants in federal way but this one is great. I ordered the chicken katsu dinner entree and a California special sushi roll. They used chicken breast for the katsu. Very good and tender but I'm used to thigh meat for this dish. Entree came with a yummy miso soup, salad, with an ok dressing (it was very thick on the mayo) and ended with a yummy coffee and peach jello dessert. So simple yet so good and refreshing the jello was. They use real crab meat for the roll. The waitresses were all so cute fully dressed in their kimonos
(4)Justin H.
I've been coming to this place for years and it has always been a great and consistent place for Japanese food. They have good traditional fare and they keep it real with how a Japanese restaurant should be. My only heed of warning is that the prices are on the steep side but in my opinion its worth it because there really isn't a better real Japanese place around town.
(5)Steve C.
Visited for lunch during the week. Ordered beef yakisoba and some sushi. The sushi was very good but the yakisoba was average. I enjoyed the hot towel and tea before the food arrived, but the service wasn't stellar. I'll stick with just sushi and sit right at the bar next time.
(3)Whitney B.
I will always and forever adore this place. They consistently serve up quality sushi and choice cuts of fish. It's managed to stay old-fashioned, traditional, and simple despite the ever evolving restaurant scenes and the new developments being built in Federal Way in the last ten years. Koharu has been good to my family and me and I can't disrespect it. This restaurant is kept very clean--something I love about Japanese culture--and you are always greeted by charming and friendly servers. That's something I hesitate in calling them, even, as I see them as hosts and I am their willing guest. All of the women keep it real and wear kimonos and, for that, they deserve huge props. For me, I mean, I don't know how high I would have to be to be okay with dressing up in traditional Chinese dresses and serve like that. They look as if they are super comfortable with it, so that makes me feel better. The interior is beautifully decorated with wooden panels. Koharu is a quiet place to relax and enjoy your food and there are very few noise disturbances, if at all, even when it's busy. So, as a heads-up, not a place to be dropping dimes and start Kaepernicking in the middle of the room with a Pabst in your hand. You can't go wrong with anything here from their nigiri, sashimi, dinner plates, salads, and soups. By the same, they don't have your Seattle or Las Vegas Rolls, Twerk Rolls, Bad Boy Rolls, and you get my point. Just fish and some tempura here. It's all fiercely good and fresh, too. Seriously, it depresses me that Bellevue is riddled with conveyor belt sushi with really low quality fish when it can be so much more. My parents and I always indulge in their dinner plates, though. Specifically the king mackerel dinner (or the saba shioyaki, if you want to get technical) and they all come with salad, soup, and rice. Delicious every time, without fail, from the start of the meal to the end of it. I've also had their miso-glazed black cod, which I think is one of the reasons why people go to war with each other. Their salad dressing is #1 in my book, rice is always perfectly cooked, and fish are treated delicately and pan-fried with care. The fish is always falling apart and flaky. One of the unique things about Koharu is that they give you complimentary coffee jello at the end of your meal. It's superb and I think it's the reason why I like coffee-flavored things as an adult. It's a treat coming in here to eat and would recommend it to anyone looking for a solid restaurant in Federal Way.
(5)Gloria T.
I don't know how good the food is but the service is horrible. The host sit us at the table for almost 25 minutes and no server come to ask us for water or anything. We tried to get attention but it's unsuccessful. We ended up walking out and I'm sure no one even noticed. Would not come back!
(1)Mr U.
Food was good overall not the best Japanese. Dinning area is okay. I would visit again for a quick sushi snack.
(4)Aurora M.
My fave japanese restaurant. Hands down. Okay, there is Shiro but still. I love the owners, their daughter and all the ladies who never have a frown on their faces. When we come in, they immediately come with water and one straw (for me - my hubby doesnt use a straw) and tea. The first question, "is chardonnay or hot sake"? Omakase, when asked, is worth it. Im pretty sure it is because we have gone here so many times that they know what we want. The menu has never changed in the last 20+ plus years, price has hardly moved. Love this place.
(5)Jinah Y.
I was looking really forward to this sushi restaurant due to all of the yelp reviews but it wasn't anything I'd go out of my way to go to again. I'd go there if someone said they really wanted to go but I'm still going to be on the hunt for the ultimate sushi spot south of Seattle. Black Cod and Salmon dinner entrees were slightly above mediocre. I think the fact they chose thinly cut steak filet styles made the meat taste almost fake. Maybe that's my personal preference but the fish tasted like it was pre-cut. The sashimi - I was very disappointed in the presentation. The fish did taste fresh but the sashimi slices were unevenly cut and were also very thin. I'm assuming they were trying to make it seem like there was more sashimi on the board then there was. But I'm more about quality than quantity. I'd rather have fewer thick slices than a bunch of little ones where you can't enjoy the true flavor of the fish. When I asked them if there was anything special not on the menu and they pretty much listed everything that was on the menu. Then I asked if they had fatty tuna because that wasn't on the menu and they said they had it. And thankfully the fatty tuna nigiri was very good. Overall nothing memorable. If anyone has a good sushi spot to recommend down south please do!
(2)Michael C.
My son wanted to treat us to the sushi dinner. We recommended Korean Japanese restaurant but he didn't want to so we went to this place because of some of the excellent reviews in the past. We orderd sashimi combination and it was kind of pricey sushi was pretty clean but we were still hungry afterwards and it was pretty expensive enough....we really could not order any more meal so we ended up going to Chinese restaurant (panda express) afterwards I think some about the restaurant could be better and service was pretty slow and we really have to wait for a really long time and the restaurant wasn't that busy when we got there
(2)Christy R.
Delicious food, excellent value. We got the dinner combination and it was so much food that we had to decline the desert that comes with it. The sushi is fresh and tasty, not fishy. Extensive menu lots of great sushi choices or traditional Japanese meals. Quiet ambience. Excellent service. Convenient location. I can't wait to bring out of town guests to this place. I just wish they opened sooner than 5:30 for dinner!
(4)Kimmie L.
Baked oysters, zaru soba, sushi /sashimi. Highly impressed. A little more moneys but so worth it! If you're coming here for rolls with crazy ingredients and sauces, you're in the wrong spot. Japanese-owned also. Loved it!
(5)Anna L.
My husband and I found this gem through yelp. It is never busy but the service is exceptional and the food is phenomenal!! Even the most basic things on the menu scream quality! My miso soup was delicious! This is a hidden treasure! Totally worth your time and money!
(5)Cheryl R.
Stopped in for an early dinner at the sushi bar when I was down in Federal Way to run errands on a Saturday afternoon. SO GLAD I DID. The food was delicious, the service impeccable, and the fish was fresh as can be. Will definitely be back!
(4)Jim H.
Went there a few weeks ago. I ordered kaki-fry (fried oysters), one of my favorites. My first bite was like biting into an old wash cloth . . . I complained to the waiter and the head sushi chef's wife, host/waitress, came and was very cold. I mentioned that perhaps it was undercooked . . . her response was "Do you want me to take it back into the kitchen and cook it some more?" What was she saying? I've already bit into it and couldn't eat it . . . Was she proposing to drop it into the hot oil again with other customer's orders after I bit into it? No apology of any kind . . . I just let it go. I have been, on and off, coming here for years. I did three tours overseas, two 12 months and one 18 months, I frequented this place during my R & R home and more after my tours. I am no stranger to this lady and be treated like I was, I need not and will not return. There's other Japanese restaurants that serves their customers better. For sushi try Trapper's (multiple locations)' for authentic Japanese, try Miyabe in Tuckwila - far better service, better price and good food.
(1)Leanne L.
Me and my family's favorite! Everything is so good... And fresh. Superb service... Friendly, and good jello desert! I could eat here every day!
(5)Xuan-Nhi N.
This is the best sushi restaurant in the Federal Way area. The service is beyond great. I've been here about 4 times now and I can promise you, you will not be disappointed. I love the sashimi here, because it's fresh and delicious. Definitely worth a trip in if you're a sushi fan.
(5)John H.
Everything I ate was awesome!!! A little pricey, but its worth it! The agedashi tofu was the best I have ever had. Tempura was really crispy and light. Sake butterfish was so good that I didnt share with anyone on the table.
(5)Carey K.
I'm sooo glad I found this restaurant. Well a friend found it using yelp :) I needed to find more Japanese restaurants nearby to take my grandma to. She specifically likes authentic Japanese food and loves sushi. So we'd order a bunch of sushi and it was always good. I brought my grandma in using a shuttle service and the owners of the restaurant were always very nice and helped me out a lot with seating her comfortably and holding the door for me while I push her in. The owner is very nice and always spent time talking to us. My usual is chirashi, which is different types of raw fish and other seafood on top of sushi rice. Their black cod is yummy too. Dinners come with either coffee jello or peach jello. Both are sooo darn good!!! I of course love the coffee jello served with cream but it did keep me awake that night. From the outside, the restaurant is not impressive at all :( but from the inside it is very nice! It seats a lot of people and has nice fresh flowers on all tables and very nice wall pieces and other decor.
(5)Amanda P.
Fresh, fresh, fresh! What a hidden gem in federal way! This guy has been rolling for 40 years! The decor is beautiful, the feeling is clean and the taste is light, with perfect balances.
(5)Ray R.
This place is legit. These days it's hard to find Japanese owners, but Koharu is legitimate. Don't get me wrong....there are many good Japanese restaurants owned by non-Japanese folks, but here in Federal Way, the other restaurants can't compare. Sushi was tasty and the udon was delicious.
(4)Judy M.
My friend took me here for lunch. I was surprised that it was actually owned and staffed by Japanese people. The place is clean, and fairly priced. I ordered a tuna roll and calamari. The tuna roll was okay. The rice was a bit dry and bland (needed a bit more vinegar). The calamari on the other hand, was lightly fried and flavorful. The calamari was exceptional. I was underwhelmed by the sushi, however. Based on the calamari, my guess is that this is a good place to eat different katsu dishes.
(3)Rebecca L.
Super fresh ingredients, friendly owners in a relaxing atmosphere. Super clean, tidy and LOVE the beautiful, delicate plateware. House hot sake was delish. Super authentic....love coming here!
(5)YOKi T.
I don't know why people give this place such high reviews.... I'm honestly shocked. LAYOUT beautiful classic Japanese look. many different seating arrangements for different party sizes. pleasant wooden decor. SERVICE cheerful, quick, and accommodating to my request to make things spicy. FOOD the sushi is seriously sub par. PRO 1. ameaba/ebi (raw shrimp) is sweet & tasty 2. my friends katsu orders were large n they enjoyed it CON 1. godawful prices for small portions of sashimi. 4x small square pcs of Salmon or Flounder (i got both) $5 each. an order of Amaeba/Ebi is $5.75 for 2x pcs 2. TASTE is awful.!! i've never experienced such unfresh sushi near a coastline - EVER.!! i got a bone in the flounder and scales in another piece.! the Koharu Special (basically rainbow roll) i got tasted sweet at first because of the eel sauce on top, but you can still experience how unfresh the sushi was after rolling the piece around in your mouth. 3. the menu of sushi items was generic with the exception of the Koharu Special. CLOSING normally, if a Japanese restaurant fails in sushi or does not specialize in it, you would see a plethora of exotic of menu items (ex. chicken gizzard - tataki - etc). but I thought Koharu's menu is very generic - you can find katsu/tempura etc at any Japanese restaurant. how is this place 4.5 stars.?!! HOW.?!!!
(3)Mark T.
Who ever said you can't find good sushi on the South side has obviously not been to Koharu. Chef Sho is great and always has a nice selection of fish. I reccomend the toro and aji if he happens to have it. Good stuff. Prices are on par with a quality sushi bar. I've been many times since moving to FW and think the chef is very consistent.
(4)Hanna K.
Ambiance and decor is neat and nice. Its also a plus that actual japanese people run the restaurant. BUT, it's a bit overrated, portions are small and their prices are not stellar. Will I be back? Maaaaybe.
(3)Chris W.
We ate here for the first time the other day (lunch menu) and it was fantastic. Had a hard time finding it using a gps (it's tucked on a busy corner with limited visibility). Very comfortable atmosphere, friendly service and reasonably priced...but most of all...very fresh and flavorful fish. We ordered a deluxe sushi plate, a Koharu roll (bbq eel, avocado, cucumber, topped with tuna, salmon, and yellowtail), and a Chirashi Sushi dish (sashimi variety over bed of rice). Every dish was excellent. We left knowing we'll definitely be coming back again.
(5)Kristina S.
Went here after a weekend away and I was looking for a light, fresh meal in a relaxing environment. This was perfect. The sushi was delicious, and I'm excited to go back and try some of their other food. As soon as we sat down the server gave us warm towels to clean our hands with. Nothing makes me feel quite so relaxed as a warm towel to start off my meal - loved it! My only complaint and the reason it isn't five stars is because the menu wasn't very clear. It was hard to tell how much food came with each menu item, so some things looked expensive that may have been a good value for the quantity served and vice versa. We erred on the side of caution and ended up ordering twice, after we realized our first order wasn't enough. We will back!
(4)Jenny R.
Won't be back. Calamari was awful, yakisoba was like ramen noodles with over cooked cabbage and few other vegetables. My BF got the sashimi and which had curled up sashimi! I think the Sake helped his go down, we went across the street and had dinner at the food court when done! Skip it you'll save a TON of money and have a better dinner at the food court!
(2)Axel R.
Japanese cuisine is my favorite and Koharu does this well. The restaurant is in the strip mall next to the GenX store. You will enjoy a simple and authentic eating experience. Very warm and friendly service. The food is very well prepared and fresh. I ordered the Makunouchi Bento and some cold Sake of course. The food was delicious and I was very satisfied when I finished. The Miso soup is full of flavor and the vegetables had a nice crunch when I bit into them. I have found my new favorite restaurant to accommodate my Sushi cravings. Definitely a great Japanese restaurant. Arigatou Gozaimasu!
(5)Vicky C.
I am so glad to see that this restaurant still remains consistent in excellent service, food quality, and value. The sushi was so fresh and remains the only Japanese owned restaurant in an area that have become overpopulated with Korean buffets and mediocre sushi. If you are expecting Pan-Asian Sushi Rolls and Spicy Mayo sauce courtesy of Kaiten-Style sushi chains, look elsewhere! This restaurant serves a simple, yet authentic menu and the highest quality fish! Mmm I will be back!
(5)Jenga B.
I'm gonna say one of the best parts of this restaurant is the Japanese setting and the service. That being said, the food is just okay, considering the price is pretty high (though sushi tends to be that way). The food comes out relatively fast, and the fish is very fresh -- the bento boxes aren't as good as the sushi, and I'm on the fence for recommending coming for those if you aren't a big sushi fan. I got the variety dish, just to try all the sushi -- all of the different types were equally well prepared, so I wouldn't worry too much about what you choose. It's a great place for a classy dinner meeting that involves a lot of conversation.
(3)Jan R.
I have been going here for years and I love their homemade gyoza. The owners and their daughter are so sweet and everything is so clean! Love the hot towel to start with. Also the Henry roll which is not on their menu is to die for!! I've been eating sushi for over 30 years and this is definitely one of my favorite places!!!
(5)Mandy S.
i love the decor of this place, very authentic. I love the sashimi here but think the chicken skewers should be more moist...great japanese restaurant in federal way though!
(4)Blair H.
I am a Japanese guy. I am telling you to go here. Tell your friends that some Japanese guy said this place is awesome.
(5)Amanda K.
This place is great. Pretty quiet (except the last time we went there was a teenager with an apparantly deaf mom), super clean and the staff is very friendly. My husband is alway happy with the sushi/sashimi/raw egg things he orders and I love their miso soup and tempura shrimp. This last visit I tried the chicken katsu-delicious! Good house sake; ice cold Sapporo. Consistantly delicious food with a relaxing atmosphere.
(4)Lindsay Jenkins R.
Amazing food and service! wish they were located more in th opebn so they would get more business!! I have taken three people here and they keep going back
(5)Heather H.
This is the first place where my Japanese husband has said it felt like home. We eat out a lot for the experience and to find new favorites; this place is the BEST fine Japanese dining we have found in Washington. The waitresses donned traditional kimonos and all wore beautiful smiles. The service was fast but not rushed and EVERYONE, even the cook were extremely friendly. Now for the food: I have never in my life had more amazing beef teriyaki. It was so tender it just melted in my mouth. My husband ordered the bento box and it looked more like a work of art than food, but every piece was even more delicious than the piece before it. The dishes were laid out beautifully and the cost of the meal was absolutely reasonable. We loved our first visit so much that we are now frequent customers (even though we have to travel to Federal Way to eat there - still worth it!) Kudos Koharu!
(5)N H.
Food was average for the high prices. Servers were very kind and helpful but it gets the low stars for the high prices and lower quality sushi. Their salad is iceberg lettuce and was watery. The tea was too strong and tempura was too bready. Could have been much better for the area.
(2)d l.
Visiting from San Francisco and looked up Koharu on Yelp. Unbelievable! Located in an in conspicuous strip mall, this unassuming restaurant delivers! I ordered the chicken Kara-age and Chirashi. The chicken was amazing and the Chirashi was even better. The rice was perfect and the fish was properly cut. One rates a sushi restaurant by three things; the tamago, the rice, and the miso soup. Those are the only things a sushi chef pours himself into. Any restaurant can source good fish but those three things cannot be faked. Koharu delivers on all three items. I was surprised to discover a destination restaurant in this tiny strip mall.
(5)Cynthia A.
Love this place! Great service and even better food. Highly recommend the fried oyster appetizer. All the rolls I've ever gotten there are fantastic! Be prepared to spend around $100 for 2 people if you're getting an app, drinks and 2 rolls each. Higher priced than others, but worth it! We go here a couple times a month and consistently great!
(5)Raymond W.
Great place for Japanese food. Their lunch specials are reasonable. Highly recommended.
(5)Pancake C.
Sushi was great (not excellent but better than good) had Amaebi, Hamachi, & Sake The fried shrimp heads were pretty tiny Coroquette was great Takoyaki was great They lost a star for their Calamari (it sucks) It comes with no sauce on the side or on it Five pieces (yes, only five small little rings of calamari) Really over priced for FIVE pieces and it wasn't battered right & fried enough It was still mushy... DO NOT ORDER THE CALAMARI (that's all folks)
(3)Ray O.
Excellent sushi and service was exceptional.
(4)Alanna M.
Authentic Japanese food with a very traditional Japanese environment. It's not easily noticed at the location of a strip mall but worth trying. The Sashimi was fresh, the spider roll was good, the beef teriyaki (I've had better) -- it wasn't as tender as I hoped it would be, the udon was good although I would have preferred my tempura on the side (I don't like soggy tempura). Went for lunch and the place was busy but not packed. Definitely one of the better places to hit on the south end.
(4)Jennie W.
Excellent food, stellar service.
(5)SML C.
This place is the whole package! The food is authentic and delicious and the service is wonderful! Right when you walk in everyone greets you enthusiastically and the nice ladies in the kimonos greet and seat you with a smile. Their food is wonderful. I highly recommend their beef sukiyaki dinner...the udons are also very good. My boyfriend and I come here all time. No other Japanese restaurant quite lives up to Koharu.
(5)Robert J.
I've tried to keep this place a secret since I discovered it in 1998, just after my first trip to Japan. I have decided to post this short review today, as this is the only restaurant I can honestly say that I would drive 100 miles for, to dinner. Ever. The family who owns it have become friends over the years. The waitstaff has changed somewhat, but the food remains timeless. Traditional home cooked Japanese food. Do NOT come here expecting some crazy pan-Asian delight.... or some odd one off sushi rolls. Sho-san prepares delicacies of the traditional. Come here to celebrate the Omakase option. You might not see it on the menu, but I guarantee if you ask, you will spend time in a revelry of taste explosions, not found on the menu. The service is exquisite, and the staff quick to respond. Sit at the bar, and learn about the man, or sit in the outskirts, for privacy. Either way, you will enjoy this gem of a restaurant, deceptively out in the open in a strip mall in Federal Way. Lunch time portions are sizable, and inexpensive. A wonderful option for the local businessman.
(5)Duy H.
I frequent the Linh Son Vietnamese restaurant that's nearby in the strip mall near 320th & Pacific Highway for many years now and have never thought to try the Japanese cuisine at Koharu. With a little extra cash on hand, the gf and I decided to try our luck. We visited on a weeknight so it wasn't as busy. The decor is welcoming, as is the sushi chef who greeted us with a very enthusiastic "irashaimase!" from the very back. The hostesses are also very kind and look so adorable shuffling around in their kimonos. I decided on the Unaju (bbq eel with rice) and the gf a simple order of udon. The Unaju came with lots of extras; small salad, miso, side of sashimi and dessert. The eel itself was mouthwatering delicious. The sashimi that came with my meal was fresh, smooth and melted on my tongue. I chose coffee jello for my dessert. I don't like coffee much so the jello bits were too bitter for my tastes but the milk that it swam in was very rich and sweet. I'm not a big fan of udon but my girlfriend seemed to like her order of Tanuki Udon (tempura udon). It's one of the cheaper options on the menu if you don't want to go all out with the other menu items that are easily $15 or more. Dinner was definitely expensive, for a couple fresh out of college, but every once in awhile places like these do the soul good. I imagined the entire experience was what I paid for, and in that regard, it was a bargain! I felt very welcomed and comfortable at Koharu. A great Japanese restaurant, in Federal Way of all places? Surprisingly, yes!
(4)Joe F.
Once again, great venue, food and drinks in this cold day.
(4)Jodie W.
Was introduced to Koharu by an ex, but I didn't let that stop me from going back! Most authentic sushi and the best curry udon I've ever had! Highly recommend Koharu for small, intimate groups--very quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Customer service is excellent and they are very friendly there.
(5)Manuel R.
Love love love this place a great sushi bar in federal way????YES!!!
(5)Marimo A.
Koharu is a traditional Japanese restaurant. Owned by Japanese, servers are Japanese, the decor reminds me of Japan, they even hand you oshibori (steamed hand towel) to clean your hands. Very traditional. And feels good! I was going to try black cod as Maria L recommended, but I got distracted by makunouchi-bento (deluxe lunch box, I guess). It had three kinds of sashimi, several small tuna rolls, rice, pickles, nimono (vegetables and fried tofu cooked in fish broth, soy sauce, mirin, etc.), assorted tempura, salad and miso soup. Among all, what stood out was tempura and nimono. Light, crunchy, not overcooked vegetable and shrimp tempura are true heaven. Nimono was beautifully presented, modest yet flavorful, nicely cooked. I thought rolls are a bit too hard however. For $15, not a bad deal. A bit expensive for lunch, yes. But they have more reasonable options too. Next time, I'd love to try their sushi...
(4)Kris U.
Here is an excellent "find" hidden away in an unattractive strip mall. Once inside, you realize this is a special place where the owners have taken care to provide you with an authentic experience, from the interior decor, the warm towels, the care-taking servers in gorgeous kimonos, and right on through to the excellent Japanese food. Hint: you won't go wrong with the Spider Roll.
(4)Jim R.
Excellent gyoza and sushi. you must try the Henry's roll which is not on the menu. I don't think you'll find a better Japanese restaurant in Federal Way. Too bad they don't have a better location that would really boost their business.
(5)Eileen D.
Service was nice but slow. Seafood was fresh but very pricey and small portions. Fried oysters was not seasoned well enough. Small calamari pieces came out to like a dollar per small ring. Assorted sashimi was 16 bucks for small portions and small quantity.
(2)Mike P.
Having been a diner in King and Pierce Counties for more than 35 years, I can honestly say this is the best real Japanese restaurant between Burien and South Tacoma. Sashimi is excellent, all seafood is exquisitely fresh. The restaurant is very clean and tidy and you can dress up (what we do) or come more casual. I am not sure they serve people in shorts and flip flops.
(5)Dee L.
Was a little over priced. $10 for udon seems a bit to me.... I do like how they present you with hot towels before you order. I enjoyed their broiled black cod. Was excellent! Now one of my favorite japanese dishes. Also enjoyed their fried tofu
(3)Michelle S.
Wow - a nice sushi restaurant in Federal Way? Crazy. Don't be turned off by the exterior strip mall location. The interior is well-lit, nicely decorated, and equal parts fancy and cozy. Nice bento boxes, and it's easy to make vegetarian and vegan substitutions. We will definitely venture here again for lunch, although maybe not right away, as it is fairly expensive.
(4)Rowena M.
It's been about a year since I was last here and things still seem the same. The night felt like a celebration night and I was craving sushi, but when we got there, the tonkatsu begged me to order it. What could I do but comply? They still come out with hot towels to wipe your hands before taking your order and the waitresses are super cute in their kimonos. My son picked out the rice ball appetizer with ume, a salty/sour plum. It's formed into a triangle shape, wrapped in nori with the ume inside. The waitress was concerned that we wouldn't like it, but we dared to try it and I'm glad we did. It's funny how some flavors in other cultures remind you of tastes of your own. The nori wrapped around the rice reminded me of being a little kid and dipping rice balls in bagoong (salty fermented fish) and the plum inside was sour and salty enough to remind me of the lemon that we squeezed into the bagoong. I can understand the waitress' concern since it probably is not a flavor that many people would appreciate, but I thought it was delicious. The tonkatsu dinner came with seaweed, miso soup, salad, rice, and dessert. The pork was fried with a crispy coating and provided in generous portions. I tried to finish it, but was halted at my last two slices. Ideally I would have stopped with the second cutlet, but I was feeling a bit piggish that evening and couldn't help myself. Dessert was a choice of either peach or coffee jello. Coffee please. We couldn't figure out if it was real milk or canned milk that the jello cubes were served in. My vote is real milk. Sweetened with a little sugar, it was delicious with the cubed coffee jello. I couldn't finish it, though. Yeah, I was that full. A little pricey, but worth it. I still haven't satisfied my raw craving. Could another dinner here be in store in the near future? Well, maybe not the too near future since I have to replace my microwave. Definitely looking forward to my next trip here.
(4)Laura H.
My daughter and I have lived in Japan & my husband has visited, so we all thought this seemed pretty authentic, especially given its location in a strip mall. My husband and I took our daughter here for dinner on a Thursday night. It was beautifully decorated, and we got a cheerful "Irrashemasen!" from the waitresses and sushi chef. There was a large group of Japanese businessmen there and smaller groups spread throughout the restaurant. We appreciated the hot towels brought to us when we sat down. We had green tea, edamame and fried chicken bites for an appetizer (the girl is a college athlete, and is all about protein). We all got combo dinners: my daughter and I had the salmon teriyaki and tempura, and hubby had chicken teriyaki and tempura. My hubby was not happy with the amount of skin on his chicken teriyaki. He felt like this should have been removed before the chicken was cooked. Otherwise, we were happy with the food and with the special accommodations the waitress made for us: no dressing on my daughter's salad (she is allergic milk and milk products) and instead of jello for dessert for my husband, another salad (he's not into sweets). This was more food than I could eat; my daughter ate my second salmon filet, and I didn't even touch my rice. Not sure why others have complained about the portion size. I suppose if you've been out in the fields bucking hay all day, it wouldn't be enough food, but we left more than satisfied. It was $84.00 before tip, so this is not some place we would probably find ourselves every week if we lived here, but for a special meal, whether you are with your family or a special someone, this is a great place to experience Japanese food.
(4)Bill G.
OK I've been here 4 or 5 times and it is good but not quite great unfortunately. Sushi selection was very good the smoked salmon and eel were outstanding. Downside non-sushi dishes. A couple folks in our group did not want to do sushi and went with the chicken teriyaki - not happy funny taste... Reco: they need step up on the wine list a bit - a lot of customers like wine, and like it with sushi - the selection here is old school and boring. The decor is great (lighting is bit bright - I could see the eel is JR's teeth) and service is very good. Funny thing they close at 9 on Saturday evening but, folks keep coming in until about 10 however, we were told at a bit before 9 it was " last call" for sushi. MThere is a lot of great reviews from fellow Yelpers but, I find these guys need to step up their game a bit!
(3)Jack J.
Nice and warm sushi joint. Semi authentic ambient. Sub-par sushi. Less value for $.
(3)Linda D.
A wonderful atmosphere & amazing food. This place is a great escape from the typical lunch/dinner experience. They are always so kind & the food is so fresh and delicious!!
(5)Dichosa M.
We were from out of town and came across this place with the help of yelp. We had the miso soup and miso glazed black cod. Both wonderful. Would go out of our way to eat there again!
(5)Allen U.
Tucked away in Federal Way Mall --sign behind the nice trees with leaves--is an oasis in the southern region--Real Japanese music plays-- behind a really nice authenic Japanese restaurant--neat screening of the seating areas and some really nice booths--sushi is fresh and tasty--Tempura is crisp and not greasy-- if hungry--and for a taste of Japanese cuisine the real stuff--try the the Makunouchi--traditiional Japanese lunchbox @ $16.95 awesome if you know your Japanese food-- assortment of sashimi tempura vegetables and a sushi roll--or just go for the tempura lunch @ $10.95 Saba shioyaki @ $10.95 or whatever-- you will not be disappointed--this is a go to place for really good Japanese food--in the south end--you will not find better even in Seattle--great food-- great atomsphere--only thing keeps it off my five star list is the bathroom--clean functional but the rust on the dividers was a little bit of a turn off--however the food is awesome--nice folks too--Al
(4)Calvin M.
The sushi and customer service was very good, but it's not cheap. The quality of the food should be four stars. Here's what I had: Sushi Plate ($17)- It came with a miso soup, iceberg salad, seven sushi and one tuna roll. Cold Tofu ($5)- Five pieces of tofu with a dipping sauce. Udon Noodle ($8)- The broth is very good. But the portion is lacking. Budlight ($4) This is the third time I've been here. I lived in Japan for a year, so I'd say the food is very authentic. I'll only come back once in awhile because it's so expensive.
(3)Chuck L.
THE FOOD Tried this place for dinner after reading some of the reviews here on Yelp. I was particularly curious about the broiled black cod marinated in miso after reading that one of the reviewers would be vegan if not for the black cod. Wow. All I can say is that it was every bit as delicious as promised. It DOES just melt in your mouth. It looked so good I forgot to take a picture of it prior to digging in. Wife ordered the cod. I ordered the broiled salted mackeral and we split plates. Mack was ok. But cod was amazing. Each entree came with miso soup, a bowl of rice, small salad, and jello (peach or coffee). We also tried the fried calamari legs which was really good but the portion was quite small. The japanese fried chicken on the other hand was not that good but there was plenty of it. Texture was excellent but the flavor was sweet but not very flavorful. We tried one order of salmon sushi and one order of the unagi (eel). Both were excellent. A la carte price was higher than conveyor belt sushi but worth it. THE AMBIANCE Although located in a strip mall right next to the Gen X clothing store in Federal Way, the inside of the restaurant is quite tasteful and really looks like a traditional japanese sushi restaurant. However, there is a very strong air freshener that hits you as you step inside the restaurant and quite frankly makes you feel like you are sitting next to or in a restroom (the same way Freighthouse Square in Tacoma smells). However the place was quite busy so perhaps it only bothers me. As others have noted, waitstaff are all dressed in traditional kimonos and they were very hospitable. THE PRICE 3 appetizers, 2 dinner entrees and complimentary green tea ran us $72 for 2 people. Not cheap but well worth it. While the overall experience was 4 star, the black cod is absolutely 5 stars.
(4)Erickson E.
I spent the majority of my childhood in Japan, and often cook Japanese style at home. When it comes to knowing good homestyle Japanese food, I feel I know what I'm talking about. Koharu serves the exact kind of authentic homestyle food I miss most from Japan and, from the food to service to ambiance, the diner will get an authentic Japanese experience. Items like the Yakisoba and Tonkatsu ring true, with particular attention paid to quality of ingredients as well as careful preparation. Hearty, tender cutlets of pork loin go into the Tonkatsu, which always comes out a perfect golden brown. The Yakisoba is as good here as anywhere I remember in Japan. The tempura is especially tasty, and is one of the stronger items on the menu. As for sushi, Chef Suyama has been making it for decades and it shows: Koharu's sushi is expertly prepared and always satisfies. Accompaniments like miso soup and salad are a pleasure-- Koharu makes their own house salad dressing in the "Japanese-take on Western-style" common in Japan, so tasty it's worth buying a bottle of it to-go. Service is excellent, the restaurant is family-owned, and you feel like an honored guest when dining there. I used to work nearby, and made a weekly visit for five years -- an authentic, nostalgia-inducing food experience definitely worth my loyalty.
(4)Mandy D.
3.5 Stars They're quite accomidating when you want a certain sushi roll and it is not avaliable on the menu. A friend and I got the spider roll, double hamachi and salmon. The spider roll was alright. I wouldn't get it again since it was only four pieces for about $8. Double hamachi was around $13. It had 8 pieces. We special ordered it. The service: Awesome! Nice, friendly, helpful, accomidating! I really like their atmosphere too.
(3)Mishell C.
We have gone to this little traditional Japancese restaurant many times over the last few years. We love it! Excellent sushi every time we have gone and wonderful attentive old fashioned service. - M&M
(5)Maria L.
Two words. BLACK COD.
(5)JP P.
AUTHENTIC SUSHI IN SEATTLE AREA!!!! The head chef has been working as a sushi man for over 40 years and he really knows how to make good sushi.... maguro, odoro, hamachi.... etc.... you must try them!!!! Just like sushi that I had in Japan!!! really !!! The owners are real japanese people and they are really polite.... It is a little pricey but I wouldn't mind spending all my money at this restaurant for real sushi! I give them 7 Stars!!!!!
(5)Tian P.
Went their expecting good sushi since reading all the reviews on yelp..really.. service was friendly but had to ask for ginger 2x when only 4tables tonight on a Thursday..sushi is totally overrated for this price the fish was lacking flavor & you know when sushi is fresh it's has a slight gloss to it..not tonight..especially for the price..for a couple dollars more I would rather go to some spots in Seattle
(2)Rey M.
By far the best Japanese Restaurant in Federal Way. This cuisine is one of my favorites and when I think Sushi I think Koharu. The restaurant really sets the tone for a great dining experience. From the waiters dressed in traditional Kimono to the the Sushi chef which dishes out fresh amazing sushi, the atmosphere really sets the mood for a wonderful night out. Oh BTW lunch is great here to:) From the great service to the great food, I have not yet once been dissatisfied with anything they have to offer. If you love sushi, you will notice the difference right from the first bite. Everything here is very very fresh. Unlike some I will not mention here in this area. The menu has plenty to choose from. From the assortment of appetizers, to the Udon and Sukiyaki, there are variates aside from having raw consumption. That's for the kids and some of you grownups:) One thing to keep an eye for is the Geo-duck sauteed in butter and lemon. If they have it you must try it. Its amazing. Koharu will provide you with a great dining experience with service being provided traditionally. The food is all presented nicely and the portions for the price is great! I ordered Tempura Udon once for lunch and asked for a side of rice. cost me about 7.95$. If your in the mood for Sushi, you cannot go wrong here at all. The food is amazing, the sushi is fresh, the service is great, and the price is right. What else can you ask for! Enjoy.
(4)Thuy D.
Very nice restaurant with the waitstaff wearing kimono. The service was alright although i felt they ignored me a few times. I was a bit regret not trying other dishes here as i didn't really enjoy the sushi and sashimi here. I order the chirashi gozen and was quite dissapointed. It didn't taste very fresh so i couldn't finish everything. The toro was the biggest dissapointment...toro was suppose to be the best tuna, but it turn out to be very chewy. Again, maybe this is not the best place for sushi. Will have to come back to try other dish to fully rate this place. It's a bit spendy for dinner though. i left the restaurant feeling dissatisfied and still hungry.
(3)Derrick R.
I never feel quite right penning a review from only one experince, but with so many good Japanese/sushi restaurants in the greater seattle area, I may not hit some of them twice. Koharu is a hard to find litttle place tucked in a strip mall off pacific hwy. It is a bit more pricey than other local sushi joints, but the nigiri is huge, the hot food looks delicious, and the jello is amazing (I had the coffee jello...mmmm). Recommended.
(4)Bridgett S.
I just found this place after reading the reviews on yelp and I am so glad I did. If I want good sushi I would usually have to go to downtown Seattle deal with traffic and fight for a parking space. This place is very good fresh fish good flavor, and great people. They don't cheat you on the food. The rice has a good texture and is not so overpowering it interferes with the fish. I had three different tunas all were very tasty great quality. The hamachi was buttery and melted in my mouth. The shrimp was even tasty. The tuna roll was packed with tuna, and it was a deep intense red and clear color. A good grade unlike some other places in the area with bright opaque pinkish red clearly frozen sub par tuna. I did not try uni my favorite sushi, but my friend did and said it was so fresh tasting it was as if the chef just pulled it out of the sea urchin before serving. I will be going back and saving time and money on gas and parking all while enjoying a great meal.
(5)yin y.
I've been holding myself back from writing a review about this place just because I love this place so much and I don't want to share. But I can't help myself.. this place has the best Japanese restaurant in Washington!!! Let's get down to business... You don't come here for sushi (there's other place for that). You come here for authentic Japanese food. From the traditional bento box to the perfectly boiled black cod. The black cod is the only reason why I am not a vegan. I don't think I can live without it. It's so tender and melts in your month. The miso that comes with the bento box is also perfect. It's not too salty or overloaded with MSG. The jello dessert is interesting addition but I can live without it. The women wears the pretty kimono and they are always super nice. I am the type of person thats willing to drive anywhere for food and this place is totally worth the drive!
(5)Celi F.
Very good sushi in a simple ambiance. I would not say it's unbelievable but it's definitely above average. No frills place w/a straightforward menu. Seems to be one of the only sushi joints open on Sundays in this area! I'd go back.
(4)martin p.
nice little place good food good service
(4)victoria w.
What a pleasant surprise. A real Japanese restaurant in Federal way. Service is excellent! Food was delicious and fresh! A little on the pricey side, but worth it.
(4)Ryan C.
gotta bump the rating to 4 coz they serve good dinners! wow, i was amazed. compared to the lunch.. meh! it was a long wait tho coz it was pretty packed when i come in, + i came with a group of abt 15 w/out reservation. food came per table even some has the same orders. i was worked up up till i ate the food. it seems that they prepared their food with care. consistency too! the tonkatsu was not hard and fried perfectly to golden brown. the beef teriyaki was medium and tender, not forgetting tasty! now i know, quality takes time! just be prepared to wait when you come next time. the combo bento i got, beef teriyaki, tonkatsu, miso, salad, and peach jello wat $20.65 after tax. not the cheapest but it was worth the quality!
(4)Adine L.
this is another case of me not wanting to blow up a good spot. i know, selfish. this is the best japanese food i've had in the NW. real sushi from real sushi-chefs. everyone who works here is japanese. their waitresses wear kimonos, SO CUTE! i read another review that said not to get sushi from this place, but seriously, they have the FRESHEST uni i've ever eaten (aside from my dad's restaurant in the OC) and actually, the rest of their fish is VERY fresh. the freshest i've had in the NW. this place is pretty spendy compared to some other sushi restaurants i've been to, but it's TOTALLY worth every penny. this is where i go when i've got cash to burn...
(4)H-cat H.
The only real Japanese food in Federal Way, even though there are at least a dozen other "japanese" places. Yummy food, lovely service, and clean.
(4)JR J.
My family and I dine at Koharu once a month on Fridays. Federal Way is not a metropolitan town, it's more of a suburb with a commercial strip born of necessity. I mention this because of the wonderfully surprising decor inside of Koharu. It is located in a little L shaped strip mall with a Verizon store and a Gamestop... you get the picture. But when you step inside it is a well executed traditional (I assume) Japanese decor. The greeting by the Sushi Chef/Owner at the bar is cool, and as mentioned before, the women where traditional Japanese attire. Food is delicious, but service is spotty. Good up front, back slow on the back. Nothing to keep me from coming back. Great restaurant in Federal Way.
(4)Katy S.
This place is tucked back in a tiny FedWay strip mall, so you might miss it. They do a fantastic lunch special that two people could easily share and be stuffed- a huge bowl of tanuki soba/udon, and a bento plate with rice, salad, fish, meat, pickle, and usually 1 or 2 other tasty bites. Dinner there is a little more spendy, but the place is clean, beautiful, DELICIOUS, and has the kindest people working there. Their sashimi is very fresh, and their specials on rolls are usually a good bet. They do all the classic rolls, and if you like more Americanized sushi, they will make anything you can describe to them- and they will be super sweet about it! The black cod is expensive, but one of the best things I have eaten in my life- the only thing I've ever had that literally melted in my mouth. I love going there on hot summer days, the combination of hot tea, steaming towel and air conditioning will perk you right up if you're feeling lazy and sluggish. And then the huge lunch will knock you right back on your ass and you can go home and sleep :D
(5)Woo S.
I've been here a couple of times but food and prices have been getting worse and worse. Last time salad's lettuce was not so fresh and oily tempura was not good. The food price also was very expensive now. I will go to Maneki in Seattle although it is a bit far away.
(3)Rachel P.
Definitely my favorite Japanese restaurant in Washington, i should say! I usually go there for family gathering with relatives and I often go there with friends also. Sushi (of course), tempura udon, karage chicken (my favorite!) and rolls- EVERYTHING's yummy + tasty!! The desert that comes out at the end of the meal is a flower of the whole food. Last time I had this huge Bento and I totally loved it. Ahh, I just want to eat there every day only if I lived there. :(
(5)A B.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. It's a little difficult to find, but worth it. Japanese owners and chefs. Their green tea is a special blend that they mix which is very very good. They speak both English and Japanese and even with their teriyaki chicken on the menu, it is Japanese style and tastes different than your local teriyaki joint. There is normally only one sushi chef, so it can take a little bit if you have ordered quite a bit of sushi but it's well worth the wait. Just like everyone else has said, get the coffee jello for desert. It's delicious.
(5)Julie D.
These folks are true to sushi, you can get almost anything here and they will even guide you if you are new to the experience. I have been going here for years and no matter how far we move away, it's worth the trip to have quality sushi and a great atmosphere. The place is clean and they make fantastic homemade green tea ice cream along with some special dessert jello that you don't see many places. I will forever be loyal
(5)Kenix K D.
The menu has a variety of dishes from appetizers, lunch special, sushi plates, rice bowls, to udon. I had a sashimi that comes with a bowl of rice, a side of salad with their special dressing, and a bowl of miso soup. They all together were put on a wooden tray. My sashimi plate looked like a piece of art with different colors of the seafood and some greens for garnishing. It was made up with couples of thin slices of raw tuna, salmon, red snapper, octopus, and shrimp. It not only looked beautiful but also tasted extremely fresh and delicious. My friend had a beef teriyaki that also came with some side dishes like rice, salad, and soup. Also, I and my friend shared an appetizer together which is broiled oysters on the shell with mayonnaise and lemon juice on top. It was savory with creamy sauce and very sweet oysters. The servers are all Japanese with outstanding service and hospitality. I was told that all the female servers would wear kimono to serve at dinner time. I gave this restaurant 5 stars, I would definitely come back again~
(5)Milaflor E.
My most favorite Japanese restaurant in Washington!!! Sushi is always fresh, esp. the sashimi. Very authentic Japanese food and ambiance! The women even wear the traditional attire. Above par in food and service! I really haven't found any other Japanese restaurant that can compare to this one.
(5)Jo Lynne P.
We love the food here. It's the best Japanese food we've found in the south end of Seattle. While they could be a little more attentive with their service, they are very gracious and friendly, and express their appreciation for our patronage.
(4)Hayato I.
Koharu offers quite authentic Japanese food and it's quite good. Sushi is fresh and I wouldn't say it is the best, but it's good. My most favorite one is Gindara teishoku. Their black cod marinated in kasuzuke is awesome. Koharu always satisfies my appetite for Japanese food.
(5)Alex M.
My expectations for Koharu was elevated by all the people giving this place a 5* Yelp rating. I've been to dozens of places for sushi in Japan, the U.S., and British Columbia. While it may be more authentic to have sushi prepared by a Japanese chef, it's more important to judge by several other criteria. * Cleanliness of the restaurant * Freshness of the ingredients * Quality of the sushi rice (shari) * Proportion of neta (fish) to the shari Meeting high standards in each aspect is less a matter of ethnicity, but is rather derived from the restaurant as well as the sushi chef's passion and pride for the craft. Koharu is impeccably clean as a good sushi restaurant should be and it's decor is traditional Japanese. The female staff at the restaurant are garbed in kimonos, speak Japanese fluently, and conduct themselves in mannerisms that I'm familiar with from my time in Japan. This aesthetic aside, let's move onto the food. It's possible to have inexpensive Japanese food and even sushi. But good sushi by nature is expensive due to the price of fresh quality fish and the labor-intensive work. That being said, it's very rare to find a good sushi at a reasonable price. Koharu is most definitely on the pricey side. As such, I expected sushi of a caliber to what I've experienced at fine sushi restaurants such as Izumi in Kirkland or Shiro's in downtown Seattle. This rather large restaurant wasn't packed for a Saturday evening. I counted four occupied tables and not a single one had a Japanese expat. While this was of some concern for freshness and popularity among Japanese expat locals, I was determined to give Koharu a chance based on its positive reviews and my first impression. I only ordered sushi. From the simple cucumber roll (to determine the quality of the shari) to a variety of neta. The presentation of the arranged sushi on the tray was excellent. However upon taking my first bite of the cucumber roll, I was dismayed to find the rice to be a bit dry and crumbling apart as I picked it up with my chopsticks. The neta wasn't much better as they lacked the fresh flavor to which I'm accustomed to at high priced sushi restaurants. I would say the taste of the sushi was acceptably above average. Koharu was my first sushi experience in Federal Way. Perhaps this is the best sushi offered there. But I'm inclined to believe that the reviewers offering a 5* rating are entranced by the restaurant's pleasing aesthetic and may also simply lack the experience to know what is good sushi. To them, I would suggest a visit to Izumi in Kirkland whenever they are up north of Federal Way. It's also an authentic Japanese experience while fully impressing upon its customers what is real high quality sushi at a similar price point. Shiro's is excellent as well so long as you are sitting at the bar and being served directly by Shiro or Daisuke. Prices are higher there, but the high quality and presentation are undeniable. You pay a premium for the sushi at Koharu, but are more likely to get your money's worth from the decor and service rather than from the sushi itself.
(3)Sonia G.
I've always heard good things about this place and I have been meaning to stop in... and finally did last night. The place was pretty empty which was nice because it allowed me time to talk to the sushi chef and his wife. I had miso soup, pickled veggies, and two rolls. All were outstanding, as this place sets itself apart as a true Japanese restaurant, which is apparent in the flavor of the rice, and cut of the nigiri. I will definitely return soon (maybe even today)
(4)Jason C.
It is hard to find a good Japanese Restaurant that serves good sushi as well as authentic Japanese dishes, other than your typical teriyaki dishes, fried rice and Yakisoba. But I think I've found my go to place. I had the Sukiyaki and it was very good. Not the best I've had but very good. The Tempura, and miso soup that comes with the meal was very good as well. What I liked most was the atmosphere, and the outstanding service. I will be back and am anxious to try the rest of the menu. Especially the sushi. Just wasn't in the sushi mood today so didn't try it, but based on reviews here I'm sure I won't be disappointed. And if there sushi is as good as the reviews here say, I may have to bump this up to 5 stars later.
(4)DAVID L.
For Federal Way, this Japanese restaurant is pretty good. The very minute we sat down, our waitress served us with warm hot towels to clean our hands. Huge Plus! Looking at the menu, you can't help but notice It's a little on the expensive side. I elected to have the Sushi Deluxe and my wife had one of the Dinner Combinations: Salmon Teriyaki with Tempura. The Miso Soup served with our entrees included some extra vegetables they included. It was very tasteful which is surprising, because Miso Soup is usually very plain. The Sushi Deluxe that I had was very good. The rice was nicely packed and was very tasteful. Props to the Sushi Chef, because he put the correct amount of wasabi on. My wifes Dinner Combination was pretty good as well. The Salmon was not overdosed with Teriyaki Sauce and the Tempura was good. They mixed the Tempura with some vegetables, which was well prepared as well. For dessert, we had jello. There are only two selections (eg. coffee and peach) to choose from. I HIGHLY recommend the coffee one. I'm not a fan of coffee, but the coffee jello was a total surprise. :) A bunch of Koreans work here and this place is NOT owned by Japanese people. Most of the restaurants in Federal Way are Korean owned, and this one is no different. If you're looking for Japanese in the Federal Way area, this is easily 1 of 2 places that I will go to and recommend to others. Enjoy!
(4)Vicki B.
Found this place on yelp and I was impressed! The most authentic and delicious sushi restaurant around. Toro is amazing when they have it and fried oysters and oyster kogane as an appetizer were delicious as well. So many other items that I love off the menu but I try to keep my reviews short. Service is always wonderful. I love coming here!
(5)Eric R.
My wife and I had a nice dinner here last week. The environment was bright and attractive, the wait staff was smart and quick, and the food was good, too. I think I would have liked more flavor to the sushi rice (more vinegar, put on more recently). I would definitely come here again.
(4)Nicole L.
I went here for sushi with my friend and found this place to be very delightful! Dishes were yummy and service is fast. Looks traditional inside, very roomy.
(4)Kacey C.
This place still serves the best Gindara (black cod marinated in miso and soy and their other secret spices). We also got the tonkatsu, not as good as tonkatsu ginza in Honolulu or in Japan, but it's not awful either. Just wished the meat was more juicy. Anyway, we've come here twice or 3 times a year since 2002, so they're descent enough to keep us coming back. Service was always top notch! Forgot to include my TAB score, and they are 8.9 out of 10. T (taste) was 8.5 A (ambiance) was 9 B (bill) was 8 S (service) was 10
(4)Cindy S.
I was craving a bento box for dinner last night and found this place on yelp. We were greeted very quickly and taken to our table by a woman in traditional japanese kimono. After we were seated, they handed us a hot towel to clean our hands which was a nice touch!! I ordered the bento box and was expecting something small... but DAMN!!! I was impressed. Everything was cooked perfectly with so much to choose from. My sashimi was delicious and tempura was so crunchy and light. I loved the shaved salmon they had on top of the greens. The miso soup was the best i've had in the area. Very flavorful! I was so full even though I didn't finish everything!! The bento box reminded me of something that I had at Morimoto's resturant. I also had a coffee jello with my meal and WOW! IT WAS AWESOME!! I loved the service, food and I will be back soon!!
(4)Carl P.
Food was pretty good, but the service was awful. I was excited to see kimonos and wooden clogs on the waitresses feet, so I was really expecting an amazing dinner. I had the salt broiled fillet of mackerel, and they were kind enough to leave the bones in and one flipper on. And I had ordered the gyoza appetizer and it showed up after the entree... Just another small disaPpointment I was so disappointed, I made it to the car outside to write this review before leaving the parking lot.
(2)Ashleigh S.
Authentic Japanese food. Really great sashimi, each piece hand crafted. The scallop and mackerel was absolutely delicious. Really liked sitting at the bar and watching the magic happen. Will definitely be back to try more of the menu.
(5)John S.
Best sushi restaurant in south King County. Go with chirashi or bento box if first time.
(4)Geoff R.
First time is the Seattle Tacoma area and my co-worker and I agreed that we had to have some Sushi. We make a quick check on Yelp and found Koharu. We had the Ebi, Salmon, Ika, and Kani. The food a was excellent and the service was top notch. The Miso was rich and flavorful. We also added in a Spider Roll and a Salmon Skin Roll. All were excellent. The vegitables we crisp and fresh. For a white american, the staff was friendly and helpful. Service was quick but not rushed. Sitting at the counter added to the experience I would definately recommend if you are in the area and you want good high quality Sushi at a reasonable price.
(5)Tarun B.
Average Sushi, nothing special. Soya sauce is very salty. Sushi rolls, ginger were not tasty. I would say it's average place for sushi.
(3)Alina E.
Very good food and nice service. The reason why I an giving only 3 stars because prices are crazy!!!! After eating 4 pieces of sushi I got charged 15 bucks. If you are from microsoft, amazon or any place that makes a lot of money go for this place, but if you prefer to save money because you do not have a lot of it then go to another place.
(3)Julia Y.
Overpriced in my opinion. The udon was okay, and the sushi wasn't bad. Nothing that stood out to have me coming back.
(3)Ken L.
On the south side of town, few can truly claim the authentic feel as Koharu exhibits. From the classic wood decor to the kind kimono-wearing ladies who offer a hot hand towel to start, it is apparent that service here would not be an issue. Diving into the dinner details: Spider roll - deep fried soft shell crab. I really wished that the cut was smaller, also the rice cooked a bit on the soggy side. Good overall still. Salmon Skin Roll - not enough crispy skins to taste the salmon skin, mainly discerned only veggies in each bite. Additionally, these probably should be cut into 5 pieces rather than 4; easier to handle and eat that way. Same rice issue as the aforementioned spider roll, a bit too much moisture. Croquette: Light and crispy outside and soft inside. Take the crunch of a crispy hash brown and combine with the creaminess of mashed potatoes inside, interesting mix that makes me wanna order a few more! Sushimi Moriawase (Dinner option) - chef's assortment of sliced raw fish. With this dinner option, a side salad, miso soup, bowl of rice, kobachi, and a jello dessert were included. The side salad came basic, mainly crisp lettuce with a dreamy creamy delicious salad dressing. The hot miso soup included two thin slices of fried tofu and bits of soft tofu cubes, prepping me for the..... Sushimi assortment of the day: snapper, octopus, tuna, salmon, and hamachi. This mix of fish totally boosted my confidence in Koharu, each set fresh tasting and perfect with the kobachi topped rice. At the end, cubes of coffee jello with a creamer milk finished the meal. Cliff notes: Order dinner entree options that include the extra stuff (note the black cod option for next time), order less sushi rolls and/or get sushimi instead.
(4)Sebastian T.
I came for the sushi after looking at such rad reviews of 140 people reviewing with 4 stars, only to be severely disappointed. Seeing that the sushi was $15 a roll, like any normal person, you presume it is going to be amazing. Boy was i wrong, it was almost at the quality of supermarket sushi. Real bland, and one of the rolls i got was the crunchy roll. Beyond terrible. The tempura outside of it was stale and soft. Definitely not made fresh, and the waitress * chefs said that it was made today. And what really blew my mind the most was the cucumber in the roll was ~60% of the entire roll. Biggest piece of cucumber ive ever had in a roll, and they claimed, big cucumber crunchy. crunchy roll, yes. I had the combination dinner with 2 rolls, the combo dinner was fantastic, but the sushi was terrible. me and my girlfriend had a piece each, and it was so bad that i wanted to ask for my money back. They preceeded to make a big deal and said no way, you already ate 2. How else am i supposed to tell if they are terrible or not. NEVER coming back.
(2)Harrison W.
This is definitely one of our favorite places to eat sushi. It's a bit far from us all the way in Queen Anne, but it's worth it for special occasions. Even their california rolls are really something special. I'd recommend against drinking anything other than the hot tea--it goes so perfectly with the sushi.
(5)Sarina P.
My husband and I went here for dinner today and we reallllllly wanted to like this place. Unfortunately, we were not impressed. The sushi seemed very flavorless and we were really disappointed. On the plus side...the service was good. Do yourself a favor and go to Hanabi down the street. We will not be returning.
(2)Yuka H.
I love this place since they have actual Japanese workers. Most are servers but Japanese give then best service in my opinion (yeah I'm Japanese so of course I'm biased). But the food here is also strong. We usually get the special bento of the day because I wanna save money since the price here can be high for standard stuff on menu. But aren't all Japanese places expensive? I love the soba appetizer and the tea that comes in cute teapot. They fill you quite well but the bento here is just the right portion reflecting Japanese culture so you won't feel too bad after finishing everything. The special bento comes with the main meat dish and small salad, rice, and other cute dishes. I come here for weekday lunch and this is the only thing I get here because I know it's a good deal and you can taste different small portions of dishes. It's the only good Japanese restaurant in this area for me right now.
(4)Luis A.
My Wife and I came here with high expectations. Not only did we not get any water or offered any other drinks aside from the unsavory tea, but the service overall was bad. The teriyaki chicken was lacking flavor and so was the rest of our food. The decor was nice. That's really the only nice thing I can say about the place.
(1)Kurt K.
Hidden in Federal Way within all the pseudo-Japanese sushi places run by Koreans is this authentic gem. A true Japanese sushi restaurant with a real sushi chef. The sushi is all very fresh with generous large portions. The rolls are fairly traditional without all the crazy weird rolls that seems to be popular right now. My favorite is the spider roll. Huge portion and just plain awesome. Try their regular food too. The gindara fish is soaked in some sort of miso type marinade. Wow! Really good, but I could easily eat two portions. The lunch special is a real value. There's several items serve bento style. Usually for under $10. Save a little room for their oddly but good coffee or peach jello in a condensed milk soak. Very odd but surprisingly good and refreshing.
(5)M L.
Wow really disappointing. Is you're going for sushi then go elsewhere. Really pricey and really crappy. Watched the sushi chef use an avocado that in my opinion was uneatable. If you're paying $16 for a catapiller roll it better be fresh. Will never come back. Sushi chef was not friendly or helpful. Can't even see the eel.
(2)Sean S.
I heard it is difficult to find a good sushi place in Federal Way, so I'm glad I ate at Koharu. They have a good spicy tuna roll. My main meal was also delicious; chicken katsu was tender and moist. I only wish they had brown curry as an option. Parking is shared with other shops in this small plaza. Service was good, but was not busy so would be interesting under a stress test, was there on a Friday night too. I would definitely go again if I were in the area.
(4)Michael B.
Been going to this place for a while and I would have given 4 stars, but the last visit really turned me off. Food is good, albeit pricy. Service is good, except on busy times where the wait time can be long. It's usually slow when we go, so it's rarely an issue. I love the coffee jello dessert also. I don't know if it was a fluke, or I've just never paid attention before, but on the last visit I noticed the bill was strangely higher than I thought it should be. Upon questioning the hostess, it turns out they had already included the tip into the final bill. This was a bit of a shock to me, and quite a turn off. While I've seen automatic gratuity for large parties before, there was only two of us. It was also not specifically spelled out in the receipt that the tip was included, so I would have put an "additional" tip had I not been so observant. It certainly makes me wonder if this had happened before. Don't get me wrong; I would have left a tip regardless. The fact that the choice was taken away from me, and that it wasn't clear on the receipt what they did made me feel cheated and taken advantage of. A little part of me wants to give them the benefit of a doubt that their menu specifically says gratuity included, though I usually would see something like that. If it does, I'll gladly delete this review; however, I honestly don't feel like going back to check.
(2)Camille G.
The service was excellent and they were very warm and welcoming upon out arrival. The ambiance of the restaurant was beautiful and authentic. I loved the fresh flowers by our table and the way they folded the napkins (it's the little things). The sushi I got was not the best sushi I've ever had but it was not the worst either. I give that three stars, but the tempura my boyfriend got was delicious. The area was a little ghetto but once inside I couldn't notice. I will be back to try other items off the menu definitely.
(4)Catiee B.
Our waitress was nice, that's about the only good thing I have to say about this place. The food was so gross!!! I still get nauseous thinking about it! Not fresh at all! I ordered the teriyaki chicken and it was fatty and old tasting. It didn't taste right at all, very funky and gross. My hubby got sushi and his roll was old and super fishy tasting, not fresh. We spent 70$ and hardly got any food, extremely over priced! We came here because of the great reviews but I am so disappointed!!!!!
(2)