4. Restaurants

Kisaku

2101 N 55th St,Ste 100, Seattle, WA, 98103
  • (206) 545-9050
  • Store is closed

Kisaku Menu

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  • M D.

    Fantastic local sushi joint. Sushi bar is recommended and it's definitely spacious compared to other sushi bar area. You get a mini show! The Chefs were friendly; greeting you and making eye contact every now and then to make sure you're satisfied with food and portion. Food: the lemony Scallop Nigiri was hands down best choice of the night! You'd be reminded with the "no soy sauce" rule from the Chef as well with the scallop nigiri - sort of amusing. I had different assortment of nigiri that night and they were all fresh and delicious. Also ordered the Wallingford rolls and the Kisaku rolls, both were great but I enjoyed the Wallingford a lot more - I highly recommend if you find yourself having a hard time deciding which rolls to choose from! Drinks: I ordered a Pinot Grigio (from California) and the glass pour was generous! Goes really well with all that I had. Comparable to Shiro's? Not quite, but if you're looking for fresh, reasonably priced sushi and at a casual and welcoming setting... Kisaku is the place.

    (4)

  • Shane C.

    Taste: fresh not fishy--the way it should be! Price: fair--decent on the budget. 10/26/2011 Restaurant week: ebi chili--SUPERB--perfectly cooked shrimp in light batter, deep fried yet still light, in a sweet/sour/mildly-spicy orange-colored vibrant sauce decorated with edible pieces of red chili and sliced green onions... Absolutely out of this world! The reverberating thought in mind is "someone is paying attention in the kitchen yo!" deep fried shrimp head is good AGAIN. Four stars bc its not my fav sushi in Seattle. Would re-visit if a friend wanted to try it out.

    (4)

  • J M.

    One of the best sushi restaurants in Seattle. We had a reservation for 2 and got seated within minutes after our arrival. Customer service was excellent, food was great. Loved the uni and fatty tuna there! Would definitely go back and try out their oyster sushi! Price was very reasonable, would def make a regular visit here to satisfy my sushi cravings!

    (5)

  • Daniel B.

    Very nice food. The sushi is top quality and the service is great. I got the broiled fish and my girlfriend got sushi and we were all very impressed. Definitely a place worth coming back to. The prices are a little on the higher side, but nothing crazy for what you expect sushi to be. I wish they had some bentos for dinner, that's my only complaint. Still, highly recommended!

    (4)

  • Star F.

    Positive experience every time. Staff is attentive and food is great! Nigiri has a hint of wasabi on the rice. The sushi bar staff is very entertaining to watch--they make sushi so fast! Dessert menu is not in menu so you gotta ask!

    (5)

  • Dylan I.

    Just came home from this place very disappointed. Being Japanese and my wife from Japan this has been one of our go to places for Japanese food / sushi. We always come to this place when it's either my wife's or my birthday. Something has changed. My wife had the chirashi. The sashimi slices were paper thin and the rice was really dry. We have ordered this before on different occasions and it was always good. For $23 the sashimi should not be see-through. My ten year old daughter had the calamari and an order of spider roll. She asked us to try the spider roll, again the rice was dry. Honestly, I've had better spider rolls at cheap kaiten style sushi places. I wasn't in the mood for sushi tonight so I decided to have the chicken teriyaki dinner. Miso soup, can't really go wrong there. I had to stop eating the salad, nothing more unappetizing than looking at brown frisée. At least cut the base so it looks fresh. This chicken was very disappointing. Three weeks ago I had my daughter cook chicken breast that turned out better. There was nothing special and for $17.50 I expect more from a chicken dish, it shouldn't be subpar or worse than what you get at some $5 teriyaki joint. A small portion chicken breast, topped with bell peppers, and watered down teriyaki sauce. My piece did not seem flame broiled and the rice was dry or seemed like it was from an old batch. Tonight was so disappointing that nobody wanted dessert, we just wanted to get out. I felt so bad for my wife. It's one thing if my own meal is disappointing, but don't let the birthday person have a disappointing meal.

    (2)

  • Gilad B.

    Great relaxed spot for dinner. Enjoy and try the dessert.

    (4)

  • Alan L.

    Decent sushi restaurant, but not great. The place isn't generous with the portion, but I guess the price is also a couple bucks cheaper. I would just skip the rolls. They aren't bad, but barely any fish in them. The sashimi tasted fresh and delicious. The service was okay, food came out slow. Overall, just an average sushi restaurant. I guess reading the other reviews, sitting at the bar and ordering sushi directly is the way to go.

    (3)

  • Saritah K.

    This is the best sushi restaurant I've found that is in closest proximity to my house. For that I give it 4 stars. However, as far as sushi goes, in the whole wide world of sushi (or let's just even limit it to the West Coast of the US) this is not really a spectacular place. Everything is correct- the fish is fresh, the service is good, it is not too small of a dining room. It's not super expensive. But it's not cheap either. And usually the cuts are lacking silkiness. I am disappointed by Kisaku because they don't have ramen. This city is lacking in good ramen. Do you want to have really really good sushi? Buy a $59 ticket to San Francisco on Virgin America and go to The Sushi Zone. But if you need something within walking distance to a Greenlake/Wallingford, Kisaku is your place.

    (4)

  • Law P.

    Kisaku is awesome. I had never been to this neighborhood before and it is really cool. I was lucky enough to be invited here by some fantastic new friends I have made and definitely enjoyed my experience. I like the feel of this restaurant, it isn't the kind of place that is trendy and ultra hip-looking to help distract you from less than spectacular food. The nigiri I ordered for myself was all as fresh and tasty as can be and consisted of an ideal fish to rice ratio. All of the other rolls we ordered were delicious and presented nicely. The prices were more than fair and not ridiculously overpriced like some other sushi places I have been in Seattle, *cough*Umi*cough*. The service here is very stealth and not overbearing, they get the job done without interrupting any conversation going on, very professional, but also welcoming and sweet. My only minor complaint was that there were no refills for the limeade I ordered. If I am paying ~$4 for a non-alcoholic beverage in a skinny glass that was probably 10 ounces I should at least be given a refill. I will definitely be visiting Kisaku in the future. It is a very warm and friendly place where they seem to get everything right. I will be sure to recommend it to anyone who wants a change of pace from downtown sushi spots that are "cooler" to go to.

    (4)

  • Shari d.

    A-Ok pretty much sums up my experience at Kisaku. The food was OK, the service...OK, the decor - OK. Everything was just OK which is why I won't make a special trip out to Kisaku but if I happen to be in the area and craving sushi then I will stop in. We were seated shortly after we arrived which was great since people have stated that it is hard to get a seat without a reservation. We ordered a few rolls and some nigiri sushi. The sushi was fresh and the rolls were decent...it just seemed overpriced to me. Granted I wasn't paying for anything that night so I didn't complain but it seemed that they we just up charging because of their location...not because their sushi was fresher than the next restaurant or that their dishes were more unique. Overall I would come here again if in the area otherwise I will stay to my normal favs outside of Tangletown.

    (3)

  • Geraldine D.

    I love good sushi. I don't necessarily love waiting an hour for it. Kisaku would easily get 5 stars if I were rating the food alone. The sushi is always fresh, immaculately presented, and very reasonable for the price. But Kisaku's popularity, and its apparent inability to handle it, are what drive its score down for me. I strongly suggest making a reservation, but even if you do, be warned that it doesn't guarantee you'll be seated in a timely manner. I've waited nearly an hour, even with a reservation, or been seated at a table that was halfway in the kitchen. Once I had a reservation for 7:30. We weren't seated until after 8:15, and told we needed to be done by 9pm, because they needed the table. I was dumbfounded. Kisaku is one of the few places I've ever been to that instructs you when to leave, even if they are the ones holding you up in the first place. If they ever fix this, they will be top-notch. Until then, I just try to go on the off hours and attempt to be patient.

    (3)

  • Cory D.

    We really, REALLY like Kisaku. We originally tried it out because of their coupon on Restaurant.com but have gone back 4-5 more times and never had a bad experience. They have some of the best sushi in our general proximity (north Seattle area). all of the fish has been fresh, the appetizers are great, decent Sake selection, etc. Only thing that keeps if from a 5th star is the price. Yes, it's good, but it's not $90 for two people good. But like I said, we've gone there many times, so if there is a strong hankering for good sushi closeby then it's worth it.

    (4)

  • Jen S.

    I hesitated about going to this place. My friend suggested it, said that she had been there and it was good. I still hesitated because she is only a roll-eater, so, well, you know what that means. I relented because the last place I suggested was La Spiga, which sucked ass, so I owed her. And it was lovely. I was surprised by the tablecloths, first of all. It has a nice ambiance. I liked the waitstaff - they (a couple different ladies came to the table) were knowledgeable and pleasant. I was surprised to see so many people bring kids in. I don't think of Japanese as kid-friendly, but these tables and their kids fit right in, sans screaming, so okay, fine. I would like to go back and get nigiri or sashimi and sit at the bar. Like I said, I was there with my roll-eating friend, so we got three different ones: spicy tuna, Kisaku, and spider. They were all good. The Kisaku was the fav at the table. I really liked the spicy tuna because I felt it had perfect heat and the flavors were clean. We also got the agedashi tofu and calamari. We loved the agedashi broth - wow. The calamari was good and was made so by the dipping sauce. I like my calamari batter to have flavor and this one didn't so much, but the dish was not the slightest bit greasy, and that's nice, I think. There are two things I do not like: the tea and the volume. They use powder for their ocha - icky. And the place is insanely loud. I was yelling to be heard and had to ask my friend to repeat herself several times - and she was right across from me. Oh yeah, we got the mochi too. Who is their supplier? I have never heard of mochi in these flavors! We got pistachio and lychee (they were out of blueberry!?) - tastyyyyy. And, for all that, the bill was reasonable. Some people said it's pricey; our bill was $40. I think that's fine for two dames and some fish.

    (4)

  • Cynthia L.

    Here's the thing... I saw Dave Matthews pick up his food here while I was here once. OMG!!!!! Want to hear more about Dave? Send me a message :) Besides that though, I am a huge fan of Kisaku! The Agedashi tofu is the best I ever had, I think the panko crumbs are probably higher quality that the average sushi joint, but the sauce is also really well balanced. I've also had mounds and mounds of their oysters on the half shell and the ponzu sauce was delicious (hence the "mounds and mounds"). They have an extensive sake offering as well. Kisaku rolls are 5 stars. 4 stars for the Saba Misoni Dinner. I've been with a large group before and they were really great with the service. Sitting at the sushi bar has also been a great experience. The sushi chefs are very friendly. But speaking of service, there was a time I came in with a party of 4, was told there would be a wait... 15 minutes later we were seated at a table that had been empty when we came in... So basically I waited 15 minutes for an empty table. Hmph. Well I'm still giving them 5 stars, becausse that only happened once out of the multiple times I've been, but fair warning right?

    (5)

  • Andrea S.

    I came here for the sushi rolls, hearing that it was the best sushi restaurant in all of Seattle. I left feeling a little disappointed - perhaps it was my huge expectations? The service was excellent (the friendliest staff I have ever encountered - they definitely get 5 stars) but the sushi was just good. I tried the spicy tuna, greenlake, caterpillar, wallingford, and garden rolls - the spicy tuna wasn't very spicy, and the wallingford was kind of bland. My favorite roll was the caterpillar - a nice highlight. I will come here again to give it another shot, because overall it was quite good. But probably not the best sushi in all of Seattle.

    (3)

  • Leigh S.

    I was disappointed at first glance because they didn't have a lot of rolls, and that's kind of what I go to sushi for, but the meal we ended up with was surprising and fantastic. We just ordered off the specials board what our waitress recommended, and got some exceptional octopus and salmon. I will definitely go back; glad to have my palate expanded! Servers were very attentive as well.

    (5)

  • John C.

    The sushi here is very good, and the prices are not too outrageous. We really enjoy all of the tuna (albacore is crazy good here) and the pieces are the perfect size (not huge like Musashi, not tiny like Nikos). Also love the tempura soft shell crab and calamari with avocado dip. Calling ahead is usually a good idea, as it is typically crowded on most nights (seriously). Its even crowded for a Tuesday lunch some days. We really enjoy sitting at the bar on the far side, where our fav. chef works. Not sure of his name, but he gives out samples to his good customers. Downside is the service. Very often the server is anywhere from aloof to slightly rude. There are 2 or 3 servers who act like they are doing you a favor. Its too bad, because with great service this place would be one of the best. Have eaten here at least 12-15 times in last year.

    (3)

  • Kelsey F.

    Why did I just find out about this place? WHY? Oh man, amazing sushi. Amazing, fresh, delicate, everything sushi should be. We had two rolls (Wallingford and cucumber) and several pieces of nigiri. The albacore? Oh my God. The Otoro? OH. MY. GOD. It wasn't ridiculously busy and the server was attentive without being overbearing. We were seated with bowls of salad and miso soup. A pleasant way to start the sushi eating. A lot of people have mentioned that it's pricey, but you know what? You get what you paid for, and in this case, I paid for ridiculously silky, buttery pieces of fresh fish and rice with a good balance. And a mighty fine, "hearty" miso soup. I was expecting the bill to come out to more (especially with the addition of Otoro), so I won't complain. Also, their desserts are fabulous. Many are made in-house and a few incorporate nearby businesses (Zoka, I'm looking at you), which I think is pretty much the pinnacle of awesome...ness.

    (5)

  • Scooby W.

    Hmmmm. how do i put this... Oh yeah. Simply the best damn sushi i have had thus far. The sashimi was fresh, the selection was incredibly and the creativity of the chef was amazing. Its was an all sashimi night (shrimp, unagi, octopus, albacore, fatty tuna, salmon, yellow tail, hammer jack with a qual egg). Not for the close minded palate. Topped with some with sake and beer. Every sushi place should aspire to be this good. Next time it will be a roll night.

    (4)

  • Kristina M.

    This is without a doubt of one the best sushi restaurants in Seattle. The rolls are consistently good, the staff are friendly and I have been there so many times now, not only do they remember my name. They are definately not a high-end, fine dining establishment, but good quaiity food and service.

    (4)

  • Connie C.

    The impression was eh. Food was fine - sashimi was fresh, good cuts. Prices for rolls are acceptable, but a few are TINY. I ordered the Futomaki, and it only came out with 4 pieces. All the other rolls our group ordered (Greenlake roll, Garden roll, Caterpillar roll) were typical, 6-8 pieces. I wasn't impressed with the fact that you only get Miso soup served if you order an entree, leaving some in your party with soup, and others without (seems like it's such a cheap thing to serve - why not just offer it to everyone?). Parking is easy along the street. Wouldn't go again.

    (3)

  • Lisa L.

    Maybe I should give this place another chance, maybe I shouldn't. I don't know... but I didn't think their food was all that great and worth my money. Their sushi didn't look very fresh to me. I wish they had more of a variety for lunch (since that's what I went for). I ended up getting the seafood yakisoba and it was not so bad, but thought it could've been better. My friends got a sushi combo and a tempura udon and we all shared it. We finished lunch off with a fruit roll and that was actually pretty good. The server was really nice... always came back to check up on us. If you want a variety of sushi for good prices, I'd recommend going elsewhere to get your money's worth. I initially came here for sushi, but that failed.

    (3)

  • Zachary Sam Z.

    I tried out Kisaku with someone who was more adventurous than me, and that made it much more fun! We tried whatever looked unique or interesting on the menu, and when we were done, my dining partner asked, "OK, what's not on the menu that would normally gross Americans out?" The answer was monkfish liver. It had the consistency you might expect wet cat food to have, but man was it delicious. Needless to say, the service was great, and the experience was enjoyable. The sushi was fresh and I couldn't get enough. I'll definitely go back if I'm in the neighborhood!

    (4)

  • Henry L.

    After I heard so much about this restaurant, I went and gave it a try. First I am not into socializing with the chief. I don't consider that a service. I just want a good meal. I had the dinner combo L. The sushi are the smallest I've ever seen. Even smaller than the ones from sushi buffet place. Taste wise, I'd say definitely not worth $23. I ended up had to eat 2nd and 3rd dinner. I don't think I'd go back again.

    (2)

  • Amy M.

    4 *'s for...Traditional Japanese welcome, authentically decorated including a gorgeous Fuji-San painting, clean, accommodating staff, offer of warmed hand wipes on arrival, excellent selection of top quality fish including ootoro and kohada, perfectly seasoned and just the right temperature of sushi rice, easily accepted order of off menu chirashi style dish, and great choices for drinks. Last * reserved because of two things... Our server's white shirt was stained all over the front which wasn't appetizing and was distracting, and they played some type of mariachi music the entire night which totally messed with the ambiance. Place filled up within an hour of our early (5pm) monday night arrival, so they must be doing something right to have such a loyal following.

    (4)

  • Ben N.

    What a great restaurant! My wife and I had a quick getaway to Seattle from the Bay Area last weekend, and after much research here and on some other sites, decided on hitting Kisaku for dinner. Our hope was that, being in Seattle, the fish would be super-fresh, and there would be some local flavor available...Kisaku came through on both counts. We split the following, except where there is a (2). Apps: Aji tataki Sesame albacore Nigiri: Sockeye salmon - Local fish, way better than just about every sushi bar salmon I've had recently Isaki (Grunt) - very tasty, similar to kanpachi (amberjack) Chutoro - Awesome, the Otoro probably would have killed us :-o Striped bass Amberjack (2) Flounder Abalone - offered steamed or raw; get it raw, steaming just ruins it, IMO Fanshell (2) - a larger scallop Scallop Snapper Oyster - Interesting prep, imagine the "standard" Uni presentation, but he drops an oyster in the nori cylinder. Yellowtail King mackerel The albacore was served with a ponzu(?)/sesame/wasabi sauce and the aji tataki was served with a simple dipping sauce. Both apps were excellent starters. The place is pretty big, well-lit, and there are 3 prep stations (2 nigiri and 1 roll) plus a central prep area where a younger guy is julienning veggies and shredding daikon, etc. Service was attentive and friendly. Split a big beer and the whole thing was $94 before tip - a great deal by Bay Area standards, for sure...we'll definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Takeo N.

    This place made me feel very uncomfortable. Our young female server was very cold and I just felt judged from the very beginning - she never smiled once and I felt like she was not even trying to make an effort to be welcoming - even a small fake smile would have sufficed. I realize that we did not make prior reservations and that's why we were put in the dark, closet-esque room in the back. The food was actually quite good, but I was so uncomfortable eating it that the delicious flavors were completely overpowered by the emotions of sadness and despair that I was experiencing by being in the dark closet room and seeing the judgmental stares of the icy cold waitress. All I could think about was just wanting to leave as soon as possible and getting the hell out of there. The food was really delicious but I do not like to mix good food with anxiety.

    (2)

  • Sarah C.

    Great sushi in quaint little Tangletown. The sushi is very reasonably priced. All the rolls we ordered were fresh and creative. Loved the chilled sake & panacotti dessert. It would be nice if they had the lights dimmed a little. Some mood lighting never hurt nobody. =)

    (4)

  • Lauren U.

    Best sashimi I've ever had at an amazing prize - only $18. My friends sushi and nirigi were hits as well. This restaurant serves pure quality that isn't fussed with or americanized too much (no mango aoli's or deep fried monster rolls). My only critique is that the hostesses are very unorganized, We had a reservation (thank god) and didn't get seated until 30 minutes later. There was a huge line, little attention to it, and scrambling women trying to figure it all out. I will go again and again, really amazing fish that lets you savor its natural goodnesss.

    (4)

  • Joey T.

    Very fresh. Nicely prepared. But pricey.

    (4)

  • Tim O.

    I have to agree with J.K. The word I always associate with Kisaku is 'fresh'. Not that there aren't a lot of other sushi restaurants in Seattle, but Kisaku just seem even fresher, if that's makes any sense whatsoever. Nothing crazy here, just rockin' rolls.

    (5)

  • Lee A.

    Maybe I'm a bit of a grouch, but the sushi here was just - not great. It was oddly tasteless, like it had been refrigerated too long. I wasn't as impressed as I wanted to be. Miso was good, and the service was fine. I just wasn't getting the flavorful with the fish. Mighty O across the street would have been better. Seriously. Plus, cheaper.

    (3)

  • Drew S.

    One of the best sushi places in Seattle. The sushi is super fresh and always has been great for me. The rolls are yummy, the agedashi tofu is outstanding. The sake list has a good mix of sweet, dry, hot, cold, and cloudy. Always a pleasure to eat there.

    (5)

  • Angela H.

    Green lake roll is oishi (Japanese for delicious)!! Also had their salmon and tuna, best sushi I've had outside of Japan. The raw fish melts in your mouth!!! a-maz-ing.

    (5)

  • James R.

    The best thing this place offers is not on the menu. The Shimi (sp?) #2 is outstanding. The atmosphere leaves something to be desired, but I've never had a bad experience here. Some of the best sushi in Seattle.

    (4)

  • Sarah M.

    Kisaku is my absolute favorite Japanese spot in Seattle. Being half Japanese I can be pretty picky about Japanese cuisine but I have never been disappointed here. The lunch menu is well priced and I drool over their tendon. Dinner is a little more expensive but well worth it.

    (5)

  • Nurina J.

    I've only been here once, so I don't want to be too hasty in this review, but I LOVED this place! My boyfriend and I stopped by on a whim - he wanted to show me the skate park, but I wanted to stay out of the cold - and grabbed lunch here. We sat at the sushi bar; I ordered chirashi sushi and he ordered uni and a couple of rolls. Everything was super fresh, the sushi rice was good, and the little salad beforehand was tasty! What stuck out to me most was the amount of regulars they seemed to have. I heard at least three people walk out saying, "See you tomorrow!" and one person talking about what she'd eaten here the night before with her husband. Now, I eat sushi a lot, but I've never thought of being a regular at a sushi bar - that's something I reserve for, like... coffee shops, I guess! But when it comes down to it, I could see why someone would come here everyday - the fish is fresh, the service is incredibly friendly, and the prices aren't bad at all.

    (5)

  • Super M.

    I love Sushi places that I can walk to... And that are GOOD. Their Fukomaki vegetarian roll is SCRUMPTIOUS... really. Try it.

    (4)

  • Dori C.

    It was a very nice, warm Japanese restaurant! You can see the sushi bar and the chef making the sushi/rolls. tip - you might wanna MAKE A RESERVATION. I was lucky on the first visit to get a table, but you never know... Their sushi - fresh and good amount Rolls - beautiful and cut very well I usually like fusion rolls ( tempura, sauce... all that good stuff) So I wouldn't go here much for that. But if you like refreshing and authentic Japanese meal, this would be the one. They have salads and all kinds of appetizers, drinks and desserts! I loved their green tea pudding with red bean paste. Yum!!

    (3)

  • Christine N.

    Ate lunch here over the weekend. Cute restaurant. Great service. Ordered the tempura udon. Very tasty! noodles were perfectly cooked, and there were several different vegetable tempura. the meal came with salad and rice. they have a varying bento box as well. definitely a staple go-to restaurant.

    (4)

  • Linda G.

    Great sushi restaurant and so glad we decided to check them out tonight. We were able to secure a reservation on a Friday night by calling in the morning and the restaurant was in a very charm neighborhood and the restaurant has an intimate and charming feeling to it. The sushi was great and fresh and the cut was very traditional Japanese, not too big, not too small, just the right bite size. We particular enjoyed the fresh yellowtail and fresh water eel, both were awesome. And the service was very attentive without bring intrusive. Overall, a great neighborhood sushi restaurant and we will definitely be back again.

    (4)

  • Eric H.

    The decor, the service, and of course the food; all are notably nicer than I'm used to.

    (4)

  • kevin z.

    I have been here few times, Kisaku had never impressed me. However, today's experience was particularly worse than normal. Service was not acceptable, there were empty tables in the restaurant, but the waitress had to put us at the Sushi bar. We ordered a sashimi combo L, non of them were fresh and were poorly cut. Food quality is at the fast food japanese restaurant level, not worth it. I will not go back anytime soon.

    (2)

  • mimi j.

    "ohhhh Yes!!! YeeeeSS!!" I get sushi orgasm everytime I eat their sushi. I can't help having a super manga reaction (if you know what I mean) on their sushi. I enjoy sit on sushi bar, chat with chefs, and pick whatever sushi I want to eat.

    (5)

  • Steve L.

    Super delicioso!

    (5)

  • Jessica R.

    Kisaku offers the best sushi in Wallingford. It's not the cheapest but the restaurant is spacious and the service is good. The menu offers many items beyond the standard sushi fare. Parking in this part of town can be tricky.

    (4)

  • Melissa M.

    I am a California child, raised to evaluate good sushi and the dining experience. After years in California and years in the Pac NW, Kisaku remains my favorite sushi restaurant. The food - the quality of the fish, the creativity of the rolls - is outstanding. The ambience - white tablecloths (a must), yet low-key setting - is perfectly Seattle. The chefs and the wait staff are superb (I would recommend sitting at the bar and talking with the sushi chefs!). To top it all off... I've never been to a sushi restaurant that was SO good yet didn't 'break the bank'; the menu at Kisaku brings you everything you want at a pretty good price! Kisaku is in my top 5 Seattle restaurants for sure.

    (5)

  • Calvin C.

    Very good and the sushi chefs know what they're doing and what they're talking about. However, I crave a cheaper price and larger portions.

    (5)

  • Shel W.

    This is a great sushi place - my favorite by far (even better than some downtown that are supposedly awesome).

    (5)

  • Cat C.

    Sushi is amazingly fresh and tasty! Probably the best I've had so far in the Seattle surrounding area. The rolls lack options, however the ones they do have are wonderful! The wine selection is fabulous! Kisaku is a bit pricey but well worth what you pay for. The only down side I see to this place (and the reason it did not get 5 stars) is the attitude you get when you go there. I didn't have a reservation and even though our group spent A LOT of money there, we were treated as if we were an annoyance. I really enjoy going to a traditional style sushi house and being greeted by friendly, welcoming faces. I like to talk with the chefs and enjoy the whole experience. Kisaku is definitely lacking that. But they do have the whole posh sushi restaurant thing down and A-MAZING sushi dishes!! They even tolerated my 8 year old son (who is a sushi whore! haha.)

    (4)

  • Sara M.

    Mistake #1: Don't insult me before I sit down. The hostess asked if we had reservations -- it was 6:30 on a friday -- and I said no. The truly professional response is then to seat you if there are indeed open tables. Kisaku hostess response, in a rather aloof tone: we've had some cancellations so we can seat you -- the cartoon bubble attached to the hostess' head was saying "however, next time don't you dare show up on a friday without reservations". Did I mention the sushi bar was wide open. On to the sushi -- stick to the Nigiri sushi -- it's good quality but not exceptional. The rolls range from bland (spider roll) to perhaps too spicy (spicy tuna roll). The greenlake roll was interesting only because of the marinated seaweed clinging to the exterior. The oysters in ponzu sauce I suspect are not for every palette -- the oysters are very fresh but the sauce is strange (I know, not very descriptive). Prices at Kisaku are fair and service, which started out on the wrong foot (we had to wait 15 min before our waitress showed up), ended up being very good. My gold standard for sushi restaurants, by the way, is Tojo's in Vancouver. With so many sushi places to choose from in Seattle, Kisaku is not worth a second visit. Way too much attitude that is way out of proportion to the quality/inventiveness of the food.

    (2)

  • Brad A.

    it's a clean place. The wait staff are ok. The parking is ok if you get there early enough to park somewhere on the street. It's helpful to have reservations. The prices are a bit high. I might go there once a year, because it's close to Green Lake (where I live); but, I'd not go there regularly.

    (2)

  • Malia F.

    I admit I have been back many times... sushi bar only, reservations a must! Go traditional and order something that you never have; they will have that:) Head sushi chef in my opinion is the best in the city...

    (5)

  • Mei-I F.

    Kisaku gets featured in Seattle Magazine and now I can't get a table without a reservation. I have been on a Japanese kick lately and this place is worth the wait. The menu is heavy on the sushi and it should be because it is fresh and delicious!!!! We came here for my brother's birthday last weekend and I walked out with a sushi baby in my belly. Good times. They even gave us a yummy free dessert, a sesame mousse cake, that solidified my 5 star rating.

    (5)

  • E T.

    After giving this place a second chance the other night, I have to say that I was disappointed again. The only place worth waiting that long in the area is Musashi's...their restaurant may not be as classy as Kisaku, but the food is quality, you can find some traditional dishes there that I haven't found anywhere else, and this place defines reasonable, so if you want the real deal and aren't an atmosphere snob, head there. Kisaku's nigiri were very small, they messed up the California rolls (I still don't understand how this is possible) and honestly, the fish wasn't that fresh! The Futomaki was a little creative and the miso soup was generous with seaweed and tofu, however, overall, there wasn't anything that I'd come back for.

    (2)

  • Sarah B.

    An incredible dining experience. They definitely do a fine job of mixing good food and atmosphere into a little corner restaurant. Funny story, I was not in the mood to leave the house. Cold, rainy Sunday night but a group of friends had reservations so we reluctantly left the warm house and went. With good parking karma got a great spot in front and proceeded to have a wonderful time. Also, this was the first time I ate sushi that wasn't raw. Being sick, I had to look for other options which actually made the experience new and exciting for me. Crab, shrimp and egg nigiri was excellent and the king crab was worth the splurge. I was also impressed with the Devil's roll. A delicious vegetarian roll with incredible flavor (roasted red pepper and vinegar). I'll be ordering that one again! And room for their signature dessert. I adore Japanese style desserts. Sweet enough and interesting textures for the palette. Oh and the green tea they serve was breathtaking. All this put a smile on my face and the great service. Not to mention the great live music. Strangely, for all the food we ate I expected a harsher bill, probably the lack of eating all the raw fish. I can't wait to return when I can feast on albacore again!

    (4)

  • Alice C.

    Yes. I will be back.

    (4)

  • P H.

    Good sushi, a little pricey considering the quality is good but not great. Usually good service.

    (3)

  • M C.

    love the neighborhood, the bar, the coffee shop, and even the market is nice around here! probably would have gotten a five star, but had a miss on one of the rolls for me at least. Ambiance = great location, bright and open. Service = great! Food = otoro, and uni was fresh that's enough for four star Crowd = all ranges Price = $$$ Favorite = fresh! Worst = Asparagus didn't work for me;( Final Say = stick to the raw stuff, they keep it fresh!

    (4)

  • Anne B.

    Went to Kisaku a few months ago on a Monday or Tuesday night (6pm) without a reservation and had to squeeze in at the corner of the sushi bar. No complaints there, at least I was with someone I liked. I was impressed by the comfortable atmosphere. Well, that and the great food of course! Prices were very reasonable. Fish was fresh. What more could you ask for? Oh, service was good too. And when we finished, there was a huge line at the door. There's something special about this place.

    (4)

  • Sue F.

    My husband & I stopped by Kisaku for lunch the other day and found one of Seattle's gem restaurants! The place was packed. But as soon as we walked in the staff were friendly and attentive. We sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the chef's at work. We shared a Bento box and a variety of sushi plates. We loved the Futomaki (eel), Spider Rolls (crab) and my absolute favorite was Caterpillar Roll - it looked just like a caterpiller - but tasted a heckuva lot better (I'm guessing ;) Everything tasted very fresh and mouth-wateringly delicious. We can't we to go back again.

    (5)

  • Jeff A.

    My favorite Seattle sushi restaurant! The place is hidden away in the middle of residential Tangletown and gets really crowded on the weekend evenings so make sure you call in advance for reservations. They have a sesame albacore appetizer that tastes soooo good, the albacore just melts in your mouth like butter and the sauce is super tasty. I also just recently discovered the Shrimp with Aurora Sauce (shrimp tempura tossed in a mayo/ketchup like sauce), which I could literally eat multiple plates of, but you gotta save room for their nigiri. Excellent fresh water eel, yellowtail, salmon (copper river if you're lucky), and fatty tuna. Their rolls are very good too. We always get their spider and spicy tuna rolls to round our dinner out. Terrific place for a nice night out or really for anyone that loves sushi.

    (5)

  • Ann M.

    Wonderful neighborhood place. Above-par sashimi, great house salad, solid service. Now that I've moved, I miss Kisaku all the time!

    (5)

  • Tony A.

    Hearing from a valuable source that Kisaku had some of the best fish in Seattle, I quickly made the trip with a few friends. Short and sweet for this one. The fish is impeccably fresh, best Hamachi, Kampachi, and Otoro I have yet to find in Seattle. The knife work is not the best and the presentation could be helped. But if you are looking for a relaxing and flavorful meal this is the place

    (4)

  • Abigail L.

    Persistently special, visit after visit. More often than not, I get a piece so fresh and so soft that I want to kiss the fish all over. But that would be wrong. (?)

    (5)

  • Michelle B.

    Some like dimly lit restaurants, others do not. Those others will like Kisaku. This place is bright! I suppose it's nice and cheery, but it still just feels like it's in the bottom of a new condo development, complete with neon sign. Atmosphere aside, the food was tasty. Some of the best edamame beans I've ever had - I know people think you can't mess them up, and maybe you can't, but not every place can do them well. Kisaku does them well. Big fat beans cooked perfectly and seasoned with the ideal amount of salt. I popped them in my mouth throughout the entire meal. My wussy California roll (shut it) was made with real crab and there didn't seem to be any mayo filler - yay! Maybe I eat wussy sushi, but I want it to be good wussy sushi. The spicy tuna roll was HUGE - there was no way I could fit the whole thing in my mouth and it was, as promised, spicy. The vegetarian devil's roll was an interesting option, but not my favorite. We also had the tempura plate - again, you can't go wrong deep frying shrimps and veggies, but Kisaku went above and beyond and made these light and delicious. Next time I'm North of the Ship Canal and get a hankerin' for sushi I'll be sure to pop into Kisaku.

    (4)

  • E S.

    Absolutely the best sushi in Seattle. Now before you go and say that Shiro's is the best in Seattle, I might have agreed with you until I went to Kisaku. Kisaku's sushi is just as good as Shiro's. The atmosphere is bigger, a bit more inviting, and Nakano-san is really awesome. The price isn't cheap, by any means, but it also isn't as expensive as Shiro's. The non-sushi menu is also decidedly Japanese, which I really like. The reason I don't go to Nishino is that their non-sushi menu is generally pan-asian, and I prefer more traditional faire. When you're there, sit at the bar and never order the typical sushi (salmon, tuna, california roll). Ther'es no reason to go to a super awesome restaurant like this and order the usual. Sit down at the bar, greet your sushi chef, and ask him what is good. Go with his suggestions, and you will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Peter D.

    Let me first say, I wanted to give this place 3.5-4 stars... I really did. In fact I will say the quality of the sushi was quite good. The simple truth is, the host COMPLETELY RUINED the experience. I called and made a 7:30 reservation at the sushi bar. We arrived at 7:15 and checked in. He stated our seats were still full, but they would be open soon. Now moving forward 45 minutes and 3-4 different parties (2 of which didn't have reservations) sat down at the sushi bar. I asked 4 different times what was happening with our seats. The host blew us off. Saying our seats were still full, even suggesting that I had requested a specific sushi chef. I scratched my head and explained I had never eaten here before so I had no preference in sushi chef and finally offered to sit somewhere other than the sushi bar. Again he sat another 2 parties (1 w/o reservation) and finally sat us, over an hour after we arrived. As for the sushi. It was good.. Definitely not the best sushi I've ever had, but it was better than your average neighborhood sushi spot. The problem is there are a number of places in Seattle with sushi of similar quality or better that don't have the completely incompetent host. I would have given them a 1 star if it hadn't been for the food being half decent...

    (2)

  • Bye Y.

    I've gone there two times and I really really like it a lot. My date and I spent around $75 but were so completely stuffed beyond description. I could name many places where the same amount of money will just get you started. We got appetizers, sake, lots of fish (sashimi and nigiri), a couple small rolls, and a couple LARGE rolls. Plenty to munch on. The specialty rolls they had were huge and filled us up. A pretty good value and tasty at that. I remember a good selection of fresh fish that tasted nummy and buttery. We sat at the bar one time and was given free treats throughout dinner. I think he was the owner. So delish. And the waitress was hot as well. I couldn't stop watching her mouth as she spoke. The atmosphere was pretty cozy. We had a romantic time. It's a very pleasant experience overall. The food, waitstaff, price, atmosphere. Spot on.

    (4)

  • C. S.

    Wonderful, very fresh sushi, probably the best in Seattle. Try the agedashi tofu (best in town), scallops, delish calamari with avocado dip. Been here probably 6 times and I've not had a single item here that I did not enjoy.

    (5)

  • Curtis L.

    so close to 5 stars... why not five stars...well, their downfall was that they were just too busy. I walked in and was never greeted. I stood there until another patron walked in a few minutes later did we catch the attention of the host. They even walked right by me to give someone there to go order. But from there, the evening was very nice. They looked booked and had some sort of post-it note system on for reserved tables. The host was nice enough to find us a "stall" at the sushi bar once he removed a green post-it note from the map. Once, seated I parused the menu. While doing so, the waitress comes us to my fiance and I and says, hi ladies. As I turn, she starts to blush and explain what an easy mistake it was to think I was a girl. It was probably my long hair that confused her. It was a good laugh....my fiance could not stop laughing. The sushi chef then set out some snacks (deep fried fish and pickled squash) for us to start on and our waitress brought us the tea we asked for. They actually gave a us a tea pot. That was nice, our tea cups were never empty. We ordered the california roll and greenlake roll to start and then followed up with a spider roll done standard roll style. All the food was very tasty and fresh. The cali roll was 6 pieces (5.50), greenlake roll was 8 pieces(7.00) and spider roll was 4 pieces (7.00). Since both of us is watching what we ate, that was enough for us. The sushi chef, tried to convince us to order more rolls or try desert. We kindly declined. The waitress brought us our bill and we were in and out with great service minus the entrance in 45 mins. This is a place I would come back to if in the area. If their sushi menu was larger, I would definitely be back to try more. But with the 10 to rolls, I am not as eager. With the good service, great food and decent prices, I do suggest you give this place a shot.

    (4)

  • Kate K.

    By far the best sushi in Seattle. Make a reservation--it can get crowded. The fish is always fresh, the staff is excellent. If you're feeling adventurous, sit at the bar and ask them to give you whatever they think is best. You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Roberto B.

    This is a magical place. The sushi is fabulously appointed and fresh as can be. Back when I was dealing with my fear of actual spiders, I became obsessed with spider rolls, and perhaps still am, which makes this one of my favorite spots to dine. The menu is well-rounded and not so much indulgent in the mayos and other seattle sushi tarnishes. My recommendation: go to the sushi bar, sit back, and let the driver take control of your delightfully Asian experience. except order the spider roll.

    (4)

  • Herman C.

    Nestled in the heart of Tangletown, Kisaku is a quaint, modern AND traditional place for sushi lovers. Traditional in the sense that their chefs are all Japanese speaking and it shows in their product. You're not going to find the funkiest/latest fad in rolls here (e.g. a jalapeno covered roll with radish sprouts, shrimp, and fried foie gras) but will surely find high quality sushi (fresh fish and well-crafted maki). Even the green salad is a diverse blend of mixed greens, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and a tangy miso based dressing not too sweet or oily; simple but that's what I like about it. For dessert, I usually get green tea ice cream (my favorite flavor). Can't mess this one up but they do have it. I mention it because some Japanese restaurants don't (shame on them, everybody loves green tea ice cream). Service is quite good (frequent refills of water/tea) and the price is right. For the quality and quantity, you're getting a good deal. Kisaku is highly recommended! Go there and try it out.

    (4)

  • Jason V.

    Great selection of fish and very nice service. The atmosphere is noisier than I would expect from a Japanese sushi spot, but it's tolerable.

    (4)

  • Garrett H.

    My favorite restaurant. The service is great and so is the food. The food is fresh, the restaurant is clean, and the lunch price is not too pricey. The food comes in good amounts, that don't get you stuffed like an American Breakfast of Bacon and Eggs but it doesn't give you the amount you expect when you go too a fast food restaurant. My favorite Dish is the Bento. It comes with rice, 6 California rolls, chicken and the fried object changes. Kisaku is easily one of the best places for lunch out-there.

    (5)

  • katie s.

    I went here recently for lunch with two friends and was underwhelmed. The host was rude and didn't listen. The service was slow and the food was not worth remembering. I had hoped for a off the beaten path sushi heaven but instead got mediocre sushi that I could have gotten faster and cheaper from QFC that would have tasted the same.

    (2)

  • Russell L.

    We love this place, it's our favorite sushi joint in town and now a friend works there at the sushi bar, woot! Seriously, they have great fresh fish and daily specials of some fish you don't see everywhere. The decor is nice and everything is just so tasty and fresh. Thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Jason C.

    I don't know what the roll is called, but I know it's not on the menu. I've ordered it by referring it to "that one roll with the avocado, no not the one from the menu". Of course I motion with my hands a "roll" by holding my fingers and thumb together as if welding an invisible staff. Pretty creative huh? Yeah, the server thought so to. Actually he didn't react much to it, but nodded sagely and proceed to tell the sushi chef to spit in my roll. What every that roll is called, it's fantastic. As is most of the sushi served here. The ingredients are fresh, the restaurant actually smells fresh, and the seating is perfect for a calm and charming meal in the Greenlake area.

    (4)

  • Alice R.

    Definitely, the best sushi experience I've had so far in Seattle. Granted, I haven't been to all the sushi places...yet. I raise my sake cup to Ryu-san.

    (5)

  • Pete C.

    According to Japanese folks living in Seattle, Kisaku is THE place to go for sushi here. I've had great experiences with omakase dinners here, but most often i'll just get a mix of appetizers (nuta salad and agedashi tofu are great), sushi nigiri and rolls, and of course their awesome sweet potato specialty dessert. The place is clean and neat, the staff are friendly, and there is a nice sake list, but waits can be long so make reservations if you can. Overall, great sushi at a more reasonable price than other great places like Nishino or Chiso (but not nearly as cheap as Musashi... come on now). Itatakimas!

    (5)

  • Lex L.

    We tried this place out since it's only a few blocks away from my friend's house in Green lake. The sushi are great and fresh, and very well presented. Food was served promptly and our waitress was very friendly. I would give it more of a 4.5 star as the only thing I feel missing is being in a Japanese theme decorated restaurant.

    (4)

  • Molly W.

    Yum! Kisaku is a great find. Not too fancy, and not sketchy at all. The sushi was fresh and really yummy. Try the Greenlake Roll and the Wallingford Roll. Great service too.

    (4)

  • Janet T.

    Quite a gem! It's not too shabby and very clean. small family owned restaurant nestled in Wallingford. I always order the spicy scallop..that never fails! The sushi is pretty fresh and if you sit at the sushi bar...the chefs are super friendly..these were the gems that I had nearby when I lived on Eastlake...oh how I miss it.

    (4)

  • mandy m.

    disclaimer: we didnt order much in the way of food or drink this place was ok. it was good, tasty enough. a little on the pricey side. the rolls were really big- hard to eat in one bite- at least ladylike. the sake was good. the hostess seemed flustered with walk-in, non reservation making patrons (namely us). i dont know if i would make a plan to go back again. in a pinch (read drunk at the luau and needing food fast), sure, but if it were up to me i think id go to chiso.

    (3)

  • Jason L.

    one of the BEST sushi in seattle. it gets really busy so reservation is HIGHLY recommended. i have been there 4 times and there is a long line everytime. their sashimi is really fresh. the fatty tuna is a must get. service is decent. good selection of sake. wish the place is bigger and wait is shorter...

    (5)

  • Allison C.

    yummy yummy! My experience at kisaku started out well: warm, wet towel to clean off my hands, and a super nice, prompt waiter to bring us tea/water/menus! The agedashi tofu was quite delicious, and the greenlake roll and wallingford roll were great as well. The only reason this establishment doesn't get 5 stars: I never had a palate-wowing moment. With that said, I would highly recommend going here! That spectacular roll/dish may be lurking on the menu :)

    (4)

  • Ben P.

    Really Good.

    (4)

  • Safa S.

    Best sushi in Seattle! Make a reservation...

    (5)

  • Kathleen M.

    Tonight was our first time at Kisaku and it was yummy. To start I had their green salad which was huge and fresh with a very tasty miso dressing. I also had the Greenlake roll which was very nicely done. My partner had fried tofu, very good and two basic rolls. The waiter was very nice and service was prompt. We will definitely be back and are happy to have found a great sushi place :)

    (4)

  • elle b.

    If I lived a little closer, I'd be here all the time... I can see how it could be expensive if you go at dinner and order by the piece or roll. But wanna know my secret? A ten-spot at lunch gets you soup, salad, and either a sushi assortment (7 pieces of nigiri plus a California roll) or a *beautiful* chirashi sushi. I always leave full, and I've yet to be disappointed by the quality.

    (4)

  • M S.

    Great value and good taste. The sushi chef is extremely friendly and helpful. This place is BUSY all the time.. kind of too bad, but that tells you it's worth going to. Not a huge selection, but not a set back. Their desserts are excellent! (and always tend to sell out :( )

    (4)

  • Kati P.

    I chose Kisaku for my husband's July 15th birthday dinner with the family. (Kids are all mature adults!) It was our first time and we had a table for six. Our waitress was friendly and helpful (we have three vegetarians) and the food was superb. I lived in Japan for 8 yrs. and have taught Japanese cooking classes for 30+ yrs. so I know what I'm talking about. The sushi was creative and well made and the non-sushi items were yummy. The kitchen was kind enough to make some of the requested dishes sans katsuo dashi (bonita broth) which was very nice of them. We ate so much food and the bill was reasonable. We liked that the tables were not super close together. The next day I called and purchased a gift certificate for our one son who was in Japan and couldn't be there so he can enjoy Kisaku soon. We'll definitely go back---soon I hope!

    (5)

  • J L.

    I love the creative sushi rolls at Kisaku! They're delicious! I only wish Kisaku offered a bento box for dinner; I like the variety of bento boxes, and sometimes I'm not fully satisfied after eating here. But Kisaku is definitely tasty!! I recommend a reservation if you're heading there for dinner. We arrived around 6:30 and the place was packed on a Tuesday night. We had to wait for a bit, but luckily someone canceled their reservation at the last minute.

    (4)

  • Foodvana F.

    Location: Charming Service: Impeccable Food: Outstanding Food! ... It has been a long time since I've been surprised by sushi (in the good way), and the fresh scallop roll in my Sushi Combination M at Kisaku almost knocked me out of my seat! The Sushi Combo M includes tuna nigiri and 8 pieces of sushi, including tuna, salmon, yellowtail, surf clam, octopus, whitefish, and scallop. I didn't pick the scallop up until towards the end, choosing to start with my more regular, pinker staples. The rice was nice and firm, without overwhelming the pieces. The tuna sushi was pleasant enough, but I actually preferred it in the nigiri form. The surf clam typically took me a bit to bite through, though the flavor was nice and distinct. The yellowtail was ultra-buttery, not fishy or as stale as at other places - I thought that would be the best piece! Then I picked up the scallop, pearly white and lusciously plump ... it was like an ocean poem, an ocean haiku! It tasted like it still had some of the sea brine from its shell. And it wasn't a cut-up piece of scallop, it was a WHOLE scallop! This is why we live in the Pacific Northwest. Go for the combos - they are truly the best deal! Service! ... Impeccable is an understatement. We arrived, via GPS, on a Thursday night where the place was already hopping, although we could see 2 or 3 tables starting to open up. Although we didn't have a reservation, the maitre d' put our names on the waitlist and let us peruse the menu. We noticed a big Japanese family in the corner, three generations (grandparents, parents, and young children), enjoying themselves and took it as a good sign. We didn't have to wait long. After 10 minutes we were quickly seated. We decided on combos (my husband got the 10-piece L while I got the 8-piece M) and our waiter promptly took them to the chef behind the bar. I'm allergic to whitefish and was resigned to just swap my piece for one of my husband's, when it occurred to us that maybe they would substitute it. Although my waiter was in the back, another hostess saw me trying to flag her down and took my request to sub out the whitefish for another tuna (I should have asked for another scallop!). She came back with a smile and said the change had been made, no problem. Gracious host, attentive waitstaff, and obliging chefs! Very nice! Location! ... We love Greenlake ... for those of you who think Pike Place = Seattle, you can stay there! We'll take the residential neighborhoods of the north (Fremont, Wallingford, Greenlake), with its pretty houses, under-the-radar restaurants, and (yes) harder-to-navigate streets. But then we've lived in Boston and Chicago, so we know good food, perhaps the best food, is worth hunting out in little-known pockets of the city!

    (5)

  • laura m.

    i love this sushi place! its really good sushi with a really great atmosphere. you can show up after work and not feel out of place. there is usually a family or two in here. but if you show up dressed up or make a reservation you won't feel horribly out of place. its surprisingly affordable on the scale of sushi. and it is SO fresh! and yummy! i usually split a big sushi combination plus another roll or two. the greenlake roll is heaven!

    (5)

  • Just Y.

    You can go really, really wrong with Sushi Bars. Not here. This is one of the best places in the city. Very clean, friendly and attentive staff, a little pricey but worth it. You might get in without a reservation, but I suggest not trying. Its a little off the beaten path, but worth a trek.

    (4)

  • Barry G.

    Great quality sushi in the local Tangletown neighborhood. Love the Kisaku roll - go there so often they know my name.

    (4)

  • Cameron O.

    Excellent sashimi but everything else was at best mediocre. By everything I mean the miso soup, california rolls, chicken teryiaki, calamari, spider rolls and even the cheesecake. The overall presentation came off cheesy and far too casual even for Seattle. BUT the sashimi was soo fresh and succulent that it made up for all of the mediocrity. The albacore, fatty tuna, salmon, octopus and whitefish were magnificent! I also had the mackerel and bbq'd eel and was very pleased with my sashimi selection!

    (3)

  • Bonsai A.

    I love the food here, especially the calamari appetizer, and the desserts! The major negative I have for this place is the seating: wide open, close together, not enough. The servers are nice enough, but the most ideal experience for enjoying food here to me is to take it home.

    (3)

  • Stephanie E.

    The most impressive thing to me is that the people seated next to my date and I at the sushi bar were a very refined, very old Japanese couple, who greeted the sushi chef in Japanese and sat in serene silence enjoying their sushi with a nice glass of wine. Call me presumptuous, but if this place is good enough for them, it's good enough for me. It had a lovely elegant atmosphere, and luckily we arrived at a time that had seats available. The sushi was delicious and sitting at the bar made it feel even more authentic as you get to watch the sushi chef work his magic; it truly is an art, you should have see the care he took in arranging the garnishes! The tuna sashimi was to die for, but that's been the case for most sashimi I've tasted in Seattle. The Greenlake roll was original and delicious: a roll of salmon, flying fish eggs, asparagus, and avocado, topped with marinated seaweed. Top a fabulous meal off with a Sopporo, who could ask for anything more?

    (4)

  • Matt K.

    So the one thing I love about Seattle is the Sushi. There's are lots of places that have very excellent Sushi, and this is another one of them. The reason why this place gets 5 stars is due to the 1) sorbet -- easily the best in Seattle and 2) the atmosphere. Everyone is extremely nice here, and once you get to know the owner, you'll never have to look at a menu again. Just pull a chair up to the bar, and let the owner/chef do his magic. He will personalize the dining experience for your pallete. Make sure you ask what is food fresh today. 9 times out of 10 they have things not found on the menu, and those things are usually a delicious adventure. Wi-Fi can be found nearby, but the signal is not strong. If lucky, you may be able catch a signal from Zoka's across the street, but don't count on it. When you go here, focus on the food, not your computer.

    (5)

  • Jen H.

    I have been coming here since they opened and I love them. I always enjoy the food, often have a delicious surprise when trying something new and they are consistent. Their warm mushroom salad is fantastic, I love their sushi, great rolls, yummy fish and nice cuts. If you're looking for good Japanese cuisine without paying the higher prices most of the decent sushi restaurants in Seattle charge then try Kisaku.

    (5)

  • Gabriel L.

    I used to always hit up I Love Sushi whenever I visited Seattle, but now I go to Kisaku instead... not sure why since I do like both. I guess the location and smaller size make it feel a little less mainstream. We made reservations ahead of time (Thursday night) and were promptly seated. Our waitress got a little over-burdened at times due to waiting on other tables, but we did have another waiter notice us and come take our second round sushi order (I think it's a good sign when the waitrons cover for each other as opposed to only worrying about their own tips). Fish is good. Rice could have been slightly more polished and a little less sticky/starchy, so maybe -0.5 stars for that. The fish selection also includes less "normal" or popular items such as gizzard shad (kohada); I always appreciate having the opportunity to try a few new species.

    (5)

  • Kaitlyn M.

    Oh so good. Sushi combination L is like music to my ears. So fresh, so delicious- every single time. It can get busy so it doesn't hurt to make a reservation, and on the weekends it's pretty much necessary. If you want good sushi- go here. It's that simple!

    (5)

  • Adina M.

    This place has the freshest fish in Seattle hands down. I've tried tons of sushi joints from the high end Umi Sake House to the more down to earth Village Sushi and this place gives the best fish. I have never had fishy sushi here. Their albacore is consistently buttery and delicious. They have a great selection of rolls, good appetizers, and heavenly desserts. Try the fruit souffle. I can't recommend this place enough. If you can, sit at the sushi bar, service is usually faster and you can ask the chefs for recommendations.

    (5)

  • Lani A.

    There's nothing bad to say about Kisaku - the staff are so warm and friendly, the prices won't break the bank, and Chef Nakano is just about the nicest sushi chef you could meet. This is clearly the best sushi restaurant in Seattle. But what holds me back from giving it 5 stars is that I've been spoiled by Vancouver sushi. The quality is very good, but it doesn't leave me orgasmic. That torch was once carried by Sanmi Sushi in Magnolia, which is long gone and has left a hole in my heart. Still, I love eating here and it's a great place to go with friends and family. Parking in the area is tricky.

    (4)

  • judy n.

    i've only been for lunch, but i will have to say that it was a very good lunch & a really great deal. your basic japanese-restaurant-salad with miso/ginger/sesame dressing: nothing special. you also get miso shiru, which was good but not up to my mom's standards (i guess it's that pinch of crazy that makes her miso & gyoza so good): chirashi: very pretty & a very good value at lunch time; i was stuffed, which is saying a lot since i can outeat most large men when it comes to sushi. the cuts were fresh if not huge although i could have done without that damn shrimp. their tamago was especially good, & i don't usually like that. will definitely have to go back to try their dinner.

    (4)

  • GK I.

    This is the best sushi place in Seattle. The fish is always fresh and the service is always perfect! Never a bad experience always delicious!

    (5)

  • robert w.

    I have eaten Sushi from New York to Tokyo and let me tell you, this is the best place in Seattle. If you like Japanese food you can't go wrong here!

    (5)

  • Ya Y.

    I would say this place is median-Seattle quality for a sushi restaurant. Food: the nigiri sushi is good. We had yellow tail, special young yellow tail, and very fatty tuna. It was all good, but not great. The sushi rolls were nothing special. We had the Crab roll, Wallingford roll, and the spicy tuna roll. The Crab roll was boring and bland, the spicy tuna was, perhaps, a bit too spicy. Service: Redemptively good. We sat for ten minutes and watched other tables being waited on who were seated after us. Eventually the server came to our table where upon her arrival she said quickly "I'm sorry for the delay may I take your drink order." She glossed so quickly over the apology, I did something very unusual. I said, "what does that mean 'I'm sorry'?". She was not prepared for the combative position we were reduced to. This was an awkward moment for her and us. Now for the glowing portion of the service review... She did not develop an attitude. Her service was extraordinary from that point forward. She was attentive, and made sushi suggestions such as the "fresh very young yellowtail." The remainder of the service was very satisfactory with a good attitude, and good positive spirit. Since the food was median quality for Seattle Sushi places, we will continue to try additional places before returning here.

    (2)

  • Anson K.

    Tangletown's Kisaku is one of the best sushi restaurants in Seattle, period. Their fish is amazing and the skill of the sushi chefs is impressive. I have never been served anything here that was less than beautiful. Jenny and I usually go here for lunch as it is a bit mellower than the often busy evening service. Definitely recommend: miso soup, otokayama sake, delicious green tea; albacore sashimi, wallingford roll (hamachi radish sprouts and crunchy roe on outside), wild salmon nigiri. and finally the hamachi is usually very nice.

    (5)

  • Vanessa T.

    delicious and cannot the quality of fish cannot be beat by price!

    (5)

  • Mingalaba C.

    Been to Kisaku a couple of times and it appears that it is an excellent place if you are a regular with reservations. They really seem to know their regulars which I think is great, except that most people can't afford to go eat sushi often enough to develop such a personal relationship with their server. For the rest of us, don't expect to be able to drop in without a reservation. Tempura was good, rolls were good, dessert was good - but nothing was great (though it's obvious others would disagree since it is always packed). But if you need to hop in the car to get sushi, there are plenty of other great and excellent sushi places in the area to go to without being treated like a second tier customer.

    (3)

  • Quinn R.

    anyone that says this is the best sushi in seattle is right...how do I know? cuz i know everything. I could bring out my 'I lived in Japan for a year card' to back up my claim (but really I know no better than the next guy what good sushi is). All I do know is that I love this place, it is hte only place I'll eat sushi in Seattle. Try their rolls, I'm especially fond of the greenlake roll. This place is no longer the secret it was when I first started going so you'll have to wait but call ahead and get on the list. Make sure you dont get seated in the back room as the service is poor back there and the room is a bit stuffy. Sit anywhere else and the service is dyNOmite.

    (5)

  • Peter L.

    Seattle is lucky to have so many good sushi restaurants, and Kisaku is definitely one of the best. Living next door for 3 years gave me many chances to enjoy the excellent sushi and Japanese cuisine prepared by Nakano-san and his staff. The basics are all solid, but usually the hamachi, aji, tai,and ama-ebi are superb. Rolls are not too funky, except for the Green Lake Roll, which has marinated seaweed on the outside and the Kisaku Roll, which uses soy paper rather than nori. Even the seasoned rice in the sushi seems a notch above other places. Appetizers and salads are not to be missed, especially the agedashi tofu and the mushroom salad. Kisaku has a small but well thought and well priced sake list (Ama no to is my favorite), and they have a few Japanese beers, including an interesting wheat beer by Hitachino (has a picture of an owl on front). The place fills up quickly, so make reservations, or head across the street and enjoy a brew at Tangletown to wait. This is no fusion or cutting edge cuisine, but food that is simply fresh and well executed.

    (5)

  • May N.

    After hearing from friends that this place has phenomenal sushi, I've decided to give it a try. Indeed, the food was fabulous here and I truly enjoyed the comfortable and cozy atmosphere. Our waitstaff was also very friendly and the service was impeccable. I would not hesitate to go back there again for some great sushi.

    (4)

  • Brad F.

    Behold the power of Yelp! I came here on several recommendations from this site, and I was not disappointed. The restaurant was quite clean, but minimalist in its decor. The hostess and wait staff were very friendly and attentive. The sushi chef was really fun to watch, as he clearly had a passion for his fish and his technique. I wish that either the bar chairs were higher or the cutting surface was lower, because it was hard to see the master at work! I had my two favorites: the futomaki and the spicy tuna. The fish was extremely fresh and flavorful. My only complaint about these rolls was that the fish-to-rice ratio was a little too low, especially on the spicy tuna. This is probably the only thing that kept my rating to four stars instead of five. I initially balked at the $7 price tag for the futomaki rolls, but when they came out, I understood why. Four very large rolls that came with very fresh eel. $7 was pretty reasonable for the quantity and quality of fish for that order. I finished off the meal with an otoro hand roll. For the uninitiated, otoro is the most delicious (and most fatty) cut of tuna. The fish was very tender and just melted very pleasantly in your mouth. Grab a friend, grab a bar seat, chat up the Japanese chefs, and enjoy some great Seattle sushi! Gochisousama deshita! ^^

    (4)

  • Nina N.

    I forget about kisaku when I think of a sushi restaurant to go to, and this one semi sunny, cloudy muggy day :) I decided to take a stroll down greenlake, and get some coffee at zoka. There in front of my eyes --------- kisaku ----------------- was it meant to be? did my stomach lead me into the right direction? yes it did, and I thank it for being so good to me. I ordered the usual nigiri, and sashimi that I always order, and damn it.. again a sure fire hit!!!! But the only thing that sucked was the fact that it was toooooooooo crowded, and for me being a single diner, I thought it was pretty ridiculous to wait 20 mins for a spot to sit down. But all in all, pretty tasty for sushi on the lake.

    (4)

  • Push U.

    Oh Kisaku, how lucky I am that you're in my neighborhood. Let me start off by saying that I've been to a number of sushi restaurants in Seattle. Unfortunately, I've been disappointed with all of them. Yes, I know there are many of you who swear by Shiro's, Nishino's, Umi, Wasabi Bistro, etc. I swear by them too...with curse words. I'm of the opinion that good sushi is about some very simple elements... 1) The rice...that's right, can you really tell the difference between the bluefin tuna sushi at Nishino's vs. the refrigerated pack at Central Market? I digress...The rice at Kisaku is probably the best in town. It's not too sour, not too sweet and just the right temperature. 2) Portions...this is actually where I will ding Kisaku. It seems that they give you about a 3/4 roll on average. But, their prices are inline to the portions. 3) Service...could the chefs be any friendlier? They always great you with a smile and the Omakase is customized to what you like. Not just what the chef feels like making. 4) Appetizers...another ding here. I usually just get the seaweed/cucumber salad (with ample amounts of King Crab clusters...a bargain and delicious). But last time, I was feeling way too healthy for my own good so I countered it with the tempura...it was served hot and had plenty of prawns/shrimp (3 as I recall), BUT, the tempura batter seemed soft. Having just returned from Japan where the tempura is crispy, I was dissapointed to say the least. Net, net. This is by far the best sushi restaurant in King County. If you're feeling really adventurous head up to Tojo's in Vancouver for some of the best sushi in the world...but, that my friends, is another review for another time...

    (4)

  • E H.

    I have been to Kisaku before in the summer, and it was very good. I would have to rank it in my top sushi places....until now. Had family come in from Chicago and was excited for them to try a great sushi place...what a bad idea. The waiter had attitude the whole night and really didn't do much. Hamachi was average, and the salmon was the only good thing. We all ordered Geoduck (mirugai) nigiri and we could all tell that it wasn't very fresh. The taste and crunch was not there at all. After eating at different sushi places in Seattle and in different, my family and I know our sushi. Im sorry, but now I have to scratch this place off my favorite sushi places...pay a little more and eat some fresh sushi at Nishino

    (3)

  • Allison Y.

    Definitely make a reservation before you go. Kisaku has the best sushi I have ever tasted. Well worth the hour wait! I definitely recommend getting saki to go with your sushi.

    (5)

  • Michael H.

    Sat at the sushi bar as usual. Items are average off the menu. The deliciousness comes when we told the chef what we were looking for. That's when things were kicked up a notch.

    (4)

  • Evelyn F.

    The Kisaku roll is to die for. We ordered the Green Lake and Wallingford rolls as well, which were fresh and tasted great, but it was the Kisaku roll with its melt-in-your-mouth crab and scallop that sent me over the edge. I was a little miffed though with the long wait until our sushi arrived. Besides this, an enjoyable place that I will likely return.

    (4)

  • Scott H.

    I found this place on a random night with the help of yelp. The mushroom salad was by far my favorite! The spider roll was good, but not memorable. I tried a fish that was recommended and a sushi combo. All the fish was very fresh and delicious. Our waiter however needs to pump the breaks a bit on assuming that my lack of knowledge for a specific fish has nothing to do with not being familiar with asian languages (he actually said this to me) and more so with my poor memory and being excited to try a new restaurant with great reviews. He's just lucky that I was in a good mood and wasn't in the mood to school him... Mr. "Suri-acha".

    (4)

  • Croissantthief R.

    DELICIOUS food, reasonable for a more upscale sushi place, kind, sweet, knowledgeable and accommodating staff. If youre vegan (or not), try the roll with eggplant! Excellent date spot. I had a great time here!

    (5)

  • Scott R.

    After a uniquely terrible meal at a Bellevue sushi joint, I decided that our old haunt deserved yet another 5* review. We've been going to Kisaku for years - we've watched it get a lot busier, we've spent some years picking up after the kids go to bed, we've watched the Zagat rating climb, and we've seen surprisingly little turnover in a number of key staff - and owners who still recognize us. The sushi is consistently excellent - the nigiri is fresh and never mushy, their rolls are flavorful and well-balanced, and the appetizers are great. Prices are completely reasonable for the quality. Love it.

    (5)

  • J K.

    People have orgasms when they talk about this restaurant, so I had to try it myself. It's definitely a solid sushi joint. The sushi seems really fresh. I like how the slabs of sashimi are large. The prices are good. The service is adequate. The menu is standard, in a good way. But there are a number of high quality Japanese restaurants in Seattle and I don't see why this one gets all the orgasmic descriptions. I guess sometimes you just want that standard, by-the-book, no frills Japanese joint and Kisaku delivers just that.

    (4)

  • Andrew C.

    A case of food poisoning! I came here last Thursday with two others . Me and my friend had sushi/sashimi and while the third friend had tempura. The next day my friend and I who had the raw fish came down with stomach flu and had a fever over night. Coincidentally the third friend who had tempura did not experience any effects, so we think we it was something in the raw fish that made us feel sick. Aside from that, for the price, the sushi was not up to par as other places I have been to in Seattle, and the portions were small.

    (1)

  • Annie P.

    My husband and I tried this place the first time about a year ago, and the food was good, but the oysters I ordered gave me massive diarrhea! I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital, but luckily recovered after taking a ton of anti-d meds when my symptoms were worsening. We decided to try it again a few weeks ago, since their reviews were so good. Bad idea. When we got there, on a Sunday, they had just opened up so the place was empty, which was fine, but the hostesses were kind of out of it and seemed all confused when we asked for a table for two. They told us that they were all booked up, then looked in their book, said something that we didn't understand, and then ignored us when I said "Sorry... did you say something?" It was all kinds of awkward and confusion. We will never go back.

    (1)

  • TJ L.

    My favorite sushi in Seattle. I am only sad I no longer live close by, but I make the trip whenever I can. Ask the sushi chef what's fresh. He introduced me to several things I've never tried and discovered I enjoy, including my new favorite sushi, Kohada. All the sushi is great, the rolls inspired (Devil's Vegetable Roll is the best roll without fish I've ever had and is perfect for friends who "don't like sushi") and they have plenty of great options for non-sushi folk. Tempura and soba noodles are excellent alternatives. This is no longer the precious neighborhood secret it once was so for dinner, better make a reservation. And unless privacy/intimacy is a priority, sit at the sushi bar and chat up the chef. It's so much more fun and educational.

    (5)

  • Heather W.

    At what point are there too many reviews for one place? Oh well, here is another. Good: -vegetarian sushi selection -wait staff (attentive) -chef (flexible...will surprise you or make something special) Bad: -eating there between 5-8pm on a busy night (every night). Not quiet, wait 2 hours for a table, and yeah. I recommend it for lunch or on off-hours. It gets crazy in there.

    (4)

  • Mandy C.

    This was my first time to Kisaku (and my first time to Tangletown). I can't believe I've never found that little neighborhood.. It's a cute little area and Kisaku was absolutely packed when I left. Glad I beat the rush. My gal pal & I decided to split two rolls (and were seated at the sushi bar so we had the sushi chef's attention anytime we liked, which was nice). The service was good and the chef really made sure we were okay. We needed to catch up on the goings-on around town so he let us do that before whipping up a spicy tuna roll & a Green Lake roll. I liked the Green Lake roll with asparagus and the seaweed topper. It was creative. We ate for cheap and could just hang, eat, talk, order more, eat & repeat till we felt full. Cute place, nice folk, and decent sushi. I like the neighborhood feel of the place.

    (4)

  • Jodi S.

    I ended up going here on a date, and we weren't even planning to go here originally. It was a Friday night and we had no reservations. The place was packed but we didn't have to wait more than ten minutes before they had a table ready. The atmosphere was pleasant, there was not loud obnoxious music blaring (just something soft to fill up any awkward silences). It's a great place to talk and get to know someone better! As for the sushi, it was wonderful! I'm no expert on sushi, but everything was neat and fresh and made my tummy happy. I think I ordered the 8 piece entre, which gave me a wide range to taste. The octopus sushi was very tender and quite tasty! All in all, I was very pleased with the food, service, atmosphere and would definitely like to go back in the near future!

    (5)

  • Bonnie C.

    Kisaku is probably one of, if not the, best sushi restaurants North of the Ship Canal. They have complex and tasty specialty rolls (the Greenlake roll topped with seaweed salad is one of my favorites) that are priced well - it's hard to choose just one or two! I've also left my dining fate to the chef behind the sushi bar here and he served up a tantalizingly fresh omekase including octopus, geoduck and wild sockeye salmon. The sake selection is also good here and creative presentation plus good knife skillz make this as nice for the eye as it is for the palate. You can't go wrong with Kisaku if you love sushi.

    (5)

  • Rosie W.

    I love the Tangletown neighborhood and Kisaku is my favorite place near Greenlake. It has consistent quality and very nice staff. Make reservations on the weekends because it's a small place and can get very busy. Parking may be a little difficult too, but there's plenty of side streets to look for parking. I took my very picky parents here for Seattle Restaurant Week and they loved it.

    (4)

  • Ellen L.

    Quite delicious. I came here for an early lunch and boy am I glad I got there early! It was a Thursday and the place was packed! I ordered from the lunch menu and the food came quickly. It probably helped that it came with a starter salad and miso soup to keep me well occupied until the main course. Distraction is key. Lastly though I have to point out the extensive sushi menu. No fuss with the silly rolls. Straight to the nigiri!

    (4)

  • Yvonne C.

    I love Kisaku. The salted mackerel is divine. I would fly to wherever mackerel live, use my teeth to fashion a wooden spear, spear the mackerel and bring it back to Kisaku for the chefs to cook it if that's what it took to have them make me one plate of their salted mackarel. Melt in your mouth perfection! Oh... and everything else is good, too. Go. And I recommend making a reservation if possible. ;)

    (4)

  • Bethany M.

    We used to dine here frequently when we lived around the corner near Greenlake. For a neighborhood restaurant, this place is pretty good. However, now that we live further away and any visit to a decent sushi restaurant requires a journey by car, Kisaku doesn't rate a special trip. The quality (and availability) of their fish varies dramatically, as does the service. They rarely have all of my Japanese favorites (e.g., Aji, Kohada, Isaki) in stock. The omakase is not very imaginative. And let's face it: most of the patrons here are used to dining on rolls, so they don't know any better.

    (2)

  • Philip L.

    Excellent sushi. Make a reservation because it's usually packed. A very nice spot, but although it's always bustling, the atmosphere is a bit bland for my tastes. That's a pretty minor quibble though. The sushi is top notch.

    (4)

  • Anne B.

    OK, I'm officially hooked -- fresh, innovative sushi (love the Green Lake roll) at reasonable prices, Hitachinonest beer (the BEST Japanese brew) on the menu, and Japanese chefs behind the bar (not to discriminate or anything). My only complaint is that there aren't more tables, which means reservations are a wise idea, at least on weekends. I envision this being a carry-out standby for me from now on.

    (4)

  • Edison D.

    I like this place... simple & satisfying! Seems to have a traditional sushi approach! No over-dramatic stuff... which I prefer! They have Kohada! Which is a native fish local to Tokyo region. I had 3 pieces... it was yummy! Not a lot of sushi bars carry this. So, I suggest you try it! I always get Aji sashimi because it's one of my favs... they deep fried the bone! Nicely done! Crunch-crunch! ;0) I had a couple of Saba too. Good! My only complain... a bit "pricey"! Oh, and I prefer my Amaebi still kicking! I guess, I got spoiled in California!

    (4)

  • Stas G.

    Tangletown is small and mostly residential so I was delightfully surprised to find it home to this fantastic, authentic, and fresh sushi restaurant. The nigiri selection is excellent and every piece is an explosion of flavor in your mouth. The Sushi combinations are a great entree choice although the chirashi and the rolls are very good as well.

    (4)

  • David L.

    I went here for the first time and asked for an omakase meal (i.e., chef's choice). To ensure that I didn't just get the standard "white man" sashimi platter, I asked for a couple of less conventional items to indicate my willingness to be adventurous (specifically, geoduck and sea urchin roe). In addition, I was served fatty tuna, suft clam, Alaskan salmon sashimi, ahi, albacore, eel, and fried shrimp heads (which I had never had before but were delicious). Everything was phenomenally fresh and expertly prepared. This certainly rivals the best sushi I have ever had in Seattle; I am just counting the days until I can go back. Tip: save room for dessert! We ordered an apple cheesecake and this sweet potato-stuffed deep fried pastry with red bean paste and ice cream. Both were amazing. I have to stop this review before I drool on my keyboard.

    (5)

  • James F.

    This is one of my all time favorite sushi places. Great service and Great Sushi. I would suggest sitting at the sushi bar for the best experience, especially if Chef Nakano is on shift. Kisaku has a large menu with well priced items, including some very affordable sake. The fish is always fresh and prepared perfectly. it's a good idea to call ahead and get some reservations, this place while large fills up fast.

    (5)

  • Vanessa A.

    This place is in the Tangletown area. I've only been there once with my roommate and another friend but I was really impressed. Great sushi. Carefully prepared, very fresh. Good size place that is new, clean, and looks nice. Prices are good and the service is very very friendly. A little tough to find if you're not familiar with the area.

    (4)

  • Dennis M.

    Kisaku is alittle gem tucked away between Greenlake and Wallingford. We have been eating here off and on for the last 5 years and are impressed with the consistency in the food and waitstaff. The nigiri/sashimi, bento boxes and basic rolls are excellent. The only reason this isn't a five star is the cuts are average and not always the prime part of the fish (tuna is average). Fish is always fresh, but I do like a meaty piece of tuna and a slab of fish that hides the rice on the nigiri. The environment here is relaxed and open. Not a big party place and please don't come here if you want a fancy sushi roll deep fried and covered in sweet sauce. You won't find it here. You will find an authentic Japanese menu with fair prices.

    (4)

  • Matt C.

    So I'm pretty conflicted about giving Kisaku only 3 stars. We didn't have a reservation on a Saturday night and had to wait for an hour to be seated, which is fair. But after we were seated, it took 10 minutes before we could flag down the waitress to get menus and water, then it was another 50 minutes after we ordered before our food came. Maybe it was extra busy that night or something, I don't know, but that kind of wait is unacceptable. That said, the sushi was excellent. However I would gladly sacrifice myself to almost excellent sushi for better service any day.

    (3)

  • Mike M.

    I can't help but write this little review. I think that it won't make any difference to hipsters..who single-handily elevated " Mighty O Donuts" and "Babe Land" to fave on yelp for many many months. I am new to Seattle..A of friend of mine wanted to have lunch in a casual place. This friend suggested Kisaku, due to my insistence to consult YELP reviewers. I traveled from Seatac- up and up till my nose bled, and got to this Neighborhood. I saw the donut shack and other venues so wildly reviewed in the strange 5 corner turn-around in a secluded residential district...ALL these joints were/are persistent top reviews! It was then that I understood Seattle Yelp.---light bulb time!!!!!!!! A click of foodie, hipster post college 20's somethings, white collar, single affluent party-goers that pass judgment on the rest of the city, from their city/college based pads, walk to self-manufactured "hot-spots" within spitting distance of their Ubercool Casa's Needles to say, I was VERY disappointed, disillusioned, and angry. I liked yelp because I thought locals would point out places a newbie could visit. But that newbie would have to be in the "chic" areas of town..I can't even tell you people the number of times I have read reviews disparaging other communities - outside of certain neighborhoods in " Hip-Seattle". Anyway- We followed the advice of the person who gave glowing reviews. The main chef was there, but he wanted to close for the mid-day after we were there for an hour ( 20 min to get our order) We ordered Green lake rolls ( great) chefs choice sushi-mi ( horrible...cleaning up the old crap) and a few more rolls. 1 drink each. Basically an appetizer lunch. Over $50. They pushed us to leave because it was mid-day closing time. Many members talk about price and value. ..but the price vs quality and service is outrageous.Very expensive ....How much money does it take to call a few ounces of any food "fairly priced" at this rate. I

    (1)

  • Andri P.

    Went here today with my co-workers. The atmosphere are kinda nice. It's not extravagant and very design-y, it's just clean and neat and the lightings are warm and nice. The service are really good. T hey are very nice and friendly. However, the food is just ok. I think I have tried better rolls elsewhere. Yes, we ate mostly rolls, not really so much about sushi, so if you're looking for the sushi review, this review may not be for you. Anyway, the rolls are just okay, but since the service are nice and the atmosphere is nice, I may have given it another chance. Tips: this restaurant is listed in restaurant.com .

    (3)

  • Bryan K.

    Everything about this place was good, not great. They have a huge selection of wines and sakes, if that's what you're into. For me, I'm not too picky when it comes to sushi or the drink the accompanies my sushi (give me a Sapporo and I'm good). I know that sushi can be and usually is a little on the pricey side, but for these kind of prices I was hoping for something a little more spectacular or unique, though I notice they had a geoduck sashimi. I almost tried it but chickened out at the last second. I don't want to sound like this place isn't good, because it is very good. The cozy atmosphere was captured perfectly with the light snow falling outside and the warm, soft lights filling the restaurant. It was a great spot for a date, which I happened to be on. But, if I'm looking for a quick sushi fix in the future, maybe I'll venture a little further south to 45th and hit up Musashi or Kozue, which offer a wider selection for more reasonable prices.

    (4)

  • Won M.

    On the recommendation from you fellow Yelpers, I made a reservation and went to Kisaku. I have to say that Kisaku is one of the best Sushi joints in Seattle. I personally judge Sushi on two things. First is the freshness of the fish. All the Nigiri ordered were extremely fresh and great cuts. All the pieces just melted in my mouth. Second is the texture of the rice. Rice is the base of the Sushi. I would like it to be in perfect balance. It can't be hard and crunchy. It has to be soft and moist matching the balance of the fish. Kisaku's sushi rice was exactly what I look for in my Nigiris. I will add extra points on top of that for variety of fish. I get bored with regular ol' variety of fish. Kisaku had wide variety. I got to try something called, "Amber Jack" and some other white fish I don't remember the name of. It was great. You must try the Fried Oyster Appetizer. I am not a big fan of cooked oysters but this was AMAZING. The sweet chili vinegar based sauce complimented the smoky and sweetness of the oyster perfectly. Great service also adds more points on top. The guy who served was great. Pleasant and friendly. Explained all the new fish and gave us great recommendations. If you would like to go here, I suggest making a reservation. We saw people waiting from 6:30 to when we left which was around 9pm.

    (5)

  • Belinda N.

    Great experience. Service was UNBELIEVABLE. Attentive but not pushy and the place was PACKED on a weeknight. We didn't make reservations (highly recommended) but they still sat us after about a 10 minute wait (well worth it).

    (4)

  • Brent T.

    Best sushi bar in Seattle by far. Blows away Wasabi Bistro, Umi, and those other conveyor belt restaurants. Highly recommend making reservations in advance. Selection is great, the fish is fresh, and they have other options for non-seafood eaters as well.

    (5)

  • Laura P.

    At first I was dissatisfied- it seemed all the wait staff were walking around in their bright whites but not taking our order, but quickly I changed my mind. Our waitress was very friendly once she got to our table. We chatted with her at length about spas (we plugged the Euro Institute) and later she helped me decide what to take home to the hubby who couldn't make it to lunch (nabeyaki udon served in house comes with a much nicer presentation of a stone pot). We got the Kisaku roll to start (I'm a sucker for anything with soy paper) and I ordered the day's bento with croquette, yakitori chicken, and a sliced gobo salad and California roll. We were too stuffed for dessert, so I'll have to save that for another review. I probably don't have much to add about the food that hasn't already be said, so I'll plug the bathrooms. I noticed that several establishments in Seattle share a common bathroom and the plus with Kisaku is that you get a whiff of the Aveda products used next door. update: 2/18/08 Sweet potato lovers should not miss the Kisaku sweet potato dessert. They puree sweet potato, wrap it up like a spring roll and fry it. It comes with a teeny-tiny scoop of vanilla ice cream and sweet red beans. One bite and my legs were dancing under the table like a happy Snoopy. The flame broiled salmon kohaku (aka cheeks!) is an awesome way to get your good fatty oils.

    (4)

  • Linda K.

    I don't often make it to a Sushi place since my husband is a strict vegetarian. But we had a guest from out of town who wanted sushi so.... They managed to get us a spot on a Friday night. Put us on the wait list and then called us back just as we were driving by headed for another restaurant! The place was full but did not feel crowded - bright and clean and comfortable. The only minor nit I have was the menus tended to have sticky sauce on them, mine was bad enough for me to request a different one which was promptly offered. When we told the waiter that my husband was a vegetarian he offered us the vegetarian menu. The main difference from my husbands viewpoint was that the tempura was not made with any fish juice. We had a pretty wide variety of sushi plus tempura and it was all excellent. I can't wait for another excuse to get my husband back there again!

    (4)

  • Huy D.

    Caterpillar roll and seaweed salad are the excellent combination!

    (5)

  • Martin C.

    Rolled in from across the street at like 10:20 Saturday night. A great selection of shellfish and fish that not every sushi bar has. Freshness is ichiban. Didn't try any rolls tho sorry.

    (5)

  • Ms G.

    This has become my favourite sushi place in Seattle. I don't make that designation lightly. Especially a bargain for lunch; get sushi combo A or B. You will be full. The rolls here are not super exciting, but reliable and good. Service is generally superb. Given the lunch comment above, this is the best value in sushi as well as a good experience.

    (5)

  • J R R.

    Put a plate of Sushi in front of me and it will soon disappear. Kisaku makes a great plate. I don't pretend to be a sushi expert, but the freshness of the fish and the beauty of the rolls can not be denied. left to my own devices, I could drop a fortune and did. I think the prices are very reasonable and the food is unbelievable. We ended this feast for 8 with one slice of asian apple cheese cake. Everyone got a bite... It was very satisfying!

    (5)

  • Iki T.

    I really do love this sushi place which is located in front of Mighty O donuts. It's kind of hard to find. They have unique sushi rolls that are yummy. I think their fishes are pretty fresh and good quality. Also, sushi chefs there are friendly ;-) Plus, their desserts are wonderful! You must try their sweet potato spring roll with some fruits and red beans paste. They are always busy, so you might wanna call them for a reservation.

    (5)

  • Nerick M.

    The food here is phenomenal. I had some of the freshest sushi in Seattle at this place. Pull up a seat at the sushi bar, chat with the chef, and try the geoduck and sockeye salmon. Booyah!

    (5)

  • June N.

    I used to work in the area and had a few lunches here. I ran across the reviews here and wanted to add to my slowly growing number of reviews. From what I can remember, the service was good, food tasty and the prices reasonable. Whenever I'm eating lunch in a Japanese restaurant, I usually order soba and nigiri or unagi don and sashimi. I never find soba though...the unagi don was juuust right though. It's kind of out of the way, but it's in a nice little quiet spot. Not the best sushi in the world, but probably one of the better places in town.

    (4)

  • Kevin S.

    While I can't say that this is the best Japanese restaurant I've ever been to or that its the best value. I can say that Kisaku is a great restaurant with very tasty entrees that are both traditional and very well done. That said, I do ding them a bit for their pricing which I honestly feel is a few bucks per dish higher than what you might find at other places, but its also much cheaper and much better than Nishino - so its really all relative. In any case, so I really must say that the Agedashi Tofu and Miso Saba were done very well and as a extremely discerning asian food critic (especially when it comes to Japanese food) that should mean a lot. Also for those who care I should note that while eating at Kisaku I saw a lot of older japanese families there - a very good sign in my opinion.

    (4)

  • Koriann B.

    This place is really good. We sat at the sushi bar and so got to watch the sushi chef in action; really cool. The sushi chef gave us really good recommendations on what to eat an it was all very well prepared. Unagi Maguro Sea Scallops Green Lake Roll Mai (I'm not sure if this is how you spell it, but it's a Hawaiian fish). Otoro We also had miso soup and a mushroom salad and both were very good. We got out of there very full and under $50. Great in my book. They lose one star, however, for making us wait for our seats for 15 minutes, despite the fact that there were at least six open seats at the sushi bar and three open tables. Advice: Don't even try to go without a reservation. For dinner at least, I don't know about lunch.

    (4)

  • Sanaz A.

    A sunday night in Fremont and a borderline dangerous craving for sushi... we were lucky to stumble upon Kisaku else I would've been very cranky :) great atmosphere with live music. the sushi was super yummy. I judge a great sushi place by the quality of their nigiri, we had the otoro and the wild sockeye salmon... SOO delicious, the melt in your mouth kind! I can still taste it :)

    (4)

  • Mary R.

    Nice decor= Check Clean= Check Complimentary miso and salad = Check Friendly service= Check My only complaint not enough selection of sushi rolls, but the quality was high. I will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Aggie M.

    This would be a good first date restaurant - cute place (not too nice means you're not trying too hard), good food (not so amazing that you can't hear what your date is saying b/c you're so focused on the yummy), and then you can walk around the lake afterwards. The sushi and sashimi are not great, I don't think the fish was the best quality and the cut was definitely not done by an expert. The rolls were creative and I wish I'd ordered more of those. The best part about this place though was the calamari. I'm totally obsessed with calamari. I could be resuscitated from the brink of death by calamari. I could be easily seduced by well cooked calamari. I could be tempted to steal money to buy good calamari. It seriously worries me how much I frickin love calamari. I will order it at every restaurant I go to, knowing that 95% of the time it will be badly made. This is one of 2 places in Seattle that does it almost to my satisfaction. And please, if anyone can recommend a good place to go to for calamari, please please please let me know. I will love you forever.

    (4)

  • Suzanne Z.

    Went to Kisaku for lunch today with my brother and was highly impressed by the food and the ambience. I'm no sushi expert, but this sushi was both beautiful to look at and tasty to eat. We sat at the bar and stuffed ourselves on five of the rolls; top choices were the Fukimaki, Spider Roll, and Garden Roll. Came with miso soup and salad and all for what I consider a very decent price. Not rating a five because it was a bit difficult to get our sushi chef's attention, and there was an error with the bill (in our favor, but we are honest and let the server know). What really sold me on the place, though, and I know it has nothing to do with sushi, is that they were playing Bossa Nova music in the background, which immediately put me in a good mood and possibly made the food more enjoyable too.

    (4)

  • Amy W.

    I want to love Kisaku. I've been here probably 6 or so times, and after this last one I've decided that's the end. There's nothing BAD about the place. ' Pros: The fish is good - but the fish is good at a lot of sushi places in Seattle. If you sit at the sushi bar the sushi chefs are usually very friendly and nice. Cons: parking in the neighborhood is impossible. There's ALWAYS a long wait, or you need a reservation. (which is frustrating when tables are sitting open) The waitstaff is mediocre at best. The menu is limited. The prices are middle-of-the-road, which isn't bad but to get me to come back it'd have to be good, cheap sushi. If this place was in any other city, it would be a gem. But here there are just too many other great sushi joints I'd rather go to.

    (2)

  • Erik k.

    it was incredible experiance they have all kinds of rolls and fish even from the japan!!! but i felt careless service i been there 3rd time only but everytime chef missread order...i didnt get wut i want i understand it was busy night but cant get over it =(

    (4)

  • Q T.

    This place doesn't click with us. Why? It makes you feel 2nd-class for not having a reservation, it devoids of atmosphere, the waiters (especially the white dudes) were aloft (exception below), the place feels sterile despite all the hipsters. Their table arrangements was a contributing factor. Its website claims a neighborhood restaurant for everyone. Well, we went there for dinner and the first question the host asked was if we had a reservation. We didn't, and we didn't know that we should have one. So we had to sit at the bench and waited for 15 minutes, while clearly the bar is empty except for a couple, and 4 empty tables. When finally the guy sat us down at a table he mentioned that we needed to finish before such and such time as there was a reservation for that table by then. Well, I really wanted to see what's the hoopla about this place, so we decided to choke it up and ordered a la carte sashimi and kinmedai, my favorite. The food verdict? It's so-so, not a standout compared to other places in Seattle that we've tried. The only bright spot? The waitress serving us was the same nice Japanese lady that works at our favorite Sushi restaurant. We won't come back.

    (2)

  • Amanda K.

    This restaurant has an odd way of seating people. We walked in here on thursday night and the place was almost empty. We then waited for awhile before being told all the tables were reserved. Okay, so where is everyone? Well this one table over there you can sit in, but be out at 7:40 we are told, and keep in mind this is at 6:15. Okay, I say, let's play it safe is the sushi bar okay to sit at? yes, says hostess please sit there. We sit down. Hostess comes over. No, I meant that the left side of the sushi bar is open for sitting not this part. I'm amused at this point and boyfriend is pissed. I say calm down the food better be good. We sit, and order an appetizer. Waiter comes over, excuse me miss do me a favor and move over. I say no. This is ridiculous we are not moving again. Thankfully the food was good! really good, and our sushi chef was nice and apologetic for the unprofessionalism of the staff. In fact, we gave him a tip instead of our waitress. I was extremely impressed with the rolls, the quality was amazing and the prices were great as well. Much cheaper then most sushi restaurants that I have been to in the area. I loved the spicy tuna and the green lake roll. The green lake roll was very creative and it had seaweed salad on top, yum! The kisaku roll, I was not impressed with because to me it tasted like egg salad. I recommend going to this restuarant, BUT MAKE SURE TO MAKE RESERVATIONS!!!!!! :)

    (4)

  • Jeremy H.

    My 'go to' sushi place, by far. Great sushi, solid prices, good selection, fine staff. The environment is nice but not upscale. Great fora nice dinner or date night.

    (5)

  • Jeremy H.

    Initial reaction...pretty good. I liked the "out of the way" location. I would've preferred a little better priced sake but the nigiri was fresh and well portioned. We had the Sushi combo L and a roll after an edamame app. Perfect amount for the two of us.

    (4)

  • A E.

    My favorite Japanese resturant in Seattle. It's not too fancy to be indimidated, it has a very welcoming atmosphere--well lit, warm colors, and clean decor. It was also a good sign when all their customers were also Japanese. I wish I can give them a bonus star for service. I ordered a Tendon (tempura donburi) for lunch, and I requested for all vegetables and no shrimp. My server came back to make sure if I was vegan or vegetarian. Although I am neither, I was very impressed he went the extra 10 seconds to double check. I found the dishes here most authentic! Tastes like my mom's and grandma's food! Everything is simpley flavored, and not overdone. (Other Japanese resturants always overdue the flavors--like make it extra bonito-ey, miso-ey, soy-sacuey, etc). I tried the tempura udon, and their nabe. Yummy also. The tea leaves they use aren't those bulk cheapass stuff, they are definitely high quality leaves!!! MMM. I was very impressed! I can't forget the sushi either! Very yummy. I have to praise the California roll: They use REAL crab not that fake imitation stuff, and they put plenty of fish roe--the most expensive part! (if you order the cali roll in the lunch combo, it is imitation crab, but if you order it off the menu it is real crab). I'll defintely come back to this place over any other Japanese resturant in the Seattle area!

    (5)

  • Stan F.

    Another favorite Japanese restaurant in Seattle. I don't usually go here because the parking can be difficult. The sushi was fresh. I like their miso soup because they use non-fried tofu. Prices like other Japanese restaurants in its category are pricey. The wait staff was very friendly.

    (5)

  • Karla F.

    I didn't have sushi, but I did have the Fuji Apple Cheese Cake. YUMMY! I highly recommend it.

    (4)

  • Jen P.

    The rolls were great, especially the Green Lake roll...I'll try the Wallingford roll next time. The sushi chef tonight was very knowledgeable and quite friendly, I sat at the bar. The only odd thing was the music...I always have a hard time when sushi bars play American rock and roll. It doesn't fit, even though I love the music. See you soon, Kisaku!

    (4)

  • Mojdeh S.

    How I heard of this place: Several friends and I used to hang out at Zoka around 2002 and 2003 when Sadiq introduced us to the large, local coffee shop. One day, just across the street popped up Kisaku and I grew more and more curious about the bustling Japanese restaurant until I had the chance to try it several years later, and again today. Type of cuisine: Simple Japanese, including sushi, nigiri, bento boxes and other combination plates of vegetable and meat tempura, udon, etc. Ambiance: Light, open space, with windows all around the simple seating in the restaurant, complete with sushi bar. What I ordered: We were each offered a light green salad upon being seated. Soon after ordering, four bowls of hot, miso soup were placed in front of us. My three dining companions ordered the sushi combination platter B ($8.50) which included five pieces of sushi and lunch California roll served with miso soup, and nigiri: tuna, salmon, yellowtail, white fish and shrimp. One also ordered a side of the spicy tuna roll ($7) to accompany the combination plate. Wanting to be different, I went for the daily bento ($9.95) with mackerel tempura, seaweed salad, stir-fried chicken and vegetables in soy sauce and California roll (with avocado, cucumber and imitation crab). What I loved: My favorite dish sampled today was the chicken and vegetable stir-fry in a light soy, garlic sauce. The flavors were simple, light and plentiful! Why I loved it: I loved the spacious environment, the calmness of the staff and the quick arrival of our beautifully presented and well-prepared dishes. Cost: Average ($8-$10 for lunch-sized dishes)

    (4)

  • Riley D.

    After eating sushi around Seattle and Wallingford, this place is still the unbeatable best sushi restaurant. Especially, sashimi is extremely fresh. You need to taste it to have a feeling. It dissolve s in your mouth and give you cool feeling. Just need to be back here very often. Highly recommended for sushi lover!

    (5)

  • Ron M.

    The quality of the sushi is very good here, but it's definitely more of an Americanized fusion style Japanese restaurant in my opinion. The prices are above average and the sake list is shameful (as is how it is served), so I definitely wouldn't take any Japanese friends here. However, it's perfect for Americans who like sushi and former residents of Japan living in King County who are desperate for good quality sushi. Aside from the price, and poor sake menu, I've always been very disappointed in the quality of the staff. As a result, I'd suggest sitting at the sushi bar. If you can't get a seat there, go elsewhere as the prices don't justify the table service experience. My bar for good quality Japanese food used to be Shiros (#2) and I Love Sushi Lake Bellevue (#1), but both of them have also adopted this restaurants style since Shirosan and Massasan sold these respective business to the same company, so in Seattle this is darn near as good as it gets. It is for this reason that I give it a 4.

    (4)

  • Naomi L.

    The BEST sushi restaurant in Seattle! The sushi is so delicious and the variety is ever changing with the season. Sit at the sushi bar and order directly with Nakano-San! Don't be afraid of asking what's fresh and seasonal, you will not be disappointed. The service is amazing - the servers are friendly and helpful. Making a reservation one day in advance or more is advised, as this restaurant is always busy and does take reservations for the sushi bar. Be sure to try the mushroom salad and the sesame mousse!

    (5)

  • Sunny B.

    Did not expect we could find some real Japanese food served by Japanese chefs. Service was good. Fresh sashimi, especially the Amaebi and Sockeye salmon with wide selection of saki exceeded expectation of such a neighborhood restaurant. The server was knowledgeable with their stock. She was able to meet customers' taste bud. Rolls are delicious with good presentation. We had the popula Green Lake roll, Caterpillar roll and the Spider roll. We asked for the Ponzu sauce, it gives a very refreshing taste to all the sashimi. However,the green tea and complimentary salad were very so so. Varieties of sashimi are relatively limited. Overall, we all think it's worth coming again.

    (4)

  • Michael K.

    I felt stupid ordering the "Devil's Vegetable Roll" but somehow I knew that it had to be done. A "maki roll" stuffed with fried eggplant, red bell pepper and cucumber? I just couldn't forgive myself if I didn't try it once. The roll was big, it was full of delicious fried eggplantyness, and I really enjoyed every bite of it. Now on to the fish! The omakase had a little bit of everything and pretty much ever bit I took, whether it was salmon, tuna, octopus, urchin, scallop, yellow tail... etc etc etc... it was all fantastic and delightful and filling. The tempura veggies and prawns are also quite good here and the portion is pretty massive for the price. All in all, yet another fantastic stop on the Seattle sushi circuit.

    (5)

  • Neko-Ramen K.

    One of my favorite Japanese/Sushi restaurants. Food quality is very good yet they are keeping reasonable price. My favorite here is tempura. Seriously the BEST tempura I've ever had..... and way better than my mom's. (sorry mom... but your is not the best.) Another dish I highly recommend is mushroom salad comes with their homemade miso dressing. Note: Kisaku is closed on Tuesdays, and reservation is highly recommended for dinner.

    (5)

  • Geri Ann B.

    Next to impossible to get through on their phone lines to make a reservation. Your best bet is through Yelp or Open Table. Great neighborhood spot for standard but quality sushi fare. Family friendly but, thankfully, without catering to kids (it seems like families who bring their kids to a sushi place have kids who do know dining etiquette). Build a relationship with the quiet but friendly sushi chef Ryuichi and your omakase will be awesome. If you sit at the sushi bar, he might even surprise you with something he's trying out. Always look at the specials board, there's usually something interesting there from Chef Kazuo in the kitchen. This place is not showboaty or fancy like many sushi places tend to be, but it is solid. There's a good reason this place has been a neighborhood favorite for a very long time.

    (4)

  • Rosalind C.

    Disappointed by the quality of the fish and dry rice in the sushi and rolls. The wait staff was also subpar for a Japanese restaurant in their disorganization and lackadaisical service. Alas, the positive reviews led me astray in this case.

    (3)

  • Leslie K.

    We love kisaku!!! Sitting at the little sushi bar in your own neighborhood with the restaurant owner taking your order himself is the BEST. Super fresh fish, friendly service, and lovely atmosphere. My fave is the Greenlake roll! Has seaweed salad on top :)

    (4)

  • Angeline P.

    The first time I tried to have sushi in Seattle, I was given one hell of a Seattle no. ( medium.com/lessons-learn… ) It was at Tsukushinbo, near lunch closing time, and rather than telling me they didn't want to seat a party of 6 10 minutes before closing, they told me the wait was 5-10 minutes for a party of 6, and then told me 5 minutes later that they ran out of sushi rice and ramen, but assured us that they would have enough for dinner, and then after suggesting we make reservations, told us that they did not have any room for a party of 6 for dinner. It's okay hostess, we get it. You didn't have to waste half an hour of our time with a pipe dream of getting to eat sushi there. A simple "no, try again tomorrow" would have sufficed. That soured the mood for much of the day, and we had to wait several days before we could stomach the two hour drive to Seattle again for sushi. This time, we made a reservation in advance, and picked a much larger place. Kisaku did not fail to deliver. I ordered the chirashi bowl, which came with tons of fish! I love chirashi bowls, because I get to choose how much rice I want with each bite of fish. The fish was super fresh, and there was a lot of it. But I wasn't satisfied only having the fish in the chirashi bowl. If all of that fish was so fresh, what about their scallop? Their aji? Their amaebi? Since sushi in NYC is so expensive and not as fresh, we decided to go buckwild. We also re-ordered the tako because my mom shared her chirashi bowl with my dad, and missed out on the one piece of tako in the chirashi bowl. After all of that, the bill came out to $20 a person. I was stuffed silly and I was paying the price of one roll + tax and tip in NYC. I could hardly believe my eyes. Kisaku is reasonably priced, very fresh, and totally satisfied my sushi craving in Seattle. If you are hesitating, don't. Just go, eat, and be uncomfortably full.

    (5)

  • Laren B.

    Every time I eat here I am blown away by the quality of the sushi and by the reasonable prices of the items. Their appetizer oysters are always delicious. I can never settle for just one order. I do recommend sitting at the sushi bar as the waiter I had was apathetic. This could very well a one-off but since the hosts seems to also be disinterested I began to notice a theme. Maybe it was just a rough night for the staff. Whatever the case I was a little bummed because it was a special occasion and I had high hopes. I wasn't too upset as I was mesmerized but the amount of delish sashimi in front of me. Just talking about this place makes me want to go right now! Great for sushi snobs!

    (4)

  • Brandon H.

    I must have tasted very possible fish swimming in the ocean. It was a heaven like experience!! The fatty tuna melted at the tip of my tongue. Scallop was so sweat an delicious. Do not miss out on the uni (sea urchin) which was rich and saturated with flavor!!!!! I cannot wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Julie L.

    For years this sushi spot has been a must go for yelpers and I have quietly said to myself, "why?". I had been here a few times before and wasn't too impressed with my meals but I have to say my last two visits during dinner time have left me a believer. Hostesses are always great and the wait staff are usually pretty good. Some of them are expression less and could use a grin or two. The main chef never ages it seems. He has looked the same for as long as I can remember. He knows his stuff. Not as showy as my main squeeze, Shiro but then again, who is? Sushi is some of the best my little taste buds have ever tasted. Fresh, buttery smooth slivers of deliciousness nigiri one after another. And for a gal that just started stomaching uni (urchin GONADS!!) they have some of the best tasting. The two rolls we have had, the Greenlake and the Wallingford, were really really good, really. Salads are great and huge with that nice miso dressing. Great selection of sakes... We ordered the soft shell crab tempura and thought it fell flat. Too much chew in the tempura batter and too much of it. Over shadowed the crab.. In a nutshell, I am totally excited that this relationship has restarted. So great to have a superb sushi spot within minutes of my home.

    (4)

  • Arianna O.

    Delish! Probably one of the best sushi places around! Maybe even better than some downtown... We went here for my boyfriends' birthday dinner and split everything. We ordered a sashimi platter as well as edamame, termpura veggies and salmon rolls (YUM!!). Although, we each had our own huge Soporo! :) Very attentive waitress and they even gave us a appetizer free for his bday! We will definitely be back for more of that sashimi.

    (5)

  • Lexy W.

    I'll never know what the food is like since I couldn't get a seat even though the restaurant was literally 1/2 empty. I went on a Thursday night at 6pm without a reservation and couldn't get seated for 1.5 hrs. I found the exchange with the host strange as the restaurant tables and sushi bar were half empty. While I understand being all booked up if the restaurant is full, I was skeptical that every single spot was going to get filled in the next 45-60 min. I wouldn't have lingered at the table (I was there with 1 hungry kid who eats fast) but the host/waiter didn't seem interested in squeezing us in.

    (2)

  • Mie T.

    I came here for lunch with my friend and ordered Combination A. Fish was very good quality and rice was also good and it sticked together and did not fall apart at all. I also liked Miso soup. The portion was not so big, so I did not feel full... I felt heathy and my tummy was happy after eating sushi here. I should try dinner next time-.

    (4)

  • Phuong B.

    Really good service and the sushi chef is super nice! Great Tangletown location and the restaurant is very nice as well. I felt way under dressed as there were professional people in suits dining here at 9 PM on a weekday! Their sushi rolls are pretty good, however, a bit limited in my opinion. I think they have better sashimi options.

    (4)

  • Alex T.

    Great service and great pricing. The Omakase sushi is a must get!

    (5)

  • Amanda K.

    Took my dad here for a father-daughter date! It was BOMB. Ordered the miso cod, spider roll, and some nigiri! Fish was fresh and the cod was MELT IN MY MOUTH. Hope to come back again SOON! This would be a great place for a date :)

    (4)

  • Abby G.

    Cute place. Friendly, albeit somewhat slow'ish service. It's great to see a packed sushi place, outside of the city. Kisaku is Zagat rated and we had high hopes. The Green tea was amazing! But that's about it, gang. On the upside, they did offer a Tamari as a substitute for Soy Sauce. Thanks for that. Normally, we'd order all the basics, but once I saw, sitting at the sushi bar, that their fish was incredibly sweaty and little care was taken to keep fish in their individual trays -- yes, Yellowtail sitting on top of Salmon, Shrimp on top of Red Snapper -- I had second thoughts. Making sushi is an art. It's precise and clean. It needs to be! Seeing fish all over the place made me a bit queasy. We ordered a few items, none particularly fabulous. Maguro was tasteless. Nigiri Scallop needed a smidge of Him-salt and a squish of lime. Again, tasteless and a bit mushy. The Ikura was nothing to Yelp about, either. Bummer. Won't be headed back to Kisaku.

    (3)

  • Michael G.

    General purpose restaurant, everything was ok. Just not special. Prices were reasonable by Seattle standards for Sushi /Japanese. Very nice environment and the servers were really happy. That was special. Bathrooms needed help

    (3)

  • Rachel H.

    This is one of my favorite traditional sushi restaurants in Seattle. By traditional, I mean that Seattle has crossed over into fine sushi dining with clubby, atmospheric sushi places like Momji and Umi Sake House, that elevate aesthetics (and I can appreciate this.) Places like Kisaku on the other hand, appeal to the old schooler in me. This is the type of classic sushi spot I remember growing up. My parents had a regular Friday night spot, owned by a Japanese family (which is not easy to find growing up in Orange County) with a sushi bar, about ten tables, fresh nigiri and maki, and the same smiling owner welcoming our family. With this mental model, I was bound to love Kisaku. Kisaku translates as "frank" and easy going" and that's apt. Kisaku is located in Tangletown, a small neighborhood near Greenlake and Wallingford. About a 10 minute drive from downtown. Should you venture here, you'll get more of a feel for real life in Seattle's neighborhoods. The fish is fresh, so much so that even Zagats regards the food at this little neighborhood sushi spot highly. The size of the nigiri cuts are generous, but not overly so. This is just straightforward, quality sushi. There is a sushi bar in the center of the restaurant with chefs preparing maki with fresh, quality fish. This bar is surrounded by a sea of tables. You will see kids and families here. The green tea and miso are good, and traditional. Kitsaku sets out to be a high quality neighborhood sushi spot with fresh fish, great service and quality offerings. And it nails it. So much so, that we regularly leave our neighborhood, to head over to Kitsaku for their frank, honest, quality offerings that never disappoint.

    (4)

  • Kenny C.

    Making tempura is an art in itself. A seasoned tempura chef can make the tempura crispy, light, and it wouldn't taste greasy. I ordered the tempura dinner and was very satisfied on how their tempura turned out. Some of my friends ordered nigiri and makimono and enjoyed those as well. I wished the portion was a bit larger for that price - maybe have some picked appetizers included with the dinner, or maybe a few more pieces of yam and mushrooms. I left feeling like I still needed to eat something.

    (4)

  • Whoamito J.

    Very nice nigiri combo. Good service. Reservation highly recommended. I was here on Friday with reservation and saw a long line. Price is reasonable and good. Tried few other appetizers and no disappointment with African Amber draft beer.

    (5)

  • Nina H.

    This place is super cute and located in the adorable neighborhood of Tangletown. I just really like the name of the area, and the houses... are gorgeous too! Not a bad place to have a fancy Japanese restaurant like Kisaku. I took my dad here who was visiting Seattle. Turns out "Kisaku" stands for "honest" and "frank." My dad's name is Frank, so I actually thought it was the perfect place to take him on his first night here. :) I also had a Bloomspot deal so it was doubly convenient. The deal was for an omakase dinner for two, and I was very pleased with our dining experience. The deal offers a set menu of assorted sashimi and sushi. My favorites were the ikura, salmon, tuna and scallops. Our server was so cute and helpful, she described all of the different fish to us every time she brought out a new plate. That was very insightful and educational. In addition to our fish, we ordered sake and the panna cotta dessert. The sake was a great pairing with the sushi, and lately, I've been craving sweets so I was in the mood for the dessert. The house made dessert was pretty good! I highly recommend this place because it's very cute inside, the service is GREAT, and they are super accommodating. I had to change my reservations twice or something, but the guy who took my call was super nice and helpful. Parking isn't too bad either, you can usually find a spot by some houses.

    (5)

  • John L.

    Easily the best omakase for the price that I've had in Seattle. Overwhelming care and attention to detail in the preparation, inventive inversions on traditional pieces, and insanely fresh and delicious. Never disappointed.

    (4)

  • L W.

    Horrible experience. We walked and in were told we had a 45 minute wait, which was fine. When we got back they said they were setting up a table for us in the "back room", which is more like a converted closet with three tables very close together. It took our server about 15 minutes to take our drink order, and when he finally brought our tea, he didn't say one word - just put them down and walked over to the other table. My husband went to ask if we could move to the sushi bar since our service was so poor in back and we hoped it would improve our experience, but one employee cut in front of him so that he couldn't see what she was saying. The other employee just looked uncomfortably at my husband and finally said "sorry, I don't think so, you'd need to wait." Ok fine. THEN, the poor woman at that table next to us proceeded to tell the server that the ceiling was dripping onto the table and onto her. He said "do you mind just moving over and sitting at the corner of the table? It's only dripping on one side so you should stay dry over here." Are you kidding me? That woman was pissed and had every right to be, but was still really nice to the server. She actually said "I should Yelp this right now", to which we agreed. Based on our bad experiences thus far, and after watching what happened to those women, we decided to leave. We offered our still awkward - but dry table - to those poor two women who said they wanted to walk out but had already placed a food order, and then took off. We then walked to Issian on 45th and had an awesome dinner with great service.

    (1)

  • Connie L.

    I had a chef's sampler of nigiri - all which were yummy. The one with shrimp on top was finely prepared- interestingly a slight gooey texture that was oddly pleasant. Also tried fried shrimp head, which tasted like those shrimp crackers you can get at the asian mart. The staff attended to our party of 12 pretty well. Tip: They offer a free dessert to the birthday person. Three stars because it was good but not zOMG amazing that I want to go here again and again.

    (3)

  • Peter S.

    No. Two separate experiences and this place did everything wrong, twice. Both times, long wait to be seated. Both times, the sushi, rolls, and hot foods were so-so in taste and annoyingly small in portion, especially for the price. There are too many great sushi joints in Seattle to be bothering with this place. I do not understand the appeal. If you want good sushi, go to Maneki or Shiro's. If you want slightly lesser good sushi but lot cheaper, just go to your local conveyer belt spot. If you want to wait for mediocrity, go to the DMV. No.

    (2)

  • Matthew L.

    Had a nice dinner out. Parking was easy and the staff was friendly. Service was pretty fast for a Sushi place. The food was wonderful. Ordered a Sushi plate and it was a good size and great selection of fish. We will be going back for sure.

    (4)

  • Chloe H.

    Kisaku is a little expensive for me, but has really good quality and delicious food. The service is very good, and the restaurant is very clean. It's probably the nicest Japanese restaurant in North Seattle since Shun closed. If you are going here for dinner, you probably should consider getting a reservation. I would definitely go here for lunch and get the filling and reasonably priced lunch bentou. Pro tip from my mom: A California roll with real crab and side salad make a nice, light dinner. People who like raw fish will really enjoy the nicely made chirashi.

    (4)

  • Caetano G.

    The restaurants interior is cozy and makes you feel comfortable. The service is great, and they have magazines in the waiting area. But a downside, the soy sauce tastes REALLY salty in my opinion, and all the nigiri comes with wasabi in the rice. This may not be a problem for some people, but my brother is a wimp with spicy food, and he was unprepared when he started eating. And if you want to get there in time, you have to make restorations because this place gets PACKED some nights. Reservation highly recommended or your not going to get to eat here. But the sashimi and tempura will be waiting for you :)

    (5)

  • andy c.

    This is a neighborhood spot that is kid friendly. Staff is really nice and service is on it's game. Tables are spaced nicely apart. It's a bit noisy if you are looking for an intimate setting. Will be back again with kids in tow!

    (4)

  • Silvia H.

    During a lunch visit I found the desserts to be intolerably sweet. The rolls seemed put together by a novice. And the menu didn't have that many options. I'd only come back if getting sashimi at dinner time.

    (3)

  • Grace N.

    Food might be great here, but my family and I have yet to experience it and probably won't due to the lack of customer service they showed. Not knowing this place was popular and crowded, we didn't make any reservations and stumbled onto the restaurant hoping to get a table for three. When we walked in, we weren't greeted for another ten minutes (even though I was standing right in front of the reception desk) until a wait staff came up and asked if we have been helped. I told him we didn't make any reservations. From then... he should have just told us that they don't have room for us, which we would have been fine with. He told us to wait another 15 minutes because there might be a no show for one of the tables. So we waited.... So after patiently waiting, I had to grab his attention again. His answer was that he had to ask another staff. So they called the late party to find out they're on their way... Basically we had to wait 25-30 minutes just for a late party to show up and be told that they won't have any tables for another hour, if we could've been told otherwise.

    (2)

  • Kristen L.

    I came here last night for the first time, and the food was pretty good for the most part. I ordered the tuna roll and the black cod entree. The portions for the entree were very generous! My dinner came with two pieces of black cod. It's big enough you can share with someone else as long as you get an appetizer. My grandma got the "tendon" which is tempura on rice with a special sauce. This dish on the other hand was not so good... It was the worst tempura I've had. The tempura was soggy and had a rubbery texture. It was very chewy. I'm not sure if the tempura is always this way, or if it was just an anomaly this time. Nevertheless, I would not order this dish again.

    (3)

  • Opal D.

    They don't do "Omakase" properly here. Ambiance is lacking but the fish is great and the cuts are better than other sushi joints in town.

    (3)

  • Madison R.

    One of the best sushi places in Seattle! Make reservations - even if it's 30 minutes - they appreciate a call before you come. Their sushi is excellent & The Greenlake Roll is a must! Get a table if u want to go with a friend or friends - or - if u feel like dining alone - there's the fun & often social sushi bar! Casual warm awesome inviting neighborhood type environment & great staff & lighting is nice. Perfect date place as it's the perfect noise level & crowd level. Just get there - u will b really happy u did!

    (5)

  • Tad N.

    Went a month ago - what a pleasant surprise! Sushi was fresh and nice - included spicy tuna, albacore, Kisaku roll, mackerel, hamachi, aji... side dishes included horenso spinach, salmon shioyaki, shrimp tempura... even forced ourselves to have some nice ice cream and cheesecake, too. Server Calvin took good care of us... I look forward to returning...

    (4)

  • Carol I.

    Had been craving fresh, crispy, & delicate Japanese tempura. Nowadays seafood dishes are expensive, but we wanted a Spring dinner treat out. We had been there several times a few years ago and it was worth coming back. Current reviews were also good so we thought we'd satisfy our tastebuds. Well, don't expect anything fancy. Not that lacy, crisp, crunch. The dipping sauce is on the weak side, too. Service is good, though. Our sashimi, maguro, was oishi! Tables are nicely spread. They don't squeeze you in, either.

    (3)

  • Jimmy C.

    Kisaku was nice... nice quiet atmosphere..not loud and obnoxious. Its in a nice area. Parking not so great. Just find a spot.. walk as much as a couple blocks.... no big deal. FOOD: I did enjoy the food. The Sashimi Combo L was great. Lots of great cuts to try. 7 or 8 different ones. Good for two. The actual Sushi Rolls are waaay to small. Only 4 per roll? its not like they are AMAZING and BIG to just give you 4. I ordered three rolls and got 12 pieces. So yes... I left hungry. But overall they were good. Not amazing. Do you get more pieces if you order one roll? Not sure... but why would that change? but the price is right for what you get...4 pieces,. Now if you order an entre and a roll.. maybe the 4 pieces is ok. But if you go for just rolls... nope.. I need more. So you will probably get more and you can try MORE rolls.... So there is a plus side to the whole 4 piece deal. Just giving you my opinion. Service: Trea was great... cute and friendly. I wish the assistant would smile more.... she is just fixing tables and keeping your water cup full... but she looks sad. I wanted to invite her to sit with us and maybe tell her a joke and she would smile and have 4 pieces of sushi...but then i'd have to order another two rolls, so I wouldnt go hungry! ha Overall.... i'd go back. Its a nice place.... 13 tables total I counted and a sushi bar. Not that big. make reservations for sure if you want to go on a busy night. 3 star with good potential. Until I try it again. one day.

    (3)

  • Teresita C.

    Here's the deal with Kisaku-the food is a solid 4, great presentation, quality ingredients and good, fresh fish. On this recent visit I tried the vegetable curry which was a flavor bomb, flash-fried veggies with Japanese curry sauce, very filling and elegantly presented. The main issue I had with our last visit was the horrendous, slow, discombobulated service. I had no idea people made reservations for lunch (it was a Saturday) but now I know they are desperately needed. The place was hoppin' at 1pm, people lined up behind us, 6 deep. When we finally got our table it took almost 15 minutes for someone to take our order. Our food arrived fast, which was nice but they seemed to run out of water, because it took 15 minutes for a refill and the second refill didn't come until we were done with our meal. I like Kisaku, it's consistent and delicious but they need to get a handle on the service. It really brought it down a notch for me, which is sad-making.

    (3)

  • Mikiko T.

    We ordered several rolls and a sushi combo. Right away, we were pleased by the quality of the fish. You can tell that they use high quality fish when they just melt in your mouth! Agedashi Tofu appetizer was delicious too. We are definitely going back for more! I highly recommend making a reservation! Fortunately, we had a reservation but I overheard that the wait time for those who without one was an hour.

    (4)

  • Aleksandra T.

    I just started working in the area and have been to this place twice so far and both times the food was amazing. Their miso soup is the best I have ever had. I think I'm addicted. The staff is very friendly and when I order to go, they are very quick about it.

    (5)

  • TY S.

    Food is great, but portion is a bit small.

    (4)

  • Ernst B.

    Living only five blocks from Kisaku is a treat, as it is one of the better sushi houses in Seattle. A recent visit (April 2014) included an order of the fried oysters on wonton shell with spicy vegetable sauce and the large sashimi assortment. The fried oysters were delicious. Light battered and crunchy outside, rich oyster flavor inside. Not overdone at all. The "spicy" sauce was actually not spicy at all...my dining companion does not like spicy food and he tried it ad rated it tasty. It is indeed tasty, but not as advertised. The sashimi collection, which included surf clam (a favorite) and excellent yellowtail, ahi, octopus and a couple others, was also delicious. Nothing amazing, but then I don't think raw fish gets terribly amazing...it needs to be fresh, the correct temperature and consistency...simple, but so many get it wrong. Kisaku gets it right. The reason I am only giving three stars is the atmosphere. Kisaku is lit up very brightly; one's eyes are caught by a bright bulb at nearly every turn. Suggestion: Turn the lights down. You don't need to be able to land a plane in the restaurant...just see the food. There were cobwebs on the artwork, the fire alarm light and hanging from some of the track lights. A quick dusting there would go a long way. The beige carpeted floor and banquet-hall style tables and chairs give the room the look and feel of an airport Ramada dining room. The food deserves much better. Service was efficient and friendly.

    (3)

  • Sadie A.

    I'm a regular at Kisaku and have yet to be disappointed. The service is consistently amazing and the waitresses are always friendly to me. Unfortunately, the only time I sat at the sushi bar was about four years ago, but I remember the chef that served us was funny and engaging. The fish is always fresh and never disappoints. I love the salmon and scallop nigiri. I also recommend the nabeyaki udon and agedashi tofu. Order some tea to go with your meal -- I'm not much of a tea drinker, but this stuff is great. There are always a decent amount of people in the restaurant, even if it's well before 6 or a little later into the evening. Make sure to reserve if you're planning on eating around 6, because it gets extremely busy (and rightfully so). The fact that it's across the street from Mighty O is also awesome.

    (5)

  • Susan C.

    First off, I'm humbled by my own stupidity at not having reviewed Kisaku before. Have eaten here a dozen times since it opened way back when - which is not nearly enough. If you like sushi, sit at the bar directly in the middle cuz that's where the Great Chef and proprietor of Kisaku usually works. However, any of the sushi chefs on either side are great. If you go with someone who KNOWS sushi, all the better. I've been several times with someone who had worked in a sushi restaurant and he always ordered off the menu and we had superb preparations. Don't be afraid to try the specials. I love the fried shrimp heads, the oysters with ponzu sauce, when they're in season. The rolls (ie. Cali rolls) are not bad; however, I've found them to fall apart a bit (the rice) and they seem rather ordinary, compared to the other stuff. The one star off is for the price and inconsistent service. For two people with sake, expect to pay $75-$80 or more (and you'll be hungry 3 hours later, but it's healthy Japanese food, so get over it). For the quality of sushi the price is on the upper end of reasonable. If the prices were only slightly less expensive, I'd be going back more often and be giving this 5 stars.

    (4)

  • Masaki G.

    Very bad customer service. They don't know how to serve Japanese food. I took my parents from Japan. The table was not ready though I made a reservation. The server took our drink order and brought a cold sake bottle and miso soup but never returned. We were finally asked our dinner order but until our miso soup got completely cold our main was not served (not even salad or appetizer). It seems their server just does not know what to do. The owner of the restaurant needs to seriously consider to replace all of the servers or re-trained them. I don't think I will return.

    (1)

  • Adam A.

    Probably my favorite sushi joint. I go at least once every time I'm in Seattle. It's an unbelievable value for top quality fish! A normal visit usually involves a sashimi assortment (they almost always have o-toro) and a selection of Maki (rolls). I wouldn't go if the fish wasn't so much better than I can get easily on the east coast (outside of NYC). It's always a bonus that the bill is always less than I expect it to be, and a fraction of the equivalent quality fish in NYC, or even Belltown!

    (5)

  • Cindy C.

    Before going to Shiro's, I would probably give it a 5 stars. However, given a second thought, the dining experience is just standard. The service and food are good, but nothing is surprising. This is still a very nice place. However, I have better choice for sushi. Still worth going, maybe you will like it a lot.

    (4)

  • Phil C.

    - Decent atmosphere, but certainly not romantic. - A little high on the price for what you get. - The sushi rolls weren't that impressive and there's a very short list to choose from, but the kasuzuke tasted amazing (despite having a dozen or so bones sti

    (3)

  • Matthew G.

    Very good sushi. Quite fresh and quality fish prepared authentically. A good selection of sake as well.

    (4)

  • Carrie C.

    Omakase was delicious! (approx $30) Had some mackerel in there that was too fishy for me. But my boyfriend had the sushi combo, which came with ten pieces of fish along with miso soup and California roll. I gotta say, the California roll was surprisingly amazing! Probably the best California roll I've ever had. Incredibly fresh and tasty, which is so cool that they pay attention to even the simplest of rolls.

    (4)

  • Mandy S.

    love the atmosphere of this place. very open and delicious salmon sashimi..it's the kind that just melts in your mouth! I love the genmatcha tea they serve, its has a rich smooth flavor with lots of matcha at the bottom on the cup. I have to rave about the tempura shrimp. It's made from high quality shrimp (the kind that's sashimi style) and the tempura sauce had more dimension than the usual liquidy sauce. Last but not least, I thought the sesame mousse cake balanced out the meal with it's airy soufflé like texture and sesame seed paste in the center. There is also a layer of sponge cake at the bottom so it reminds me a lot like tiramisu but sesame flavored. I enjoyed this dish the most! 5 stars for location. I love the cute neighborhood of tangletown and how small and quaint it is.

    (5)

  • C. C.

    This is my new #1 place for Sushi in Seattle. Our party of 8 received friendly and accommodating service. The fish and sushi rolls were excellent and the prices were right. No doubt I will recommend this Tangletown spot to others and return soon myself. Make a reservation! The place gets packed and I can see why.

    (5)

  • Bryan R.

    Sushi? Sake? What's not to love! This place is delicious. The ambiance it very nice, if not a little bit sterile (but I imagine that's what they're going for), and it wouldn't be awesome to be sitting right by the door on a cold day (breezy), but the food is great. The rolls are excellent, flavorful, and fresh, and the sashimi is fantastic-I'm not usually a straight fish guy and I'll take it every time at this place. Do yourself a favor and get some Sake and save room for dessert. Mocci is great (that's standard though, isn't it?) and the sweet potato roll is AWESOME. Get it. Seriously.

    (4)

  • Ha L.

    I've been here a handful of times. This place is very simple and serves solid sushi.

    (5)

  • Jinah Y.

    I don't normally like uni but tried the omakase and got 3 different uni dishes and they were all amazing. Beautifully prepared and most importantly the ingredients were fresh. Definitely pleased my sushi craving taste buds. The sashimi was fresh and they were nice thick cuts. The service is friendly and the place is busy so they must be doing something right. I now like uni. Well only from this place.

    (5)

  • Brandon F.

    High quality ingredients-nice neighborhood for a night out-ikura unidon is the best we've had outside of Japan.

    (5)

  • Cesar S.

    I was never into sushi until lately. Now I can honestly say this is some of the best sushi I have ever had.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth L.

    I've been here twice and have gotten the Green Lake Roll and Wallingford Roll both times. The rolls were tasty and the service was great. Overall a good, affordable sushi place in Wallingford.

    (4)

  • Marty W.

    Nothing like Seattle Sushi. Best in the country by far. Lots of different fish we can't get on the east coast fresh. Service and friendless of Sushi Chefs is amazing. Reservations a must.

    (5)

  • Helen W.

    You get what you pay for for sure! Fresh sashimi and great selection! Yummy! Make sure you have a reservation.

    (5)

  • Marje B.

    I was visiting a friend in Seattle, her and I both were craving sushi. my friend mentioned this is her favourite sushi place in Seattle. Coming from Vancouver we have great places for sushi, but this place was delish! I had a lunch sashimi-- came with miso and salad, nice surprise. my gf was a regular here so we sat at the bar and the sushi chef made her something special.. (all raw sushi pieces) looked really good. Service was great, several servers came by to refill our waters and teas, the sushi chef always made sure we were doing ok as well. It was a little more expensive thn what Im use to paying for sushi but I thought it was worth it.

    (4)

  • Pratik S.

    We had dinner here while on vacation in Seattle. I have been to a few sushi restaurants in town and this is definitely one of the better places. We were seated promptly and the service was great. The atmosphere is casual but still elegant. We started with the Sunomo salad which is a sweet-vinegar salad with cucumber, seaweed, and we chose to get it with octopus. It was light, refreshing, and the octopus tasted very fresh. We asked our server what the fresh selections were for the evening, and ordered several of them. Then instead of going with the rolls on the menu, we asked out server to have the chef create rolls for us and we selected the fish. The rolls were amazing. I highly recommend visiting this place and I will be back on my next visit to Seattle.

    (4)

  • Murray P.

    WOW! I would have given a 4.5 if possible! I recently got into sushi and I told my mom I was taking a girl out on a date for sushi and my mom said "well then you HAVE to go to kisaku!" ... so I did! It was both of ours first time here and we had a reservation and sat at the bar. I cant remember our chef's name but he was an awesome guy and instead of us ordering stuff we just let him prepare all kinds of things for us with little recommendations here and there. We tried a wide variety of sushi, some rolls and some sashimi. We both had the green tea to drink which was very good as well. We both had a blast, best sushi I have had. We both ate until we were full and I believe the bill was barely over $50 for the two of us. Worth every penny if you ask me!

    (4)

  • Andy L.

    I'm often up in Seattle to meet with family for Thanksgiving. But since my birthday is tends to be a few days after Turkey Day, I also get treated by my family to a meal at Kisaku. We have always gotten reservations, and I've always sat at the bar and had omikase nigiri with Chef Nakano, so my experience is probably not your typical Kisaku meal. What I love about omikase with Chef Nakano is that he gives you very interesting pairings of fish. Instead of the usual two pieces of nigiri, he will give you two different types of the same fish to contrast with each other. So you may get two different kinds of salmon, or two different types of mackerel. Last time I was there I had a four piece progression of tuna, from regular tuna to the most intensely fatty toro. Not only am I enjoying a great meal, but I feel like I'm learning a little bit about the subtle differences in the fish. The last time I was there, my favorite sushi I got was an exquisite salmon roe. Chef Nakano said it was local, and marinated in a mixture of cooked sake, mirin, and soy. Along with the usual salty burst of love, the roe had a slight sweetness and light oily flavor to it that was absolutely stunning. The restaurant does get busy. We went early with a 5:30pm reservation, and within half an hour it looked like the restaurant was full. But by 7:00pm or so, there were quite a few tables available, so I'm not sure if they get a rush of later diners as well. I'm not sure if I get excited to go to a sushi restaurant more than I do when I go to Kisaku. Every meal I've had there has been fantastic.

    (5)

  • Melody P.

    I've been here twice and really enjoyed the food. Both my sister and I certainly enjoyed the chef and his humor :-) Food and Presentation - 5 Stars, their sashimi is really fresh. And, the presentation is great! Decor - 5 Stars, modern feeling, wide open space in the restaurant and a sushi bar close to the kitchen. I suggest you sit on the bar if you can because the chef is funny. He was talking to my sister :-) Location - 3 Stars, I wouldn't find it myself if not for my sister's friend who lives in the area. Though, I am happy that route 16 stops there! --------------------------------------------------­--------------------------------------------------­------ *** Seattle Restaurant Week Menu *** We came here, the second visit, for Seattle Restaurant Week a couple days ago. I was not impressive with the menu for Seattle Restaurant Week. It was still early when we walked in. There were a couple customers waiting for take-out. They asked us whether we've been helped or not, but we didn't get seated 5 minutes later. My sister made a joke about being seated. She thought maybe the servers thought we would be cheap tippers so no one wanted to get us seated. We had salad, sashimi, and desserts. The AHI POKE was a little TOO SALTY. However, the shrimp & avocado salad was great with the special dressing. The sashimi was really fresh. However, the portion was super small. Fortunately, they served steam rice with the sashimi! As far as dessert went, the cheesecake and the strawberry moose just not as good as their sushi. I'd stick with their sushi and sashimi. --------------------------------------------------­--------------------------------------------------­------I enjoyed the food on regular menu!

    (4)

  • Rossana Y.

    I shared the omakase dinner that was part of a coupon deal with a friend. Unfortunately, we did not make reservations so by the time we got there at 8pm, we had to wait a half hour for a table to open. The place was packed! The ambiance has an elegant, classy vibe which I like. When we got to our table, our waitress was really sweet and friendly when we asked her questions about the menu. We picked the black cod as the appetizer and it was very delicious! Our omakase came with a variety of sushi nigiri and sashimi including salmon, fatty tuna, yellow tuna, squid, mackerel, amaebi...and some others I can't remember. The sushi itself was decent but it lacked that OMG-melts-in-my-mouth experience. The service itself was slower than I anticipated, which seemed to be the case the last time I went to Kisaku. Kisaku is a good place to try for nice ambiance and fairly decent sushi. It is a little expensive and I personally expected more in terms of quality and service for what I was paying. I would rather go to Musashi for better value or Tsukushinbo for better quality sushi.

    (3)

  • Ned B.

    Found this place years ago with friends and it was great then. Finally found it again and I'm pleased to say the quality is still high and the prices are reasonable. Atmosphere is pleasant and cozy. The staff are friendly and eager to serve. Certainly a gem in Green Lake/Wallingford.

    (5)

  • Angelo G.

    **Pro Tip**: Stay at the sushi bar! tl;dr; I would come here again, and again, and again, and agaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin! We would come into the restaurant and ask for a table for two; we quickly saw how lively the sushi bar area was, and decided after we sat down we *HAVE* to sit at the sushi bar. The waitress would tell us it would be about a 15-minute wait, and we were 100% fine with that. We would walk around the nice, quiet neighborhood and return back to the sushi restaurant. Immediately, we were sat in the sushi bar right across from our sushi chef. It seemed like he was really good at making nigiri. We opted to choose a lot from the nigiri set. No rolls, no other items. Just good ol' traditional Japanese nigiri. We would first ask our sushi chef for nigiri salmon. He quickly replied, "Atlantic Salmon, Sockeye Salmon or King Salmon from Alaska?" We opted for the King Salmon. He would serve us our King Salmon, which looked fatty, and delicious. He put on a special soy sauce, and instructed us to eat in one big bite without any soy sauce. We did. Our mouths were happily filled with the buttery texture of the salmon, and the aroma from the soy sauce penetrated my soul. Our next choice was the scallop. Our sushi chef quickly mentioned it was a good choice, as the scallops were from Hokkaido. He would put a very light touch of citrus yuzu like sauce on it and some sea salt. The flavors once again felt like I was experiencing something completely new, beyond what I've usually had at other sushi restaurants in Seattle. We would continue on and on and on going through the list of nigiri sushi. Each taste being better than the last. Finally, he offered us a special treat. I saw him skillfully chopping a piece of nori seaweed into thin slices. He cut about 50, 0.1mm pieces of nori in less than 5 seconds. His skill was superb. I thought he was prepping for another dish, but, no. He was making us something special that was mind-blowingly-awesome. Never had I smiled through an entire eating. Each flavor was new to me even though I eat sushi very regularly. Each taste brought a new texture, a new flavor, and a rekindling of old feelings. I would go again. Definitely choose the sushi bar, and don't settle on the tables!

    (5)

  • Allena L.

    I came here for lunch and it was phenomenal. The server we had quickly brought out complimentary salad. I asked if it was gluten free she replied that it wasn't, and the entire time after that accommodated everything gluten free without me asking. On top of all this she was pleasantly nice. The sushi chef was very nice and considerate and accommodated to my dietary restrictions as well. Not only that but the lunch menu was pretty cheap and absolutely delicious. I highly recommend trying this place out.

    (5)

  • Daniel L.

    I tried the omakase and the chef blew me away. Best Omakase I've had in Seattle (better for me than shiros).

    (5)

  • Homan L.

    I feel Kisaku is only second to Shiro, been here a few times and never a bad experience. Omakase twice, once by Mr. Nakano and the other time a more contemporary take by one of his other chefs. You know they are serious about food when he talks of taking time off to go up to Vancouver for dim sum. The atmosphere however is anything but serious, feels like as they say a "neighborhood restaurant". I highly advise against eating so much raw fish and going on a fast walk at green lake after.

    (5)

  • Greg N.

    My wife and I were regular customers at Kisaku ever since it opened. It was definitely our favorite eating place. Then a year ago we moved to Honolulu. No restaurant here has taken Kisaku's place in our book. There are some excellent Japanese restaurants here but they cost a lot more. There is no comparison for value. For special occasions we ordered Omakase (chef's choice). You have to order ahead of time because the assorted items are not on the regular menu. Nakano-san will ask whether you want Japanese or Western taste and if there are any things you don't like. Then you set what price you want to pay and can look forward to six or more creative, delectable courses, all described in a customized menu that is prepared for you. Not many customers seem to be aware of this option but it is one of the things that makes Kisaku special. We also greatly enjoyed Kisaku's Saturday lunch. So satisfying in every detail! And their house-made salad dressing is the best. Kisaku has a neighborhood feel that is unusual among Japanese restaurants in Seattle and it is very accessible. When we visit Seattle, Kisaku will be a must stop. Those of you in Seattle should know how fortunate you are!

    (5)

  • Flora C.

    I am back again. Sushi bar experience. My heart went to the Kisaku Sweet Potato dessert. Yes, dessert not fish. =)

    (4)

  • Kristine H.

    The sushi gods were conspiring against me. Every single time we tried to come here for a meal, we were thwarted... either the wait was over an hour or there was no parking or they were about to close... pfft, you get the idea. But then fortune smiled and a friend suggested we go there for lunch. I agreed to meet her there and in addition to finding two perfect parking spots, we were also seated immediately! The portents were good. Our server brought our menus quickly and explained their specials. She then brought us water and small bowls of steaming miso. The broth steamed my glasses which gave me a warm feeling like when I was a kid gulping it down after school. We began our lunch with an order of tofu dengaku. The tofu was barely fried with an intensely thick miso sauce that was a little too sweet for my tastes. Midway through, I found myself scraping some of the miso off to get to the spongy tofu underneath. My friend ordered a beautiful sashimi combination. The cuts looked vibrant and fresh. I was slightly jealous of her sashimi until my bento arrived. I had lovely little portions of chicken and onion stir-fry, a yummy California roll (which I usually skip), a fat fish korokke, potato salad, kinpira gobo, and salad. They had a seasonal mango sorbet which was the perfect amount of sweetness after all of my savoury. If it's on the menu when you go, splurge and have some. The green tea was addictive and all of our items were well-prepared. The fried items were not greasy and the sushi excellent. I aim to return to see if they earn a fifth star. Barring any intervention from those fickle sushi gods, I have faith they'll come through.

    (4)

  • Patti K.

    I'm not sure where to begin!! This place hit it out of the park. We had Shigoku Oysters, Sea Cucumber, Green Lake Roll (my favorite), Sushi Combination A and the Chirashi Bowl. Every dish was beautifully presented and very fresh. We sat at the sushi bar and kept ordering. Our bill for two was just under $60.00, which was very reasonable for what we ate. I can't wait to come back!!

    (5)

  • Jean Y.

    Kisaku is an affordable neighborhood sushi joint with friendly staff and good service. I would classify it as a reasonable option for a low key meal if you are in the area, but I would not travel out of my way to eat here. I tried the mushroom salad, karaage, agedashi tofu, gindara kasuzuke, mackerel nigiri, salmon sashimi, and Wallingford roll (yellowtail, kaiware, tobiko). Everything was fine, but nothing really stood out. As for dessert, both the Fuji apple cheesecake and chocolate-espresso mochi ice cream were yummy. Other notes: * Free appetizer or dessert of under $10 on your birthday. * Kid-friendly, even though Yelp currently indicates otherwise. I called to confirm and was told the restaurant welcomes kids. The staff even set out a high chair for us.

    (3)

  • Stephanie T.

    I can't believe I've forgotten to write about one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Seattle. This Greenlake gem serves the best mushroom salad I've ever had. I mean, so good I would recommend you go out of your way (and who's kidding who, Greenlake is kind of out of the way) to get it. The miso cod is also delectable, but be warned, it's more of a side-dish kind of portion. Rolls are decent and a great value, but as mentioned above: don't forget that mushroom salad!

    (4)

  • Michael D.

    Easily the best experience I have ever had at a sushi place. Great food and great service.

    (5)

  • laura k.

    Limited selection of sushi rolls and the fish was very dry. However they did include soup and salad with our meal.

    (2)

  • Inna B.

    What stands out most about my experience here is the great service... and the peppers. I wasn't feeling very adventurous and got a sushi combination, which was good, but not very exciting. My boyfriend explored the vegetarian side of the menu, and he noticed that they have some interesting (in a good way!) ingredients and dishes on the menu. I remember he specifically enjoyed the flavor of the pepper in his veggie roll. The employee knew the menu well, and we really appreciated his knowledge of the ingredients, because he immediately said that the vegan can't eat their miso soup. (I believe fish broth was the issue.) I look forward to going back to Kisaku, and trying more of their menu! I have my eyes on their fresh oysters with ponzu sauce...

    (4)

  • Joshua D.

    You can't order wrong at Kisaku. Especially if you sit at the bar. Fantastic service and very helpful if you are new to sushi or want to try something new. If you like oysters, they have the freshest around, and you must try the Spicy Oysters. Best sushi joint in town. Period.

    (4)

  • Conner M.

    This is the best sushi joint I have tried in Seattle. The place was packed for a quiet Monday night in Tangletown, but I was alone and got lucky with a seat at the bar. Within 20 seconds of being sat, one of the sushi chefs sent me a bowl of octopus salad on the house. I assume he felt bad for me for eating by myself...? Thanks, guy! All the employees were hustling, but happily so. I didn't have to wait very long at all for water, beer, or food. Tuna, Yellowtail, and Sockeye Salmon (chef recommended) nigiri were of the highest quality. Prices are pretty comparable to other decent sushi restaurants.

    (5)

  • Sanjay F.

    Such a beautiful restaurant, nice location, clean, classy... too bad one server had to ruin our experience. This sushi restaurant is plenty out of the way for me and I only came here because of the raving reviews. We didn't have reservations but prior to entering I looked in the windows and saw that there were several open tables available. The hostess who was also our server asked us if we had reservations and we plainly said no and with that she scowled at our answer and went back to her table list. RED FLAG.. Well, regardless of all the open tables she sat us in her section. She then proceeded to give us no suggestions when we asked for some in regards to our sushi preferences or specials or combos that were related to what we liked as this was our first visit to Kisaku. Big goose egg on the help there. She just read off what was already clearly readable on the menu.. as if we couldn't read! Anyway, then we ordered sake, mmmm. So I asked for it hot because in the middle of the menu (below their hot sake menu) it clearly states the sake master must heat it up to 105 degrees F; implying that they offer that service for all their sakes. Now I'm just a sake newb and clearly I have a lot of learn regarding the matter and apparently Kisaku doesn't have a sake master on staff or maybe he was just not working last night but the server was no help there either and just brought out the one I ordered cold and opened the bottle and placed it on the table, then walked away... No first pour like so many of the other sushi restaurants I've been to. Maybe my expectations are too high, not really I just demand better service. The sushi was very good- comparable to a few of the higher caliber sushi joints Seattle has to offer. I'll give them that. If there is a next time.. I'll sit at the sushi bar.At least the sushi chefs were far more interesting and actually paid attention to their customers- unlike server.

    (2)

  • Jeremy M.

    Honestly, this place was definitely not a "****" as advertised on yelp! It could be a solid "***" for some of the locals, but if I am having to travel 1/2 hr out of my way to try this place, it was definitely not worth it. As a matter of fact I felt like I really wasted my money here. We arrived on a Saturday evening for dinner when the restaurant was at most 30% full, half of my party has arrived and we were seated right away (good sign). However, upon being seated we were never offerred to place appetizer orders or anything until the rest of my guest arrived! Finally the rest of my party show'd up and that was when our drink order was taken. Evidently this place DO NOT OFFER LIQUOR which was a complete FAIL in my book. The menu selection was nothing all too appealing for me so I just ordered a bunch of appetizers and couple rolls: Chicken Teriyaki was over cooked, lack of flavor and the meat was quite dense from being over done. Fried Calamari. No comment. Overall the same every where hense the fact they had some sort of avacado aioli sauce Some sort of prawn dish too? Tasted almost like a Japanese infused version of a Chinese Prawns w/ Walnut and cream sauce Tuna roll was nothing spectacular Spider roll substitute soft shell crab for shrimp tempura aka as I stand corrected a shrimp tempura roll! I'm sorry lady! It wasn't on the menu I didn't know if you had it or not! Some sort of scallop and crab roll? The roll was very inconsistent (HOW?!) on the ingredient. Dessert? Ehhhhh, no check please! Here's my $100.00, "TAKE IT! AND GO!" -Russell Peters

    (1)

  • Kristi L.

    Kisaku sushi is life affirming! Very traditional sushi, in the best way possible. Their menu has nothing deep fried with cream cheese and mayo but if u want that just ask. I think the quality of fish is what makes it so amazing, before going to Kisaku I never enjoyed uni or eel but after trying it at Kisaku my taste changed. Nakano san's shimi #2 roll will change your life! Kisaku is a small venue so making a dinner reservation is important.

    (5)

  • Jared S.

    I've been on the hunt for a sushi place that I consider a "keeper" ever since I moved here a few weeks ago. Well, I found it. I wandered in the other day while on my lunch break, and ended up seeing why the place has good reviews. I sat down and was immediately served a salad, which was absolutely delicious (not sure of the type of dressing. I need to ask). Then, a couple minute later, I was brought a nice bowl of Miso soup, that also ended up being spot on. I ordered the Spicy Tuna Roll, and the Green Lake Roll, and both of them satisfied this picky sushi eater. The Green Lake Roll was awesome. The asparagus really adds a nice touch. The sushi chef was friendly and willing to chat, and the service was prompt. So far, it's the best sushi I've found in Seattle.

    (4)

  • Jennie C.

    I've been here twice. 2nd time, it seemed like they were severely understaffed so the wait was long and service wasn't great. The food is fine - nothing extraordinary and a bit forgettable. If I recall, it erred on the more expensive side? They have a decent chirashi bowl but also somewhat forgettable. Nothing wrong with the quality of the food but nothing stood out for me either.

    (3)

  • Teri C.

    After having a less than stellar experience at Shiro's, Lorna D. felt like she had to think of a better sushi place so I would leave Seattle with a good taste of sushi in my mouth. And she delivered with Kisaku. Sitting at the bar, we were welcomed by the sushi chef who got busy right away with serving us a complimentary item. I don't really know what it was, but it was some kind of fish in a tasty sauce. What a nice start to the meal. We went with nigiri all the way - awabi, aji, flounder, mackerel, sea eel, sea urchin, sweet shrimp, yellowtail, chutoro, and otoro. It was all so fresh and good! The chutoro and otoro especially were melt in your mouth worthy and we were very pleased. * Fuji Apple Cheese Cake ($4) - Lorna D. and Karla F. both recommended this cheesecake, which was quite good. * Mochi Ice Cream ($4) - However, I was more excited about the mochi ice cream because they get their mochi from Bubbies! (And we love Bubbies!) We had the blueberry and lychee flavors. Service was good. Our sushi chef was very friendly and definitely waited on us. I also appreciated that they left the tea pot for me since I drink a lot of tea. Overall, I would definitely return to Kisaku for more quality sushi and a comforting environment. 4.5 stars.

    (5)

  • Diane T.

    I feel like a lot of sushi places places overdo the whole modern zen look. Kisaku on the other hand, is a a comfy, calm, neighborhood sushi joint. It's definitely not a hole in the wall by any means, but it has more of a traditional and classic feel to it. My husband and I went with the restaurant week special. I went with the omakase sashimi, and he had the omakase sushi. I felt like we actually got the best fish of the day rather than the run of the mill stuff. It tasted incredibly fresh! Our server also seemed to have a very motherly instinct and was extremely in tune with everything we could want or need!

    (4)

  • Joe N.

    Came here on a whim and it exceeded our expectations. A friend and I were craving sushi so we Yelped places near us. Kisaku was high on the list and so we proceeded. We had the sushi combo and every single piece of fish was delicious and very flavorful. You know it's good sushi when it just melts in your mouth. Best of all, it was really fresh. The restaurant was clean, well decorated, good lighting (well lit), and great service from the staff. I highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • David C.

    Clean, well run, top quality ingredients. If you come here looking for that nasty business where they deep fry sushi, top it with crunchy shrimp, then serve it with sushi mayo, you should find another place to get fat. Maybe the Hard Rock cafe would be more your style? Or go get a "bloomin' onion". I recommend the nigiri and sashimi, because the ingredients were top grade. For the quality and price, I consider Kisaku to be an exceptional value. This has been the best sushi I have ever tasted.

    (5)

  • Julie P.

    We went here to celebrate our 10 year anniversary (since we started dating) last night and were in a drunken sushi splendor. Actually we used to go here weekly but the economy has made us cut back. We always celebrate all of our special events here (can't think of someplace that will have just as great food all the time!). We usually do omakase and fully trust both sushi chefs, but we usually choose Shimi's side. Some things that I always love: spanish mackeral, eel in seaweed cup w/quail egg, wallingford seaweed cup, seared scallop, sweet shrimp w/quail egg, wild yellowtail nigiri, seared striped bass w/ponzu sauce, albacore nigiri, bonito nigiri, seared ocotupus, wallingford roll, or Shimi special roll #2. There is no such thing as bad food here. Have the fresh soy sauce marinated salmon roe when its available! The hubby loves the uni (its peak time to have it), chutoro, otoro, geoduck. I'm less "adventurous" but I've tried these many times at Kisaku and even though they were good I just don't really care for the taste and texture. Thank you for Kisaku for always providing consistent freshness and taste!

    (5)

  • Madison L.

    OMG This place is amazing! My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place randomly when we were visiting a friend in the area. We walked around the neighborhood and Kisaku was just opening their doors for dinner so we decided to try it out. Thank goodness we gave it a shot! Inside, the decor is beautiful! It isn't crowded like most of the sushi bars in Seattle and overall, it had a very homey atmosphere. The staff were all very professional looking and they made us feel very welcomed. Soon after we came here, the place was packed! If we came 20 minutes later than when we did, we probably wouldn't have gotten a seat! The food is delicious! YUMMMMMMMMM! The black cod is the most tender and moist black cod I've ever had in my life. Way better than any fancy seafood restaurant. We also had a salad and it was good, but nothing too amazing. The sushi was really unique. We had a few but the one that stood out the most was the Futomaki roll. There was this strange (but good) crunchy texture on the inside that made you want to keep eating more and more! Overall, great service, atmosphere, and excellent cod and Futomaki roll. Definitely coming back to try more of their menu and ordering more of the cod.

    (5)

  • Shane S.

    Nice local little sushi spot hidden in a little suburb. They have some Japanese fish specials..... not just crazy non traditional rolls. Try the sushi / sashimi as it is better here than the regular cooked dinners. The service was nice and friendly, the sushi chef/owner had some nice skills with the knife!

    (3)

  • Ziadee C.

    Now that's what I'm talking about! Straight forward Japanese food with high quality ingredients, artfully prepared. Everything was excellent. Best sushi in Seattle so far.

    (4)

  • Rowena D.

    Lunch is a really good deal here. I recently ordered Sushi Combination A which comes with 7 pieces of nigiri and California Roll. The fish is fresh and the cobination includes a good variety of seafood. And, all of this for $11.95! The service is still great too!

    (5)

  • GT W.

    Had a wait on a weeknight, but we just strolled across the street for a beer at Tangle Town (Elysian brewpub) for a beer. Quicker wait that we were told; they just text you when the table is ready. Hurray for the 21st century. Sat at the sushi bar. Had a nonchalant server who was there for a minute and then never seen again as we were pawned off I guess to the sushi chef. Upscale, more intimate sushi experience with the chef one on one as seems to be the norm on the west coast- something unknown to me on the east coast. Best thing about this place is they have a lot of special seasonal sushi, which is expected I guess for a top place. We had absolutely insane chutoro, sea urchin, raw blue shrimp, and more. Everything was spot on and super fresh. Sushi chef gave up the fried shrimp heads (hell yes!) and a few apertif type dishes gratis. Went almost all nigiri the whole night until we were full. Did order one vegetarian maki, but it had way too much rice and didn't do much. Overall, really close to a 5-star sushi place but seems like it could be replaceable and the ambiance/decor could be updated. The could also add 4 tables into the restaurant and get rid of wait times and make more money.

    (4)

  • Lisa T.

    Kisaku is one of the best sushi restaurants in Seattle and located in the heart of Tangletown. It gets really busy - so I recommend reservations. Through the use of their omakase specials they sometimes post via Bloomspot - I've had the oppportunity to eat a lot of sushi - both sashimi and nigiri. I haven't been disappointed once. The service is spectacular and definitely try eating at the sushi bar. It's fun to watch from that vantage point - don't be intimidated as I once was. If you want to be a little adventurous, ask your chef for the unagi nigir with a raw quail egg on top. We saw the couple next to us try this - and we immediately ordered the same. AMAZING - don't be scared by the raw egg. We love sampling the sakes and you can't go wrong with just a nice big Asahi. Do save room for dessert!!!

    (5)

  • Robin K.

    I have been a loyal patron since this place opened. My favorite Sushi restaurant anywhere. Everything is always fresh and the staff is always on top of things. We always sit at the Sushi Bar and let Nakano or one of the other Sushi chefs take care of us. My only regret is that you need reservations now, unlike when they first opened.

    (5)

  • Ann C.

    Their sushi is very authentic. However, their ippin is not good. I had tendon for lunch but I didn't like it. Sushi chefs, please check quality of ippin or rice bowl etc except for sushi sometimes.. I guess because sushi chefs don't make ippin.... Salad was watery last time.

    (3)

  • Melinda M.

    Oh, Kisaku, how I miss living around the corner from you. Why didn't I eat here every week?! When I lived in Greenlake, I felt like I might be favoring my neighborhood sushi restaurant, extolling it's virtues to anyone who ever asked for a sushi recommendation, but not bothering much with the other options in Seattle. Now that I'm no longer a 30 second walk away--I miss this place! What to say. It's just great, neighborhood favorite or not. The fish is fresh, the service friendly, and they kindly send you across the street for a beer at the Elysian Tangletown if the wait is going to be long. I've eaten here many times, at the bar, at tables, with one person, with many, not yet with green eggs and ham, but getting close. If you're in the mood, it's fun to sit at the sushi bar and order omkase. The chefs will keep you entertained and try to take you a little outside your comfort zone, but not too far. They might have a laugh at your expense as you ponder what on earth that white, gloppy mound of shimmering sea-something is, but it'll be worth it. Especially when they pass you a piece of scallop or hamachi nigiri that's been ever so slightly seared (I swear they must use a tiny blow torch). Heaven. My favorite rolls: Greenlake (topped with seaweed salad), caterpillar (best when sitting at the bar, where it might come adorned with little seaweed antennae and salmon roe eyes), and the absolute best--special roll #2 (not on the menu - ask for it and you won't be disappointed). But wait, the thing you must save room for is the Kisaku sweet potato. Sounds weird--sweet potato puree in an egg roll wrapper, served with vanilla ice cream, red bean paste and strawberries. It's delicious. You may want to skip directly to dessert.

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    Omakase is the way to go! One of my favorite sushi places in Seattle b/c it's laid back. I've sat at a table many times but sitting at the bar is where it's at. Omakase=Leave it up to the sushi chef...for some great selections of what is fresh with some interesting combinations and innovations. Nakano-san is awesome and friendly. Everything he puts in front of us is tasty, fresh, and well cut. I think I've tried every fish on the menu. Making a reservation is recommended b/c this is a popular restaurant and it can be a long wait.

    (4)

  • AT C.

    i went here for sushi at the bar. was pretty good! its a little far from home but we got a good deal on travelzoo so dinner was a good value. :-) there are better closer places i would go for great sushi, but this place shouldn't be overlooked.

    (4)

  • Joel M.

    First, I'm no sushi knowledge bucket, but I sure do like it and I've tried many well reviewed places. Kisaku just keeps me coming back. It has a nice, if simple, contemporary ambiance, with staff that quietly gives a nod of greeting and the quickest of smiles. Fast but unrushed service and never a feeling of being the "oroka na shiroi hito." The owner makes small talk but doesn't kill you with flattery and the sushi is always, always, ALWAYS wonderfully flavorful, textured, and artistic. Dinner is as expensive as any other good Seattle restaurant -- but lunch is a screaming deal (well, sorta).

    (5)

  • Tim C.

    You know I've come here after hearing great things about this place. However those things I swear set the bar incredibly high, especially as a seafood/sushi place in Seattle. And to that extent, I was overwhelmed with satisfaction and I still blame my friends for it. But that doesn't take away the fact that this place is great. The small dishes are all delicious. The fish and ingredients are all fresh. Before my first time here, I was thinking this would be a fancy schmancy place, but it's not. It's a great family friendly place great for a casual meal.

    (4)

  • Michelle L.

    Such a great neighborhood gem! Thank you, Yelp, for helping us find it. I had much envy over the spicy oyster appetizer that my father-in-law ordered; I will come back for that. I had the omakase sashimi and all the fish was fresh and healthy slices. Another at the table had the tempura shrimp; the batter was light and non-greasy. All around a great experience. Comfortable environment with attentive service; we had a gentleman with a walker and they quickly stored it away for us.

    (4)

  • Michelle F.

    If you're hanging around the Good Shepard Center, Kisaku is conveniently close. The atmosphere is pleasant and the service is very good. We ate early (5:30) so we missed the crowds. It filed up fast around 6:30. We started with the spicy friend oysters. While not spicy, they were fresh and had a terrific tangy sauce. We followed that with a couple of rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. This is definitely a "roll place." We got the Greenlake roll (good! with seaweed salad on top) and the Kisaku roll which sounded good but had too much rice and was too dry. My husband tried a bunch of nigiri and was meh about it. The sockeye salmon sashimi was great but the albacore was so fishy that I couldn't finish it. Which is a shame because there is fantastic local albacore to be had this time of year. We finished with the fried sweet potato rolls with vanilla ice cream and red bean paste. A sushi place with great dessert? Who knew? The price was right but I don't think I'll be returning.

    (2)

  • ek i.

    Decent sushi/sashimi but for the price, I'd go to Izumi in Kirkland.

    (3)

  • Christina P.

    Great sushi! Are the pieces huge? Not really, I have seen bigger(insert poor joke here). Are the prices great? no but they are reasonable. All that aside, the sushi at Kisaku just tastes great. The temperature is perfect and the cut is great. Ambiance is alright and the service is good. Overall good consistency visit after visit.

    (4)

  • Rachael C.

    I can always count on a tasty meal whenever I go to Kisaku, and I feel like last night was no exception. I did come with a date however, who is always in search of an exceptional Spider Roll (something about texture needing to be just right). I ordered my Spicy Tuna roll, he his Spider Roll, and then we went ahead and got the shrimp in Aurora sauce and fresh oysters as appetizers. I thought everything was delicious as usual (even the osyters my date made me try, which I've never been too keen on) but he mentioned that while good, the soft shell crab in his Spider roll wasn't exactly right. Ionno, I still thought it was delicious. Also, I think he was kinda disappointed that there were only 3 (small) oysters to the $8 order. But anyways, service, as always, was friendly, sake and wine was had, topped off with the Sesame Mousse cake (one of my favs) resulting in a pleasant dinner experience.

    (4)

  • Peter C.

    One of the better straight up, older school Japanese places in town. Menu has all the things you would expect and they can make anything you can't find. Most memorable for me was the mirugai with mushrooms and miso butter, but everything was nice from both the sushi bar and kitchen. Relaxed, attentive service. You'll also spend a lot less for the quality you will find at other places (Shiro, etc.). Only downside is the ambiance - more in the vein of 80's/90's cafeteria parlor style...but this is nit picking. I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Ariel Z.

    Love. The sushi is fantastic, whether for dinner or for lunch. The service is always very friendly and attentive - everyone is very sweet, the kind of people who say "Bye! Thank you for coming!" when you leave. They don't have a whole lot of variety in specialty rolls, but this is not really one of those new, trendy fusion whatever sushi places. They cover all of the basics, and they do them well. The prices are on par for other great sushi restaurants. The atmosphere is cute, and kind of romantic, really - good for date nights, too. Thumbs up! We don't get over here as often as we should, but it's lovely.

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    Love this place! They are totally accommodating about kids, the staff is friendly and helpful. What more can you want in a neighborhood sushi joint! I also love that they have online reservations and will text you if you walk in and have to wait. The food is fresh and delicious whether you go for a weekend dinner or a weekday take out. Hooray for Kisaku!

    (5)

  • Thomas L.

    Lovely place and the fish was good. Downside was that the service was so so and the price was a bit high. The vibe is great. We got omakase sashimi for 2 but felt that although it was good, we weren't blown away for the prices we paid for. Maybe we should come back and try just sushi and see if it's better than the sashimi. Parking can be a tad hard. Bathrooms seemed shared with the salon next door.

    (3)

  • Ninette C.

    I came here for Seattle Restaurant Week for a double date. 3 of us ordered the Seattle Restaurant Week while one of my friends ordered off the menu (didn't like seafood). We ordered: Appetizer: -Crab salad -Albacore Tuna Salad (mine) -Chili prawns Entrees: -Sashimi omakase (mine) -Tuna belly -Vegetarian roll (non-RW) -Chicken teriyaki (non-RW) Dessert: -Lychee mochi ice cream -Fuji apple and strawberry cheesecake The appetizers were all decent. The sashimi was nice: nicely cut and fresh. (My favorite was the albacore tuna.) The tuna belly was absolutely delicious! It came with a broth, scallions and potatoes. It tasted like delicious fattiness and was nice and rich! I also really liked the mochi ice cream. It sounds so simple, but I enjoyed it-- maybe it was the lychee flavor that did it! All in all, I was happy with the food. Nothing was bad; everything was ok to good, but the tuna belly was the one that really stood out. Service here was good. It's a nice, neighborhood Japanese place with a casual, laid-back feel. Don't mistaken that for dirty, un-decorated though-- the place has a simple, modern and casual decor to match its mood and crowd. I look forward to my next visit.

    (4)

  • Jennifer P.

    I've been to Kisaku a handful of times and liked the food, but wasn't in love with it until my last trip. One of my friends has been going there for years and has a specific sushi chef, Shinmi, that they like and trust. So, I was up for giving Kisaku another shot and was rather impressed. We sat at the sushi bar and handed our palates over to the chef and we were not disappointed. The fish was fresh and he put together some interesting sushi combinations including amaebi (sweet shrimp) with quail egg and tobiko, eel and quail egg, seared tuna with ponzu sauce, oyster with green onion. The squid and tako were not as tender as I would prefer, but I did like the smokiness of the seared pieces. I will never again sit at the table if I can avoid it and I will ensure that the chef we had is in the house. A few tips: the cooked food is ok, but I would stick with the sushi. I love the variety of pieces and the innovation of the chef.

    (4)

  • Peter W.

    I've been going here for years and I havent been disappointed. Nakano- San does a great job here.

    (5)

  • Huy T.

    Should be 4.5 stars. The food is excellent. Everytime I eat sushi, I usually end up trying something raw to satisfy my curiosity. However, I never liked it until I came here.

    (4)

  • Willie M.

    Kisaku is one of the better sushi places in Seattle. Located in Tangletown, there are plenty of places to go to before or after for dessert, coffee, and the ilk. While its atmosphere feels more along the lines of your generic Asian fusion cuisine restaurant, they have a very good sushi offering, and the presentation is enjoyable as well. In particular, their Otoro (very fatty tuna) is fantastic, it's always seemed appropriately fresh, which I find to be an issue with fatty tuna from other locations. Their specialty rolls were also far better tasting than most places, specifically as the spider and Kisaku rolls. The only drawback that I've found for this place has been the service to a degree. More oft than not, I feel like it's taken longer than expected for a table to be cleared for the next set of guests, and once seated, I often find my table to have waited at lest 10-15 minutes before we are even able to get drink orders, and by that time we try to order our food as well, since so much time has passed.

    (4)

  • Marla S.

    This is my favorite sushi place in Seattle. The menu is interesting, and they have wonderful lunch specials. I especially enjoy the revolving Bento selections. Prices are reasonable. Sushi is fresh and well-presented. I just wish they were open on Tuesdays and between lunch and dinner. I always have a great experience here.

    (5)

  • Aaron Y.

    This is a cute little place in Wallingford. This restaurant is well sized and seating isn't crammed into the place. I would make a reservation before going. I got lucky getting the last table for 4. Everyone else who came in after me had to wait an hour or so. To the Food! The food was good, fresh, and came out pretty quick. I just got a Set Sushi Combo and everything was great. After seating it took a while for the waitress to get us our water and to take our orders. Thats my only complaint. Like i said before, everything was great, but nothing stood out at me as amazing. I heard of this restaurant featured in Seattle MET magazine as top 5 in Seattle or something. Im sure theres a lot better.

    (3)

  • Helen C.

    We had to take a year off from my fave sushi joint while I was pregnant, but boy was I glad to come back! Noone should have to give up sushi for a year, much less Kisaku! We were welcomed back with open arms by Nakano-san.... who looked at our baby and said "so that's why you haven't been here!" That's what I love about a neighborhood sushi place - that Cheers feeling where the sushi chef always remembers your name :) *the* best way to enjoy Kisaku is to sit at the sushi bar with Nakano-san and leave it up to him to serve you whatever's freshest. If you're just going with the basics, you don't need to come to Kisaku. This is the place to come to get the good stuff... which during this trip included king mackeral, uni, super fatty tuna and some really great sweet shrimp. And of course, no trip to Kisaku is complete without some unagi with a quail egg on top. My husband and I are divided on favorite sushi places - I like the laid back neighborhood feel of Kisaku, he loves the energy J brings to J Sushi in the ID. They really only share one thing in common - and that's great fish. Service during this trip was excellent where they kept the sake flowing and the fish a coming. Parking is always a little tough since they're located in a residential neighborhood, and now we have to pay a toll to come over the bridge... but it is all sooooooo worth it. I only wish they'd pick up and relocate to my neighborhood :)

    (5)

  • Colin D.

    My favorite sushi place in Seattle, and that's saying something. The fish here is always amazing and the prices are more than reasonable. Whenever I get the craving for sushi, this is where I come. There are dozens of good sushi places in Seattle, but this one just has that little extra. There's a great sushi bar to sit at and the sushi chefs will be happy to help you pick out what's good and help you through the process if you're new to it or even if you're not new to it. The dining room is spacious and calm making it really good for a date or simply just having relaxed conversation. The shining part though is the actual sushi. Simply put, they have the goods. The wild sockeye salmon nigiri is amazing. I'd been looking for salmon sushi that wasn't disappointing for years before I found this and this stuff exactly what you would hope for, it's richer than tuna, and is just phenomenal all around. The spicy tuna rolls here are the best I've ever had anywhere and really have the extra zing to make them perfect. They don't get anything else wrong either, the yellowtail, fatty tuna and very fatty tuna are as good as anywhere else I've eaten. The eel, miso soup and seaweed salad are all also amazing. They also have a spectacular sake selection if you're interested in that kind of thing and they even have the Elysian brewery (which has a pub across the street) brew them a special Kisaku Ale which is a belgian-style wheat ale with a strong hit of citrus which goes perfectly with sushi.

    (5)

  • Natasha J.

    My boyfriend and I came here on a Monday night and it was wonderful. Our appetizer alone would make me want to come back--we had the spicy oysters, so so good and a great amount for two. The futomaki and green lake rolls were great and so was the sesame mousse cake. The service was also very good.

    (5)

  • Angel W.

    Boyfriend took me here over the weekend for a Fri night date. He likes sushi and I don't eat much fish and definitely not raw. But there are usually plenty of other things I can order so I don't mind. He thinks it's one of the best places for high quality of sushi. That said, we both agreed the decor isn't their forte, especially the back windowless room we were seated in. I wouldn't at all say it was anything romantic and they could use dimming the lights a tad. We started w/ edamame and a half of the mushroom salad which sounded lovely and per our server, was a good size. She didn't lead us astray. It was a good portion for 2 and really tasty. Then it seemed to take a reeeeaaaally long time for our rolls. It was a friday, but our reservation wasn't even til 8pm. We didn't get our main rolls til 9. He got the Kasaku and Wallingford rolls, which he really liked and I got the devil's something and the garden roll, both vegetarian and were yummy and good sizes once they arrived. All that together was the perfect amount of food, maybe even a tiny bit too much for us. And we thought it was pretty fairly priced.. not too crazy. I'd go back for sure, but wouldn't ever pick it if we wanted something romantic or it was a special occasion. Solid food though.

    (4)

  • Etta H.

    I feel pretty lucky to live so close to Kisaku... its really a great place! While not my favorite sushi restaurant in Seattle (that title goes enthusiastically to Maneki) it is nothing to scoff at. The first time we went we sat at a table and ordered the Sashimi Combo L (five types of sashimi) and were quite pleased with the portions and quality. We also ordered a roll, a salad and a couple beers. Everything was very tasty. We noted that people seated at the sushi bar were all having a great time interacting with the chefs and trying the complimentary samples he'd place in front of them - so the next time we went, we decided to make a reservation for bar seating. When we came in for our reservation the second time (to sit at the bar) our seats were not yet available. While we waited, the host was incredibly gracious and attentive - making sure we knew we would be seated soon... and offered us water and tea while we waited. Sitting at the bar was fun! I really enjoyed the experience and our generous chef let us try some of his creations in addition to our order. All the staff at Kisaku are very kind and professional. Definitely recommend it!

    (4)

  • Kate W.

    DON'T GO FOR THE CHIRASHI....... I'm an absolute chirashi fan. so i know when i'm being served more or less. For Kisaku, it was small portioned given the price... only ONE piece of sashimi for each type of meat.... wtf... O_o Nevertheless, their sashimi quality is great. i would come again but would order nigiri or sashimi.... chirashi is off the list here.....

    (3)

  • ME- G.

    The fish was fresh, well prepared and tasty. It is for sushi, sashimi and nigiri lovers. If you are looking for an American style, sauce drenched sushi roll, don't come here. You won't appreciate it. The service was friendly, attentive, and knowledgable. The ambiance was clean, open, perfect for visiting, bright, and warm. We'd go back.

    (4)

  • Emmie N.

    One of the best sushi/sashimi I've ever tasted. The quality was top notch and the price was more than reasonable. Way cheaper than most sushi places in the bay area where I'm from. I'm glad I made reservations because the small/cozy restaurant was packed and many walk-ins were told the wait was about 45 minutes. We were seated by the window and there were these cute decorative things by the window sill. I asked our waiter and he said the owner's mom in Japan handmade the decorations and sent it over here. -Crispy Calamari with Avocado Dip: $8 Nothing too special but my boyfriend liked the avocado dip -Sashimi Combination L: $22 Omg, only $22 for 7 different types of sashimi! (Tuna, albacore tuna, yellowtail, salmon, white fish, octopus and surf clam) Everything was fresh. -Uni Nigiri: $7 (2 pieces) -Otoro Nigiri: $8 (2 pieces) The BEST fatty tuna I've ever tasted. -Kisaku Roll: $7 Scallop, crab, mayo, flying fish eggs, soy paper. I've never said this about a roll before but this one kinda melts in your mouth. Even with all that rice -Green Lake Roll: $7 Salmon, flying fish eggs, asparagus avocado, marinated seaweed -Sesame Mousse & Coffee Jelly for dessert On top of the amazing food, our waiter was super friendly and attentive. I asked for hot sauce and he made a smiley face for me :) I would definitely come back here next time I'm in Seattle

    (5)

  • Walt W.

    This place had the best reviews for sushi on another website so I told myself that if I'm ever by Green Lake I'd try this place out. We got there on a Friday afternoon at 4, they don't open until 5. Great. So after a walk down to Green Lake we found ourselves to be the first ones there. "Do you have a reservation?" Crap. I guess they are that popular huh? "Can you be done by 6?" Serious? I should have turned around and left after she said that. But I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. The sushi was very good but not 5 star worthy. The Green Lake roll was the best IMO. Our chef (I think he was the manager) was great but the other service was poor. With 6 wait staff hanging around no one took our trash or refilled our water till we were almost done. And the hostess (I'd assume owner/wife, given her age) was rude. By the time we finished and left 3 tables were now occupied (BUSY!). We finished by 6 thank you very much for having us! 4.5 star sushi 2 star chinatown service

    (3)

  • Jeanna L.

    I find myself at Kisaku almost every week! I always sit at the sushi bar and ask Nakano-san for omakase nigiri. Well, I haven't had to ask in a long time since he always says "Hi, Jeanna! The usual?" He makes AMAZING sushi. I especially love all the ones that he serves on small plates that don't require soy sauce, like the ones covered in ponzu. You get complimentary miso soup and salad at lunch time and an appetizer of some sort at dinner time. I find that ordering omakase from the sushi bar is really the only way to eat here. But then again, I feel that way about every worthwhile sushi restaurant!

    (5)

  • Chris T.

    Disclaimer: I've been here twice, both times for my company's holiday dinner party, so I've never so much as glanced at the prices on the menu. While the food and sake was absolutely scrumptious both times and we were all grateful to be able to have a sushi meal and get up without paying, there was no doubt that quite a few people's appetites weren't satiated by the end of the night. Considering how generous our company usually is with such things, I can only guess that this means that Kisaku is a $$ or $$$ kind of restaurant. While Kisaku certainly makes an attempt at creating atmosphere and even has a Christmas tree decorated with sushi ornaments ($5 each!), it wouldn't be the coziest place for a sushi date(which must always entail feeding sushi to your partner--something that is best done in a restaurant that feels warm and intimate). The food, however, is unfailingly good, although if you're a fan of wasabi, you're gonna have to pile it on here. Sushi is fresh and all warm, cooked dishes are perfectly prepared (even the salads are drool-inducing). The only disgusting thing on the menu is the uni (sea urchin) but that's not Kisaku's fault since uni is the revolting lovechild of sashimi and a piece of crap. And last but not least, the super-friendly people at Kisaku definitely contribute their share towards the solid 4 stars. You'll get smiles all around from the hostess, the chefs, and the servers, which probably makes this the perfect restaurant to visit when you're feeling down, happen to be in Tangletown, and crave some sushi.

    (4)

  • Nate M.

    I need to visit Kisaku a few more times to be absolutely sure. My first impression was underwhelming. I ordered take out and they just had a lot of trouble with the order. I don't recommend Kisaku for takeout sushi. Recently I went back, sat at the sushi counter and ordered Omakase. It was a much better experience. The sushi was fresh. I tried a few things I either didn't know I liked or thought I didn't like and it was really good. Most surprising was amber jack. It seems that one of the sushi chefs is much more talkative than the other. He's the guy who looks like he's in his 30's. I'd try to sit at his section next time as our chef was perfectly fine, but didn't really deliver an experience. My review is 4 stars for now because I think they're capable of delivering a 4 star experience and it's too early for me to knock them because they can't do takeout.

    (4)

  • Izzy H.

    Since I work down the street - every Saturday (when time provides) I always call in to make a quick to-go order! Kip, who usually picks up the phone, is sweet, courteous and absolutely wonderful! The bento is a pretty good deal for how much you pay for it, but nothing crazy spectacular. I do love their little kobachi salad (maybe because I'm such a sucker for potato salad?) and yakiniku chicken. Yum! I haven't really eaten in the restaurant so I can't speak so much for in-house service. But when I do go in on Saturdays to pick up my to-go order, it is crazy busy.

    (4)

  • Judy H.

    My bf & I have had our fair share of sushi and this place is probably our favorite besides getting sushi from Japan that is. The price and quality of the sushi is what sets it apart from the others. Eating at the sushi bar and having omakase is the only way to go! The sushi chefs here are really friendly and sure know what they are doing! My bf's favorite sushi chef is Nakano, he loves him so much that I'm a bit jealous =) The sushi is so good here that my bf, who doesn't eat shrimp normally, will eat and actually enjoy it here! Among a few of our favorite pieces of sushi ... the salmon is unlike any other you will get around the world ... salmon is the best in Seattle! The otoro here was sooo fatty that I had to tell my bf it was too fatty, but he definitely enjoyed it! More fatty than any piece I've had in Japan even! The best part of the meal is topping your omakase with one last piece of unagi topped with a quail egg yolk! OMG to die for! The prices here are an amazing deal for what you get ... my bf and I ate till I nearly threw up ... 18 pieces of sushi in total with a few beers and the total was only about $115 with tax. That's a great deal! This is a special place for us ... we always compare our sushi meals to Kisaku and think about it often =) We're jealous of all Satellites!

    (4)

  • Adi H.

    Great sushi! Typically busy, so make a reservation! The list of sushi is minimal but anything your order will be delicious and they can make other options for you if you ask. They also have a wide range of menu items other than sushi if you go with a friend who isn't a big sushi person, this is the place to go.

    (4)

  • Christine Y.

    Mixed feelings. Mixed experiences. Very much like Sarah C's, actually. First couple times: great, fresh fish. This last time: fishy fish. In particular, my yellowtail was really tough and fishy. I smelled it multiple times to make sure, too! I couldn't believe how awful it smelled. My mom received the same cut on her yellowtail--really fibrous and hard to chew. Too bad she swallowed long before I talked to our server. I was compensated by a piece of (much tastier) salmon. Their current sauteed prawns appetizer is pretty good. It's sauteed in garlic butter with various mushrooms and spinach--mmmm. I would also recommend the Agedashi Tofu if you haven't tried. Big pieces of fried tofu in a light broth topped with grated daikon, bonito flakes, grated ginger. I'll probably stay away for a while because I can never trust their sushi again.. maybe you'll have better luck. Enjoy the hot dishes for me.

    (3)

  • Joyce J.

    The omakase sushi here offered nice surprises. The chef for us was great and very creative. I really enjoyed how the chef actual puts spins on the sushi rather than just give you the traditional fresh fare. While some times I avoid counter at sushi places because I find it a bit awkward to talk to chefs when I don't speak Japanese, this chef was really nice in explaining everything us. For the price, I would much rather have omakase here than any other places that I have visited so far in Seattle. The service for getting one's check can be a little bit slow as the place was packed when I went.

    (4)

  • Christy N.

    I had previously been to Kisaku and my experience was quite pleasant, although I was already aware that they are a tad pricey for what you're getting. I happened to be around the area and decided to try it again. I was extremely disappointed in our service. We were served by a young female waitress that hardly smiled even once. Upon ordering, I had asked the server to explain the difference between two fishes on the menu, and she just looked at me in an unfriendly way and said, 'they are prepared differently.' Extremely unhelpful and almost condescending answer. She didn't remove our garbage (chopstick cover, hand wipes) throughout the whole meal. Also, when she did come around, she either just plopped down our plate without informing us which dish was what and several times I had to flag her down in order to get her attention. I felt that service was slow, as well. As for food, we ordered the Greenlake Roll, Wallingford Roll, Miso Soup, Saba Misoni Dinner, and Chicken Yakisoba. I found quite a few bones in my Saba, although the sauce flavor was very good. I think the Miso soup was just okay. I've had it better elsewhere, such as at Momiji. The yellowtail in the Wallingford Roll tasted kind of funny. The Greenlake Roll was good. I did also like the Chicken Yakisoba - the noodles were the perfect texture. The prices at Kisaku are pretty typical of a nice Japanese restaurant, however with how poor the service was, coupled with the mediocre food, I cannot see myself coming here again. There are many other sushi restaurants in the Seattle area that I prefer to go to.

    (2)

  • Linda C.

    Such a great place. Tasty sushi, cute atmosphere, awesome service, tucked away in Tangletown. What more can you ask for? Note to self for future visits: Sashimi is fresh. Kisaku and Green Lake rolls are great. The garden something veggie roll is very good, as is the veggie futomaki...

    (4)

  • Love F.

    I love Kisaku. First, Nakano and his team are so sweet and warm and really care about your dining experience. Second, there is something for everyone - if you're like me, and prefer sashimi and nigiri to rolls, you can be assured that you'll have a very wide array of fish to choose from, both local and from Japan, presented sometimes simply, and sometimes creatively. Third, if you are into rolls, or other Japanese food, this place is for you as well -- there is a great selection of rolls on the menu, yummy appetizers, and if there is a roll you want, and it's not on the menu, ask for it - just don't ask for anything with cream cheese. Because that's just icky. Instead, ask for the felix roll, or the number two roll -- not icky, YUMMY! This place is just the best. Go there -- make a reservation, and go there.

    (5)

  • Beatrice L.

    Tried this place for lunch near closing time. Fresh fish, cute atmosphere, genuine service. The Nabeyaki udon was pretty good too.

    (4)

  • Ben C.

    Please do not go to this sushi restaurant unless you have no other choices! I went there for lunch and got Very disappointed. The salad is warm, and the sushi is so bad after the first bite and just didn't want to finish them. Think Twice before you go! There're better places in town to go for sure. :)

    (1)

  • Stacy Y.

    I thought hard about giving this restaurant a 2 star rating so I waited to see if I'll change my mind but no. We went to Kisaku last Wednesday and I reviewed my experience while I was there (you can see how slow the service and food was..) Sushi bar is very busy tonight ( or it's like this every night?) but it doesn't give the rest of waiters an excuse to have no service. Frank and I felt deserted sitting by the sushi bar with no food. We look around, that seems to be happening to half of the tables! Our first thought, this place is not well managed. If I can complete this review on my small iPhone keypad while waiting, it's taken long enough. The food better be good... Food is below our expectation, we have had better. Just to list a few - Shiro, Musashi, Wasabi Bistro, and Frank even think Sushi Land has the better value for the nigiri we get tonight. Fish on top of nigiri was on the small side, compare to other places but a good thing is the rice on the bottom is a good ratio to the fish meaning an overall small nigiri Fish quality is doubtful, service was slow, and we waited 50 mins (after ordering) for the so-so nigiri and finished them in 7 mins. Not worth it.

    (2)

  • Hannah L.

    Fresh succulent rolls (Spicy Tuna, Futomaki, Wallingford)? Check. Deep-fried, savory Agedashi Tofu? Check. Silky, slightly firm-to-the-bite seaweed salad? Check. As good as those lovely offerings are, my appetite for depths of decadence knows no bounds when it comes to edibles. After all the culinary foreplay my palate was primed. Yellowtail. And again, more yellowtail. Salmon....And the climax, Otoro. Oh my God....The texture of fatty, fatty tuna, dissolving in your mouth, so tender the tip of your tongue could slice through it, suffuses your palate with exquisite, melting radiance. The single most incredible piece of sashimi I've eaten. Ever. Anywhere. For once, I savored only one satisfying, delectable bite, bounds of decadence brushed against, or perhaps expanded....

    (4)

  • Michelle F.

    This place was very Japanese. I really appreciated that about it. Japanese food, Japanese staff, Japanese sushi chefs. The miso soup was perfect, though it is hard to screw up, truth be told. I can make it blindfolded with a hangover. Still, I have had it done wrong. Theirs is not wrong. *****Note: KUDOS for not giving me a spoon with it! I realize I'm in America and all, but I kinda get annoyed when my miso soup comes out with a spoon. That's.... just.... NOT... how we DO it, man!***** The large sashimi platter we ordered was superb, complete with wakame (seaweed), daikon (radish), and shiso (beefsteak leaf). Well presented, good cuts. My only complaint was with the tako (octopus) cuts, which were weirdly thin and scraggly, especially in comparison to the nice cuts provided in the other fish. I did not understand. I can only surmise that they were running low on tako? We also ordered an unagi roll, which was done quite nicely and presented well. The sunomono (with tako (octopus)) was very good also, though I prefer mine a little more vinegared. That's just personal preference, though. Edamame.... well, it's edamame. It was good. If I saw someone screw up edamame, I would have them cancel my order immediately and leave, never to return. Theirs was good. I tend to prefer mine with coarser salt, however. They use a very finely ground salt on theirs. Overall, my only "complaints" were personal preference things, and not worth docking stars. Nor was the octopus skimping in the sashimi, assuming it isn't a recurring thing. I'm guessing it won't be. Either way, I'll be back soon, so you'll be sure to hear about it!

    (5)

  • Sonya L.

    I went here for my work birthday lunch and was pleasantly surprised at how great the sushi was! The interior is really cute and the wait staff were prompt and attentive. I had no idea where it was located - I didn't realize that tiny little area that includes Kisaku and Mighty-O Donuts even existed! I had a Garden Roll, and Cucumber Roll, and a Spider Roll. All of them were quite delicious, particularly the Garden Roll! It was also nice that lunch comes with miso soup and a small salad (of course, if I had realized that I probably would have ordered one less roll!). Everything tasted really fresh, which is always a bonus. Prices are a little high, but it's not too bad for lunch. Although it's kind of out of my way...I would likely come here again.

    (4)

  • Dana S.

    My husband and I love finding great sushi. This restaurant did not disappoint. Located in Wallingford...we never pass up an opportunity to get into a great neighborhood to try out a new restaurant. We were greeted by a kind hostess, asked if we had a choice in chef, and promptly seated at the bar. The menu was priced reasonably. We actually expected to pay more! We had Copper River salmon, halibut, tuna, and the Greenlake and Wallingford rolls. This restaurant has the freshest sushi I have ever had! Thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Charles M.

    My favorite sushi place in Seattle. Sure, it is a bit pricey but it is one of those places where every single dish is great. I recommend the aurora shrimp, agedashi tofu and horenso salad.

    (5)

  • Corey G.

    This place was alright. It looked fairly yuppie-filled, and I thought we wouldn't get a table, but to their credit the server free-ed up a table and said we had 50min--that was plenty of time for us. The dining area was fairly stylish and nice-looking. The sushi was decent, and average-priced. Overall, I'd say this place is a bit over-hyped and catering to the hipster crowd (but hey, I've been known to roll hipster/yuppie-like).

    (3)

  • Kristi R.

    This is the ONLY sushi restaurant in Seattle I'll eat at! Never disappoints! And I LOVE the owner and staff!!!

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    It was good the first time I came here - probably because I was sitting at the bar ordering omakase. The second time, when the sushi tasted a little sketch, I choked it down, figured it was a fluke and didn't come back for a few months. Just got some take out. The rolls generally had some kind of mealy texture and that undifferentiated, off sort of flavor that comes with sushi/raw ingredients that just aren't that fresh. My body viscerally rejected the idea of eating it and I couldn't finish it. Which is pretty big because it's one of those days where I get busy and forget to make time to eat. I ate extra wasabi to try to prevent a more overt rejection later.

    (2)

  • Anna L.

    I went during the week, for lunch, around 1pm. SERVICE: Not that great, actually. It was kinda busy and I think they're understaffed. The hostess was signing people on the wait list, bussing tables, and setting tables. And she seemed unorganized - not prioritizing her tasks very well. I understand that it's difficult to multitask and to keep all customers happy - maybe she was having an off day - but I wasn't very pleased during the wait, as I watched her and other servers. Since we were waiting for some time, we already knew what to order, so our orders were taking relatively quickly and we were served our food in a timely manner. Our server was alright - he did his job, and I have no complaints. FOOD: I've definitely had better sushi. I'm from LA, so maybe that's saying something (with Little Tokyo and all). I don't have other Seattle sushi restaurants to compare to, so I'm reviewing based on what I've had elsewhere and my palette. I ordered Sushi Combination M (8 pieces of sushi and tuna roll with miso soup (Tuna, salmon, yellowtail, white fish, shrimp, scallop, surf clam and octopus) $19.00). I also tried their Otoro (Very Fatty Tuna). *Tuna roll: was probably the most satisfying on this platter - which isn't saying good things about the salmon and yellowtail. Relative to other tuna rolls I've had, it was pretty average/alright/I'll take it. *Salmon: I've had better. Not that tasty. This goes for all the other sushi pieces, actually. They were all missing something. Maybe it wasn't fresh enough, or soft enough. It all got me full, but it didn't leave me pleased. I ate it to eat it. *Otoro: Melted in my mouth. Which is a good thing right? But it melted REALLY fast! All of a sudden, it was like, in the mouth to disappearing act to just eating rice. So I couldn't really enjoy it. Maybe I should've eaten it without the rice. Which brings me to... *the Rice: Maybe the sushi was ruined because there was too much rice in the rolls or the rice itself wasn't that great and ruined the taste of the fish. *shrugs* Sides: Miso Soup: Kind of too salty. But I never expect great miso soup so whatevs. Small Appetizer Salad: I liked their sauce! I actually enjoyed their salad a good amount. So there's a plus. SPACE: Pretty good space. There aren't any tables for large parties - though I'm sure they can move them around to accommodate - but most people there were in parties of 2 or 4. OVERALL: Definitely not worth the price. I'm sure, SURE, you can find another place with better pricing AND better sushi. I didn't give it one star cuz it wasn't horrible. It's what the 2 star means - "Meh. I've experienced better."

    (2)

  • Sarah M.

    Great quality sushi. The size of the sushi rolls is not that great for the price...but they sure do taste good! Spicy tuna roll is my new favorite!

    (4)

  • Lisa S.

    Best Sushi in the City! Fresh and good sized portions! I can't get enough!

    (5)

  • Jennifer D.

    I went here a couple hours ago with my boyfriend after seeing that it had 4 stars. Unfornatly this place wasn't nearly as good as we were expecting. I ordered the kisaku roll and the spicy tuna roll. The rolls were pretty big, but the rice was too dense, didn't taste really fresh. It tasted like store bought sushi. My boyfriend ordered hamachi and the fish didn't look or taste very fresh. However, the waitress we ad was pretty nice.

    (2)

  • Kael H.

    I always get Taku to see if a place is worth coming back to. Definitely will come back here.

    (4)

  • Arif V.

    This is the place where I got my cherry popped with regards to sushi. Had it been anywhere else I think I would have been disgusted with the whole sushi culture. I am still a meat and patatos sushi eater but I love the treat of going here. We generally sit at the counter wih Simi (Alfred), the way he takes care of you and just makes sure he acknoleges who you and and what you mean to him is out of this world. The rest of the staff is warm and inviting and the area of town is neat because its tucked away. Ok now for some food... have Simi make you one of his special roles... also the Wallingford role is out of this world. But if you really want a treat the Hamachi here is like butter... Enough said if you are looking for a date or just a really good experience try Kisaku.

    (4)

  • John M.

    So good we hardly every go anywhere else anymore. The fish is always very fresh and very good. We generally have Nakano-san bring us whatever he thinks is best and we've never been disappointed. Both of our kids love it as much as we do, and it's always their pick for their birthday dinners. Maybe not the place to go if you tend towards California rolls, but if you want the good stuff made and served with great care and passion Kisaku can't be beat. It does get busy but the service has always been great and we're always treated like welcome family.

    (5)

  • Rob E.

    This is the best sushi in Seattle. Nakano-san, the owner, ensures that fish is top notch. I recommend simply asking what is good and getting that. You will not be disappointed. The same quality sushi in Tokyo would easily be $150 a person. At Kisaki, even if you order what the shef recommends, you would have to eat a ton to go over $50 a person. While, occasionally the service can be slow though that is normally because they are overwhelmed, this is typically when they are swamped and can't really be help against them. Please make reservations or go early. It quickly books and can be hard to find a seat. It is worth it!

    (5)

  • Joel Y.

    Getting a reservation here proved to be quite a hassle. We wanted to change our original time of 7pm to 8pm and they wouldn't allow it. After some compromise, we decided to start grubbing. The waiter was very attentive and fulfilled all of our requests- no problem. That was a sign of a quality restaurant. The Agadashi Tofu was a very generous portion as well as the misokyaki butter fish dinner. 2 pieces of the delectable savory delight. The salmon sashimi was super fresh, buttery and delicious. The spicy tuna and albacore hand rolls were also fresh and delicious. Kisaku Roll (I think) was also outstanding, which seaweed salad placed on top. I would imagine that Seattle would have great, somewhat reasonable sushi joints in the city and Kisaku did not disappoint. The only disappointment I would have to report on was the outage of their Green Tea Pudding that sounded quite unique, and the manager lady giving us a "friendly reminder" to leave because of another existing reservation. That made it very annoying but the food is worth the minor annoyances.

    (4)

  • Michelle Z.

    The must have's at this place are: #2 roll (it's their secret off-menu roll!), chutoro nigiri, warm mushroom salad, gindara kasuzuke, or kisaku roll. Finish off with the yuzu sorbet. YUM. Sit at the sushi bar with Nakano-san, the owner, and he'll take care of you if you want it done right. Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Margaret Y.

    Not worth the price. Too much rice...which is my biggest pet peeve when it comes to sushi. I ordered the Kisaku roll which was tasteless and came in four pieces..the end pieces were basically just rice with asparagus sticking out of it..and for $7? not worth it. not even close. The nigiris weren't great either. I got the uni and sake and the uni was alright but the sake did not seem fresh and was cut thinly. not too appetizing. I also felt boring and got the california roll which also had too much rice and was tiny..$6 for 6 pieces and the thought of me having to pay $1 for every tiny little piece I was eating made me a little sad. I came out of Kisaku feeling like I paid a whole lotta money for a whole lotta rice. I went to pcc and just got some food from their hot foods section which is...always on point.

    (2)

  • Chad C.

    Lame. Got there with my family tonight and was told I needed to wait 20mins even though there were empty tables. Ordered a bunch of sushi and a chicken teriyaki dish. The waitress told me the teriyaki would take 15 mins, which I guess I could live with but then 5 mins later came back and said that the sushi chefs are too busy and that my sushi order would take 30 mins and that I should order something off the hot menu instead. Now I'm frustrated but I place an order for tempura. The tempura comes out 5 minutes later. It's not crispy but soggy and almost indelible. Lived in Asia for 12 years and been to Japan over a dozen times and this is on my list as one of the worst Japanese joints I've been to in many years. Maybe it was an off night but I won't be going back.

    (1)

  • Allen B.

    My favorite sushi spot. This is just a note about a new discovery: ask Nakano-san for the seared scallop sushi. It was the last thing I ordered ; dessert! I can't stop thinking about how delicious it was...

    (5)

  • Tonya N.

    2 Fat Thumbs up! Had a great sashimi and udon lunch here in Tangletown... Very fresh and excellent service, the staff is super friendly. Reasonable prices as well. Lots of Japanese families so thats a good sign for authenticity/quality. A family friendly atmoshphere and no worries if you are in your workout clothes, very casual and they welcome the greenlake crowd.

    (4)

  • John J.

    Decided to give this place a try after seeing they were offering a discount through Restaurant.com ($25 gift certificate for $10). After placing our order and turning over our certificate, they came back and informed me they were no longer honoring these certificates. I said this was bought just three days ago and there isn't an expiration date and his answer was simple, "We're trying to de-list ourselves from Restaurant.com and haven't been able to yet." And that was it, just a simple apology. Although I feel like it's incredibly poor customer service to not honor a discount you offered just because you have issues with your distributor, you should at least offer a free dessert or tea or anything. Now I'm out $10 on a useless gift certificate and have to haggle with Restaurant.com for a refund. If they would have just offered me some sort of compensation, I'd return, but if this is their idea of customer service there are plenty of other sushi options in the area.

    (1)

  • Vi L.

    If it wasn't for that earnest young asian waiter/host who was super honest with me when I made my reservation there on a Saturday, I doubt I'd go back. That, and their fabulous otoro. He basically told me that the table of 2 was trying to reserve was right after a party of 6 who started at 6pm and that it was highly likely that they would be late to leave. Even when I arrived, his overbearing female boss was trying to give the first table of 2 open to some walk-ins who had been sitting around waiting. The poor young guy seemed to be trying to coerce her to give me that table since I had called in for a reservation hours earlier. He won, much at her behest, she looked like she was going to beat him with a wet dish towel. Unfortunately, all he could manage was a sad little table in the backroom somewhere. He did his best. The waitress we had was terrible. She left garbage on our table even after 3 visits and forgot our tea even when we had asked twice. The food was pretty awesome. Super fresh oysters, otoro and crab. Seaweed salad and miso soup was average. Spicy tuna roll was legitimately spicy. If you visit Kisaku, don't do it on a Friday/Saturday, it's not worth the hassle. Otherwise, I'd give them a shot.

    (3)

  • Brad W.

    I am biased b/c every time I go there I am treated like royalty. I always sit at the sushi bar and order omakase. I love coming here b/c I always get something new to try. To me, sitting at the sushi bar and ordering omakase allows the creativity of the sushi chefs to shine. Many other sushi chefs are not very creative and that spoils the experience to me. Things to try: Ikura with quail egg Seared toro with Uni Unagi stuffed in Tamago (I usually have this as my "dessert") The chefs, Shinmi and Nakano (owner) have always treated me well.

    (5)

  • Chelsey S.

    Make a reservation for omakase at the bar. You are guaranteed the seasonal fish and the freshest of what's in store. If you want an appetizer, try the spicy oysters. For dessert, the coffee jelly is the way to go. I've only sat in front of the owner, but he is awesome. He is very friendly and always takes care of you. The service is great here too! My drink is always refilled without me ever thinking, "I need a refill" and any empty plates are cleared right away.

    (4)

  • Steve R.

    Great sushi. Very fresh. Good prices. Old fashioned vibe.

    (4)

  • Mike U.

    Been coming here regularly for about eight years, have been to every decent sushi place in town, and this is the best along with Shiro's. The on-menu items are great, but if you want to experience the place, simply order omakase nigiri and enjoy. Nakano is very accommodating, so if you have any special requests, he'll be more than happy to creatively fit it into his sushi. There's no pretension here. Much more could be said about individual items, but chances are that you will receive one-of-a-kind items that will either never be served again, or are only available one or two weeks out of the year. So go often, keep an open mind, and let the chefs have a good time. If I have a couple of complaints...they don't use freshly ground wasabi, but this will likely (and occasionally does for me) go unnoticed in light of the fantastic fish. The rice quality could also be slightly higher to make it world-class. Rice plays such an important role when elevating a great sushi place to an amazing sushi place. Generally excellent!

    (4)

  • Stephanie U.

    I can't believe I've been living next door to Kisaku for 6 months and tonight is the first night we finally went out and tried it. It was delicious. I don't eat a lot of sushi but I've had my fair share and Kisaku's sushi is to die for. We sat at the sushi bar and just got basic spicy tuna roll and the wallingford roll. Our sushi chef also gave us some eel to eat while waiting ( I swear it tasted like french toast). The presentation of the food was amazing. For dessert we asked our chef to do something crazy so he made us a roll with eel on it but he called it bacon and eggs. The eel looked like bacon that laid on top of the roll and laying on the eel was a cute yellow edible decoration that looked like an egg yolk (still not sure what that was) - but it was fantastic. Service was spectacular from the moment we walked in and out of the restaurant. Also our bill was a lot lower than we expected for ordering two rolls, dessert and saki. We will be taking our friends who pride themselves on good sushi here in the future.

    (5)

  • Crystal N.

    Conveniently located right next to my salon (the Beehive). What's better than sushi to complete the pampering. Service was great, I strolled in at 1:50pm (my girlfriend has been at the bar for while waiting for my color/cut to finish up). The sushi chef was great, greeted me with a smile and asked what I would like...I was surprised since I knew they closed at 2pm. Our waiter was very polite and smiling as he cleared our plates, brought us water, wine and tea. Greenlake roll was best although I'm not a huge fan of raw asparagus...the seaweed salad on the outside is an interesting twist though and I enjoyed that. Good sushi if I'm in the area but probably woudn't make the long drive out for a random dinner.

    (4)

  • Sara J.

    Ew. I should preface this review with saying that our FAVORITE place to eat on the planet Mashiko had a broken water heater so we had to scramble to get sushi for our 2 five year olds who had their hearts set on a sushi dinner. Okay, it was Friday and they sat us within 30 minutes. The dude at the front was super snooty, for no reason I could really tell. My son tried to tell him something about mackerel really politely and they guy didnt say a word back to him, like he wasnt there. Our server seemed super annoyed even though we ordered quickly, ordered a lot and again my son tried to order for himself and he was ignored. The food was mediocre at best and the server never came back to check and see how we were doing. We had to search for her to place an additional order for my son who wanted more mackerel and octopus. The only time anyone was slightly friendly was when they wanted us to pay the bill. Sort of hilarious. I would not ever go here again. The rolls were uninspired, the staff was rushed and impersonal. I mean I dont expect servers to gush over my children but when they are being polite and asking to order, LISTEN TO THEM. Also, people go to Mashiko. Its further away but the best sushi you will ever have.

    (2)

  • William E.

    Ahhhhh. Kisaku. In my opinion this is the best sushi spot in all of Seattle. Everything is incredibly fresh. They feature sushi and sashimi that uses ingredients found in the northwest which makes for some unique and spectacular eats. Oh and their oysters on the half shell are simply succulent. A truly epicurean delight. I have never had anything but a marvelous experience there. Each time I leave I can't wait to go back. Oh Kisaku, you have my heart. Please never stop being so awesome!

    (5)

  • David P.

    This is one of the best, and perhaps most undiscovered sushi restaurants in Seattle. I've had the lunch specials at Kisaku several times, and I've always left very satisfied. The menu is diverse, with a variety of bento, roll, combo, and nigiri sushi options. My personal favorites were the Octopus nigiri, Salmon Roe, and the Greenlake Roll. All combos are served with miso soup and salad to balance out the meal. At just under $11 for everything I mentioned above, this is definitely one of the less expensive sushi joints I've seen in Seattle. The restaurant is clean and well-maintained. Our server was a gracious elderly Japanese woman who was always over to refill our (delicious!) green teas. I highly recommend Kisaku!

    (5)

  • Lei S.

    I really want to give Kisaku 5 stars but after last night's experience I just can't do it. We had a table of 9 but I made reservations almost a week in advance so they were well aware we were coming. We arrived 10 minutes early and they were able to seat us just a few minutes after we arrived which was great. They promptly took our drink order but while we were waiting, a sticky tupperware lid flew over the bar counter over to our table and landed on our table (almost hitting one of our guests)...how embarrassing! When we ordered our appetizers, the waitress skipped over one of our guests and when we flagged her down, she said she didn't want our other apps to get cold so she'd take her order shortly. She dropped off some plates and when we tried once again to order more appetizers, she once again said she'd be back in a moment. Our appetizers arrived and by that time, she was taking our dinner order and our one guest had to have her appetizer and dinner all at once. Overall everyone was happy with the quality of their food which is what keeps us coming back here. The only exception is the waitress kept pushing a kind of fish that we were not familiar to us with which I thought was a bit odd. My mom's hamachi looked delicious so I decided to order some, the cut of fish was totally different. Definitely disappointing by that. Lastly, it took forever for us to get our check so I had to flag our waitress down and I couldn't get her to let us pay so I had to get up and find another server to take our money. If it weren't for the overall good quality of the food, the service alone would've knocked this down to a 3 star review.

    (4)

  • Meg D.

    I've been coming to Kisaku for 3 years now for lunch. They have an excellent lunch special, which includes a free pot of green tea, and salad and soup to accompany your lunch choice. I always get the sashimi combo, minus octopus but with extra salmon, and they are always so accommodating. The sashimi is always fresh, and service is always given with a smile. This is truly the best (affordable) sashimi I've ever had.

    (5)

  • Mike T.

    We recently re-discovered Kisaku. I think my wife and I were not impressed after our previous visits because we ordered sushi from the table. I think a different person makes that sushi from the main chefs at the bar. My tips: Be willing to spend the $$ at Kisaku. Eat at the sushi bar - ask the chef for the specials. Kisaku has a lot of different fish/seafood that other run of the mill sushi restaurants don't have. They will also have better quality cuts compared to what other sushi restaurants have. If you're a "roll only" person, then don't waste the space at the sushi bar, sit at a table or go eat at Sushiland. The cool: They made a "Tekka Rocket" for my 4 year old son. Awesome!

    (5)

  • Kristine C.

    First: Be sure to make reservations. On a crowded night (we went Sunday), it will be hard-pressed to find a table by just walk-in. Large parties especially. We were 4 people, I made reservations earlier in the day, and had a table in the private room in the back. We were in the quiet private room. 4 people. By no means missed out on service - there were waiters checking in the room (surreptitiously) to see if anyone needed water. The table waiter checked in every so often at acceptable intervals to make sure we were fine. Food: We were 4 people We took: 2 appetizer plates (3pc Shrimp Tempura + 3pc Veggie Tempura, Flame-Broiled Wild Salmon in teriyaki) - this was good. Miso Soups - standard miso soup Kobachi salads - had some mashed potato in there... interesting. chicken teriyaki dinner (seemed standard, i didn't eat that) Large Sushi Combo dinner Saba Misoni dinner - I had this. Pretty good taste, rather large portion - 2 good-sized pieces of salmon there. Sauce was mildly sweet (which I like) and served with rice. 4 rolls: Nice presentation, all on one plate. Caterpillar roll - they put the eel on the inside, I had expected it to be on top. But to each his own - it was still good) California roll - how can you mess this one up =P Futomaki - big sushi, I didn't try Spider roll - pretty good also. Some large Sapporos Total bill: about $130 after tax. and we were stuffed.

    (5)

  • Amanda M.

    As far as neighborhood restaurants go, this is high on my list. The sushi is definitely top-notch. It is a bustling, noisy place, almost always full even on weeknights - so plan ahead and get a reservation if you can! The ambiance is not so much "date" material as "dinner with loud friends and/or children" style... which is fun, too, just keep that in mind. If you want a romantic sushi dinner, this is not the place. The Green Lake roll is just simple and delicious. I could have eaten the salmon nigiri all night. I REALLY appreciate that they offer wild salmon as an alternative to farmed, and that the server handles this question gracefully without making me feel like a crazy person. I feel like this should be standard in the Pacific Northwest, but unfortunately it's not. Happy to have this place in the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Alex M.

    Consistently fantastic.

    (5)

  • Yiling W.

    It was hoppin' on a Monday night here, so we lucked out that they fit us in at the corner of the sushi bar with one of us behind the column (no reservations). Sushi was great, agedashi tofu was delicious (possibly the best I've tried in Seattle so far), and service was impeccable, also the chef was a friendly non-snooty sort and it was fun to watch him and his staff do their work. I definitely plan on going back soon for more. They have been voted a good place for a romantic date, which I don't quite understand since it's kept very brightly lit here and I hear the single folk like some dim 'romantic' lighting -the better to trick your companion into thinking you're a looker. Drivers: be ready to park around the corner, or just bus it via the 16.

    (3)

  • Sara F.

    I have no idea why I've never reviewed this amazing restaurant before, maybe I was afraid people would find my secret, (used to be able to walk to), amazing sushi spot & take it over, as it's already busy enough! Anyhoo, I'll be visiting Seattle again & can't wait to dine here. I've ate here with family, husbo, friends, etc too many times to count & it's ALWAYS been fresh in quality & in presentation & taste & I just can't say how much I love it! We always order the ankimo, (monkfish liver), in this amazing light sauce & fresh cucumbers to start with, then usually do omakase & the sushi chefs just present us with fresh & buttery sashimis or rolls until we can't take it anymore! It's divine! As far as rolls, the greenlake roll is a staple too. Damn I miss Seattle! I'll be here soon :)

    (5)

  • Max M.

    Some time ago, Kisaku ruined Trader Joe's sushi for me. I used to be perfectly content buying a cold pack of 3 day old sushi for $3.99 and calling it lunch. Gone are the days of my innocence and my perfectly low standards. A food-snobby japanese coworker started taking me here and showed me what legit sushi really tastes like. I've really only ever been for lunch. They have two good sushi combos for under $10, and each comes with miso soup and a side salad with dressing that's so good I want to pour it into a cup and drink it.

    (5)

  • Jocelyn T.

    I really want to fall in love with Kisaku, unfortunately, I just can't. Had lunch here with my lovely parents and brother today. We all had very high expectation before walking in. The staff were attentive and the decor was definately cozy and warm. There was nothing wrong with Kisaku, it just didn't stand out as we expected. Sushi came with smaller size and they tasted okay, not amazing. Tempura was such a disappointment, and how come they didn't give us the sauce with the ground daikon??? Trust me, my dad used to live in Japan for more than a decade, and I consider myself a sushi expert (I rate the Japanese restaurant based on nigili/sashimi only). We can tell if the Japanese restaurant is authentic or not. If I must say something good abt Kisaku, I think it would be their sushi rice, which was chewy and tasty. In conclusion, Kisaku, in my opinion, cannot compare with two of my favorite Japanese restaurants, Shiro's and Kiku. I wonder if I would ever go back again (sigh).

    (3)

  • Myra A.

    I'm so happy there's a good sushi restaurant relatively close to where I live! Went here a couple of weeks ago and we had our fill of nigiri and sashimi (mostly tuna, salmon, yellowtail, saltwater eel with the occasional octopus and a few others that I can't remember anymore. I do remember, however, that it was all very delicious! The wait was about 30 minutes on a Saturday night, which wasn't bad. We just waited at the cafe across the street and they called us when our table was ready. Great! Primo service, great food, great ambiance - what's not to like?

    (4)

  • Cookin B.

    Kisaku would get 41/2 Stars if that was an option. Is that an option, am I just not seeing it? Stars based on fresh seafood and kind and assertive staff. Definitely some of the better sushi among many major cities. Huge props to Chef Nakano. thanks for treating us to a great evening. Though your waiting area needs a remodel. Full experience at the food website cookin better. See profile for link

    (4)

  • Brenda R.

    The sashimi melts in your mouth like butter! AND they have deep fried oysters! Need I say more??! Oh my goodness. Must go there NOW. Okay maybe after this review. Went here for dinner on a Monday night around 6:30, and we were seated right away. Such a clean and cute little restaurant. The tables are covered with white tablecloths and were adorned with tealight candles. We experienced great service, and the staff was very nice. Our waitress came and checked on and refilled our water glasses often. We started our meal with an appetizer: Spicy Oysters. "Deep fried oysters served on the crispy shells, topped with a spicy vegetable sauce". Wasn't really spicy, but tasted AMAZING. I ordered the Sashimi Combination M, and the fish was very fresh and soft. Again, it melted in my mouth like butter! I also had a spicy tuna hand roll (Yes, I was VERY hungry and had a Japanese food craving for a month that needed satisfying!) My fiance ordered several rolls, which he said he thoroughly enjoyed. Excellent food made with high-quality ingredients, affordable prices, generous portions, and very lovely presentations! We are definitely going back here!

    (5)

  • David L.

    This place is the definition of "Meh. I've experienced better." My dad, who is a sushi freak, was in town and I wanted to take him to a great sushi joint. When I read all the great yelp reviews of Kisaku I figured it would be a safe choice. However, our experience was pretty bad. The rolls weren't really that inventive or tasty and while the fish was fresh, that is expected of a Sushi place at this price point. What pushed Kisaku into two star territory was the truly horrible service we received. I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Lesley D.

    Worth the trip to Tangletown! This is probably some of the best sushi I have ever had! We showed up at 5:45PM on a Friday night with no reservation. We were told we would have to finish and be out by 6:50PM which ended up being no problem, although I could have stayed the entire night! The fish is so fresh it literally melts in your mouth! We were served a "snack" while we waited for our rolls consisting of black cod in an oil/dressing concoction that was to die for! I have thought about it every day since. Pros: Fish so fresh it tastes like it swam to the restaurant! Awesome sushi chefs that will prepare anything you want (even if its not on the menu) Great sake selection Cons: Busy- reservations are probably a good idea Tangletown street parking

    (5)

  • Wendy L.

    They've changed owners a few times through out the years. I came here in 2004 and now, it's always busy. I discovered my love of wakatake onigoroshi here back in the day. My love of amaebi with the deep fried shrimp heads was also discovered here. Also, my obsession started here of dengaku tofu However, it's not the same. The rice is a little mushier where you can't taste every grain. But it's still a great place to eat sushi. I still love their desserts and food, but somethings missing....

    (3)

  • C Y.

    Sushi bar preference is a very personal thing. Most of my sushi loving friends have a favorite place and it's best not to argue as to which is the best. I've remained loyal to my favorite place for years. I've heard good things about Kisaku from several people I respect so I tried it recently. It is no doubt a popular place, on our first attempt it was a hour wait so we passed. 2nd time we got right in and were pleasantly impressed with the food and service. Nigiri was just right in ratio of fish to rice. That night the hamachi was the star followed closely by our order of toro. Both were excellent quality pieces of fish. Kisaku is very good and I will be back.

    (4)

  • Chris G.

    Stopped in here because my friend who lives in the area had heard good things. Overall it was a decent place, I don't really have any complaints, however there wasn't anything that stood out as very memorable either. We sat at the bar and ordered mostly nigiri. The meal was good, prices were reasonable and the service was decent, but next time I'm in town and feel like sushi, we will likely try another place in hopes of uncovering something a bit more memorable.

    (3)

  • Nick A.

    I'll start off by saying I'm like the biggest fan of I Love Sushi on Lake Union ever; it's my measuring stick for every other sushi place I visit. Kisaku was good. It wasn't mind blowing, but it was very solid. My wife and I followed the suggestion of quite a few yelpers and amongst other random nigiri pieces, we ordered both the Wallingford roll and the Green Lake roll. The Wallingford roll was good, but can't say I'd order it again; tasty, but not memorable. I really didn't care for the Green Lake roll, but I could see how a lot of people would really like it. The fish was incredibly fresh and flavorful. All very well prepared and it came out quickly. They have two soups not on the menu - holy cow, get the udon noodle soup with the tampura. Holy cow - it was HEAVEN. The broth was packed with flavor and not too salty. Noodle cooked to perfect doneness. It was heaven. The service was friendly, but quite slow. The restaurant was busy, but it appeared to be properly staffed. I'm not sure why it took our server so long to 1. greet us, 2. take our orders, 3. drop off our checks. I don't like to assume, but we did buy and use a coupon off restaurant.com and one stipulation is that the whole bill is assessed with a mandatory 18% tip. With the tip in the bag, maybe our server felt we didn't require as much attention. I have no idea, but it's certainly a possibility. Overall, Kisaku is a solid sushi restaurant. I'd imagine the service was just an outlier, so take my experience with a grain of salt.

    (3)

  • Ninja S.

    It's really interesting how Musashi's, Kozue, and Kisaku can all be in the same area, deliver perfection in their own way, and also not really compete with each other. Kisaku delivers the showman-style sushi experience with extra spiff knife technique. If you sit at the bar, you can talk with the guy who runs the place and he will be happy to slice you up some omakase-style sashimi service. It's not cheap, but it's not as expensive as you may expect. There is a very high level of perfectionism in plating here. Even if you are not in the mood for a big deal sushi production, I suggest coming here for desert and trying their Kisaku sweet potato. Deep fried small rolls of potato are paired with ice cream and a red bean compote and is exquisitely presented. Their tempura is lightly battered and perfect. Their specialty rolls are inspired and paired in thoughtful ways. I really like their style here.

    (5)

  • non o.

    Huge disappointment!!! We've been eating their sushi/food for a while but the last few times were very bad. I don't know if we are going back there again. Last time we had take out, there was a big bone in a Wallingford roll which wasn't pleasant at all. It almost makes me scared to eat their fish. We took a break for a bit but we decided to go back because they usually have decent food. This time, I ordered another to go. I ordered just like last time, I wanted Nigiri's rice a bit bigger than usual size because their nigiri are super small. 1/2 bite size. The guy on the phone said sure! Also I said no avocado in one roll. We came home and opened the bag and found a box or rice. Hmm.. I didn't order anything with rice, then realized he put a box of warm regular rice, rather than nigiri's rice bigger. He didn't understand my order. Last time, a woman on the phone was Japanese, and she understood my request, this time, non Japanese guy didn't have a clue but didn't bother asking. Did I say one order of side rice? NO. Then sure enough, there was avocado in the roll. Yup. NO surprise here. In addition to that, spicy tuna was just not edible. I haven't had that spicy ever at any places. Why can't they keep the same spiciness at all times? I had one roll and my tongue is still burning. Needless to say, the rest went to waste. Over all, I feel betrayed and if their servers are not well educated and don't know what they are doing, it doesn't worth it. They are expensive.I don't complain if it's some non Japanese own more reasonable Japanese restaurant. For the past several years we had good food and service there, but something has changed the last few times. Too bad.

    (1)

  • Anna W.

    The rolls and nigiri we had were okay. The fried calimari was hands down the best I've ever had (until I go to Japan, whenever that is). Service was friendly enough, nothing special. I'd comment on the price, but my chivalrous boyfriend copped the bill, because it was Valentine's Day and I'm special.

    (3)

  • Bradley H.

    Great food. Place fills up for dinner. They fill up in the evenings, and go by reservations first. Kind of expensive, but the sushi is prepared fresh and is great.

    (4)

  • Raymon O.

    Went here for restaurant week. It was delicious! The Aji Tataki was absolutely delectable, and the oo-toro was melt-in-your-mouth flawless. Some of the sushi was not as good as some of the fish I've had in Japan(particularly the Uni), but definitely excellent for any place state-side.

    (4)

  • Kendrick R.

    Sushi in Japan ruined me. After eating mind blowing sushi in Tokyo, it's hard to compare the raw fish orgasms in your mouth. But for Seattle, it's not bad. My companion and I had the unagi roll, soft shell crab roll and the salmon roll. the rolls are not for the faint of heart. they're big! each roll ranging in the 7 dollar range. That and a beer and our bill was 15 bucks each. we were stuffed. She liked it alot. I just think back of running around Tokyo, eating the best Japanese food at every corner and step. wish there was a machine like eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. i'd like to get rid of my Tokyo sushi memories, plz. even now, they haunt me, the ghost of sashimi, takoyaki, ramen depresses me still.

    (4)

  • Eric G.

    I have eaten at Kisaku about 10 times now over a couple of years. The best experiences I have had here were at the sushi bar with Chef Nakano making our sushi. He is a top notch sushi chef, and if you ask his recommendation he will serve you the freshest fish they have. Twice I've had Nakano-san make my sushi at the bar and had a great experience, worthy of 5 stars. Unfortunately, I have also had several poor experiences here, both sitting at a table and at the sushi bar with a different chef making our sushi. The wait staff are inconsistent, and a couple of them are a little off-putting. Example: Kisaku has 3 draft beers on the menu, one from Elysian, a brew pub across the street, but it changes, so I asked what kind of beer it was that day. The waitress told me it was the Elysian "Kisaku" beer, apparently made for the restaurant. Obviously that alone didn't help me. "And what is that?" I asked. "Kisaku is the name of our restaurant" the waitress replied, with a hint of exasperation. "Yeah, I figured that one out on my own. What kind of beer is it?" I've also repeatedly had waitresses and sushi chefs other than Nakano-san forget items from our orders. The last time I went they forgot two items we ordered, a Wallingford roll & an order of edamame, off an $80 check -- it's not like we ordered that much! I agree with other reviewers who say Kisaku is a good deal, though. The quality of the fish here is good for the price. But because of the inconsistency, I can't give Kisaku any more than 3 stars. That said, if you're lucky & have Nakano-san making your sushi at the bar, it's likely to be a 4-5 star experience. You just never know.

    (3)

  • Hawker C.

    We enjoyed our first visit to this sushi place on a busy Saturday night. Even though the place was packed, with people waiting to get in, our service was polite, calm and well organized. Everything we tried was really good -- we had appetizers, nigiri sushi, some sushi rolls, and dessert (especially loved the Mochi ice cream). The highlight was the fresh, "special of the day" Nigiri sushi that we tried. Each piece was a treat. Excellent, no-nonsense sushi. This was a long drive for us to reach this, but we'll be back!

    (5)

  • Rick S.

    I really like sushi, and I really like finding an awesome sushi restaurant. Thus, with all of the great reviews of Kisaku, my mouth was watering at the thought of a seafood feast. My expectations were heightened as I walked in the door of Kisaku. The restaurant was fairly busy for a Sunday evening, spacious by most sushi bar elbow-bumping standards, and four itamae-san were hard at work in the midst of battle. Okay I thought, this restaurant is loaded for bear. We'll see in a moment if reality lives up to the promise. We were greeted and seated promptly, and a look through the menu revealed a thoughtful selection of sushi, sashimi and appetizers. The sashimi menu was replete with all of the old standbys, plus some seasonal delights that you seldom see, such as isaki (grunt fish), kampachi (amberjack) and aji (Spanish mackerel). We started with oysters on the half-shell. These are served with a ponzu sauce and were delicious though slightly larger than I would have liked (that may be just a personal taste). Next up was a featured appetizer, sauteed mirugai with mushrooms. Presented beautifully with a wild-green salad on the side, this was a bitter disappointment thanks to rubbery clams, mushrooms and spinach greens in what tasted like a flour-laden brown gravy sauce. This was a shame because this could be a wonderful dish if they had used a lighter sauce (like ponzu) and properly sauteed the mirugai. Our last appetizer was the tempura. It was cooked well, not greasy and without mushy veggies or tough shrimp, but was spoiled by a raincoat of thick batter, and a piece of stem left untrimmed from the kabocha (squash). For dinner we ordered a couple of rolls along with nigiri and sashimi. Again, everything is beautifully laid before you accompanied by miso soup. The fish is absolutely fresh at Kisaku, with a balanced presentation. Portions are reasonably sized as well. The knife work is not the most precise I have seen, but adequate. The Kisaku roll and spicy tuna roll however were too large to comfortably consume in a bite, creating somewhat of a messy situation. Both rolls and the sushi rice were a bit underseasoned as well. Perhaps this bland flavoring appeals to Kisaku's clientele but I did not care for it. One final point about the food. My salmon had a big honking bone in it. Now, before you start thinking this reviewer is a giant pantywaist, let me explain. Over the past 25 years and literally hundreds of sushi meals out, I can confidently say that I can only recall one other occasion when I discovered anything but sweet tender fish flesh entering my mouth. Sure, you can go to any seafood restaurant and biting into some fish skeleton that had escaped the cook's attention is not uncommon. Sushi chefs though are a different breed. They worshipfully prepare the fish, almost caressing it as they set each slice in a place of honor on your wooden geta. To me, it's almost inexcusable and an indication of sloppiness, and the restaurant was not busy enough to warrant this. The hostess and server both were friendly and attentive and kept things moving along from kitchen to tables. Prices are on the high-side (with tip we handed over a C-note; would have gone well over with alcoholic beverages and/or dessert). I think the two $$ price range for this establishment is misleading - if you spend the suggested the amount, you will probably walk away from here hungry. Three $$$ would be more appropriate for a solid meal. Parking is also a bit problematic with the high density of businesses in the area so an early arrival may be a good idea. We happened to get in at the right time for seating, but you'll probably want to reserve ahead of time to avoid waiting. Overall, the sushi is decent and generally inoffensive. I'd stay away from the cooked items; there are other better options for cooked Japanese cuisine in the area. Is this the best sushi restaurant in Wallingford? Probably. Best in Seattle? Nope, not even close.

    (3)

  • Kimberly B.

    I feel lucky to live so nearby. Kisaku is a wonderful little gem in Tangletown, with fresh fish, delicious rolls, and a great dining experience. Came here for dinner and ordered all sorts of things - the freshness of the fish really stood out in every dish. My new stand-by for sushi!

    (4)

  • Erin R.

    So far, Kisaku is my favorite sushi in Seattle. The restaurant itself is lovely; calm, friendly, and comfortable. Rolls are simple and well-executed (I loved the Green Lake roll), and the service at the bar was attentive. I have to dock them a star for a bit of connective tissue in my fatty tuna, but overall, this place is just really fresh and fantastic.

    (4)

  • Maia R.

    By far my new favorite sushi restaurant. I came in with my boyfriend craving sushi and we sat at the bar. We both ordered the "sushi combination M" which is kind of an omasake plate and after we ordered the nice sushi chef pit a small bowl in front of us and told us it was a free snack. It was chopped up asparagus with a mild but flavorful peanut sauce. Delicious! After this we got our sushi. Holy crap. I've never experienced "melt in your mouth" sushi before....WOW. Now I have. This was the best sushi I have ever had. Fresh and delicate yet filling. Also I love the wasabi they use! It's spicy yet sweet and not overbearing in the slightest. All in all, 5 stars. I will become a regular here for sure. Also order the sweet potato dessert---it's awesome!

    (5)

  • Kevin B.

    My family was in the area and stopped by on a whim. We were very impressed. The service was excellent even with a busy weekend lunch crowd and they took care of our table that included 2 toddlers. The food was good (great yakisoba) and every one washappy with their order. I would recommend Kisaku for anyone wwanting a pleasant sushi experience.

    (4)

  • WonJu C.

    What goes in your mouth: Beef Curry: Interesting. I say this partly because I never tried Japanese curry made from restaurants besides that of Fort St George (which I adore), and this curry tasted VERY different. BUT, it was tasty. I can't say delicious because I'd take Fort St George's (and I'm biased, I know) anytime over Kisaku's. However, it was different and the curry tasted rather... fresh. I can't point my finger at it but that's the only word I'm coming up with. The beef was very well cooked and the portion was huge. Nigiri: fresh and promptly made. no complaints. Service: Excellent. Staff is very friendly and prompt.

    (3)

  • Jenna L.

    My husband and I decided to try Kisaku last Sunday for date night at the recommendation of a few friends. We did not call ahead for reservations as we went late (7pm) on a Sunday evening. When we walked in, we stood awkwardly in front of the hostess table while several workers busily hurried by but were not greeted by anyone for at least 3-5 minutes. Finally, a young girl arrived and told us that it would be only a few minutes so we sat on the (hard) bench in the entry way. About 5 minutes later, another (different) female employee came to the podium, read the computer, answered the phone twice before finally telling us that there was over an hour wait for two, even at the bar. After our already cold greeting, we decided to eat elsewhere but not before counting 26 empty seats in the dining room as well as 9 empty seats at the bar...with absolutely no one else waiting. I guess they were expecting a wave of patrons. Thankfully for Kisaku, it seems they have a rather faithful following. We will definitely not be trying it again as there are several other, far more accomodating restaurants in the close vicinity.

    (1)

  • Erickson E.

    Kisaku is my favorite sushi in Seattle. Very fresh, very skilfully prepared, lots of variety and flavor. It's somewhat rare to find Japanese owned sushi restaurants, so being Japanese owned/operated is in Kisaku's favor. Too, the sushi chefs are the real deal -- highly experienced, highly trained in traditional sushi preparation. A consistent, fresh, excellent result every time. A little on the expensive side, but worth every dollar.

    (4)

  • Lissa W.

    I love this place. The sashimi is truly top-notch and they have a mushroom salad that is to die for. The only thing that I even slightly dislike is that their miso soup has a lot of seaweed in it, although it is still certainly delicious. The waitstaff is always prompt and extremely nice. The interior is very nice and roomy. Parking can be difficult to find. I went on a Thursday night, and still had to park several blocks away. Definitely one of my favourite sushi places.

    (5)

  • Jy N.

    Very good fresh sushi and traditional Japanese dishes. Nicely balanced and thoughtfully created sushi rolls. Make reservations or call ahead! It can be very difficult to just pop in. Oh, and the mushroom salad! If you like mushrooms, just get the large portion, good for 4 (or 2!).

    (4)

  • Nattchi K.

    This place has the best sushi in Seattle! Other items like agedashi tofu, salad, and gindara are fantastic too. It's a bit pricey but worth spending!! I come here at least twice a year with the family :)

    (5)

  • Amanda S.

    Tasty, fresh, quick service. We had a combo "boat" with nigiri and a roll. Everything tasted great. Warning, the nigiri had a fair amount of wasbi hidden under the fish so make sure you mention if you're not into the spicy. Skip the fried chicken appetizer, dry, and flavorless.

    (4)

  • A R.

    If not for the seared toro I would have given this place two stars. My sushi pal and I went on a Friday night without a reservation, we were lucky enough to get a seat at the sushi bar. I heard this place gets packed, so with high expectations and a big appetite for sushi I was excited to try this place out. My friend said she was the first one in @5:30pm and I got in 5 mins or so after. They do not have designated parking, so be prepared to go around the block to find a parking spot. When I got in it took about 10 minutes for someone to ask what I want (note: the staff did not even give me a menu) I had to ask my friend for her menu and the restaurant was not even busy during this time, I mean hello, they just opened! I ordered the tofu with red miso for appetizer and it was a bit salty, they were very generous with the sauce that it made the fried tofu soggy. We shared 3 small pieces of tofu and couldn't even eat it all, what a waste! We also shared some fried oysters which pretty much had the same issues: salty, too much sauce made it soggy, too much batter. We both ordered omakase sushi, this is where you can really tell the skills of the chef and how creative they can be... oh boy was i disappointed! The sushi sizes were tiny, (I mean come on, sushi land serves bigger sushi) the fish does not look fresh and it was cut so thin that it looked unappetizing. The sushi was ordinary nothing special except for the seared toro, other than that there really isn't a reason for me to come back. Shiro's to me is still so much better for omakase.

    (3)

  • Kate W.

    I have to say - I've eaten here plenty of times in the past and have had great dining experiences. The food and the service have been very good. However, this past week we arrived at about 7:45, were told there would be a wait (to be expected) and were seated pretty promptly, around 7:55. It was 8 before anyone noticed we were there and took a drink order, and another 10 minutes until the waitress took our food order. We ordered 6 nigiri, a pretty simple request. The table beside us had their food quickly, but by the time 8:45 rolled around and we had neither food nor an explanation of why there was such a long wait, we decided to call it a night. We asked for the bill for our beer - even then, the waitress didn't acknowledge the unusually long wait or apologize for the bad service. We were really disappointed to not get sushi but went across the street to Tangletown where we had beers and food in under 15 minutes. Tonight we went to Shiro's and had phenomenal service and food. Suffice it to say that Kisaku is no longer my top sushi place in Seattle - this experience tarnished all of the good ones that preceded it.

    (1)

  • Ryan D.

    Wallymont is fully of mediocre sushi places...so it was a relief to find a great place to go when you want more than just a roll. We ordered the soft shell crab appetizer and miso soup to start. The crab was perfectly cooked and I could have eaten about ten pieces. The Miso was on the upper side...not too salty and good flavor. The rolls were nicely done and cut into normal human size bite pieces. The Fukodomo roll was my favorite. The nigri as well was very delicious. The Sea Bass and Yellowtail in particular were very tender and savory. I am usually not a salmon nigri fan (its ok...just not my fave) but at Kisaku they had excellent fish and it was excellent. Since it was an anniversary date...we had the fuji apply cheesecake which was surprisingly good! Usually Japanese desserts hover between edible and waste of calories...but this was very good and a nice way to cap off a late night dinner.

    (4)

  • Minnie K.

    I have been a customer of Kisaku's for about 5 years. I love sitting at the sushi bar to be served by Nakano San & staff. They are a warm friendly establishment with excellent quality of seafood. I even tried a few pieces of nigiri while pregnant...a true vote of confidence. I live about 25 minutes drive away but it's worth it to make a reservation (highly recommended) and make a special night of it. Such a treat after so many lackluster sushi experiences in strip malls and conveyer belt joints. If you live near Tangletown I am truly envious! Best of all, somehow Kisaku manages to deliver top service without spiking the menu prices. Yay.

    (5)

  • Rachel H.

    I love this place, it is one of my favorite resturants. Always good, always friendly! Great value for lunch but good anytime!

    (4)

  • Kara T.

    When I'm back in Seattle I always make it a point to swing by Kisaku's because the fish is always fresh! The desserts are made from scratch, they are different, but good! The prices reasonable and the service excellent! If you want very fresh fish come here. No frills...all goodness.

    (4)

  • V K.

    My goodness, their sashimi is the best. Honestly, I don't think I've had better in the area. I've been to Shun, another pretty good place near uVillage but I don't think that place compares. Kisaku's fish is so tender, so flavorful, every piece is delicious. I went for dinner and got Sashimi combo M. As a table, we also ordered the fatty tuna sashimi (SO GOOD...must try if you like fatty fish because this one melts in your mouth and has a nice strong flavor), the wallingford roll, california roll and spider roll, and the mushroom salad for appetizer. Yes, I left stuffed. The california roll has REAL crab meat! It was great. the Wallingford was also really good, there was a nice flavor to it, maybe it was the sashimi? But it tasted like they added something else and whatever it was, it went with the yellowtail very well. The spider roll was good too, but nothing too awesome about it The mushroom salad was really good though, there was a really nice flavor to the sauteed mushrooms, and i loved the texture; nice and silky, soft, almost like sashimi.... They even have homemade lemonade for lemonade fanatics, and they include a nice scoop of pulp in your cup too. I'm coming here again....I must...

    (5)

  • Rachael L.

    Had a party of 10 here on Friday night to celebrate my birthday. I've never been to Kisaku before, but heard good things so decided to give it a try. We had a table in the main dining room, which was nice. I always have nightmares of being put in a back room and people forgetting about you since they can't see you. But I digress.... Appetizers were ordered ahead of time. I asked them to fire 5 plates when we checked in. I was trying to head off the slow service that I had heard about. We got started with our apps, and then got some drinks going. Our waters were always full, and we never ran out of sake or beer. Hooray! The sushi was amazing. Tons of it! Fresh and just the right size. I hate it when a roll is so large that I feel like I should bite it in half! We had unagi, fatty tuna, wallingford rolls, caterpillar rolls, california rolls, garden rolls and a ton of nigiri. All of it was excellent! There wasn't anything left on the table! 2 members of our party opted for cooked options, one had the black cod entree and one had the teriyaki chicken. Both looked beautiful and smelled great! All in all, we left Kisaku full and content that we had consumed our share of raw fish. The service was slow-ish a few times, but nothing worth freaking out over. I loved it! I'll definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Jack C.

    We went out to eat at Kisaku tonight and we definitely had a great meal. Walking in, we were impressed with the relaxed yet elegant atmosphere, perfect for a date night out but not stuffy and rigid. The quality and selection of the food was excellent, food was well prepared and the chefs "knew" their food to provide recommendations and suggestions. I was impressed that they had fresh otoro/chutoro, as well as Kampachi, all of which are generally not available at more generic sushi places. The rolls were standard rolls but excellent in quality and taste, and the ability to customize any hand roll was important with people with different tastes. To top it all off, they had an excellent dessert menu with 4-5 selections, including a delicious mochi ice cream. Prices weren't cheap but were reasonable considering the quality of the food. Most rolls/sushi was about 6-10 dollars and entrees were around 20. Street parking.

    (5)

  • zach g.

    Amazing Sushi and service. Kisaku is the best sushi restaurant in Seattle for the price. Lunch is the best deal!

    (5)

  • Ray I.

    Fresh, fresh, fresh. Combine the quality & freshness with the vision & you just can not go wrong with any of the chef's specials. Some may be a little adventurous (monk fish liver) while special seasonings may be found in a contemporary tempora veggie. Either way, I have patroned numerous times, with my wife & larger groups. We have yet to be disappointed

    (4)

  • Amy L.

    By far my favorite sushi place in Seattle. I don't know if they do something different or if the fish is just fresher than other places, but they are a cut above. They are a little more expensive, but worth it. A great date or special occasion place. I recommend making reservations, though, especially for weekends.

    (5)

  • Matt P.

    After one of my friends told me that Kisaku was her favorite sushi place in all of Seattle, I was determined to check it out. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. The atmosphere was delightful as was the service. The sushi was the freshest I've had yet - the albacore tuna melted in my mouth! Kisaku understands how sushi should be served - fresh!

    (5)

  • Faye J.

    Try the eel served on rice. A delicious dinner entree. One of the better Japanese restaurants in Seattle. Sit at the bar and watch the masters create sushi, or get a table, some in a more intimate back room. Good for lunch, too: the Bento box is delicious and ample.

    (4)

  • Ann M.

    i like the neighborhood vibe and the sushi chef was very friendly.

    (4)

  • Annalisa S.

    My friend had her birthday party here and all involved had a deliciously good time. The Kisaku rolls were really delicately flavored, with rice paper wrapping, cream cheese and crab. I'd never tasted sushi like it before and it was really good. The presentation was very simple and elegant and the ambiance had a warm and friendly feel. Good prices for sushi and an enjoyable dining experience.

    (4)

  • S C.

    We went for an early lunch, so we didn't have to wait at all. I was really happy that they brought out the water & salad immediately. I liked the salad dressing- not too sweet or tart, but just mild and refreshing. Their miso soup was pretty good. We ordered salted saba(was ok), kisaku roll(I wish they did this in nori, not soy paper- maybe I'll ask them to do that next time), albacore, wild sockeye salmon, and uni. The fish tasted very fresy and rich. As we were eating, I saw a plate of tempuras going to the next table, and they looked very yummy, too. Not a cheap place, but still decently priced. Definitely going back!!

    (5)

  • Meg J.

    i don't know if a vegetarian can rate a sushi restaurant, but Kisaku's veggie rolls put every other sushi place in Seattle to shame...mmmm...devil's vegetable roll!

    (5)

  • Jeremy C.

    Kisaku has excellent sushi and a really comfortable environment. If you're really hungry, the cost of the sushi can add up, but that's generally true of any sushi restaraunt. This is my favorite place to eat sushi in Seattle, without question.

    (5)

  • Garrett B.

    We loved this place for the longest time, but recently had our first bad experience. Hamachi sashimi should NOT come with a large inedible portion of the blood-line. I don't care if the wait staff says this is "normal" in a patronizing tone..it's not. Take the damn thing back and don't argue with me. Trust me, I understand cost control and 100% utility... I'm a chef myself. But don't use a poor quality cut of fish for sashimi, for pete's sake. Do what everyone else does: slather it in hot mayo and call it a spicy tuna roll.

    (4)

  • G B.

    I see the appeal of Kisaku: great space & lighting, great service, decently priced and beautiful people. Less than overwhelmed by the food: we sampled the sushi (tuna, hamachi, ebi, sake, hotate, etc), tried the lightly-salted mackerel, and the soft -shell crab tempura, and frankly nothing momentuous to report. Good enough for a local restaurant but nothing that merits a pilgrimate to Tangletown.

    (3)

  • Ellen C.

    The best sushi i've had in seattle. A bit expensive, but worth it. Save room for the sorbet - it seems out of place in a sushi restaurant, but it's out of this world!

    (4)

  • Hilary L.

    get the Toro

    (5)

  • Laural B.

    Totally my favorite sushi place in town, even if I have to pay. It's in Wallingford, so there's always easy parking, and in the middle of the week almost no wait. They put real tablecloths on, so you feel like you're at a fancier place. It's easy enough to fill up on the appetizers, but save room for their signature rolls. And ask for their nigiri limited specials. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Robyn H.

    The sushi is very fresh and the unagi roll is one of the best. Very busy in the evenings so be ready to wait a bit.

    (4)

  • Rick L.

    Prices are fair for the price, and while not the best presentation availible it definitly stands to be one of the better sushi bars outside of downtown seattle. The Wallingford roll is delicious, as well as their sliced albacore melts on your tongue.

    (4)

  • Sea T.

    I've loved this place since it opened. Dragged all my "Nishino is best" friends there, and the food has never disappointed. But we had a truly unpleasant experience with the hostess two nights ago that has colored our notion of ever going back. It was Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. There were several open tables, and 4 open places at the sushi bar. The hostess was on the phone when we walked in behind a party of 4 (we were 2). She stayed on the phone for the next 10 minutes, ignoring everyone standing in front of her - not even catching an eye or holding up a "be with you in a moment" finger. Finally, a waitress came up to the party of 4, asked if they had been helped, then took them to an open table. We waited. Eventually, the hostess finished her phone conversation and looked at us. We asked for two seats at the sushi bar. She said, "They're actually pretty busy over there." Then she looked at the open tables (set for 4 or 6) and said, "I won't have a table for 2 for a little while." No attempt to pull apart one of the 6-tops to make a 4-top and a 2-top. Not interested in seating customers who were standing in front of her while the restaurant was only 3/4 full. This made me really sad, because I have always been well-treated and well-fed there. But, she just looked at us. So, we said we would leave. She said "OK."

    (2)

  • Susanne S.

    I went here for the first time because I had a gift certificate... it was unbelievable! I highly recommend sitting at the sushi counter (just two of us so it was easy) and getting served by the sushi chef. You get to see the fish and ask questions. We only had sashimi and our chef recommended several fish I had not tried before... ALL the fish were fresh and tasty. It was very busy on a Wednesday night so I recommend reservations, still we only waited 15 minutes. Usually I got to international district but I think I'll go to Kisaku to get my fix again and again, especially because my hairdresser at Beehive is next door.

    (5)

  • Julia Z.

    I liked their special appetizer soft shell crab. The lunch combo sushi is not bad, but not special to me. But their fresh mackerel is good! Service is a little slow. Overall not bad! Would come back if I'm close by

    (4)

  • Sean B.

    Pros - Ingredients are fresh. - Lunch menu is a very good deal compared to fish freshness, especially the chirashi. - Tables immediately available at noon on a Saturday. - Tamagoyaki is very tasty. - Spacious interior. - Hostess and waitress were attentive. - Lunch omakase was affordable, unlike many other restaurants where I expect ripoff omakase. - Small but good starter salad (cucumber, lettuce). - Abundant curbside parking around the corner. Cons - Rice was a little "chunky"/clumpy. - Would have been nice to have more vegetables in the chirashi. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

    (5)

  • Clint W.

    wow, it's been 8 years since i've been here. it's a neigborhood place, with lots of families coming in. big open seating area and you're not all jammed into each other. to be honest, i forgot how much i enjoyed this place. it's comfy. we had omakase and had an assortment of geoduck, yellowtail, tamago, smelt... really enjoyed it all, and we threw down the soft shell crab, as well. that plus sapporo for less than $5 makes it all good. great service and she was patient while we decided and kept ordering away. lol. i groaned at the end and exclaimed we did it, which got a little smile and giggle from the staff!

    (4)

  • Walter P.

    Beware making an Open Table reservation for this restaurant. We did. When we arrived, the young man at the door told us that our "online" reservation didn't count as much as those who had phoned in a reservation, and so we were assigned a table in "the back room."

    (2)

  • Joanna H.

    While visiting Fremont, my sushi craving was in full force. It actually never goes away, so I wanted to see what Seattle had to offer besides the infamous Shiro's. I stumbled upon Kisaku on Yelp and decided to walk in for a last minute dinner. That was a little mistake on my part. Given it was Labour Day, everyone had made reservations ahead of time, so the only way we were to eat was to sit and order right away and get out within an hour. I appreciated that they even gave us this option! We got seated right away, served quickly (quicker than others I'm sure) and received our food within minutes. My boo and I tend to eat faster than most, so with the hour we had, it was more than enough time; we enjoyed our meal without feeling rushed to leave by the staff. We ordered the sushi combo M, an order of Amberjack nigiri, a spider roll and the Wallingford roll. The rolls were about $7 on average each, which given the portion and quality was a great value! I mainly got these to help "fill" us up, since eating only nigiri could add up a pretty penny; however, they ended up being pretty good, with the Wallingford roll being one of the highlights of the whole meal. It had light citrus notes from the sprouts and the yellowtail was great. It was a refreshing roll! The spider roll was a good contrast to that, with fried softshell crab; it was a bit small, but great value considering how much crab they tried to stuff in there! The sushi combo came with a tuna maki roll; the seaweed and rice were soft and the tuna was fresh as well. I like ordering combos to try variety and was pretty satisfied with this one; however, the quality of fish was good, but not the best I've had. For the quality of fish, I would expect this combo to be under $20; also, we were short one piece, now that I look back on it, and didn't get to try the shrimp nigiri! :( That's a slight bummer. The surf clam was really good (I think my favorite of what I tried), the scallop a bit fishy and the octopus was slightly tougher than how I like. But it was all still very good and overall, not a bad deal for how large the pieces were. I ordered the amberjack to gauge the quality of sushi, and it was decent, but at $6 for two pieces, it could have been one step higher. It was soft, but a bit too warm to be thoroughly enjoyable. For two people, one very full and the other "alright", we paid around $50 which is great for a sushi dinner! The service was excellent and the sushi chef was very communicative with us. Recommend if you're in the area looking for quality sushi and service. Just make a reservation!

    (4)

  • Petunia L.

    We ordered all nigiri sushi- salmon, yellowtail, red snapper, crab and California roll and if you're a picky sushi eater like me be at ease because kisaku serves the freshest fish. How can you tell? Well most of their fish is on display for customers to see and its extraordinarily fresh, nice and shiny! Lastly to accompanying complimentary salad with Sesame dressing was one of the best dressings I've had. So sad Kisaku is all the way in Seattle

    (5)

  • Bryan K.

    We've been going to Kisaku at least once a month (and sometimes more) for 10 years. It's top quality sushi in a neighborhood setting and it prices that may not be bargain, but are well below that of "Downtown" prices. If you love sushi you'll do best requesting Omakase at the bar: it's great. On price -performance it stacks up with anyplace anywhere (and we've eaten at Tojo, Mastsuhisa, you name it). It fills up and gets busy (well, because it's great...) so we recommend getting there early. We love it. Worth your while to become a regular if you love rare / seasonal sushi.

    (5)

  • Christy K.

    LOVE LOVE LOOOOVE THIS PLACE! I came here after a friend wanted to check it out and indeed it was a GREAT decision! I love how they have great california rolls with REAL and FRESH snow crab in it! In addition, they have AWESOME nigiri! My favorite is snow crab (notice the theme here?) and unagi I typically am not a sushi person but I did thoroughly enjoy salmon, tuna, and other things time to time. If you're adventurous and got some money to blow, go for the omakaze and check out some of chef's creations and other nigiri you may not otherwise try :D Cool to see what he's got in store

    (5)

  • Richard U.

    great sushi place in Tangletown! I have ben meaning to get here for ages! very popular spot in cute Tangletown neighborhood. Sushi bar is the ideal place to sit as you have clear view of the fresh stuff being prepared! stuff tried albacore sushi/sashimi: clear stand out! we ordered 2nd order of sushi and sashimi because is was so awesome red snapper collar: you should always try to get roasted collar when available! sometimes its other kinds of fish but get whatever they have. best part of the fish for those in the know! this is off menu so need to ask for it. otoro sushi: fatty, maybe a little stringy. probably got the very end of the cut! but delicious anyways The interior is really nice and the casual so you could pop by for date night or after playing touch football or run! great place to check out

    (4)

  • Thuy D.

    Overall, the dining experience here was a win! I was pleasantly surprised upon walking into this place. Quite romantic and nice! We came in at the beginning of their dinner service so the place was empty, which was great. I ordered some nigiri while my husband ordered some special rolls. I asked the sushi chef for a few recommended nigiri and everything came out really good and fresh, plus they don't skimp on their cut either. We also tried their fresh kumamoto oysters which was so good, I could eat a ton of these. The service here is very good, from our server to the sushi chef everyone was very polite and helpful. Would love to come back here again to try other items on the menu.

    (4)

  • Kathy M.

    This place was.... meh. The inside is nice. It's not exorbitantly expensive, the sushi was okay. The menu lacked creativity and was limited. I ordered a two appetizers and two rolls, all of which were okay. The truly lackluster aspect of my experience was the service. Our waitress was fairly cold. We asked for a few extra minutes to look over the menu after ordering appetizers, and she didn't return for about 30 minutes. I won't be returning here- I'll probably stick with the happy hour at Billy Beach in Ballard instead.

    (3)

  • Lin R.

    We came for the lunch menu which was reasonably priced. The nigiri was good, fresh and soft. I had the Nabeyaki Udon which was dissapointingly bland. Tip: When the menu describes an item as cooked with specific ingredients and doesn't list them as plurals, you are literally getting one of that thing in you meal. I had one single shitake mushroom in my udon which was delicious, but I was upset there wasn't any more Overall there was nothing really special about this place

    (3)

  • Kayla S.

    We took an über here from the waterfront based on all the great things everyone had to say about the place on yelp. We walked in and asked for a table for two and were told it would be 10-15 minutes. We noticed an open table but assumed it was for a reservation and patiently waited for a table to open up for us. However, about five minutes later a couple walked in, the woman said "there's just two of us" nonchalantly, and the couple were seated immediately. There was no reference to a reservation, yet the Same guy who told us our table would take 10-15 minutes gladly sat this couple. Even one of the servers pointed out that we had already been waiting and the host acknowledged that and told him he would make up a table for us in a minute. We sat and waited to no avail so we got up and left. I have no idea why this guy wouldn't seat us other than we were being discriminated against for being mid-20's and everyone else, including the couple who was seated before us, were 30+. So, I'm sure the food is great, but I guess I'll have to wait at least four more years to find out for myself.

    (1)

  • Emily H.

    We came here for a pre-movie meal on a Friday. I booked a spot on Open Table, and from what I gather they must be pretty popular because the only available times were for early birds or night owls. The atmosphere inside is casual but welcoming. The sushi bar is toward the back of the restaurant when you enter. We had a table by the window which is good for some Tangletown peoplewatching. The list of rolls isn't quite as extensive as I've seen at some sushi spots, but they still offer enough variety. I really enjoyed the Devil's Vegetable Roll - it involved deep fried eggplant, bellpepper, cucumber, and shiso leaves. The shiso was very flavorful (which I'm a big fan of). I also enjoyed the fried oyster appetizer and the spinach appetizer. This place definitely has a neighborhood sort of atmosphere. I saw three separate parties come in that seemed to be on a first-name basis with who I assume was the head sushi chef. There were also several parties with young children, so it seemed very family friendly. This seems like a place I might frequent if I lived in Tangletown, but not necessarily somewhere I'd alter course to get to.

    (4)

  • Erin M.

    So the sushi is "ok." I am mostly upset about their seating system. Two times I've gone to this place on a week night around 7:30 PM for a SINGLE seat and have been turned away...with fewer than 5 other people waiting for seats & FREE stools at the bar. They said it was because they had 'online' reservations. Why on earth would you allow people to reserve ALL the seats in your restaurant? Doesn't it seem like it would make sense to allow reservations for maybe 50% of your seats, or perhaps only for larger groups? Essentially they've turned away a single, quick sit down meal, for people who weren't even in their seats yet and not even in the door. This is quite frustrating & I'm not planning to go back again.

    (1)

  • Stephanie G.

    We sat on the counter and Nakano San served us, it was great experience, we ate a total of 22 items and the fish is very fresh and the sushi rice matched great. The price is cheap compared to Bay Area, will visit again next time in Seattle! The Uni Tamago is truly recommended!

    (5)

  • Jessie A.

    Not really what I was expecting but it's a decent enough sleepy sushi spot. There was two hairs on my omakase which was odd and disappointing. The quality of the fish was okay... Not terribly fresh but not old. The real issue I had was the delivery of the meals. I am one to wait until everyone has their meal. There was a 5 minute delay between everyone getting their meal which is not good for sushi. Sashimi should be ate pretty quickly once out of the cooled bar.

    (2)

  • Thet N.

    This is one of those places where decor is really nice but food is really bland. I am always looking for a modern sushi spot but this is definitely not the place. Their sushi selection is very simple. If you are looking to eat specialty rolls, this is not the place for you. They have interesting assortment of nigiri and sashimi so if those items interest you maybe you should try this place. Customer service here is pretty good. I found a hair in my agadashi and they apologized and made a new dish for me.

    (3)

  • Midi J.

    strongly recommend. Be sure you sit at the sushi bar and order from the chef directly. :)

    (4)

  • Debbie B.

    Not the chef's fault! We love Kisaku. In fact we have come here a few times and loved the food and the service at the sushi bar each time. Tonight, however, we experienced some of the worst service ever. We made reservations for 7:30 and were seated at 7:15. We placed an order for salads and a good variety of sushi (we love the nigiri!) and did not get our salads for 45 minutes. Our waiter insisted that the chefs were behind, yet we witnessed at least three tables around us get served before us even though they arrived long after we did. About an hour and 20 minutes later, none of our sushi in sight, we decided to leave. It was by far one of the worst restaurant experiences we have had in a long time, and it's too bad, because we love Kisaku. The frustrating thing is that the server wasn't honest. If the chefs were behind then everyone would have taken more than an hour to get served, right? We can be understanding of that, but to have everyone else get served is just rude. Note to self: reserve at the bar!

    (1)

  • D T.

    Food 5/5 Service 4/5 Management 1/5 We had reservations for 7:15pm and arrived at 7pm. Due to the restaurant accepting another table who showed up 30 minutes late our reservation was pushed 40 minutes with an additional 15 minute wait at the table. I had family in town and we were hoping to celebrate. Making a large party wait that long is inexcusable.

    (2)

  • Jeff B.

    Lunch on a weekday. SERVICE: 3.5. Prompt and attentive. AMBIANCE: 3.5. Spacious with tasteful lighting. Sushi bar, and tables. Quite quiet, so easy to converse in a normal tone. FOOD: 3.0. We both had the Sashimi (A) lunch @ $11. 6 slices of a California roll, and 5 or 6 sashimi. Was ok. A small salad and miso soup came with the lunch. The salad tasted fresh but the dressing was rather bland. The miso (2.0) had no bits of tofu and was also rather bland.

    (3)

  • J. M.

    When we arrived, exactly at the time of our reservation, we were told that the table that the restaurant intended to give us was almost ready, as the customers occupying it were in the process of paying. After that we had several updates, but were not seated until 20 minutes later, which would not have been a big deal if I hadn't been with an elderly person. The restaurant wants to be both a neighborhood place where families with young children can come and play loudly with no regard for other patrons, and a relatively upscale sushi place with slightly higher prices than a typical sushi bar. As for the sushi itself, it was only fair. Fresh to be sure, but utterly lacking in creativity and presentation.

    (2)

  • Logan S.

    Came here for lunch and had a pretty "meh" experience, and not sure we'd be back with the multitude of other options in the area for sushi. The menu was very limited when we were there, and the quality of the fish really just didn't evoke any really positive feelings. Overall tasted very bland, lacked a lot of flavor, and didn't really do anything for us. Possible we just came on a bad day, but that experience was enough for us to not be curious to try again.

    (3)

  • Christie B.

    Tremendously average sushi in a very average setting. While I am all for an average setting if the food is amazing, this just was really disappointing all around. The 5-10 min wait for our drink order after being seated when it was 6:30 and not super busy really set the tone for the evening. I am actually shocked that I recently read it was one of the top sushi restaurants in Seattle. We tried the omakase tonight and were very disappointed. A couple of the pieces were pretty awful actually. I had high hopes for this place as it is so close to my house, but will definitely drive further to my go to sushi spot, Nishino, in the future.

    (2)

  • Gaalya S.

    Enchanting little restaurant. My "go-to" sushi place! The parking sucks, but that is the only bad thing about this place. The servers know what you want and they aren't scared to give the service you expect at a fancy little night out. I spilled my water the second we sat down all over the table and the waitress cleaned it up with a smile and even made a little joke about getting me more water. Now for the food.... I have NEVER ordered something I didn't like here. Everything is delicious and if you catch the chefs in a creative mood you can ask them for something special based on what you like. This place is our favorite sushi place for a date. Consistent amazing experience! Go! Go now!

    (5)

  • Simon R.

    Top notch sushi. Amazingly fresh selections and they always seem to have chutoro and otoro available (at least when I have gone). They offer seasonal fish depending on the catch of the day. I would argue Kisaku delivers the best sushi in Seattle. A bit of warning, though: unless you plan to have dinner here after 8:30, make reservations in advance. They often get completely full on the day of, say be sure to plan your visit. It will be worth it.

    (5)

  • Kathleen C.

    Yessssss!! Loved it! This is my third omakase at the sushi bar. The two other times being at Shiros and Izumi. They take reservations for sushi bar, def a plus, instead of dealing with that crazy Shiros wait. The sushi bar is double the size too in comparison. Food: I did the omakase which means the sushi chef will just serve you his recommendations. I had 15 pieces of ngiri. I really coulda had less in terms of how full I was, but I really wanted to try more. Everything was either ok or good! Nothing bad. Ok things are just bc of my personal preferences. Good stuff to note: scallop, seared salmon, king salmon w/ the onions, blue fin tuna, tuna belly, hamachi. I also wanted dessert as they were unique like black sesame this or green tea that. No room though. If I had any, it would be for more ngiri! The sashimi quality was on point. Prices: Cheaper than Shiros by a bit. Not significantly and def not a deciding factor for which is better. As we split the bill, but each person had different amounts of pieces, I'm not exactly sure how much my portion was, but I ended up paying $60 with tax and tip. I paid $70 at shiros I believe for 15 pieces also. Overall, I think quality at Shiros is slightly better, but I'd revisit Kisaku more often bc it is way more convenient than dealing with the crazy Shiros wait. Also Kisaku quality is maybe only 0.5 stars less than that of Shiros, not a biggie. And it's cheaper. Good first time experience! Will return! I love how it's so much more than just eating dinner. We get to learn so much from the sushi chef about what we are eating and after every piece, we would discuss our thoughts on the piece. It's like part tasting activity and part dinner. Love omakase at sushi bars!! The sushi chef we had said he originally worked at shiros and moved to Kisaku after Shiro sold the restaurant to I love sushi a month ago. Then of course we also discussed Jiro in japan (from the documentary "Jiro dreams of sushi"). Gah. Must. Go. To. Japan. Pronto!

    (5)

  • Shashank S.

    I am not a big fan of Japanese food but these sushis were awesome. The decor was very neat and classy. Very quite neighborhood, good for an evening dinner . The perfect place for a nice romantic dinner with the choice of wine and some good food. Had a fun time.

    (4)

  • Malissa T.

    I came here around 6 or 7 on a Saturday to have a nice dinner w/ my mom. Ever since I discovered Gokan, I haven't looked at another sushi spot since but today I wanted to take a chance & try something new & slightly closer. We walked in and it didn't look like a typical sushi place so I thought we were in for an experience. We got greeted a few min after coming in & were asked if we had reservations. Maybe that was my mistake? I didn't know it'd be hard to get into because the place seemed pretty empty. There were also a few people waiting on the bench for a table so it confused me because the place wasn't at all busy?? Anyway, we didn't so she told us she couldn't get us in and it would be a 30-45 min wait. Even at the bar. So. I guess the only reason I'm writing this review is because I'm confused why a party of 2 had to be waitlisted 45min in an almost empty restaurant. You bet your ass I went back to Musashi's & I'll never disrespect Musashi's/Gokan again.

    (2)

  • Ashley A.

    After reading a lot of positive reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to try Kisaku's on a Wednesday night. When we arrived it was 630 and there were atleast 6-8 open tables. The waitress asked if we had reservations, which we didn't but the place was half empty so we didn't think it would be a big deal. After a few minutes of her acting like it was going to be the biggest inconvenience of her night to seat us, she asked if we would be okay sitting in the back room. Totally fine with us. She leads us back and there are three more empty tables. Service was good. We immediately got water and our waiter showed up soon after to take our order. We are used to going to Shiku in Ballard, so for us ordering 2 rolls and an app of edamame is usually the perfect amount for us to split. When we ordered this however, our waiter seemed taken aback we weren't ordering more. He made a rude comment about if we were sure we didn't need anything else, at which we told him we were fine. Our edamame didn't take too long to come out, but the rolls didn't arrive for almost 30 minutes. When they finally were brought out, we realized why our waiter had given us such a strange look. Each roll was 4-5 pieces. For people who are used to spending roughly the same amount of money but getting 8-12 pieces per roll, we were shocked. Kisaku promotes themselves as a neighborhood, "easy going" sushi place, we were extremely disappointed. I was excited to have a good sushi place a few blocks from my house but it looks like I will continue to drive to Ballard for my sushi fix. For the attitude and prices at Kisaku I expect much better product. Their sushi was bland and disappointing, and when your restaurant is half empty don't make your customer feel like an inconvenience because they don't have a reservation.

    (2)

  • Samuel C.

    A friend recommended this place but I must say their sushi did not meet our expectations. It was just an average sushi nothing extraordinary. I should have ordered the fatty tuna instead. I might come back next time to try it.

    (4)

  • KC V.

    Solid sushi place. Went here for lunch, which included a salad and miso soup (nice bonus). Their lunch special prices are pretty fair, although you can also order off of the dinner menu. The staff was very friendly and attentive, so I will consider going back if I am in the area.

    (4)

  • Jon G.

    We had the spicy oysters which were excellent but the sushi and tempura were average. The reason for the low rating is that we had a substandard server who did not know the menu and when I gave her a gift card for payment she said it was refused but the next night at another restaurant the card worked just fine. Other than bringing the food the server was nowhere to be seen and she was not timely. Maybe just a bad night but the service colored the whole experience.

    (2)

  • Khazy E.

    We're from Cali and we love sushi. But very disappointed. Portions were small. We're used to at least 6 rolls a dish but they gave 4. The nigiri sushi rice was small. If you don't have reservations they will put you in there back small room that has 2 tables. Went on a Thursday and the place was not packed. We preferred to sit at the bar but even the bar had reservations. Not coming back. Still trying to find a good sushi spot. So far, Bellevue has a good spot called Ginza. SMH

    (2)

  • Alexandra M.

    Consistently fresh sashimi, warm welcome from Nakano-san, and impeccable service - these are just a few things I love about Kisaku. Last weekend I was passing by Wallingford when my friend I realized we were both craving some raw Japanese. We wanted quality but were not planning to shell out too much, so we called Kisaku if they could seat two in the next five minutes. I kept my expectations low since I knew it was a busy Friday night, but lo and behold, Kisaku does wonders. The person on the phone was nice enough to switch things around and got us seats at the sushi bar. As always, Chef Nakano's hospitality made us feel at home in this cozy neighborhood restaurant. He gave us a different kind of complimentary appetizer this time (I've been here four times and have always gotten a different appetizer each time). I'm not sure what else I can write in my review that can add to all the rave about the top-notch quality of their food... Firm, creamy, delicate uni. Crisp and crunchy geoduck. Sweet, soft, silky scallops. And out-of-this-world OTORO! Kisaku has possibly the best fatty tuna sashimi in all of Washington (with such an amazing price)! Do yourself a favor and sit at the bar for omakase. Let Nakano-san show your his creativity. Do NOT order California roll - this isn't the place for Americanized Japanese fusion. It gets on my nerves when people compare this place with overrated sushi joints in Seattle because they obviously don't get that this is a place built and run with passion and purpose. Please don't embarrass yourself by comparing this place with "trendy" Americanized sushi joints. I just learned that they have private dining rooms. I can't wait to be back for more otoro and to try dining in a private room. There has been countless number of times where I've seen customers come up to Chef Nakano to say hi, introduce him to new friends, or just to chat. This place truly cares about their customers and know how to take care of their regulars. Service is prompt without a rushed feeling. All the waitresses are extremely polite and speak Japanese - this truly reminds me of Japan and is another example that this is not your Americanized sushi joint with scantily clad, overly flirtatious waitresses half-assing a part-time job for designer bags (it's taking my all not to name names of places I despise).

    (5)

  • Jamie Z.

    It's good place. I should have ordered the very fatty tuna. the fatty tuna isn't fatty at all!

    (4)

  • Jim D.

    It's hard enough for a restaurant to make money let alone turn away customers when tables are open and no one is waiting. Last night 2/27/15 my girlfriend and I went to this place and was told that they were too busy to seat is in the front and it would be 45 to an hour for the back room. Even though there were 4 4 top tables open and 1 2 top table. When I asked about those tables the waiter said they were booked and we couldn't be seated. I get having reservations but having that many tables open waiting on business to show when you have $$$ sitting in front of you. The chef and restaurant owner must be making tones of money. Cause they sure are not interested in making it. All the Japanese restaurants I have been to have never turned business away because of their arrogance. Well I have read the reviews and with the mix is can say I am happy I didn't waist my money. I won't be back

    (1)

  • Elle K.

    Great japanese restaurant ! We were in search for a japanese restaurant with a private room and found kisaku. We ended up choosing other restaurant for the occasion, because kisaku's private room was just seperated with a curtain and wasn't private enough. However, i liked their food, service, and atmosphere and would definitely go back often. We had catepiler rolls, assorted tempura, and mushroom salad. Rolls and tempura were good. As good as the ones you would taste at international district if not better. The mushroom salad was just amazing. Their dressing was light yet flavorful and came with loads of different mushrooms. I fell in love. I would definitely recommend !

    (4)

  • Hayden N.

    After shopping, my friend and I decided that we were in the mood for sushi. At that point, it was too late to attempt to put our name on the list at Shiro's unless we wanted to wait another three hours to eat. She suggested we get Chirashi at Musashi's. When we got there, we realized they were closed on Sundays. Sad! Now we had a mad-craving for raw fish. We pulled up our Yelp app and found Kisaku. The restaurant isn't very well marked. We actually drove by it a couple times before finding it. Luckily, we found a parking space right in front of the restaurant. I was surprised to find that it wasn't too busy considering it's rating and reviews. My friend and I shared the Sushi Combination L and Futomaki. I had a salmon skin handroll as well. Unfortunately, the sushi was okay and the atmosphere didn't feel like a Japanese restaurant but slightly drab. Maybe it's the dated carpet?? Service was decent--some times, it was hard to catch the waitress' attention. The price of the sushi was on the more expensive side for the quantity that you get. The sushi was satisfactory, but I am not sure if I would dine here again if other places were open.

    (3)

  • Brad S.

    Hostess is rude. Treated me like I was not worthy to eat in restaurant. Wait staff slow and unorganized Did not refill drink all meal. Sockeye was out of this world. Tempura. Ok. All other sushi ok.

    (1)

  • Jake L.

    Kisaku is my favorite Japanese in Seattle. The wait is always long, but worth it for the best sashimi and sushi rolls around. I don't exactly know what is so good about the food here...it's hard to put your finger on it. The seafood just tastes incredibly fresh and the rolls are extremely light with rice that has a hint of sweetness to it. We ordered a broad array of sashimi and two rolls. Everything was delicious but highlights were the Kisaku roll, sweet shrimp and the raw scallop. I went here again last night with my lady friend and some of her fellow nurses. They sat us in this little room in the back because it was so busy, but it was actually really cool because we could be loud and gross nurse stories could be told without ruining the appetites of other customers. Our waitress was really nice and it was determined midway through the dinner that she had earlier taken some hallucinogenic mushrooms and had lost her grasp on reality. This wasn't a bad thing...just an added bonus that made the meal even more enjoyable. So in summary...Kisaku has great food, the environment is always pleasant, and sometimes your waitress is high on kubenzies.

    (5)

  • Ken K.

    New yelp facelift for 2007. Owner Ryuichi Nakano prior to starting up Kisaku restaurant, spent quite a bit of time at another place, it was either I Love Sushi or We Be Sushi (the one that has multiple locations). I'm not sure if he has any formal training but he is an amazing chef, a pleasure to talk to, and is very passionate about his work. The restaurant is located in a residential area by the Greenlake district and was rather hard to find, but once you walk inside you kind of feel like you're inside a fancy fusion restaurant, with jazz music playing and kind of like a bit of a Yoshi's Oakland feel. The best seat in the house is at the bar in front of Ryu-san himself. Call ahead to reserve a seat and if you are willing, request omakase. Prior to coming for my first and so far only visit in June 2006, I did a lot of research, emailed the owner and checked with people on the other foodie boards. There were actually some hidden secrets, but of course some were strictly seasonal. I told Ryu-san I eat like a nihon-jin (native Japanese) and requested that he held nothing back. I also requested to start with sashimi, then get some nigiri, and also some makimono (cut roll or handroll). My dinner was a series of single nigiri piecs, beautifully molded and paired with some of the best sushi rice shari pads I've ever had. Appetizer: small kobachi portion of a cooked fish served near room temperature (ni-zakana?) I wish I asked what it was (hamachi or gindara). Very tasty with hints of garlic, soy sauce (of course) and mirin. Sashimi: - 2 pc tai (snapper), -2 pc maguro, -4 pc aji. Maybe it was the way Ryu-san cut it, but it didn't taste like aji at all, more like shima-aji which is a way more expensive fish. Served with very finely cut scallions, which showcased Ryu-san's well trained knife skills. - 2 pc Pacific NW mirugai (insanely fresh). - 2 pc copper river salmon which was awesome to have local fish! Nigiri: * sayori (needlefish)- a very generous piece of sushi neta, which complemented well with his vinegared sushi rice (sumeshi). * hirame (halibut) - soft, sweet, and tender piece. Some of the best halibut I ever had. It almost tasted like a kelp marination but I wasn't sure. * marinated albacore (bincho zuke) - very original, usually maguro or ika is used. Ryu-san wanted to try something different. This worked quite well. I actually requested this, thanks to the bloggers and posters. * saba - soft oily but not overpowering and oish-kata! A true good test of hikarimono marination skills. Ryu-san and his kitchen staff did superb with this. * anago - Hands down one of the BEST pieces I've had so far. Fresh, melt in your mouth, and a small dash of yuzugoshou by Ryu-san brought the flavor out. * hotate no konbu jime (kelp marinated scallops) - you have to try this! *local/Pacific NW seafood offerings: ama ebi, mirugai, uni, copper river salmon - if you are from out of town you MUST try these. Uni is a darker brown variety which was out of season then (the color is because of feeding on brown kelp), a few shades darker than Hokkaido baifun uni. * chu toro, otoro - not bad but not great, the only weak link. * kohada - Ryu-san's favorite sushi neta. A bit salty, and sour but soft enough. A nice effort. Saba was way better * edobai - Ryu-san it was butterfish which is interesting because some places say it is medai. Tasted like saba a bit. * tairagai - great pen shell clam which he imported from Tsukiji Tokyo. *hotaru ika (baby squid but it is actually firefly squid) - instead of using sweet miso sauce he used a ume based sweet sauce, it was great! * ankimo - not bad but not great, but his ponzu sauce was F*****ing goood!!!! * awabi - half crunchy, half soft, a fantastic piece. * tamagoyaki - I'm glad he made this in house. Good egg flavor, I liked it. Makimono - Ryu-san kindly asked me if I liked natto, and I said sure! He made a maguro natto oshinko (pickle) temaki (handroll), with a super crispy nori sheet. Superb crunch, great closer. Dessert: House made sorbets caught my eye. One order comes with your choice of 3 scoops. I picked x2 lychee and x1 yuzu, and should have picked x2 yuzu and x1 lychee. If you like tarty and citrus flavors, do not miss the yuzu sorbet! So in summary to maximize an experience like this: - develop a relationship early on with the chef, tell him what you like/don't like. - take an interest to the owner's craft - ask questions, don't be afraid to try new or different things - research before you go in case you get other perspectives and heck check the blogheads, even if sometimes they don't know what they are talking about coz you might see a good photo. Great vibe at Kisaku, a super personable and humble and friendly chef owner, excellent quality LOCAL and imported fish, top notch sushi rice, well trained chef in knife skills/cuisine/seasoning/cooking, impeccable service for refilling water/tea etc=one of a kind authentic experience!

    (5)

  • Nicholas B.

    Tasty, well-presented sushi. I had heard this was one of the best sushi restaurants in the Seattle area, which I'm don't agree with, but still a good place.

    (3)

  • Fumi S.

    So, I finally went there. Many of my friends highly recommended this place, but I didn't have a chance to try the restaurant. Well, granted I couldn't eat much (I was nervous that night), everything I ate was great. Miso-dengaku (Tofu with sweet miso paste) was really great and garden roll was just yummy even though I only had one piece. Veggie Futomaki was just like my grandma's, which made me smile. If you ask, they'll give you a vegetarian menu. I heard their lunch specials are good, so that will be my next thing to try~

    (5)

  • Kat H.

    If I were gainfully employed, instead of a broke grad student, I would eat at Kisaku multiple times per month. As it stands, I only dream about it multiple times per month, and eat there every few months. It is also my favorite sushi restaurant in Seattle, and no, I have never been to Maneki or "I (heart) Sushi". Although I would say that even though the decor sucks, the sushi at Hiroshis is pretty damn awesome, too (hmm...maybe I'll write a review about that, next). I have never been disappointed at Kisaku. However, if you go there at prime time on a Friday or Saturday night expecting to get a table right away, you might be. Be reasonable, people. You have to navigate the masses at places where the food kicks this much ass.

    (4)

  • Todd L.

    I've been to Kisaku in the past and was very impressed. I've tried to return without a reservation and couldn't get a seat, which lead me to believe it was still good. Yesterday my wife and I stopped by for dinner at 5:30 when they open. We were...disappointed. We sat at the bar and found it took longer than we'd expect to get our drinks. The sushi was good but certainly not great and the presentation was sub standard. The nigiri was sloppy and the otoro was a horrible value at $8 per order. That's the last time I pay for rarity and get disappointed. It just wasn't very good. We've been spoiled though, which might make it unfair. Our last sushi meal was Sushi Ota in Mission Beach where they cure their own ikura. At Kisaku, like most place, they buy it pre-made which means super salty and less real flavor. Keep in mind we didn't have any of the rolls so maybe that's where they really shine. We probably won't return considering the prices but they won't miss us. This place has a cult following in the area.

    (2)

  • Steve S.

    Best sushi place in Seattle, especially for the money. Excellent fish, pretty surroundings. and the desserts are awesome too. Make a reservation and sit at the sushi bar.

    (5)

  • will m.

    my cousin first brought me to this place and whenever i'm around this neighborhood, i try to stop by and enjoy some great sushi. the sushi rolls are presented like a work of art here and are filling and delicious. the place is a little pricey compared to other sushi places, but the quality is definitely top tier. the parking is horrible since it's in the middle of a residential area and it is a little hard to find, but the search for this place is worth it. the place is a little small, so you might be waiting for a table. the service was fine for me

    (4)

  • Tomoka I.

    went for dinner. some mentioned about the parking situation , so we took a bus from downtown area - about 15min ride and 5min walk from the bus stop - no problem. friendly and attentive staff, good food (albacore was really good that night), tasty dessert (loved Japanese sweet potato roll), and what a reasonable price! notice they don't have many kinds of rolls, but was happy with their nigiri sushi. (you don't find those Americanized "fancy" rolls at sushi restaurants in Japan anyways.) and did i mention their reasonable price? i would absolutely eat at Kisaku again.

    (5)

  • Amie M.

    This is my new favorite spot for sushi in Seattle. Reasonable prices, fresh fish, soft, perfectly seasoned rice (not too salty, sour, or sweet--just right!), and high-quality nori that holds together and has just the right amount of chew. LOVE that they only use real crab and no mayo in their California roll. The avocado was super fresh and perfectly ripe. We were enjoying ourselves so much, we ordered quite a bit: the grilled Alaskan sockeye shioyaki appetizer (deeply pink, crisp on the edges, falling-apart moist inside), Wallingford Roll (hamachi, cucumber, green onion, daikon sprouts), a California roll as mentioned above, a negi-hama roll (chopped hamachi with green onion--not on menu but even better than Wallingford roll IMO), basic kappa maki and avocado maki (they were generous with the avocado), nigiri of sockeye salmon, otoro, hamachi, and bonito, and an iku-tama (salmon roe with quail egg--the highlight of the night, orgasmically delicious). The sockeye salmon was extremely fresh and had a nice buttery texture, which can be hard to find in wild salmon. My boyfriend felt it had less distinctive "salmon" flavor than some wild sockeye nigiri we had at Maneki's, but I enjoyed its mild, rich flavor. The otoro was yummy and fresh as well, though not quite as melt-in-your-mouth as I was expecting. Still worth getting, and reasonably priced (7-8 bucks I think). The iku-tama was such a pleasant surprise; the salmon roe was perfectly cured. Poor versions can be overly salty, smoky, sticky, or watery inside. These had tender skins and a rich and savory, mildly salmony flavor. The fresh quail egg and Kisaku's perfect sushi rice took it over the top for me. I appreciated that their sushi bar had a number of offerings for more adventurous eaters, including sea cucumber (we didn't try!), monkfish liver (aka Japanese foie gras), and some other less common varieties of fish. Also, their green tea was wonderful. It tasted roasty like genmaicha (toasted rice tea), but had a rich green color and flavor, like a sencha. I should have asked them what it was. I'd suggest making reservations (it gets crowded) or swinging by between 5 and 6 pm and putting your name down. My boyfriend and I sat at the sushi bar, which seemed more fun than the tables, as the sushi chef was very friendly, though not overly intrusive. Whenever he placed food on our plates, he'd split the order between my boyfriend's plate and mine, which was kind of cute...no fighting over the last piece! They gave us and several other guests appetizers on the house. All of the food above plus an extra negi-hama roll we ordered for some friends was just over $50. Great deal for high-quality sushi, if you ask me. We'll be returning soon. For gluten-intolerant and Celiac folks: they actually provide wheat-free tamari for you upon request!! (We had brought our own bottle just in case, but it wasn't necessary.) Any dish cooked "shioyaki" (salt only) is safe, and the salted edamame are always a safe appetizer/snack. Also, make sure to request no flying fish roe on your rolls or have it substituted with toasted sesame seeds, as the chef said the roe are marinated with soy sauce. The salmon roe (ikura) is only salt-cured. Also avoid any dressings or sauces, as they all contain regular soy sauce. Stick to sushi, and ask plenty of questions, as they were very friendly and accommodating to us.

    (4)

  • Danja V.

    I try to go to Kisaku's at least once a month even on my pathetic salary, because it's a little ray of cullinary sunshine that brightens up my day. The wait staff and sushi cheffs are very friendly and the ambiance is quite cheerful, but what really makes this place a gem is the food! No where else can I get Sake-Lees marinated black cod that is SOOOO delicious, it's my favorite hot item on the menue. I usually like to pair it off with a little hot sake and an order of Uni for a meal that sends me home on my bike feeling warm, full and happy even if it's sleeting outside. Love this place!

    (5)

  • Lisa W.

    This was actually my third visit to Kisaku. I was once again, craving sushi for lunch on the weekend. It seems most sushi places aren't open on the weekends until after 4:30 pm. Kisaku was quite popular, but luckily we got there right before the big rush. I ordered the crab sunomono...I am a big sunomono fan (I've never had one I didn't like). I also ordered an order of scallop sashimi because I've been craving it like crazy for some reason. They both hit the spot in a big way. And this was after the complimentary green salad and miso soup. Generous portions and quality seafood. My boyfriend had the chicken yakiniku don, which was chicken with vegetables over rice (and a sauce that I can't remember exactly) and he was very happy with his dish, and ecstatic with the wild sockeye salmon nigiri sushi. Wild salmon...yummmm! We also shared a bit of otokoyama sake...this is, of course, a personal preference. I like my sake crisp, dry and cold. And afterward we traipsed around Greenlake. Here's to the beginning of Spring!

    (4)

  • Wanda L.

    My favorite sushi place in Seattle. Parking in tangletown is fairly easy. The place is clean and has a sushi meets Starbucks feel to the decor, possibly because of the similar color lights hanging from the ceiling. The windows sills have nice potted plants. I love the super fresh fish and the beautiful rolls. I always like the chirashi and the sweet amaebi. The tables are very far spread out so each table feels privacy.

    (5)

  • Mark R.

    Absolutely, hands-down the best sushi in Seattle. If you disagree, I will personally fight you. The rolls are creative and beyond tasty. I don't think I've ever ordered anything there I didn't like, and I've never left less than satisfied. The prices are reasonable, the neighborhood is a nice change from the usual Belltown boredom and the fried sweet potato ice cream is so good that I think I would probably step over my own mother's dead body to eat it. If you don't like Kisaku, fine - I respect your opinion. But you're wrong. And dumb.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

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

Kisaku

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