Kamei Japanese Restaurant
4512 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA, 98116
Kamei Japanese Restaurant Menu
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Address :
4512 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA, 98116 - Phone (206) 923-1000
- Website https://www.kameijapaneserestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Karl H.
Had family in down for the day and wanted to take them out for sushi. It was surprisingly hard to find a sushi place open on Sunday's so we decided to give this place a try. I'm really glad we did. The staff was SUPER friendly and quick. The food was all very good and obviously fresh. I'd def recommend giving this place a try if your in West Seattle.
(4)Raffael P.
This place is alright. It's got some stiff competition in the area (Mashiko and Azuma Sushi), so I'll try to bear that in mind. The menu is pretty standard, as are the prices and the taste. There's really very little about this joint that makes it stand out in my head. Describing this restaurant is like describing that friend that has a lot of average features; "You know, he's about average height, average build, brown hair. Nice guy. You know him, right?" The things thing that do stand out are that this place seems a little dirty, at least by comparisons to the restaurants around it, and the staff doesn't make you feel as welcome as the other restaurants. While Azuma Sushi and Mashiko both are way more cramped in seating, I always feel welcome going into them. Kamei, not so much. I only go here when the other two places are closed and I REALLY want sushi.
(2)Anthony B.
Probably the best Chicken Teryaki I've had; it was well prepared, presented and tasted great! It cane with soup, salad and tea, fir $8.50, which is hard to beat. I may try the sushi next time. I posted a picture as well.
(5)kyle t.
This is our standby for sushi in west seattle. Good rolls. Haven't been disappointed by anything we have tried. Try the spinach apptzr, yum!
(4)S T.
BEST veggie sushi and tempura I've had in the great Seattle area. So happy it's in my neighborhood! Love the warm towels, the good tea, and fact that it's a family run business.
(5)Kat D.
The sushi is decent... The place is dirty though. I've seen roaches every time I've been there. I tried Azumi across the street and I'd rather walk over there plus its cleaner.
(2)Marci A.
I love this place and have been going to Kamei for years! While it's not the fanciest of eateries, I've never had bad service or less than fantastic, fresh food. I go to Kamei when I'm craving crisp, clean flavors without a lot of fuss. My favorites are the spicy tuna roll, tuna or salmon nigiri, and tempura. I haven't gone wrong by ordering off of the specials menu. The dressing they use on the green salad is fantastic! While the service isn't the fastest, the family that owns Kamei are some of the nicest, most welcoming people in the restaurant biz. The quality of food and consistency of service keeps me coming back on nearly a weekly basis.
(4)Nancy F.
I love going here for lunch! I've been a few times and it's always consistently good. The Bento boxes are large and filling and under $10! For Seattle, I call that a bargain. I can never eat everything that is served and end up taking home at least half of my lunch. I also like the decor; cozy and clean. A big plus is the free parking in the back.
(4)wes y.
Just ate here (again) last night and decided to post a review. The sushi is fresh and they had some interesting specials too. After reading earlier reviews from 2008, looks like they've cleaned the place up. I've been twice and never have seen any roaches and the plates and place looks clean. Friendly family that runs it. Prices are reasonable as well.
(4)Traci J.
I've lived in West Seattle for over 20 years and have been to alot of restaurants up and down California Avenue, but had never tried this place. Went in a couple months ago, and back again last night. A person who needs multiple tastes, I ordered the beef and tempura bento; boyfriend orders the saba and tempura and a couple pieces of nigiri sushi. The sweet waitress starts you off with hot towels, tea and water. We also ordered a large sake to split. Out comes a big pile of iceberg lettuce, red cabbage and shaved carrot salad, with a yummy sesame-y/creamy dressing and bowl of tasty miso soup. Bento box comes out before you can finish the heap of salad and didn't disappoint me at all: tempura: two generous sized prawns, a butternut squash slice, broccoli, onion, potato, yam and carrot. (Though I would have nixed the squash and potato and gladly traded for a mushroom and zucchini.) A nice little ramekin sized bowl of sunomono which was topped with the fake crab shreds was very refreshing, as was the cabbage salad with the same dressing which was on the salad salad. Might be nice to put a different dressing on one of them. A little piece of teriyaki steak was sauced and sliced, and which I immediately plopped on my football shaped scoop of rice - I know, bad Asian. Ate all the crispy stuff and salads and brought home the meat and rice. Unfortunately there was a miscommunication between salmon and saba. Quickly straighened out, but it was an awfully small piece of fish. All in all, it's a great neighborhood restaurant, especially if you're in the mood for Japanese food and don't want to cross the bridge over to the ID.
(4)Sheila C.
Yessssssssss... Best sushi.ive had...and i have eaten at.soo many.sushi places and Kamei takes the gold... Great selection.Of.sushi.and.other yummy.food... Not to mention the.great Family.atmosphere... i cant get enough.Of.this place! The.owners are great people and.their.daughters.are.… .they.are! They make.you feel right at home... .i.Will continue to eat.here very often.if your.looking.for.a good place.to eat and relax and.truly.enjoy.yourself… and.you.will.not.regret It...
(5)Ted C.
I've been looking for a good, affordable, go to sushi place in Seattle (especially West Seattle where I live), but I haven't found it yet. I tried Kamei for dinner with the teriyaki salmon bento and two sushi rolls as well. The soup, salad, teriyaki and tempura tasted pretty good, but the soda they served me had a very odd metallic taste to it, so I only took a few sips. The restaurant itself was a bit run down, dingy and smelly compared to other restaurants in the area. The worst part was that I actually got sick after eating there, so clearly something was not good. Yuck.
(1)Jamila J.
It doesn't sparkle with class, or shine with sophistication. In fact, it is a bit of a dive sushi spot. But for being a dive, the chef is very skilled with the knife. A chirashi bowl is about $8 cheaper then some other spots in the city, and yet the fish looks much better than you'd find in more expensive locations. I'm not going to say it has any atmosphere worth soaking in...but in West Seattle cheap sushi is hard to find without a line. Not true in Kamei. And no one looks at you strangely when you do Sake Bombs.
(3)Lynda S.
This used to be our favorite sushi Restaurant but we will never be back. I had a very horrible experience here and tried to resolve with the owners and they wouldn't work with me. Hence, I feel compelled to tell my story. My two small children, my friend and I were having a wonderful dinner when a group of 3 older people came in and were seated right behind my children. After a few minutes, one of the men turned around and asked me to please keep my F'n kids quiet so he could enjoy his meal. I commented that my children were behaving just fine. A few more minutes go by and he pounds his fist on the table, jumps up and yells at me again about how he's had a hard day and he's entitled to enjoy a quiet meal in a public establishment. I asked him to please quit yelling and swearing at myself and my children and I went on to tell him that we too are entitled to an evening out. Things escalated and after several more verbal assaults from this horrible person my friend said she was going to call 9-1-1. I told her not to worry that we'd just leave, as I couldn't stand to have my kids witness this disgusting person spew profanities at us any longer. The old man then topped it all off with threatening to defecate on the floor so he could ruin our dinner as he said we had done for him. Yes, this really happened! The waitress magically appeared with our check and I paid the bill and left. The entire time this was going on, the entire staff cowarded behind the counter and in the kitchen. Not one person came out and offered to move the angry old man nor offered to move us to another table nor even ask if we were ok? They did absolutely nothing to diffuse the situation - I was very shocked. I very seriously thought the man may physically harm my children or myself, as did my friend. After I got home, I realized how upset I still was and I called the restaurant. I talked to Crystal and suggested that they not make me pay for my meal, as we were verbally assaulted throughout our entire meal and then we were forced to leave without even finishing our dinner. (In hindsight, I should have walked out and not paid anything but that's not my style.) The owners have refused to make things right nor acknowledge any wrongdoing on their part. Clearly by their doing NOTHING, they did nothing wrong...I'll agree to that!
(1)Tiffany A.
It wasn't bad. In fact, the miso soup was amazing! But that was all. The salad and Chicken Teriyaki were what you might expect from an average teriyaki place. I expect more from a Japanese restaurant. The California Roll was unimpressive and the tea was bland. I doubt I will return. Although, if I get a craving for teriyaki on a Sunday, I might reconsider Kamei.
(3)Elizabethe A.
The most important thing about this place is that it is run by an extremely nice family, the fish is fresh, and the price is cheap. So I am biased because I live right down the street, which makes this place very convenient and an excellent deal. However, if I didn't live in West Seattle, I probably wouldn't drive across town to come here....BUT then again, if you want to come support this cute little family, you won't be disappointed by the service or the food!
(4)C Y.
Fine neighborhood place for Japanese food. Good friendly service. While I would not place Kamei on a top 10 sushi bar list, it nonetheless was satisfying. The miso soup was very good. Iceberg lettuce salad, OK. Chirashi bowl passable. The bento box dinner was fine but we've had better.
(3)Jennifer H.
My husband and I have been frequenting Kamei for at least 6 years. Does Kamei have the best sushi in West Seattle? No... But it is quite good - always fresh and consistently good. However, I am especially fond of some of the non-sushi items on the menu. They make some of the best gyoza I've had. My four-year-old son can eat his weight of them! We love the dinner salad because it is a generous portion and includes avocado and a yummy dressing. I often opt for the beef sukiyaki, which is incredibly affordable and usually feeds me a lunch in addition to dinner. The udon soup is perfect for those cold rain-blowing-sideways days and also is more than I can finish in one sitting. Another favorite is the katsu donburi - also a steal for (I believe) under $8. My husband frequently orders the salmon teriyaki which is served with a generous side of steamed veggies - broccoli, carrots, and bean sprouts. Their teriyaki sauce is different from most others and is quite tasty. Beautifully sliced oranges are presented at the end of the meal, which I find a nice touch. The service is quick and very friendly in this family-owned restaurant, which in my opinion CANNOT be said about the best sushi in West Seattle... If you're considering checking this place out - go! I think you'll be happy with your meal!
(4)nordic m.
I don't understand why all the reviews for this place aren't 5 stars!? Mashiko gets all the press in this neighborhood which confounds me! I've been to Mashiko 3 times and think its mediocre and overpriced. I've going to Kamei for about 3 years. Their food is fresh, delicious and well prepared.
(5)Erik A.
I've gone to this restaurant atleast 50 times, i work nearby and love their Donburi bowls for lunch... i have often met with family or friends there after work for some yakisoba or sushi... i think it's important that people realize this is a Japanese RESTAURANT with sushi... not a Sushi restaurant with a few other menu items in the over 50 times i've been here i have not seen a single bug let alone a roach on a table??? (i call BS on that, i've seen maybe 2 roaches in all of Seattle, ever)
(4)Heather w.
A Haiku about Kamei: dirty sushi plate. crusted wasabi worries me. should we leave now? We were so hungry that we didn't leave. But we didn't dare to eat the raw tuna either. "Can you please remove this roach from the table?" I asked the waitress. Without apology she pinched the bold bug running across my setting, using a napkin from another table. Then she calmly went back to filing her nails. "It won't surprise you to hear that the bathroom is filthy," said my date.
(1)Jes L.
A family owned restaurant. Good sushi (and more) at a decent price. I love that they give warm wash clothes to clean your hands with. I've never seen the place completely full so there's never really a wait. I actually like this place a little better than Mashiko's because of price and seating. The food is comparable as well, though maybe not as big of a selection.
(4)Tracy S.
Delicious food! Their donburi and yakisoba are especially tasty. Every meal comes with a bowl of miso, tea, and orange wedges at the end, as well as warm damp towels to clean your hands with. Most of the times I've gone, they've also included a little piece of hard "Flower Candy" which was fantastic with the last few sips of slightly oversteeped tea left in the pot. We didn't get that last time and it was surprisingly disappointing. However, the food there is always really excellent and the service is really good. The prices are pretty reasonable for their main dishes. I can't really comment on the price of sushi, since I've never gotten it, but most of the entrees are between $6.50 and $8.50, which I've found to be pretty standard Seattle prices.
(4)Elizabeth G.
I'm a fan. I eat at Kamei several times a year and I've never noticed bugs but I'm not looking for them either. I usually get the Bento box and it's an amazing deal for the price. The rolls and sashimi are also very fresh. I've never been sick from the food, and I cannot claim that with more expensive sushi restaurants. It isn't top of the line but is a great family-run establishment.
(4)Jon L.
Wow, I'm kind of surprised by the two reviews I see here. I've been to Kamei probably about 20 times in the past couple years, and I've always had great service, great food, and clean plates, at a good price. There are a couple daughters (?) that serve as waiters, but I've always gotten great service and no attitude. The dragon roll, vegetarian roll, and spicy tuna are tasty. I've been to the other two Japanese places in the Junction and this one is the best. We usually get four rolls to serve the two of us, and the price comes to about 30 bucks including tax and a 20% tip.
(4)Kym D.
Small mom and pop shop that was amazing! Reminded me of being back in Japan. Prices were great food awesome. We were staying in west seattle this trip, but next trip to Seattle may travel this way just for the sushi because it was so good. We went to a sushi place in downtown Seattle last time we were here and it was three times as much and tasted horrible. Will be back again We had the Red Dragon Maki, Kamei Maki, and Smoked salmon Maki
(5)Orasa S.
Decent Japanese food that's been around for a while. I got the bento but was a little disappointed in the size of my salmon teriyaki but it had good flavor.
(3)Vanessa F.
It's my favorite sushi in West Seattle. They are incredible about making sure I don't end up with ANY gluten, dairy or egg in my food. One of the daughters of the owners, who are also the chef and his wife who hosts, has celiacs so they know more about hidden gluten then any other sushi spot I know about. Mom and pop shop. Great prices!
(5)Chris P.
The Bento box with teriyaki salmon is incredibly delicious and lots of food. This is small little establishment with a quaint feel and great food. The miso dressing is great too. Totally recommend stoping by here.
(5)Rachel R.
Been going here for over a decade. The family that runs this restaurant is always super friendly. A lot of variety: teriyaki, bento boxes, donburi, appetizers, udon, and more. It's also the best deal in town for sushi. The rolls here are delicious. And prices are easily a dollar or two less than most restaurants in Seattle with sushi chef. Oh, and bonus points for having the same kind of ice as Taco Time.
(5)Desiree G.
Food was splendid and real good! I ordered calamari as appetizers, the red dragon roll (8 pieces), and salmon sashimi with rice. I'm rating it a 3/5 because service was ok. They got my dad's order mixed up with someone else nearby twice. Plus, the refill on water was not consistent. And my tea was not hot, it was warm. I mean, I've been here a few times and tonight the restaurant WAS busy. I'll probably rate it higher next time I go. :)
(3)Rhonda P.
Kamei reminds me of what it's like when you step into a family owned restaurant in Japan. This was my first visit and I tried various sushi, which was tasty. What I really liked was my son's dish, the Beef Udon. He slurps a lot of udon and he raved about Kamei's udon. Mashiko's is my favorite sushi spot in West Seattle (and still is)... but I'll be back to Kamei to try savor their udon's and other hot dishes. AND they're open for lunch!!
(4)Jennifer J.
While on a pilgrimage to West Seattle today, I had a hankering for some good sushi. Lucky for me, most of the sushi bars in the area are closed on Sundays except for this one. The Yelp reviews seemed solid enough, if not a bit spotty, but I decided to take my chances and boy am I glad I did! What this place lacks in fancy decor it more than makes up for in delightful, fast, and friendly service, plus the food was just excellent. The hot tea was brought immediately, followed by a bowl of delicious miso soup. I then ordered two pieces of hamachi nigiri, which is my favorite fish so always the benchmark by which I compare sushi restaurants. This place did not let me down. Their hamachi was fresh and buttery. I also ordered a spider roll, which was full of delicious deep fried soft shell crab. At only $9 it was one of the better values I've ever seen for a spider roll. My total bill was just over $16 for lunch, and I I left with a full tummy. This was my first ever sushi experience in West Seattle, and I would gladly come here again.
(5)Kip L.
I can't imagine fresher, tastier, hand fashioned sushi from nicer people! This is the "truth" from people who care about their food. I'm not a "roll" person but tonight I just crossed over, the dragon roll was not only a visually stunning masterpiece but each succulent bite launched my taste buds into orbit. Amazing!
(5)Daniel K.
Stopped by, AGAIN! Kamei continues to exceed my expectations. They make all the sauces in house, and the salmon was so fresh. Love this place!
(5)Chris R.
Really great food, really affordable and incredibly friendly staff. This is West Seattle's hidden gem and I hope it stays that way!
(5)Lisa N.
Yummie! Quick and easy food. Mom and pop shop style. The take out is just as easy. Love it
(5)Lance R.
My wife and I had a wonderful dinner there. The server, Marilyn was very friendly and did a wonderful job. My wife is allergic to shellfish and she did a great job assuring that the food served to her did not have any shellfish. She said they take pride in making sure of dishes cater to a persons allergies. Marilyn was attentive to our water and tea. The tea was nice and it was different than most Terriyaki/Sushi places. They use a roasted green tea. Was very good. My wife ordered a chicken Terriyaki and tempura bento and I ordered their special B bento which is beef teriyaki and tempura along with 6 pieces of sashimi. The miso soup and salad came first and promptly. Miso was good. Had more flavor than many places. The salad was nice and used a creamy vs light vinaigrette. We are around 6:30 on a Friday. They were busy but not full. We waited, what felt, longer than we should have for our main. Watching around, others that came later seemed to get their mains before us. I watched our sever who was being attentive to tables, so I attribute this to the back. This was my only reason for a ding. The tempura was very good. Not greasy. Nice variety. Beef teriyaki was done to my liking. Cucumber salad was excellent. Sashimi was good. Overall, great meal. Prices were appropriate. Server was awesome.
(4)Robert B.
The Alaska Junction area of West Seattle is home to no less than three Japanese restaurants. With much of the culinary cognoscenti favoring Mashiko with it's 'rock star' chef, and the more visible Azuma, it is easy for this little storefront restaurant to get lost in the shadows cast by it's neighbors. Windows plastered with posters don't help. But once you go inside, you find a surprisingly underrated player that is definitely worth your time. The dining room itself is a very clean, serene space with soft music. The menu has no real surprises; this is a classic Japanese restaurant, and all the usual suspects are on the menu. On this visit I had the Nabeyaki Udon. The broth was flavorful without being overly salty, and the large tempura prawn served on the side was done to perfection; tempura breading was light and not the least bit greasy. They have a sushi bar. I didn't have the sushi this visit, but the fish all looked good, and I have no reason to think the sushi offerings would be anything less than competently executed, and they may well be very good. Service is very professional and pleasant. THE VERDICT: This easily overlooked restaurant on California Avenue is very much worth trying. You can do a lot worse than visiting Kamei; I say check 'em out!
(4)Shawnta M.
This place is INCREDIBLE!!!! Without a doubt, the best sushi I have ever had!!! We go to this place at least once a week. It is family owned and operated and you can tell. They take pride in what they do and it really shows. Dad is the sushi chef, mom and daughter(s) are the waitresses. They are all amazing and even know us when we come in. Plus you can buy a HUGE bottle of sake for $35 that they will keep for you and serve every time you come back. The sashimi is always cut thick and is always AMAZINGLY fresh. The Miso Soup is seriously OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!! Best miso EVER!!! Oh, and please try the soft shell crap, because umm well YUMMMMMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the tempura is such a big portion of DELICIOUSNESS!!!!! I could go on and on, but I have NEVER been disappointed at Kamei because it is hands down the BEST sushi I have ever had!!!!!!!!!! Honestly, if you are in Seattle make the trip to West Seattle for this AMAZING sushi. I promise you won't be disappointed!!!!!!!
(5)Mae T.
great food!!! affordable and the staff are very friendly!!! looove the rolls!!! we had beer at the beer junction and Kamei is the perfect place to get soup to soften the alcohol in the body. the sukiyaki was really good!!!
(5)Michelle M.
Great food and great value. I had miso soup, small saki, spicy tuna roll and a big dragon roll for $21. The people working were very sweet. I would definitely go back.
(5)Kira P.
Saw 2 cockroaches on the wall...enough said. Someone in 2007 also commented on roaches...running across their table. Looks like Kamei hasn't done anything to fix the issue in 7 years!
(1)Dominic A.
The staff here is SOOO nice, I was really hoping my food would be better. But- it just wasn't . Maybe I came in on an off day, but I was really unhappy with the dish that I had. Might give them another try because they were so nice.
(2)Peter D.
Charming. How else can I put it? Mom and dad making the sushi and the daughters working the tables. I love family operations and this one is no exception. One thing I find refreshing is that this place does not take reservations so its always first come first serve. The food was good, the free teapot HUGE, and the service friendly and fast. Its not all fancy or crowded, but its really a good option. You can park in the huge lot in back btw rather than fight for street parking. I will be back. The goods: The Tropical roll from the specials board. Mango, salmon and tuna topped with Tobiko. It was really different and I liked it a lot. Who knew mango was made for sushi? Deluxe nigiri with tuna roll. Ten pieces of chefs choice. Dont know what everything was but it was amazing. I think there was tuna belly which melted in the mouth, Eel, Salmon, Tuna and some other fishies I didnt recognize but loved just the same. Tea: Big ol pot of green tea showed up unexpectedly. Guess that is part of the deal. It was really nice and I drank a lot. Overall this was my first venture into this and I have to say that it was great. I really don't care if the owners are Japanese, Vietnamese, French or Martian. The food was good and it was much cheaper than Mashiko which by the way I do love. I am a fan.
(4)Rob C.
I really like Kamei. It's simple, down to earth, and friendly. I've been there a few times and gotten different things each time. The sushi is pretty good, but their hot food is fantastic from what I've had so far. My girlfriend likes the beef sukiyaki which is really quite good. Last night I tried the katsu donburi bowl which was amazing. So simple and so good. Hmm - now I want more.
(4)Vanessa A.
We got a bunch of sushi and tempura take-out. It was good and they got it done quick, but you have to pay upon pick up for some reason. My friend tried to pay for it in advance over the phone when she put in the order but they wouldn't let her do that. I hadn't been there before so I was a little surprised at how tacky it looked in there. Crappy dark green faux marble countertops and all. The place needed a remodel, like, a decade ago. I'm used to seeing even the smallest of family run Japanese restaurants tidy and bright. I don't think I'd go back to actually dine in there. Take out though I'd do again.
(4)Tien V.
I eat here about once a month and been doing so for the last few years. The food is always good. The people are friendly even when its busy and they are busting their butts. The sushi is cut to perfection and is so fresh. My mom always gets the udon noodles and my hubby-- the teryaki. What ever you get, it's gonna be good and affordable. The family that runs that place has been doing it for years and they are always making improvements and taking care of their happy little joint. Love it!
(5)kristen a.
I picked up tuna and salmon rolls here sunday night 3/25/012 and a few hours later got food poisoning, BAD. I hadnt eaten anything since many many hours earlier in the day, this was it. Now its the next morning and i can somewhat function but I just had one of the worst evenings in my life! Never returning.
(1)Jens J.
Not sure why I have this certain karma, but the previous week when I came to West Seattle to grab a bite to eat, the West Seattle Bridge was closed, making for a long detour. This time, there was a street fair in progress on Cali Ave, so I had to park several blocks away from Kamei. But that's okay, it was a cool cloudy breezy day, which is highly refreshing for mid July, and perfect for walking. Despite the activity in the street outside, the atmosphere inside Kamei was calm and relaxed, with soothing instrumental music playing in the background. I was seated and my server promptly brought me a glass of ice water plus a carafe of water. I'm a camel for water, so I especially liked that. I ordered off the appetizer menu, requesting Oshitashi, Seafood Sumonomo, and Soft Shell Crab. I liked how my server brought out my dishes one after another, not all at once. The Oshitashi, per the menu, is broiled spinach in a special sauce. It didn't seem broiled to me and the four clumps of spinach still had a little refrigerator cold on the inside. However, the spinach was fresh and the special sauce delicious - so overall, still a decent dish. This was my first experience with soft shell crab. I like it. I had no idea there was crab that you can basically eat in its entirety. Kamei serves their soft shell crab deep-fried with an accompanying quite nice dipping sauce. Having said all that, the crab could have stood to be a touch fresher. The crab was served with coleslaw in a light vinaigrette. My favorite dish was the Sumonono, which contained fresh octopus, shrimp and cucumber in a vinegar dressing. Two things about this dish really stood out. I liked how the shrimp and octopus were sliced lengthwise, enhancing the texture of these two seafoods. What I also liked is that prior to slicing the cucumber, they scored the cucumber skin, giving it a striped zebra pattern. This lent an artistic appearance to the cucumber slices. The vinegar dressing was great and brought the dish together. Service was good, and I would not hesitate to return.
(4)Derek P.
I'd been meaning to try the sushi places in the Junction since I moved out to West Seattle, and Kamei was first up. I went on a quiet night, and the service was friendly and attentive. The meal started off with hot tea (without having to ask, which is always nice). We got a couple of veggie rolls and some seaweed salad for dinner. The rolls were adequate but uninteresting. They were basically two versions of the same had squash, the other had a tiny bit of spicy mayo, and both tasted like the standard vegetarian roll that you'll find at most sushi restaurants. In a pinch, Kamei will do because it's so close to my place, but I won't go out of my way to visit. Of course, that's subject to change, depending on how the other Junction sushi places rate.
(3)Mickey K.
We weren't anywhere near downtown Seattle, so decided to give this place a try. The rice used in the sushi wasn't sushi rice at all. It was extremely mushy and unappealing as well. There was also the chirashi bowl and it wasn't worth the price, ~$20. It was covered with very skimpy, thin sashimi. I could make better rice and thicker cuts of sashimi at home... Either way, you'll find other sushi places, downtown, that has the same pricing but far more and better sushi.
(2)Josie S.
Visiting here from Socal. Met my cousin and her family and I'm glad we met here. The food was awesome. Sushi and tempura were great. Service was awesome too=)
(5)Zulkiffly S.
My cousin took me here to try it, becuase she said she really likes this place and it was decently priced. When I walked in the waitress addressed us right away - probably because we were the only customer. But she was very nice and very polite and very quick. When I looked at the menu I wasn't surprise. It was filled with things that usually are at these kind of places. The prices are average for a place like this too. It wasn't decently priced like my cousin had originally told me. But I do like how they have a large bottle of Sapporo for 6.00. At most places is 6.50. The place nice and clean. I don't know where some of the other review came from when they said that it was dirty. The food was very tasty. I was very full and satisfied. I would come back if I lived in the area. But I don't. So I probably won't be coming back. That's only becuase I have my favorite Japanese places to go. And if I am going to travel I rather go to a place that is a 5 to me and not a 4 star. But I would recommend trying this place if you are in the area and looking to try Japanese or just to try something light. The owners are a family and they work very hard to make their food great and their service great. And they are doing a great job.
(4)Michelle F.
My husband and I were headed to a different Japanese restaurant but ended up here because the parking spot we found on California ave was right in front of Kamei. So glad this happened! Very friendly and efficient staff. We each tried a bento dinner. It came with salad and miso soup. Prices are very reasonable. Comfortable atmosphere with TV's at bar and dining area. Will definitely be back! I would choose this restaurant before hitting up any other Japanese restaurants on California ave.
(5)Scorpio P.
Almost 2 years since my first review and I wanted to reiterate that I continue be totally satisfied with service, food and cleanliness. Prices are about average for Sushi. I confidently recommend trying Kamei.
(4)Suzy C.
I have lived here in West Seattle for a few years and I finally tried this place yesterday. It was good. I sat at the Sushi bar. The staff are friendly and service is attentive. The food was great and my Miso soup was hot! So many times places serve it luke warm. I loved it. The tea wasHOT too! nd delicious. Loved the warm towel. It was kid friendy as every couple who came in had there kids with them. I like to see parents expanding there kids palettes. Four stars because I thought it was priced a little high.
(4)AT C.
last time went here was my first time...decent prices. but, for some reason my sushi smelled like other fried foods..and fishy. did not smell/taste fresh. other cooked stuff like bentos were fine. pretty standard japanese dishes but again, since it's owned and cooked by non-japanese people i'm doubtful. have not been back since.
(3)Beth S.
I came with a small group who didn't mind me sampling what they had, Beef Donburi and Chicken Odon soup, as well as what i had, Chicken Teriyaki. The Odon was tasty and hot, i liked the broth and the noodles a lot, the bowl was a bit large so unless you're hungry i suggest sharing. The Beef Donburi was also good, i liked the pink ginger on top and the flavor of the beef. The Chicken Teriyaki was tasty but a tad confusing, why did they cook it then put it on a hot iron? more importantly- why did they put lettuce under it after putting it on a hot iron and covering it in sauce? i picked around the lettuce the best i could but that, and the near raw broccoli it came with were off putting for me. the server was nice and quick to refill our waters/tea pot when it went empty, i also like the dark glossy tables they have. Overall i'd say i enjoyed it and look forward to coming again.
(4)Trip C.
It's lunch on Sunday and the sushi craving hits. Of the three sushi joints in the Junction, only one was open: Kamei. So, in we go. We're seated quickly and after looking at the specials board, we forgo the menu altogether and just order a few rolls from the board. That, and some miso soup. The miso soup was great, nicely flavorful and perfect umami taste. Unfortunately, I didn't write down the rolls we tried but three of the four contained avocado and one contained mango - all were delicious and freshly prepared. Glad I didn't read all the cockroach reviews prior to coming as it may have put me off. As it was, we didn't encounter a single roach or vermin of any kind and the place seemed clean. Service was fantastic!!!
(3)Bob D.
No fuss, no muss. Fresh "American" sushi which was good and fixed my sushi craving. I'd rather eat fresh fish (even if some here think the rolls are uninspired) in a place with mediocre decor than the other way around. Clean restaurant and friendly service. Very good job.
(4)Carl M.
I love this place. Its owned and operated by a very nice family. Tonight the place was packed. I had to wait longer than usual for my food, but it was well worth the wait.
(5)Maria Y.
This is a cute little place. It was a very cold day, and the warm wash towels felt really nice. We appreciated the hot tea as well. We came about an hour before closing - it was a Sunday and many places had already closed, and we needed dinner. My partner had the tempura donburi and I had the katsudon. The bowls were generously sized (I had leftovers) and came with a good miso soup. The ten-don had a good assortment of vegetables along with the shrimp. The meals also came with a sliced orange for dessert. It was perfectly fine cleanliness wise when we were there, so I was kind of surprised to read bad reviews in that department - they seem to have cleaned up their act. The staff was a bit distant though. We were out a good 15 minutes before closing, so I don't think we were too problematic...
(4)John B.
I liked this little West Seattle Japanese restaurant. I had the bento box, which had an assortment of different flavors to try. Also had an order of the fried calamari that was very good. The staff seemed very nice and attentive, even when the resaurant was getting busy.
(4)Elizabeth J.
A bit of a disappointment. We came here to have a quick birthday dinner before meeting up with friends over the weekend. I was excited as I looked over the extensive menu, so many choices! The bento box section took up an entire page, so I was under the impression that those were pretty big here. I ordered the salmon teriyaki bento box. We were served miso soup (not bad) and a salad (the same salad with the same dressing at every teriyaki place) before the box arrived. Then the rest of the meal arrived. It had a small (maybe 0.5 oz) flimsy bit of salmon. I also had the unfortunate experience of bits of pin bone being present in the micro sized amount of fish. It was cooked well and that was about it. It came with a massive amount of rice, more of the same salad and three pieces of sashimi tuna. The tuna was fine, but by no means special. The best part of the bento box was the cucumber/krab salad. If I had paid under $10 for this meal, I would not be complaining. But, Kamei is overpriced for what you actually get. The third star is for the service we received, it was great. In the end, I don't think I'll be coming back soon.
(3)Scott M.
A good hole in the wall Japanese restaurant in the heart of the West Seattle Junction. My favorite is Katsu Donburi. (pork cutlet over rice with an egg on top) I spent a lot of time in Japan and enjoyed this dish over there. This is the closest I've found in Seattle. Bento boxes are huge. Sushi is pretty good as well (as far as Seattle sushi places go). Good spot, check it out.
(4)Cara Z.
I've been here 3 times in the last few months. The food is excellent, fresh, reasonably priced, and well presented. Great service. I like the bento, and my husband's sushi looked terrific. (He didn't share.) The miso soup is excellent! I want to go back now; haven't been there in 2 days.
(5)A R.
I would not describe myself as a sushi snob, but as a chef, I am particular about my food including sushi. I was a little worried about trying this place after reading the other reviews. However I have no complaints about the food or the service at this restaurant. Service was adequate and prompt and the food was reasonably priced. We ordered off the sushi specials menu and found the sushi to be well prepared, fresh, and creative. This is not the best sushi I have ever had, but it was tasty and satisfying and we enjoyed our experience here. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting very good (but not exceptional) and reasonably priced sushi.
(5)Colleen N.
I have been coming here for years and it is ALWAYS excellent. The fish is fresh and beautifully prepared. This family owned business does not disappoint. It is warm and welcoming. Service is excellent and they have a variety of items from sushi to udon to Saba shio and tempura. The prices are quite reasonable and it is relaxed, not snobby. You can trust Kamei for an excellent meal.
(5)Chanda I.
Dad Approved so i approve! when my dad was in town i was going off a list of japanese places but he insisted we stay in my hood so i took him to a local spot. it it sad that i tend to forget and under appreciate what's in my own backyard. cuz as i was eating with my dad, me getting a bento with tempura and my dad getting sukiyaki i felt like i was 10 again at my bi-monthly japanese restaurant meals at our local japanese spot. so i'm happy because this place provides my japanese comfort food - udon, sukiyaki, bentos (tempura + chicken teriyaki), donburi bowls. yet they also have a large array of sushi and sashimi so i get the best of two japanese worlds and the best of two different pockets depending if i want to spend big or spend small. i'd also recommend for lunch if you are craving japanese food under $10. they have sushi bar and table seating. i also believe they also have two flat screen tv's and my dad liked the little touches. free green tea. plus, reusable cute bento trays for leftovers.
(3)P A.
Mine and my friends experience here last friday was outstanding. Family owned and operated, very friendly and warm, good food and great service.
(4)Moni S.
Found a cockroach in my bento box :(
(1)Miss N.
Went to a dinner here. My friend took me here yesterday, and I'm impressed! Got the chicken hotpot and dang was it good! Only ate half after the green tea and miso n mini salad served and three pieces of cali roll. I don't eat white rice so only had few bites. Service was good. Cute lil place to sit down. Has a bar as well or you can sit by window and people watch.
(5)Lor B.
My first one star review. If u feel like having bugs in your meal head here otherwise stay away. I should have read the dirty Yelp comments before taking a seat. After reading the "roach" review before this - I'm hoping that was NOT what we found on our plates! Food was actually OK before the bug discovery in our Karaage AND Tempura. Hope they realize that the infestation is in the flour. Our meal was comped and I feel bad for the review but I'm just keepin it real!!
(1)Pink P.
We shared some tempura shrimp, 'regular sushi', which was served with miso soup and salad. I'm not a huge tempura fan, but it was nice. Light, not at all greasy, and fresh tasting. I have nothing negative to say about the sushi. Tasty, fresh, and a diverse choice of fish was available. The decor is outdated, the menu is a bit sticky, and the service is fair. We were there on a Sunday night, and it was full of young families, and some comings and going of take-out orders. Overall, I'd go back if other local sushi establishments were closed/booked and if I was really craving raw fish.
(2)Kenda E.
The best kept secret for Japanese cuisine in West Seattle! A lovely quiet atmosphere and the food is out of this world.
(5)Robyn R.
This place is pretty standard. The sushi is fresh and good highlighted by impeccable service ! We've come in towards the end of a shift (which is wrong, I know, but everything here closes at 9!!) and they were more than happy to accommodate. I'll keep going back, even with other great sushi across the street and then best in the city down the block. Sometimes you just want a place this- simple and reliable.
(3)Lorraine J.
A Wonderful place to sit, eat , and enjoy the company of friends. Kamei is inexpensive but more importantly Unpretentious. The Tako melts in your mouth Every time. The Dragon roll is one of my favorites. The experience is always tremendous.
(4)Dawn T.
Great Food! I get take out here probably too much!
(5)Tori S.
It was so speedy. I ordered Beef Gyudon Donburi and it was niiice. I have to admit, when I eat out at again places I do the meat and potatoes equivalent ( most of the time) and do rice and meat. The complimentary Miso soup and tea was nice. Did I mentioned the Gyudon came out LIGHTNING quick? It is a relaxed atmosphere, with attentive and laid back ( I know it sounds like a contradiction, it isn't. ) staff . Very pleasant. Much better than a teriyaki place ( with some of the same vibe) but about the same price. I was pleasantly, pleasantly surprised.
(4)Scott B.
We have frequented Kamei since moving to the south end in 2000. I think they do a great job at a reasonable price. They have recently spruced it up some which makes it much more attractive which I think some people may have had issues with. For me it has always been about the fresh sushi, family friendly atmosphere, and reasonable prices.
(4)Dale W.
Great food for a good price. We always end up here when there's no food in the fridge and we don't want to spend an arm and a leg going out for dinner. Sushi is consistently fresh and tasty and the staff are nice and friendly.
(4)Sam B.
I have eaten here for years and find the food well prepared and seasoned. The prices are most reasonable. Their stir fried vegetable dishes are excellent and their miso soup is one of the best - a combination of red and white miso. They offer good terriyaki and tempura. It is a family operation - mother, father and 2 daughters. I wish they would offer more fresh fish dishes.
(4)Kristine S.
Kamei has consistently good sushi at a good value, and I like knowing that I'm supporting a local family business. Service is always prompt and friendly.
(4)Gary F.
A quiet unassuming little restaurant that lets it's food speak for itself; the money is spent on fresh quality ingredients and not paying down toney leasehold improvements. Family operation with consistently good food presented very nicely.
(4)Mama P.
Great value with fresh sushi and sashimi plus generously portioned bento boxes. Very reasonable prices for what you get. Terrific service as well. Not flashy but nice family business. Will return for sure.
(4)Jason F.
What!? I haven't reviewed this place yet? I'll fix that right away. I've been going to Kamei for at least eight years. My trips to have Kamei vary from lunches to dinners, but I can always recommend this place. It's owned by a nice couple that you'll meet when you stop by for a meal. I've enjoyed the sukiyaki, udon, sushi, and more. The food is served quickly and the service is always awesome and the pricing is very reasonable.
(4)A O.
The owners seem extremely nice, so I hate to leave a less than stellar review, but we couldn't finish our sushi since it was way too salty. This was the case for all three rolls that we ordered. On the other hand, our Seattle relatives come here all the time and love it, so maybe it was a one-time experience.
(3)Julie G.
This is the best sushi in West Seattle. Modest family operated restaurant that never disappoints.
(5)