Tammy M.

I went with my boyfriend and we had to wait 30 minutes to be seated. The male waiter was rude to begin with and when we were seated we order 2 charashis. It was mleh... didn't taste very good... when I went to pay, the male waiter was eating in the kitchen and shoved the receipt in my hand and shooed me away. Never coming back

Shannon B.

Awesome food, friendly and efficient staff! Great place for sushi! Expect a little wait but totally worth it!

Thu N.

Went here with my mom for dinner since we both love sushi and I have been wanting to try this place for their known chirashi bowl. The jug of tea was on our table so we didn't need to worry about someone getting our refills :) down side is that it cluttered our already small table when the huge bowls came filled with creamy delicious selection of sashimis. The fish was on point and by far the best sashimi I've ever had. The miso was simply great as well. Four stars because..the place was tiny and the draft from the door was annoying.

Elisabeth G.

Musashi's is the BEST! If you love sashimi and just straight up good fish come here. It's cheap as hell and pure, honest sushi. You know it's legit because there's always a line of Asian's out the door. Plus the host/waiter dude that takes your name when you arrive is freaking adorable. Worth waiting outside on shitty plastic chairs for and the line moves faster than you'd think.

Evita-Marie R.

I have driven by this place many times and lines are always formed outside. My boyfriend and I decided to finally see what the hype is about. So we stopped in for lunch. I walked in and was immediately annoyed by their lack of acknowledgement. I stood their for a few minutes and as I'm standing there other people walk in and speak to one of the servers in a different language. At this point I'm quite annoyed because I've been standing there and have yet be acknowledged. Finally, after a few minutes a lady takes my name and tells me it will be about 5 minutes. I step outside since there is no room inside to stand or sit. Once we're finally seated, I noticed the menu is quite simple-- a few rolls, maki and nigiri as well as a few hot items (bento, chicken teriyaki) We order 2 chirashi bowls and a unagi roll. We were surprised by the amount of sashimi that came with the chirashi bowl. I noticed other people had a spicy mayo sauce so I asked for some. It was delicious with the fish and soy sauce. After our first visit we returned 3 times within 3 weeks. The sashimi is delicious and plentiful. The prices are fair. However, the rolls are quite mediocre. I would suggest skipping them-- as they are definitely not known for their rolls. Their service has been hit or miss all the times we've gone, but they are speedy and their food is good. Musashi's has become a regular sashimi place for us!

Mari S.

I've had a lot of favorite sushi restaurants, but Musashi's is easily at the top of that list. The cuts of fish are unbelievably huge and inexpensive. It's true that this place is tiny and extremely popular, so you'll have to deal with long lines unless you try to come at a less busy hour (and even then you may be waiting). The owner and staff are amazingly fast and get orders made and tables turned over quickly, but the rapid pace here is just something that loyal customers have come to accept. In fact, I love that they don't hover over you like many other restaurants do -- they are busy with their work, and you are busy eating your delicious sushi in peace and quiet! Each table gets a Zojirushi tea thermos so you can pour yourself unlimited tea (I think it's oolong). Just make sure it's only unscrewed a half a twist so don't pour hot tea all over your food and let the whole restaurant know you're a newbie. It's a must-eat stop for all my friends who visit Seattle. Lots of love for this place!

King C.

This is my go-to sushi restaurant. Can't find a better sushi value in Seattle.

Picky E.

Crowded, poor service, mediocre sushi. Was really thrilled to try this place after reading such great reviews and drove all the way there from the Eastside. Both my bf and i got bad stomach from eating here. The sushi isn't all that fresh and neither are the rolls that well made. I guess it got good reviews because it might be the only decent sushi restaurant around there but it's nothing amazing. Overall it was disappointing and you can find much better selection elsewhere.

Ken C.

I love hole in the wall places like this! This tiny little place can only seat a hand full of tables so we had to wait about 15 minutes before we were seated. My brother recommended the chirashi bowl to me. It has generous cuts of sashimi over rice. Very good sashimi at a even better price of $15! Musashi's has some of the cheapest sushi that I've had and the quality and quantity was definitely on par with many of the other upscale restaurants. $3 uni! And $3 toro! :)

Amanda P.

I've been going to musashis since I can remember. They have awesome sushi and their noodle salad and miso soup is to die for!! The "new" owner is super friendly and is really charismatic! He always cares about his customers. They give decent portions of sushi and it is so amazingly fresh. The restaurant is in a tight space so don't be surprised if you have to wait a while, but the wait is totally worth it. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone who loves sushi!

H C.

I have been coming here for years and am never disappointed. It's not the best sushi you will ever eat, but it is pretty delicious and you really can't beat the prices. This is our go-to sushi place and is well worth the long wait (come early or order to go).

Tim K.

The original owner sold it and you can tell, they are also trying to grow and the quality keeps getting worse.

Melody P.

Musashi has had really good reputation for sure! I went back visiting after their recently ownership change. Pretty much the same menu, but I feel that the quality of food and service is down a little bit. There used to a big line outside of the little shop on the corner. But, it feels like it's been slowing down quite bit! Sashimi is a Japanese delicacy. It represents the fresh in raw fish and it says quite bit about a chef's knife work. I am still experiencing fresh raw fish. However, I feel that the knife work was not as good as it used to be. The cuts in sashimi were in different sizes. The service was not as good as it used to be as well. I remember two ladies who worked there greeted with smile and warmth politely. I missed them! Since my sister is a regular at Musashi, the owner already knows what she wants. This is always a plus.

Monkey T.

Monkey drawn in here like the Falcon caught in the tractor beam... Originally came to the area to use a Groupon at another nearby restaurant. Noticed how full this little place was and observed the wait outside, under the freezing rain... Interesting. Sat down to eat our Groupon meal, all the while Yelping and hungering for what Musashi's got... So yeah, essentially, after eating elsewhere, Monkey come and eat here, too! CHIRASHI BOWL - No doubt! Big hunks of fish over rice. Grub made Monkey's night! Looking forward to our return. Itty bitty seating area. Got lucky around 830pm to not have to wait outside. CA$H ONLY

Inna B.

My experience here was really really.... awkward. And it had pretty much nothing to do with the staff or Musashi's, so I'm going to set it aside. I walked in, grabbed a seat at the sushi bar, and started at the menu for a long time. Poured myself some tea. I didn't see chirashi on the menu but had seen several photos on this page, so I knew it would be an option. So I ordered it and waited. Enjoyed more tea. Stared at my phone. Watched the 3-4 asian fellows about my age work away behind the sushi bar. When the chirashi bowl arrived, I remember thinking "Oh man, I hope I have enough cash on me!" Thankfully the bowl was $15, so I had enough. I was glad because I really didn't want to leave the warm restaurant to go pay the QFC cashiers a visit with my debit card. I know I'll definitely customize the chirashi bowl a bit next time, but there was something... perfect... about the it (and about Musashi's) as it was. I usually stick to a lot of tuna and salmon, so I enjoyed trying a couple of mystery items. I think at least a couple of the items were seared and I prefer my fish totally raw, so that's something that I'll definitely have to change next time. All in all... the bowl was good and I barely interacted with the staff... but I had a really good experience. Musashi's is a perfect little hole-in-the-wall type spot that, without Yelp, would have made me think "Is this going to be horrible or absolutely fantastic?" Thankfully Yelp reviews were there to tell me that this IS a place worth visiting.... and thankfully Yelpers made choosing my meal extra easy!

Sarah L.

My favorite place to go for fresh fish. Sushi tastes awesome and Chirashi bowl is freaking awesome. I was tempted to knock off a star for this place because they close between lunch and dinner, and the wait can be pretty long. Other than that, everything about this place is awesome... CASH ONLY

Laleh J.

Phew!! This place is super popular. Be prepared to wait 1+ hours on weekend nights. Food is very tasty though, with huge pieces of sashimi! And all for under $20!

H T.

ONLY go to sushi restaurants that are rated 4 stars and up. I give this a 5! Quick service, fresh fish, and authentic sushi.

Elisabeth H.

Service is quick and efficient. I love that. Quality of fish is normally stellar, except for my most recent experience. More on that later. Price is the best. Okay, now for my most recent experience at Musashi's. Musashi's is my go to sushi place. It's affordable for above average quality pieces of nommy nommy fish. I normally order the bento or chirashi bowl. I always order the onigiri. Always. Every time, it has been consistently good. However, this time, my most recent experience, was not so great. This time, I ordered the Lunch Bento with the skewers and pieces of sashimi and onigiri. Excuse me, but why is my onigiri cold? Dry. Stale, Why? The sushi rice is overly saturated in vinegar, soaked in a pond of soy/teriyaki sauce (but tasted more like soy sauce). The chicken and beef skewers were cold as well as chewy, slightly tough. Why? What happened here? Why is everything cold? Did you guys forget to nuke my bento in a microwave or something? Best part: the sashimi...still frozen. Yup. Severely dissatisfied with this meal, obviously. But alas, I am still giving Musashi's four stars because of my previous experience here. Should this poor quality continue, I shall be forced to knock down a star or two.

Grace H.

Come to Musashi's if you are any of the following: - Suffer from sushitis (sushi cravings ALL THE TIME) - Do not fall under the 1% income category - Just want to eat good sushi without all the frills of other Seattle based sushi bars & without spending a fortune Then Musashi's is definitely the place to go. I was first taken aback by how affordable their prices are. As everyone else has suggested, you can't go wrong with a chirashi bowl that is under $20. It has all the basic elements of a good chirashi bowl & nothing too out of the ordinary or adventurous. While the fish may not be caught in the last 24 hours, quality isn't compromised. I've never thought that the fish was too fishy & the thickness of the fish is more than generous. Overall, the staff is always busy, but attentive and friendly. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side & there is usually a line outside, it's not really a sit-down, loungey restaurant as most patrons eat, pay and leave. Musashi's is definitely on everyone else's minds during dinner hours. A tip I have for other Yelpers is if the weather is nice and sunny, have your order to go and have a sushi picnic at the nearby Gas Works Park. You can enjoy the good food & the good weather, which is hard to come by -- just like awesome & affordable sushi restaurants in the Seattle area.

Nelson Y.

I can only review the chirashi bowl, but for less than $15, this makes Musashi's a must-try in the Seattle area if you like sushi. Next time, I will have to try their nigiri because I heard they have large portion sizes! Wish they were open on Sundays and Mondays though!

Santiago N.

I heard this place had excellent food; however, after seeing how young owner / manager treated his staff, and after he asked me to "wait outside" until my friends arrived, I got up and left. This kid obviously cares only about making a buck and knows nothing about how to treat the hand that feeds him. I would not recommend this place to anyone expecting any semblance of good customer service. I certainly will not make mistake of eating there again. If he was just having "a bad day," he should be more careful... If not, I suspect he will not be in business long (I heard this kid recently took over this place)

Andrew L.

This is by far one of my most favorite restaurants in Seattle. I come here for one thing, and one thing only - the chirashi bowl! For $14.50, you get a delicious bowl of sushi rice (which I could eat for days) topped with tuna, albacore, salmon, the white fish (whose name has escaped my mind), unagi, baby scallops, and shrimp. My personal favorites are the albacore and unagi. The albacore is seared and tastes bomb! The unagi is soft and melts in your mouth. Don't like one of the fishes, ask 'em to replace it with more of another! You could easily get a chirashi bowl of just albacore and unagi, if you wanted ;). Course, if unagi is just your thing, then there is a cheaper unagi bowl too. There are rolls, nigiri, and other selections you would expect at a Japanese restaurant, but like I said I really come for the chirashi bowl. As everyone has mentioned, this place is small and gets packed. Come early (or later) and bring some good company. They are very accommodating though, which is great, we had a party of 8 in there recently. I have never had an issue looking for street parking either. The saddest part about this place is when you finish eating and realize there's no more! The portions are generous though, so it's never a feeling of man I'm still hungry, but more like I can't wait to eat this again next time! Oh, and this place is sadly closed on Sundays and Mondays... don't be like me and get bummed when you show up in front of their "Closed" sign on those days. However, if you're like me... you can always walk on over for some dessert afterwards (or before) = Molly Moons or Fainting Goat! Cash only by the way, get some bills from the ATM before you come here.

Mercy H.

Their chirashi bowl is to die for. Don't be surprised if you find yourself craving it later once you try. It's a pretty generous portion so it worths your money. If you're not too hungry, I would go for the assorted sushi rolls. They are just as yummy. Order to go if you don't want to wait in line. Lunchtime on a weekday isn't bad but if it's a Friday or weekend or dinner time, be prepared to wait. Or you can put your name down, go get a drink somewhere and come back. The staffs and servers are friendly enough. My go-to sushi restaurant :)

Holly C.

Definite meh. I decided to go here because theres always a line out the door (theres a line because the place is tiiiiiny) and because of the yelp reviews. It wasn't awful or anything, but none of the rolls any of us had (there were 4 of us) were anything special. I think Musashi's specializes in sashimi, so I would suggest that route instead of the roll route. The plus side is that their prices are really nice!

Alex T.

Okay so I spent 6 months in Japan. I know what sushi tastes like. I know that supermarket sushi is going to be better than anything I can get my hands on in the States. For the price and the size of fish you get (chirashi bowl) it's pretty darn good. Is it amazing and life changing? No. The sashimi here is comparable to really cheap sashimi in Japan. The pieces of fish are huge but don't have that buttery, melt in your mouth taste. Eating sushi should always be a life changing experience. That being said, for the size and price, it's mindblowing. Would I come here again? Sure. Would it be my pick for best sushi in Seattle? No. Cash only. Small restaurant.

Nancy S.

Had the bowl thing :) it was really good. Though the restaurant was really small I liked the intimateness of it haha

Alice C.

The wait for this place is ridiculous. A friend and I waited about 30 minutes for a table; any group larger than two or three would take longer. But can I just say that it is ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT???? The sushi here is delicious and amazing. I ordered the smoked salmon, unagi, and yellowtail sushi by the piece. The pieces of fish are really large and definitely worth the price! Just don't forget that it is cash and check only so make a visit to the ATM before coming. Or go during the ridiculous long wait.

Rachel H.

Serious maki bang for your buck at Musashi's. Serious cheap eats. Musashi's is a classic hole in the wall, with fresh sushi at a great price. Everything was very fresh at lunch. I arrived at 11:30 to many, many empty tables, minus the crowds due to my early arrival time.. At $1.80 for nigiri, includes sake, hotate, tai and melt in the mouth unagi, this place remains a serious bargain. (And man oh man, do I love it when the unagi (bbq eel) is served warm. It's the best.) The hamachi roll was a real value at $3.80, considering how incredibly fresh the fish is and how significantly generous the fish was. The fish hangs over each side of the sushi rice on their nigiri, just the way it should. The sushi knifework here is not sharply skilled, and if you like abundant wasabi application, you'll have to do it yourself, but this is no cause for alarm. While the ambiance at Musashi's screams mom and pop sushi place, I generally consider this to be a good thing if the fish is fresh and the attitude is friendly. Regardless if the new owners are Korean, or Japanese aside as other Yelpers have mentioned, these are mute point to me, given these prices: Musashi's is a great value. Full disclosure, although I think Musashi's is normally a very good bet, t I have had some frozen nigiri served to me here--not a fun experience biting into this. Also, although almost always super fresh, I've also had the occasional wonky scallop. Knifework is not a strong suit. In other words, it can be inconsistent. Still, in my book this is the perfect hole in the wall sushi place for a lunch date. They don't take credit cards here: cash is king!

Danielle C.

A general rule of thumb is that if you see a lot of Asians in line for an Asian restaurant, chances are that the restaurant is pretty good. When I came here with my friends there were huge (mostly Asian) crowds waiting for a table. We thought the line was too long so we ordered to-go instead. I can't comment on the service but I will say that the restaurant is not that big, and the wall is covered with colorful posters of current events and fairs happening in the Seattle/Pac NW area. I got the bento bowl that had skewers of chicken teriyaki, beef teriyaki, veggies, rice, some cole slaw salad of sorts, and some slices of "omelette". I was less than impressed with the chicken and beef - the portions were kind of small (especially the beef - I got a tiny skewer of three pieces of beef about 3 inches long total), and the meat for the chicken was a bit dry. But the sushi rice that comes with the meal tastes very good, especially when paired with the sweet teriyaki sauce. The veggies were okay - I thought the onions could have been grilled a little longer because they were still raw. I really liked the "omelette" - so it basically looks like strips of tofu but it's really an egg mixture of some sort. It is cold and slightly sweet, and very soft. This was a surprise because I was expecting it to taste like tofu. It has the consistency of fried soft tofu I guess. The cole slaw salad of sorts was pretty good. It was in a small small cup and it had some small noodles with small slices of cucumber and some cole slaw like substance. It was smothered in this white sauce that was sweet and probably mayo based. I got an order of ikura (salmon eggs) but they didn't taste that fresh for some reason. I didn't get the chirashi but my friends were commenting that the fish is very good given its price point ($14.50 vs $70 or so at Shiro's). Note that this place is cash or check only.

Naein C.

The quality of the fish is amazing for its price. So cheap! I just wish it wasn't cash only because I never carry cash.

Jihyung K.

OMG! I love Girashi here so much! Usually visit once in a week. must try if you haven't!

Suie C.

mmm...I've been here numerous times, in house and for take out. It's a small place and is ALWAYS packed for dinner so I usually try and eat there for lunch or I call ahead and pick up my order. Plus, there isn't much ambiance, so I prefer the comfort of my own home. Chirashi bowl is full of different types of sashimi and the quality is always fresh. They don't skimp on the sashimi, all their sashimi slices are larger/thicker than most places. I've also had their bento before and it's a generous meal of rice, salad, skewers, sashimi, and egg. I also enjoy their rolls here, all types. The prices are quite resonable $14/chirashi and I think $10 or $11 for the bento box. Rolls are quite cheap. Great quality, tasty food, quick service. I'd recommend calling ahead and picking it up. You'll avoid the lines and the food will be ready by the time you get there. Cash or check only.

Adam P.

There is usually a long line in front of this place. Unfortunately, it isn't very high quality fish, in a city full of plenty of Sushi places serving sub-par fish. I finally ate dinner here based on recommendations from friends. Unfortunately, the quality is lacking in spite of the good service. Good sushi in Seattle is few and far between and you won't find it here. It is inexpensive, but you get what you pay for (i.e., the food here is overpriced relative to the quality). Stick with the basics. And by that I mean overly flavored rolls which will distract you from the lack of quality of the fish on display. Again, you get what you pay for. My recommendation would be to keep drinking beyond the point at which eating food from Musashi's still sounds like a good idea, find some other food that is cheap (Dick's might not be the best, but it's cheap and very good) and then wake up in the morning, notice the money you saved by avoiding Musashi's and head to Tilth for brunch (or even one of the other nearby bar/diners in the area) and have a nice breakfast/brunch. Otherwise, if you really insist on getting REALLY good Sushi take a trip to Japan or Los Angeles and relish the notion that you didn't waste your hard earned money at Musashi's.

Casey P.

Mushasi's has great food, that's about all there is to it. Just keep in mind: the facilities are rather small and they don't accept cash, so go with a small group and stop by an ATM first. They have a fair number of options for vegetarians, which I appreciate. The food came quickly and was reasonably priced. I had a veggie roll and grilled vegetables for just over $8. Our waiter was helpful, and might I add, extremely good-looking! The cooks were also quite attractive. The eye candy made my experience more enjoyable, for sure.

Jenna L.

Love this place. Owners are friendly and good is great. Cash only, lines can be long so I like to call in my order to go! Yum yum yum

Jessa T.

Musashi is my favorite sushi joint in the greater Seattle area. A no-frills establishment with fresh sushi and amazing value. To parrot back what everyone else has already said: cash only. Call in for take-out, or be prepared to wait... outside. Drink the seemingly bottomless thermos of green tea to warm back up after you are seated. Go here for sushi. You can do better elsewhere for non-sushi Japanese food. Yes, get the chirashi. If you want nigiri, be cognizant of the fact that prices are per piece, not for a pair. But seriously, just get the chirashi. On my last visit I discovered the spicy sauce. Ask for this! It's a chunky dipping sauce (I think they probably use it in their onigiri) with lots of spices and what I assume is cod roe. Dip everything in this sauce. You're welcome.

Kittiya P.

This was my second visit to Musashi. I forgot that they don't accept debit/credit card. I didn't tip at 15% since i didn't have that much cash on me. I feel really bad because the service was good. The sushi was great. Big thick piece of salmon for $1.80 a piece. Spinal tuna roll was great too. The teriyaki chicken, on the contrary, wasn't that good. But then again, teriyaki isn't their specialty. The chicken was too dry. The cold noodles salad that same with it was nice and refreshing.

Katie K.

Great (casual) sushi at an excellent price. And these sushi rolls are huge! The only downside is the crowds, so try to come at an off-time.

Conrad B.

The nigiri portions here are out of this world. And the fish is so deliciously fresh that we ordered a second round. The seared maguro is simply fantastic. Order some basic maki to go with your nigiri and you will be happy. This is probably the best cheap nigiri I have had to date. Note that this is more of a meet-for-lunch kinda place than a dinner place - the selection of rolls is pretty limited - the emphasis is more on the simplicity of nigiri. Also, limited seating, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. Service is very good, too. I ate myself silly on nigiri for $20.

Ae L.

Chirachi! Sashimi w rice for $15! Not too bad of a deal! Real crowded. It's a small lil place so make sure you go there a little early to put your name down. Although theres a lot of people waiting outside, the wait is usually just 30 minutes.

Jason L.

Awesome little sushi spot, food is prepared well and portions are enough to make anyone full.

P C.

this is not good for large groups or the impatient. Expect long lines but really cheap (and pretty fresh) sushi. However, I don't think the lines are worth the wait. I noticed while waiting folks walking up for take-out, which was incredibly fast. We debated dong that, but decided sushi is one of those foods that does well as take-out (in my opinion). It's not like I have extra ginger and wasabi on-hand if I wanted more. And for some reason, green tea just tastes better when somebody else makes it. The one downside, is the limited menu. This is a sushi place for beginners. Where's my uni? And the rolls are completely uninspired. However, I was pleasantly surprised by one of their appetizers, it was a noodle salad, which was basically if a California roll was made with noodles instead of rice, oh and without seaweed. Ok, poor analogy - but the point being, if you liked noodles and california rolls, worth trying.

Aaron H.

Your cuts of nigiri can feed a giant, and by giant I mean shrek size. The wife and I laughed as we took turns trying to even bite off half of our slices of nigiri. This game then turned into sad faces when all of the types of nigiri blended together. I love the prices, but the nigiri is just too much, and I know that saying there is such a thing as too much nigiri is sacrilegious, but this is the case. Our nigiri was also cold (bad sushi feux pas) this past time we visited and it was difficult to even bite through the hamachi nigiri which is no bueno! When you come on a weekend night expect to wait around 30 min for a party of two but you are in an out of there within 30 min once you start ordering. I think it is time for a break up with Musashi for now. Maybe after I go on a couple other sushi dates this summer I can call you back and see what you have been up to.

Elizabeth T.

Good sushi at a decent price. Their menu selection is small, but it is definitely tasty. I have been dying to go here. I used to live in Wallingford and see the long line down the street for this place. I have heard many great reviews about them and I am happy to say that Musashi's met all my expectations. The sashimi pieces are decent portions. Definitely on the bigger side compared to most sushi places I have seen in Seattle. I am a huge fan of sashimi and any place that offers decent portions gets a gold star from me! I highly recommend their tuna. It was very tender, almost melt in your mouth good! Their rolls have decent portions of fish. It's not gigantic pieces where it can barely fit into your mouth and is not full of rice either. Decent amount of rice and nori combined with a hefty slab of raw fish! I thoroughly enjoyed all the rolls that I tried tonight - the spicy tuna roll and the smoked salmon roll. I would recommend the Sashimi special for $12.50. You get 10-12 pieces of sashimi. I have allergies to prawns and the waiter was willing to swap it out for unagi! He said there was an additional charge, but when he found out that I was allergic he didn't charge me extra! Great customer service right there! It's definitely one of the better sushi places in Seattle. My husband and I are going back here again to try their off menu item - the chirashi bowl. I have heard many friends telling me how great it is! I am definitely trying it!

Daniel L.

3.5 Stars. Service is pretty awful, but the fish is pretty good. Sashimi: huge slices, really nice fat cuts that taste as good as they look. Hamachi collar was huge and tasted good, but was a little bit dry. I pretty much came here expecting good fish, and I got it. I definitely would not recommend getting anything other than fresh fish here (edamame included, unless you like it old and brown), as that is what they focus on. If you want a teriyaki bento box or a california roll, just go to an actual teriyaki place. The wait is long because they are a hole in the wall with not much seating, so many people typically just order out. I think that's what I'll do next time because as good as the fish is, that brown edamame coupled with the bad service really killed my appetite...

Chengsu C.

I love it here! The Chirashi bowl is always fresh and delicious. Can be crowded especially around dinner time and they do NOT take reservations

Jordan C.

Just moved to Wallingford, and was so happy to discover this place mere blocks away! They're extremely generous in their serving sizes, with substantial cuts of high-quality fish for each dish. As others have stated, the chirashi bowl is amazing. The prices are super-reasonable given the quality, and the service is *insanely* quick even when they're packed full.

Sam W.

This place is great except for the only two things that I can think of: 1) cash only may not be very convenient; 2) they should find a different provider for their scallops. (Not saying it is not fresh, just doesn't taste as good as some places nearby.

Tyler C.

After a long day at Green Lake, my wife and I decided to go try out Musashi's since I had heard many great things about the sushi and especially the Chirashi bowl. Myself being a huge fan of sushi, I enjoy trying different places to see if the reviews are true. We arrived about 30 minutes after they opened for dinner hours and there was already a 25-35 minute wait, which we expected based on other reviews from Yelp. They gave us menus while we waited and before we knew it a small little table in the corner was all ours. The restaurant is pretty tiny, but maybe thats part of the whole "in demand" idea. My wife and I each ordered a Chirashi Bowl. I also ordered two california rolls and we ordered a salmon roll to split. I'm a skinny guy, but boy oh boy can I eat, especially sushi. A few years back I wouldn't have even touched raw fish, but now I love it. My wife on the other hand is still slightly skeptical and although she is from Brazil, she prefers the "American Sushi" Although with that...SHE LOVED the CHIRASHI BOWL which is full of great rawness. Service was on point, friendly people, and amazing food. Can't get better besides not having to wait for a table right after opening of course :) Conclusion: Excellent Sushi, Great Service, only very small gripe if I had to say is the wait to be seated even when we arrived very close to opening, but that minimal.

Elyse M.

This is the best fish in town and Seattle has a lot of fish. I know the wait it long, but it's always worth it. Sushi nigiri or chirashi bowl are the best, but it's also fun to mix and match. Go out of your way. Good prices, best fish.

Nisa T.

Finally, a place I can go for Sushi! Being an international student my expectations of Asian food are a little different because I know the way that they should taste. Musashi's is definitely good. The ingredients were fresh, and you can tell. The place is a little small so if you plan on sitting down try and catch a time before it gets busy. It is cash or check only.

David N.

This is a little place that my friends took me to when I was visiting from out of town. Everything that I ordered was great. The fish is fresh and the portions are pretty big. What else do you need to know about a sushi restaurant?

Sean M.

Always great service and always a wait.. This should be a good thing for you whiners/diners.. Got a drink at octopus bar and returned to be second to next on the list.. Food was great as always thanks for the service guys!

McKenzie M.

Cramped. Tiny. Lack Luster. The only good thing about this place was the miso soup... and the price. The Sashimi and Nigiri pieces were huge but did not taste fresh. The sushi rolls... SO CHEAP! You'll find out why. Theyre tiny little half-bite-sized pieces that have barely anything in the middle. NOT what I was expecting after having read all the reviews

Vincent L.

I must say, this is my favorite sushi place in Seattle! It is very traditional style sushi. They don't have all the very fancy rolls you might see it some other sushi bars, but for the price and the quality, it cannot be beat. I sometimes call ahead on the way home for takeout and avoid the usual long line. I probably eat here once a week. Love it!

Vikki C.

After hearing endless raves about this place, I finally tried this place out on a rainy Saturday night. I have heard about the constant long lines for this place, but given that it was pouring rain outside, I thought that maybe the line would be shorter....nope. The line was long as ever and we waited a good 30 minutes before we got a seat. Luckily for us, the good food here made up for the long wait! We each got the infamous chirashi bowl and shared an order of California roll. The sashimi in the chirashi was as good as people say and the fish were fresh. Coming from a family that loves to go out for sashimi though, I felt that the scallops weren't as fresh as the other fish in the bowl (that's just me being nit-picky though...haha). Overall though the food was DELISH. I can def see why so many people come here and go crazy about it! I personally have joined the musashi-love bandwagon as well ;).

Danica S.

The best quality sushi that doesn't break the bank and stays within budget!! Unagi and salmon are my favorites!

Jacqueline S.

This is a cozy little shack. The food is quality, fish are fresh, but not a place for ambiance. The vibe is hectic and the food comes out fast, but not a recipe for savoring. Next time I will take out and enjoy chez moi.

brooke e.

Delicious. Reasonable. Amazing. We got their Nigiri Sushi Plate, beef sukiyaki (amazing), smoked salmon with cream cheese and celery, miso soup and a yellowtail roll. We also got their house salad... you MUST try this, best salad I have ever had (not just at a sushi restaurant). Prices were so reasonable and the servings were big. You also get some oolong tea (I don't know if they change the tea variety or not) for free - it's waiting on your table when you arrive. They open at 5... we got their at 5:03 and there were only two tables left (that seated two). So get there early. The place is small, and youll be butting elbows with your neighbor, but it adds to the atmosphere.

Malila H.

If you want to eat cheap sushi in a small, cramped place, this is the place to go. If you want quality though, I definitely think there are better places in Seattle. I ordered the Edamame, and they came out half brown, which I was not down with. Ordering a California roll was definitely not an option, as this place doesn't use real crab meat - and for gluten free people (which I am), this isn't safe. I suppose it is safe for the wallet, though? I was expecting them to have a higher quality of food overall since I had heard great things about this place, but fake crab meat and brown edamame is what I saw instead.

Joseph L.

One of my favorite restaurant. Good food and service. Always packed with customers. Go there early like as soon as they open is a good time.

Rebecca W.

I thought the food was great. The chirashi (sp) bowl was great. Great portions. Good size slices of sashimi. My girlfriend got the cucumber, radish and California rolls and chicken skewer. It's not your traditional California roll you'll find at sushi land but I liked how it came with more than just crab meat in it. Like the tamago egg and tofu skin. They are relatively large sized rolls. Very impressed. Wait time was reasonable. It is a small establishment and they do the best they can. However I hated the wait time after being seated. We can understand the wait time for being seated but it being such a small establishment with two waiters we were expecting better service. We waited for twenty minutes before they came to take our order. Food came out promptly but if you needed anything else you are basically screwed. We understand the long wait time so we tried to eat quickly yet comfortably and get our check and go so someone else can sit. But getting our order taken and receiving the bill took forever.

J J.

yummy

Alex S.

Not the best tasting sushi. But value? Unbeatable. Never have I enjoyed stuffing myself silly like this place. There are probably only a handful of sushi restaurants in all of Washington that make better food. They are also way smaller in portion, and way way more expensive. This here. Is a gem. I live in Cali now, and every time I go eat sushi, I miss this place. Bring cash, find parking, send someone ahead to sign up for seats. Since Shun is gone now, this place is my go-to. Maybe after Chiso if I'm feeling rich.

Victoria C.

I can't see what the big deal is about this place when there are far better sushi/Japanese restaurants in Seattle. PROS: 1. Conveniently located in the heart of Wallingford 2. Coffee pitchers on every table (nice touch) CONS: 1. I had to ask for water because they don't bring you any (let alone greet you) when you walk in 2. Seat yourselves 3. Hella hot! Hence the desire for water right away. It's super muggy and warm inside; not sure why 4. Cash only 5. Food is meh. I ordered the beef rice bowl and the beef was the fattiest, poorest cut of meat ever

Chun L.

Chirashi bowl is our family favorite. If you like raw fish, this is probably the best in this state. Prepare to wait for 30 to 45 min between 6-9 pm. We got here just after 5:30, no wait, but 20 min later, there is 3 groups waiting.

Eileen K.

After touring University of Washington, my friend brought me here, excited about sushi. It was a small little place, with the tables really really close to each other and the kitchen a few steps away. Interior: nothing special. But then again, who cares, as long as the food is good! The place was packed, with lines outside. I ordered the sushi combo, and my friend got a few hand rolls. The price was suprisingly very inexpensive. The sushi was cut thick, juicy, and big portions. SO GOOD! I was pretty impressed. The combo I ordered (it was about $12) consisted of 5 pieces of sushi (yellowtail, albacore, tuna) and 2 shrimp sushi, and a few pieces of a simple roll. Very fresh and yum. Service prompt. They also have the chirashi bowl for $14, which I definitely wanted to get if I had another stomach. :) Definitely recommend!

Jon L.

I have been making an effort recently to visit neighborhoods that I usually do not go too often. Wallingford would be one of these. It is an eclectic area, yet I admit that I often skip it in favor of Fremont or Ballard. My trip to Musashi's was my chance to break the ice on Wallingford. I have had it on my list to try for a while. But reading the reviews, I felt trepidation about potentially needing to wait since it is a popular spot. Well that and I am not sure about parking in the area. I decided to finally pull the trigger. I thought a weekday lunch would be a good time to do it and for the most part I was right. I did not have to wait for a seat! Though the dining room was still quite packed in this small restaurant. Parking was not so bad either. Found a space several blocks away on a residential street. Had a seat at the small 4 chair bar area. I like that they have tea canisters on the table already that you can pour youself. I think it would have been too time consuming for staff to bring tea to each table since it is so busy here. The menu consists of basic Japanese dishes and several forms of sushi. They also have a chirashi bowl that is listed on their specials menu that is popular. Although the chirashi bowl sounded tempting, I decided to go with the bento box ($10.50) and a smoked salmon roll ($2.90). The bento box comes with a choice of miso soup or a harusame noodle salad. I decided on the latter. For the price, Musashi's is definitely a good value as you get a lot of food. I was more than stuffed. Started off with the harusame noodle salad which was interesting. It is a noodle salad with c(k)rab in a mayo dressing. It was fine and a nice change from the typical cabbage/lettuce salad. The smoked salmon roll was okay. A basic preparation, but it tasted fresh. In hindsight, I probably should have skipped on the roll because the bento box had a huge helping of rice in it. The bento was a hodgepodge of things. It has a chicken skewer, pieces of teri steak, assorted sashimi, tamago (egg), c(k)rab and assorted grilled veggies. This was a mixed bag. Um..I mean box. The beef was a bit tough and the chicken was somewhat dry because it was breast meat. I think for the chicken, a yakitori preparation with thigh meat would have been better. However I really liked the sashimi and left me regretting not trying the chirashi bowl. C'est la vie. I think Musashi's is a good value, but the cooked items leave something to be desired. I would stick with the raw stuff here.

Samantha G.

If you're looking for a dish to rock your socks off, look no further than their chirashi bowl. It's not listed in their physical menu but if you ask for it, they will make it. I seriously had a foodgasm moment the minute I popped a scallop and some rice and seaweed in my mouth. The scallop was so creamy and fresh while the rice was perfectly seasoned. I've had chirashi bowls at other restaurants but I was glad the rice in this chirashi bowl was not too sweet. Musashi's chirashi bowl was also topped with salmon, tuna, hamachi sashimis, seared unagi and roe. Yum! At $14 a bowl, I don't think I can find a better deal than this elsewhere. And as what other Yelpers have already mentioned, the line can be pretty long. Try to not come here with a big group of friends and you'll be fine. NOTE: This place is CASH ONLY. Good thing my friend was able to spot my bill. =P

Alisa C.

I LOVE this place! Love, love it! Every time I come back to Seattle this is always one of my stops for sushi! It's just down the road from UW in Wallingford, so it is a nice change of scenery. I ONLY get the Chirashi bowl because of how great a deal it is! It's only $14.50 and you get 3-4 pieces of eel, scallop, yellowtail, albacore, tuna, and salmon over a bed of sushi rice. It is so yummy! They always use thick cuts of fish and it always tastes super fresh! And it is such a huge portion that I can NEVER finish it! There are always leftover sashimi pieces...that's why you have to have a good friend or your significant other there to help you finish ;) Green tea comes free too! Only bad part about this place (or good, depending on how you look at it) is you HAVE to come right when it opens! Even coming 30 minutes after it opens, this place is packed! It's a small restaurant and can only fit a max of 25-30 people. Large groups would be pretty difficult to accommodate in here since it is such a tiny restaurant. Pros: - Great price for their Chirashi Bowl! Only $14.50 for over 15 pieces of sashimi over a bed of rice. - fresh sushi and thick slices of sashimi Cons: - Really tiny restaurant - gets packed super fast.....largest group would probably a group of 4 Why I gave it a 5..... One of the best sushi hole-in-the-wall places in Seattle! You really do get what you pay for here, and then some! It's a challenge in itself to finish the massive Chirashi Bowl. The sashimi has always been thick slices and fresh with all the times that I have been here. And it's great that the green tea is free here too. Definitely stop by here if you are in Seattle because it is AMAZING!

Izzy H.

I feel like I am the only person in the entire world who doesn't like this place. I don't like mediocre fish. I think if you want mediocre quality fish, you probably shouldn't be eating sushi. You should probably be eating something seared, something cooked: anything but raw mediocre fish. The fish tastes all frozen. And flavorless. Sure, they are pretty generous with their portions. They slab it on where the fish to rice ratio far overwhelms the rice. The rice is bleh, soft and unmemorable. They do their eel well - but then, the eel is pre-made and all you have to do is toss it in a toaster oven to heat up and then drizzle a little eel sauce over that. It doesn't take a genius to do. I hate being squished in a tiny place with shitty service. I hate being pressured to order, pressured to stuff the crummy food down my throat as fast as possible because the waitress is bearing down on you because you're taking up her table and she needs to turn that table NOW. I like the prices: but the prices are exactly what you get. And for that, I would much rather go elsewhere, pay maybe fifty cents more for fish of unquestionable quality.

Iris M.

First, Clarification: this review is about Chirashi Don ONLY and cannot be used to assess any other entree or dish in this restaurant. Second, the Verdict: ABSOLUTELY THE WORST CHIRASHI DON I ever had. Now let me take you back to that fateful Tuesday evening about a month ago. After reading so many positive reviews about the Chirashi Don at Musashi's, my husband and I finally decided to give it a try. This was actually not an easy decision for us, because for life-long devotees of Japanese cuisine like us, there is nothing worse than food of subpar quality trying to pass as Japanese food. The disappointment can be life-threatening, and mind you we have already had plenty such experience so we really don't care for another one. However, the reviews are encouraging (for Chirashi Don), and Tuesday evening should be the best time to pay a Japanese restaurant a visit. So after a brisk walk, we reached Musashi's at just a little past 6pm. It certainly pays to be early, as there were only 3 people waiting outside and it did not take long before we got seated. The restaurant, as many reviewers mentioned, is small and cluttered, as the seats are too close to one another to feel comfortable. However, this does not bother us, as some of our favorite restaurants are hole-in-the-wall places like these. Without further ado, we got right down to business: two Chirashi Don, and a seaweed salad as appetizer to share. (We decided to order the salad because, unlike other Japanese restaurants, the dinner entree here does not come with miso soup or a salad) The seaweed salad arrived within 30 seconds, a tiny bowl of green that looked slightly dry and beat-up. Then again, we did not have high expectation on that anyway. Although a staple in all the Japanese restaurants in the US, the seaweed salad is very rarely offered in the restaurants in Japan and it is actually called "Chinese Wakame" in Japanese. used to work in a Asian grocery store, I know for a fact that this seaweed salad comes in FROZEN and ready-to-eat. All you need to "prepare" this salad is to let it thaw. This may sound bad, but it does taste good, and after three years living abroad both my husband and I miss it, sort of like an American may miss Chinese American food after living in China for a while. In short, it was nothing special and was as we expected. It was with the Chirashi Don that things fell apart for us. To best describe how badly we were hurt, mentally and physically (yes, we were literally physically hurt: as my husband almost choked to death by a chunk of fish and we both suffered indigestion after the meal), let me dissect Chirashi Don into three elements: the fish, the rice, and the presentation. The fish: as mentioned by many yelpers, the sashimi is very thickly sliced here. Then again, if you like raw fish, surely the more the better, right? Personally, I never thought I would complain about my sashimi slices being too thick, until this day. And it was not until I had my first bite of the sashimi at Musashi's that I began to appreciate and understand how many years' practice and work a decent sushi Chief must put in just to serve an acceptable slice of sashimi. You see, how a piece of fish can be sliced depends heavily on the quality of the fish, including freshness, the size of the fish, and the part of the body (belly? back? tail?). If the fish is not fresh enough, (I'm not just talking about frozen fish, I am talking about fish that was not properly frozen and had stayed in that condition for weeks, as certainly was the case with the yellow tail and the tuna in my bowl), the flesh would be too mushy to be sliced into regular size sashimi, which was why they were in such thick chunks. (Especially for the yellow tail: it was also pan-seared on both sides, which means the quality was so poor that it had to be worked on to be presentable) The size of the fish also matters for sashimi. Take the salmon sashimi in my bowl as an example, probably the only fresh fish not pre-frozen: it was in such a bizarre, diamond shape. The truth is, it was not a "slice" from the belly of a decent size salmon, it was a cut-up "part" of the belly of a salmon that was too small to be used for sashimi; in other words, trimmings that should be discarded or heavily seasoned and cooked to only be offered as free nibbles in a decent Japanese restaurant. Some reviews claimed it was such a good deal at under $15, but the truth is you are paying for something of such inferior quality that should not be served as Chirashi Don at all. The rice and the presentation: the rice was too sticky and the fish was out of proportion to the bowl it came in. The ginger and the wasabi came in two ping-pong ball shaped masses, the latter of which was very bland, though I do admit that I prefer that to the fake, slap-in-your-face horseradish type. In sum, a terrible nightmare not recommended for anyone.

Nancy W.

This is my favorite place to get sushi! I would give it 5 stars except for the fact that the wait is often an hour or more for dinner and they will tell you 30 min. Chirashi bowl is the best!!

Vincent G.

This place is great! Excellent food, nice staff, great prices, and you get a lot for your money (which can't be said at other restaurants that serve sushi). You will likely have to wait a few minutes since it's a small place...but you'll be glad you did.

Elizabeth L.

Super-fresh, generous sushi for a steal. As authentic as Shiro's, superior to Umi, Wasabi, Japonessa and most other downtown sushi bars. As countless Yelpers have noted, get the chirashi bowl (off the menu) - several generous cuts of uber-fresh sashimi on a bed of perfectly cooked rice. Portion is enough to split for 2 or leave very full. Cafe is very tiny (seats 20?) and there is no waiting room. Come by during off-hours if you can. Staff provides friendly, fast service. Musashi's is for fantastic sushi, not so much for ambiance.

Melissa W.

Chirashi heaven $14.50! So much fish! My sushi haiku. That is all.

Tyler R.

The chirashi bowl is heaven.

Robert C.

Love their Chirashi and also price for it.

Janet T.

Had a long trip in Seattle and was craving some authentic sushi. Heard rave reviews about the chirashi bowl and it was as good as the hype. I almost ordered two. The only thing is, I like melt in your mouth engage, or crunchy clams, or things that are out of the ordinary. It's claim to fame is the chirashi so they make a ton of it and why focus on the oddities of sushi I guess.

Susan C.

I don't understand what is the huge deal about this place, besides the fact that it's cheap for sushi. The sushi was ordinary, the portions generous, yes, but nothing different or spectacular and certainly not worthy of all the rave reviews I see on this restaurant. But at least Musashi's doesn't pretend to be some great sushi restaurant, then fall miserably below that expectation. It's just a cheap neighborhood joint with uninspired fresh sushi and at that, it does well.

Ruby L.

very tricky opening times! went there on Monday only to find out its closed. bummer!

Rene H.

If you want amazing Sushi for amazingly low prices then visit this place. Their rolls and their unagi is very good. I am going there all the time. The wait can be long since it's so popular but even take-out is a great option. They usually get it done within 15 minutes. Oh-yes - don't forget your checkbook or enough cash because they don't take credit cards. But it's well worth the trip to the ATM.

Jeffrey Z.

The best deal for raw fish that I've found! I recommend the sushi nigiri and the chirashi bowl.

Kayan H.

My dearest $14 Chirashi bowl: four different, but equally wonderful, types of tender, fresh, yummy fish; scallops; eel; shrimp; and some tobiko atop a bowl of delicious rice. You are ah-mazing. Don't come here for rolls. Come here for sashimi or nigiri. Best hole in the wall place for sushi in town.

Amber G.

Chirashi bowl + 2 small rolls = $20 and 2 full, happy people. Seriously, check it out. Very small dining room but worth waiting for. Higher quality fish at sushi train prices. Damn good deal!

Opal D.

You come here for quick fresh sushi, not the atmosphere... Some nights there is a surprisingly long (and uncomfortable - outside only) wait. Cleanly, tightly packed and cozy inside, they serve the food quick and with a smile. I've been coming at least a couple times a month and am growing quite fond of this place. Important: CASH ONLY!

Maddie J.

Straight forward delicious sushi! Not the place for deep fried crazy american rolls, but instead big fresh pieces of fish and the best miso soup I have ever had. Cash only so be prepared, and place is indeed small. Totally worth it! Perfect spicy tuna rolls, big delicious chirashi bowls and all the tea you could ever want.

Melissa L.

Thick slices of sushi and perfectly seasoned sushi rice at reasonable prices make my life complete. Do the chirashi bowl or order ala carte. Order the hamachi kama too...yum! Don't care for their teriyaki, stick to the sushi here. Drawbacks are that it's small and there can be a wait and don't forget - cash or check only!

Zack U.

You know there's really an art form in making sushi. It's not just the fish but also the rice. About the fish, it should not be just fresh but also properly cut, and the size of the cut. Another factor is if that fish is marinated or not, if it is it better be done right, it should not be too drenched in marinade as well as not be too light. Musashi's has these strengths in their fish. Then there's rice. Sushi rice isn't just rice cooked straight from a pot, it needs to be mixed with the right amount of rice vinegar and any other seasoning, proportioning is a key factor. I feel that Musashi's just needs a little improvement to get that right, but nothing to worry about. Also, there's the sushi with seaweed wrapped around it. There's only one rule to the seaweed, it should not be soggy. That means either do not use old seaweed or do not damp it with too much water. Seaweed is meant to be fresh and crispy, you can here it crackling when you bite into it. Out of respect I have to say that Musashi's needs to improve on this the most! I come from Hawaii, born and raised, and because of the large amount of Japanese culture living there, I have eaten quality sushi. And so far there is no sushi in Seattle that conquers Hawaii's qualities. So for me to like Musashi's it says a lot. Considering the price of their food and the quality of it I have to say I enjoy their sushi very much.

Ed Y.

been coming here since uw freshman year, when I was just a wee little lad...fell in love with the oniguri on first bite, and then discovered chirashi on the cheap, and the rest is history. long lines, consider take outs or come at 4:50 and wait for the door to open, cash or check only,

Sebastian J.

It's a good place for a cheap meal if you know what to order. People have pointed out that the sushi here isn't good. True, it's not the best place for salmon or tuna sushi, but their grilled food is solid to very good. And their unagi, which is hard to mess up, is excellent and the biggest I've seen. The food can't compare to Nishino or Shiki, and it's not trying to be like them. Musashi's great because you can get a great meal - if you know what to order - for 10 bucks.

Vivek M.

Best sashimi ever ..... The place has the hole in the wall feeling to it. The place is cheap, amazing food, prompt service. The house warm sake is awesome ! ... I ordered assortment of sashimi of all possible kinds and had some of the best food I have had in Seattle. Specially the unagi (eel) ones were mouth watering ... so good that I ordered another round of just unagi ones. The octupus was ok but not that great though. The rest of the fishes were awesome. I wish that salmon was wild caught instead of farm raised though. Possible improvements would be to have option of brown rice (I love brown rice and don't eat white rice), have wild caught salmon instead of farm raised. In terms of prices, I had at least 25 pieces of sashimi, 1 chicken skewer, 1 small sake and my bill was under $25. That's so cheap as compared to other Japaneses restaurants in Seattle.

Tula L.

If you don't have a lot of money: say you are a student or you work in a less than glamorous job; this is where you should go when you crave sushi. If you do have a lot of money you can either go to one of those fancy places and pay double, triple, or maybe quadruple the price for (probably) inferior stuff or you can come here...your choice. Because you don't care so much about polished interiors mood lighting and an uber chic staff you will be rewarded with really delicious sushi for not very much money and all the hot tea you can drink in your very own table side carafe. My sushi-companion and I tried a spicy tuna roll, a half california roll, a piece of tamago (they gave me two pieces for the price of one because they said the piece was too small - it looked normal to me), the sushi nigiri (assorted plate) and a salmon ball (actually two balls). Everything was delicious, we are not wimps, we were hungry and we left with (over) full stomachs and two small boxes of leftovers in tow. The bill was $20.00.

DeathandFood H.

this is a great intro to sushi place. If you've moved on to trying things more than rolls and nigiri with too much wasabi this isn't the best place for you. Pro -the fish was fresh -you can get nigiri by the piece instead of two piece per order -which mean you can try alot kind for very little money -service once you are seat is prompt and soon you are eating the good stuff -it local favorite and it has a homey feeling -huge rolls, seriously not very authentic but a good deal Cons -the seafood was not as fresh as the fish, I left it rather than chance it -the nigiri was not prepared right, the rice was too sticky and way too much wasabi -no sashimi, no gomae, no tofu dishes, no ankimo, no seasonal specialities all basics that most Japanese places in the US have. -this isn't a place where you can take your time and enjoy it I can totally see why it is beloved by people and if someone else wanted to go there, I would but I wouldn't be coming here be myself, It reminded me of American Chinese places in the 70's where they gave you knifes and forks and most of the dishes were made up for Americans.

laura m.

i found myself following someone to their car to get their spot outside musashis last night. i think thats one of the first signs of unhealthy affection, so i must confess, musashi's is growing on me. i dont like a lot of their selection or teriyaki, but what they do well (california roll, spicy tuna, the basics), they do beautifully, quickly, and super friendly..ily. one of my fave togo places of the moment

Karen S.

This is my favorite sushi place in Seattle. It's worth the long wait. You get SOOOOO much food for your $$ and it is so good. I am 4 months pregnant now and I can't eat sushi. :-( The SECOND I have this kid, I am going to have a big dinner at Musashi's!!

Haileejoy S.

i've been eating here for 15 years, since i was 9.... big rolls, bang for your buck. super small but go for lunch 11:30-2:30 and you'll for the most part miss the long lines. just remeber cash... and hey if you forget, theres a gas station about 60 paces away... hand-rolls, cali rolls, and bento... all good... enjoy!!!!!!!!!

Vicky T.

This is my NUMBER ONE SPOT for sushi! I love the chirashi bowl. (tons of sashimi for $14) The place is always busy, but the wait for a table is usually not too long. Service is good, the ladies here are extremely friendly. =) MUST TRY!

Des C.

I have a soft spot in my heart for dive joints, so it's no wonder that I'm a fan of Musashi's. While the sushi is a super deal--HUGE chunks of fish for a few measly bucks--the variety in the menu is slim, and the joint is totally cramped, not to mention the ridiculously long wait... which inevitably results in the question: Was it worth it? Some people like to have a nice environment when they eat. The miser in me is willing to compromise that experience. I'm definitely coming back, but will be going for take-out option instead.

Paul W.

Don't come here. Its my favorite place to eat period, but the less people that come here the less time I have to wait for my food! If you must come here though it is definitely my favorite sushi place. The only thing that I would say that they could improve on is adding specialty sushi's. They don't fry, so no dragon rolls or spider rolls.

Alexis P.

jirashi bowl = eel, scallop, flying fish roe, shrimp, albacore, yellowtail, tuna. = $14 and I die. oh, I die of happiness

Matt S.

Close to a sushi miracle. Gigantic slabs of phenomenal, mouth-melting, perfectly-textured fish, served on a gigantic bed of sushi rice. The rice isn't great, but the fish is top-notch, some of the best you can get in the city. And you can eat until you puke with two people and pay maybe thirty bucks for the experience. Who cares if you have to wait outside? You wait hours in line for your Tickle Me Elmo or Nintendo Wii, the least you can do is wait 15 minutes to eat some of the best goddamn sushi in Seattle.

Jamie N.

This place is awesome. By far the best sushi value in Seattle. They get busy so make sure you have time to wait if you're trying to eat there. I usually call in my order and take it home but sometimes that doesn't even work because they get so busy they take the phone off the hook. If you are taking someone on a date it is a great place because it's small and intimate and it makes you look like you really know the "restaurant hidden gems". Make sure to bring cash though. They do not take plastic! Recommendations: Musashi california roll, negihama roll, and really, everything else...

Joan R.

I went for lunch today. After being offered soup or salad I never got either. I had to ask three times for a glass of water. My bento box was slapped down in front of me and I never saw the server again. The sashimi was great, the rest marginal. The chicken was dry and over cooked. I probably won't go again.

Vangie G.

Four stars for the quality of food vs. the price. Sure, it's small, a little gritty, and you have to wait a bit during the busy dining times - but the chirashi here is a dish you can't find for a better price. The $12.50 bowl of rice topped with a variety of fish (salmon, eel, tuna, scallops, etc.) cannot be beat. Two people can EASILY be stuffed for $25. The wait staff is courteous if you are. They are busy all day long so give 'em a break! The Sunday and Monday closures are typical of a lot of japanese restaurants so it shouldn't be a surprise to anybody, but if they were open more often, i wouldn't be complaining!

Lydia P.

I love this place. Back when I lived in Ballard, my roommate and I would go here at least twice a week in the summer months. Last night was the first time back since moving to Capitol Hill, and it's just as I remembered... tightly wedged with loyal customers, big ummm... well used carafes filled with tea at each table, the nice ladies who still call me Suzie (old roommate's name)... not sure why they call me Suzie, since I bear no resemblance to my Vietnamese friend (who happened to be there with me last night). Perhaps they call everyone Suzie? :-) Anyhoo... I don't mind. After waiting outside for about 15 minutes for a table, the three of us finally got in and placed our orders: Hotate (scallops), Unagi (broiled eel), Maguro (tuna), a California Roll to share, and Harusame Salads all around. Yay for the Harusame salad!!! We all agreed that we could have easily made a meal out of a community bowl (read: tub) of this delightful rice noodle salad. I've tried to replicate it several times, but it's never been quite right... my solution: place large order to go for lunch today... sadly, I suffered from "sushi syndrome" last night (you know... you walk out stuffed to the gills... heh... gills/fish... heh, but two hours later you're ravenous again), and was forced to eat most of my noodle salad when I got home from the pub. :-( No worries... I know where to get more! :-D

Rob N.

I don't really see they hype on this place. Besides the HUGE peices for uber cheap they don't have much else going for them.. Normally this place has a 20-50 minute wait to get a seat and since this place is the size of my closet you have to wait outside. If I get sushi from this spot I call in an order and take it home. Not bad, great price, long wait.

Hana B.

Musashi's, why does everyone love you so? You get 2 stars because you are cheap... in every way. The fish is not always fresh and sometimes when I walk by this place I gag, because it smells so bad. Do yourself a favor and spend a little extra money down the street at Issian.

Mike S.

Great, reasonably priced sushi.

Helen W.

Like everyone said, this is a hole in the wall place. It's a small space and the walls are decorated with current events/show posters. They are not pretentious, they just have awesome food with good service. You can get Spicy Tuna rolls for $3 and a 10 piece California roll for $5. They don't take credit cards. So go get 20 bucks out of the cash machine and you are set for a full meal of Edamame, chicken skewers, Spicy Tuna, and California rolls.

Rachel P.

I went there twice in a row after I tried out this place. oh, waiting is killing me but that's fine........maybe not in a snowy night. Mayo salad, miso soup, spicy tuna rolls and JIRASHI BOWL! What a perfect night eating like this. Fish is all melting in my mouth smoothly and it's sooo fresh! Yum yum, I'm craving for jirashi bowl again...

Marta T.

Mmmmmmm! Does that suffice as a full review? Musashi's is always worth the wait! Plus, the wait can be helpful too if you need to send someone in your party running up the street to an ATM because everyone seems to forget the no card policy. I love the seaweed salad! I don't know anywhere else where I can stuff myself on delicious sushi and sashimi for $7 and not worry about the quality of the fish.

RowerRob C.

This place is almost always packed with people waiting outside. YOU should go find out why. Hint: Order everything you like, try the eel, get stuffed, and take a look at the bill. =) FYI, cash/check only, no credit cards. A nice warm bottle of sake is around $7.

Jason L.

this place used to be my fav place for sashimi. there has been a change of ownership. the staff running it is now korean (used to be japanese). the portions has decreased, the freshness of the fish seems to have deteriorated d as well. The service is soso unlike before. it is unlikely that i will go back there as often as i used to..

P H.

Good value sushi spot. The fish can be good to amazing, but mostly good with maybe a few types amazing occasionally. You get good value for your money, and fast efficient service. But don't go expecting sublime sushi- this isn't the place for that.

Zack L.

Very Small, but worth the wait if you're unlucky enough to get there when it's busy. The food is THE BEST sushi I've had in Seattle. There isn't the widest variety or most exotic, but the staples are there in spades. You can't beat their prices and they'll deviate from the menu to give you the style (maki, shashimi) you want. Get there early and stuff yourself for next to nothing!

Lion K.

Best sushi in town. Bring a date from Japan, though, because English is limited. Service is excellent! They don't take reservations and a crowds of twenty people can be waiting outside. You can order take-out done within 30 minutes. If you want sushi, this is the place to go! I don't now about the few negative comments on here, because this is what my Japanese friends tell me.

Stephen A.

Can anyone offer some insight into the management change? Are the original waitstaff (the two Japanese ladies) and the Korean boys behind the counter gone or still there under a new owner? I've been coming here for a long time - my last visit was as good as ever, but since noticing the sashimi pieces were shrinking in size, I switched back to sushi and was quite satisfied. Since then, my friend has been here twice and noticed the fish quality had diminished considerably and the portion sizes shrunk. I'd hate to give up on them, but if it's not the same Musashi's, then it might be time to look for something new. Most of the other sushi places in town (and in America for that matter) don't offer the same a la carte experience where you can order exactly what you want and pay for exactly what you want. If Musashi's has lost its edge, can anyone suggest an alternative in the Seattle/Bellevue area that offers a similar experience (price, quality, a la carte)?

Dave M.

I've taken off a star, and if I could, I'd take off a star and 1/2. I've been a huge fan of Musashi's for years. Apparently, it's changed ownership. What's very apparent is that the quality has changed and not for the better. I've eaten there twice in the last month and both experiences left me wondering, "What the heck happened?" The cuts of fish weren't up to par, the unagi (which I used to love here) wasn't quite right, and the rice (the true signature of any good sushi joint) was mushi. If you've been a regular at this place, be prepared to lower your expectations.

Nathan B.

Musashi's is a great find. It can be crowded and take a little while to get a seat (make sure to go inside and get on the list, then wait OUTSIDE with a menu to ponder). The wait is totally worth it once you sit down in the cozy establishment. Hot tea will be served immediately and they have beer and wine, as well. The menu is cheap and concise, with many items around $2. There are a few soup, salad, and skewer option that are worth a try, but the sashimi is where it's at. The fish is fresh, with thick, expertly carved pieces arriving quickly. There are a few rolls, as well, and the spicy tuna roll is one of the better ones I've had. Please note that they do NOT accept credit or debit cards....

Anne K.

Yum, affordable, very traditional style Japanese hole in the wall. Which after being to Japan, and eating in similar establishments I can say you could find such a delightful little place anywhere in Japan.

Juli T.

There's a reason that the line always wraps out the door. It's worth the wait but if you don't want to wait, come after prime dinner time, around 8 o'clock on a weekday. It's extremely fresh sushi at college student prices! Yum............

Lex L.

I give 4 stars really based on the price and the portion. For a sushi almost twice the size you find elsewhere, you sure get a lot for your money. The missing 1 star is because of the limited selections and seating, but definitely worth trying out if you haven't, especially if you are close to UW.

Jennifer D.

After reading all the great reviews for this place I decided to brave the crowds and try it one night. I am really surprised by all the high ratings for this place and how people can say that their sushi is that great. The only great thing about Musashi's is their cheap prices which in no way make ups for their lack of freshness and taste in both their nigiri and rolls. What baffles me even more is that people will wait to eat poor quality sushi. I've had better sushi from a conveyor belt, and that's no lie.

Megan V.

Great prices. Sushi plate was super - lots of food. California roll was sub par though - too mayonaisey. I was a little concerned because the kitchen was not very clean. When I am eating raw fish, I need the kitchen to be clean. The wait was not too bad.

may c.

I'd hate to risk making our wait longer that it already is but the food is good for an unbeatable deal! We live in the neighborhood so it's easy for us to walk on over regularly, which we do at least once a week. I suppose they'll update their decor when they're not busy soothing upset customers when they thought that someone cut in front of them on the wait list because they've been waiting 1/2 an hour. Until then their time and energy it taken up trying to move people through that tiny little sushi cafe as fast as possible.

Jason W.

Their shirashi, variety of sasimi on rice, just great. With the reasonable price of $14.FULL OF HAPPINESS IN A DON.

Z O.

This place is so full of awesome. Great quality sushi, definitely get the chirashi bowl. Prices are good; place is super small, but nice. Not a place to go if you want a wide variety of rolls, but definitely a place to go if you want high quality fish and authentic Japanese sides. Om nom nom.

Jen P.

Great sushi. Sitting at the bar was a delight, the sushi chef who waited on me was fun and great at suggesting rolls. See you soon, Musashi's!

Calvin C.

Want value? Go here. Period. Best value you're gonna get for sushi in Seattle.

Meredith S.

Musashi's is the kind of place I will go to Wallingford for. Actually, it is one of two places I will go to Wallingford for. (The other is Teahouse Kuan Yin to get their awesome tea.) I am vegetarian, so I haven't actually ever had the REAL sushi, but I hear it is excellent for the price (which is super cheap)! They always bring out a huge pot of tea for you when you first arrive - what a nice welcome. Then I always order some miso soup, inari, and cucumber rolls. The sake is good, too, if you do that kind of thing. It's a good idea to arrive as soon as they open for dinner, otherwise you will probably have to wait outside for a table. They have very limited hours, so call before you show up!

Hugo L.

This place is simply fantastic!! Yes the reason you open a restaurant business is to make money but more importantly to feed the hungry. That is the case with Musashi's. They serve a nice,big portion food and it tastes great! For $14 you can get Chirashi bowl: 20-piece sashimi (salmon, tuna, yellowtail, shrimp, scallop, unagi, fish egg, etc over rice. Simply fantastic. The nigiri is cut perfectly. now this is what I would say nice sushi. not too much rice and the fish cut is perfect (unlike the Kozue wannabe chef). $1.50-$1.70 a piece is reasonable for this great tasting nigiri. Just FYI, Kozue's disgraceful costs you arms and leg for $2.50-$3.50 a piece. The only downside is that they accept cash only which means I cannot take advantage of my cashback credit card... and that the place is too small. I'm giving 4 to 4.5 for this one!

Richard C.

Musashi's is my default cheap sushi place in Seattle. I've never seen Musashi's not packed. Getting a table is quite an adventure since the place is tiny and is always full. I would suggest takeout if possible. Oh, and cash only!

Sharon K.

Although seating is always tight, it's not an issue because it's worth the food! Big pieces, tasty dishes and SOOO worth the price!

Alec S.

Excellent value, especially the bento -- you get at least half a dozen pieces of sashimi plus sizable portions of chicken, beef and grilled vegetables with rice. And a delicious crab, egg and rice noodle salad that's kinda like a Japanese 'slaw but with a much more delicate texture thrown in for starters. The nigiri platter is also excellent value: each piece is simply HUGE and the fish decently fresh. If you can stand the wait (at _least_ 20 minutes) and the tiny cramped tables, then this place is totally worth a visit. Next time I'm going to try the chirashi sushi; every third diner had one but it's off-menu so it must be a dish reserved for the Musashi eaterati. Just remember to put your name down on the inevitable waiting list and go for a coffee... There's a reason why there's always a crowd waiting for a table outside!

katie s.

It's like my korean aunties back at home.. All about being on Asian peops' time. It's like when you say, I'll be there in 15 minutes when really, you'll be there in about an hour and half.. I've stood out in the rain for them for 30 min, all the while, seeing three two-tops empty - but you just can't seem to leave the teensy sheltering lip of a roof because the food is just so damn economical. And, at times I want to bang my head at all the people who got there first and at those aunties - but you just can't because they are so nice when you do finally get seated. I'd stay away from the cali rolls if you're a purist. They're really good but when you expect fake crab mixed with mayo and you get something just as good but it's not a california roll. But I'm going on a tangent. Love the random tight table setup and the steaming hot tea that just never stops coming round, kind of like that auntie who is always in your biz... I highly recommend the miso soup and the Spicy Scallop roll (it's not on the menu but just ask..) - that is about $5. ridiculously cheap.

Ian C.

Ahh, I love this spot! Musashi's was the place that first exposed me to sushi and THANK GOD THEY DID. This place is ALWAYS packed...the restaurant is pretty small, but still. The wait is typically 15-20 min. They are consistently busy because you can get good sushi at a real good price. This place has more of a family restaurant feel, rather than the other sushi places in Belltown that I've reviewed. I've gone here a bunch of times with groups of friends and everyone loves it. Long live Musashi's!

Neil K.

Mushashi's is that place most people are always looking for - a non-pretentious sushi joint that serves deliciously fresh fresh at an affordable price. And because of that, the line for Musashi's will always be long... but worth it!

meenazy m.

My husband and I have been here before and we get caught up in the hype each time every few years and forget why we dislike this place. We called in our order thinking it would be ready when we got there. It was not, so instead I stood there in the CRAMPED place that really has space for seating for 4-6, but seats more like 20 ish. I saw waitresses pass me by, a few asked if I had been helped, but others just flew right by tending to other customers. I had to wait 15 minutes-that gave me time to observe. First I saw two young men (sushi makers) making sushi, answering the phones and cashiering interchangeably while no hands were washed in those minutes. eeeww!! Then I saw one man sort of toss over a piece of some type of fish to another lady on the other side of the microwave and she tossed it in a bowl and into the microwave-NOT SO FRESH! Not sure if that was part of a sushi or what.....Then I saw how dirty the place/kitchen/bathroom/etc was just filthy, dusty and the walls in the kitchen were all trying to be hidden by hanging cloth, but you could still see the rust and dirt all over the walls, and things were just everywhere; I feel it didn't matter where food was placed. I don't think they know what sanitation means. I will NEVER dine here or support this business again. I feel they think they have the market on sushi in this area and that they can do whatever they want to.... I am all about Wallingford character and being green. Things don't have to be NEW, but they need to be clean and have good service. This place is dirty!! I swear if a health inspector was called in they would be shut down! Visit for yourself and you shall see...but you must see clearly through the halo cloud...or I am just crazy....

Iris M.

The great thing about this restaurant is their cheap prices, but it is local hangout place with a dedicated following. You get what you paid for here. It's crowded and the food is not awesome, but the service is really friendly. It is not for me though.

Ramon N.

Good food at a fair price. They don't have a wide selection but what they have they do very well. Order the Chirashi (sashimi over rice). It is not on the menu and the sushi chef hates to make it, but she will grudgingly (with a smile) make a bowl up for you if you ask nice.

Jason L.

Musashi's serves up huge slabs of fresh sashimi alongside home-style Japanese comfort foods not often found in restaurants in Seattle. Unlike most Japanese restaurants in the area, which for whatever reason command a premium just for being Japanese, you will get more than your money's worth in fish. The salad that they serve here is also light and delicious.

Jennifer L.

I love places that have complimentary Oolong tea...and this is one of those places. Not the best sushi place if you are a vegetarian simply because the options are a bit more limited, but I liked the soup and the bento box and the special they had looked amazing.

Egghead C.

This is my favorite casual sushi place so far. Their chirashi is so tasty! All the sushi piece are huge and cheap. Can't beat the quality, quantity and price! The place is crowded and there is always a long line. I still don't mind to wait outside. Musashi just simply set a high bar for my sushi meal!

Swede H.

it is small and cash only take ONE friend and a some cash and eat the freshest sashimi in Seattle, I adore this place!

Nab T.

Great sushi for a great price! The only downside to this place would be the long lines you have to wait in, and the cash only policy.

Brian N.

Not nearly as cheap or as good as people say. Went on a special trip to this place and then wondered why. Below average sushi at an average price.

Molly R.

Very, very good sushi. The restaurant itself is tiny and cramped, the line is *always* long, the ambiance lacking - but they can have a to go order for you often in 10 minutes flat. Call in an order for takeout on the way home from work, then enjoy some of the best Seattle sushi in the comfort of your own home. Tip: if they don't answer on the first try, it's a safe bet you'll catch them if you just try again in a minute or two.

Kyle D.

nomnomnom quantity, quality, and sooooo tiny but SOOOOOOO worth the wait! i cant beleive i walked by it for 3 years thinking "nah, this place cant beTHAT good" but no, really. it is.

S C.

Abolutely dirty crappy looking hole in the wall with the greatest sushi in town for the greatest price!! They have the very simple and basic sushi selection, and they do a great job with them. I particularly love their chirashi. As "unclean" as their kitchen looks, I have never gotten sick from eating there in my 7 years of loving Musashi. They're not the most fancy sushi place I have been to, but they remind me of the tiny neighborhood sushi joint that my friends took me in Japan that was really good. ** The recent change in ownership has dropped the quality of sushi. The albacore used to melt in my mouth, but the last time I had it in my chirashi, half were barely edible and the other half totally awful. They were mushy and smelled funky. I don't think whoever made it took the proper time and care to sear the fish enough, and it seemed way too red for white tuna. I don't think I'll be going back too often.

Rolando L.

Chirashi!

Annie J.

You can't be clausterphobic if you want to eat here. The tables are close together and there are no frills at this place. There is also usually a line. If you want a lot of sushi for your money this is the place to go. You can call and order take out. If it's really busy and the weather is nice often I'll do take out and go down to Gasworks Park to eat.

Andrew H.

Like everybody before me has stated, bring cash, order the Chirashi Bowl, and your appetite. 1) As almost everybody before has stated, the Chirashi Bowl (see my photo below) is thick cuts of salmon, tuna, seared ahi tuna, scallop?, shrimp, and eel, all over a big bed of rice and some squares of seaweed. It's very filling, and you don't need to order anything else unless you're a power-eater. While eating this bowl for the first time, I actually started to resent this place for existing because I know in the future I will be coming here every day and skipping out on work :-(. 2) I heard that there's a wait on Friday and Saturday nights, but I came here on a Wednesday afternoon (1PM) and I got immediate seating at the bar. There's probably only a total of 5 bar seats, and 24 table seats total so I can see how this place can quickly become crowded. I received my food quite quickly (less than 10 minutes) and had a very pleasant time. 3) There is basically no service, but it's OK. At every table there's a pitcher of hot tea, and 2 cups, and you just pour it yourself. I was too busy shoveling fish and rice into my mouth to ask for cold drink. 4) Remember, bring cash or check. No credit cards are accepted here.

Tu-Anh D.

CASH OR CHECK ONLY! I arrived 10 minutes prior to opening & there were already many groups waiting. We all entered when the hostess greeted us kindly & the restaurant was half full. 10 minutes after, the restaurant was completely full & a line had already formed. The portions are generous - thick slices. Ordered the Chirashi bowl & it did not disappoint! Nigiri Plate was beautiful! The service was speedy.

Christine S.

The chicken teriyaki and beef teriyaki comes on a skewer. The chicken was blackened and tasted a little ashy. The beef was tough. The rice was okay. The curry my daughter ordered was good but it's hard to mess Japanese curry up. This place is small--not much seating--and often very busy. The prices are low, and I think this is reflected in the quality of the food.

Sho I.

BEST CHIRASHI BOWL IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON! No joke, people. I don't think I found better chirashi anywhere in the Pacific Northwest if you exclude Saburo's in Portland. Plus, I used to live in Japan, so I know good sashimi/sushi when I smell/eat/see it. Trust what I say. First off, the place CLOSES on SUNDAYS and MONDAYS. I know this from first hand experience lol. Second, as far as I know, the place is CASH ONLY, so bring at least a $20 for that chirashi bowl (should cost you a little less than $18 including tax and tip) Third, the chirashi bowl, correct me if I'm wrong, is not on the menu. Just ask the waiter/waitress for it when you order. The bowl is amazing---lots of various pieces of fresh sashimi served over rice. The fish is fresh and does not leave a weird aftertaste in your mouth. In fact, they serve green tea here you can wash it down with AND it's GOOD. Fourth, the place is not that big so I don't recommend going there with a large group. Every time I have been there I just go with one other friend. Speaking of which, there is a location in Factoria that has more seating. I've been there once, but for some reason the fish did not taste as good as the one in Wallingford. Hmm. Finally, that's it. Go now and enjoy the chirashi bowl. Do it.

Aurel L.

Everything tasted good however I did find two small pieces of fish bone in my chirashi. I let them know about it and the server said sorry. When I also told the manager he didn't seem to understand. I ate at Shima the day before and also have eaten at many other sushi places and I've never encountered this problem before. I've already been traumatized as a child having had fish bone stuck in my throat three consecutive times. I really don't need a fourth.

Ivana S.

My favorite sushi restaurant in Seattle!!! Get the Chirashi bowl. And order it to go... I think you get more rice and possibly more fish. Also, you don't have to have to wait for a seat to open up, which is nice because it's usually cold outside (no waiting space inside) CASH ONLY. Mmm... I want Musashi's now...

Nile W.

Warning: Restaurant is cash only Pros: Good sushi and reasonable price Cons: The line/wait I've heard a lot of good things about this place and I can now say that this is a pretty good sushi place! This is probably one of the best sushi places I've been to in the US, and especially for the reasonable menu prices. As one can guess by looking at the yelp photos, the chirashizushi is a great item to order. The quality of the fish was great with the exception of the eel. It was kind of cold and the skin kind of chewy... not awful but disappointing (although I shouldn't compare it to the last time I had eel, which was in Kyoto). Overall the quality of the bowl was great and the portion was huge! I split with one friend and we barely finished it.

Katie L.

Would not come back here. Had high expectations coming here because everyone said the chirashi bowl is to die for. We came there, with group of 4 and said it would take 30 min. An hour passed and we were finally seated. Our server came right away and got our utensils, drinks and orders quickly. Everything came out fast, miso soup with our chirashi. I ordered hamachi, ebi and salmon in mine only, and none of those tasted fresh, pieces were too big for sashimi. Uni didn't taste or looked fresh, kaiso and miso were okay. But after eating there, made my stomach upset and had to constantly go to the bathroom at least 4-5 times. Overall, wait time is too long, place is too small to move, fish was not fresh. The only good thing is service is fast and food comes out quickly.

Nancy C.

First visit to Musashi's... It was magical experience. My friend brought me here to try the Chirashi bowl, and it surpassed all expectations. $15 for thick cuts of a variety of sashimi served over rice. You can also replace types of five if there's something you dislike. The portions are very generous. I took about half of it home to enjoy later in the evening. Definitely a highlight on my Seattle visit. Some other notes: it's cash only. Apparently the wait is usually long, but my friend and I got there 10 minutes before opening and it was fine.

Joe L.

The chirashi bowl, end of story. What an amazing meal, filled with generous cuts of sashimi, all of which is fresh and good quality. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water again. Its definitely more than enough. Also, I love getting the hot tea at the table, something I wish more sushi places did. Yes, its a small space, yes it gets crowded, and yes there may be people standing over you as they wait for a table, but the food is worth all of that! Remember, its cash only.

Sheila D.

Just moved to Seattle and I've been on a serious quest to find delicious sushi. I had heard about Musashi's, but it was a bit far from my downtown homebase. After trying Japonessa and Umi's, I was still left unsatisfied. When some friends from NY came to visit, I jumped on the opportunity to try this place. SO glad that I did! Can't speak about the wait as my friends had arrived earlier and put our name down. The location is very small, so definitely be prepared to wait, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. We all ordered the chirashi and it was absolutely divine. While I had the standard offering, one girlfriend wanted just salmon and eel and the other changed it up significantly while also adding octopus. Thought we would be charged extra for the changes/additions but we weren't! The fish was very fresh and for $14.50 a bowl was absolutely worth every penny. Looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu!

Dana T.

This place is pretty godlike.. I came here for the first time with some friends a few weeks ago. We didn't expect such a small restaurant (could barely seat 20-25 people!). Given that it was a Friday night, 5 of us had to wait roughly 30 minutes for a table. Once seated we were given miso soup right away! We all ordered variations of the chirashi bowl which is what Musashi's is known for! All of us loved loved LOVED the salmon. I would tell everyone to get it! We also got spicy tuna rolls but weren't a big fan. The second time I came here, which was just a few days ago, there were some inconsistencies. Everyone around us received miso soup upon being seated but we were told it was $1.30 for a bowl. Maybe the lunch and dinner times have different miso soup servings? I have no idea??! We kindly declined and waited for our chirashi bowls (which are still amazing and possibly the best sushi I've had here in Seattle). Service was nice. I would still recommend this place to anyone! It's AMAZING! Remember to hit up an ATM before going, this place is cash only.

Max B.

Oh Musashi's, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. This place is hands down the best sushi I've had in north Seattle. Not only do they serve very high quality fish, but it is prepared by excellent and experienced sushi chefs, and it is VERY reasonably priced. You get some of the largest pieces of fish I have ever seen at a sushi house, and without breaking the bank. They have combination plates that are a perfect variety, and just the right size to add a cup of miso or a couple more pieces on the side and have a great, filling meal. It's a very small restaurant inside, so I often order ahead and pick it up on my way home, but it's also nice to sit and enjoy if you can snag a table. They also have the nicest staff working in the front of house here. They are always cordial and accommodating, and make you feel like you are welcome and your business is appreciated. Keep up the great work Musashi's, I really do love you!

Nom Nom S.

The best places to go are the little hole in the wall places that has a line. And that's just what Musashi is. Choice fish that's fresh and rice that's perfect. When you go ask for the Chriashi bowl and the Hamachi Kama! You can't go wrong with that combo. My standard order always has those two things on it. Remember to bring cash that's all they take. Don't carry bags if your eating there, it's a small space. If your like me and order it to go it's still a awesome meal! If you have questions feel free to ask! Let them know Nom Nom Seeker sent you :)

Nicole G.

My sister and I went here for dinner today and we both had our very first chirashi bowl! It was amazing and I'm happy to have my first one here! The bowl was full and very neatly placed. Huge fresh chunks that literally melt in your mouth! The place is tiny af and is always busy so prepare yourself for a little wait. Prices are spot on too! Btw they only take cash or checks!!!!!

Hope S.

Musashi ' s has the best deal for sushi and fresh fish in the Seattle area. They have the chirashi bowl which is customizable. I had the salmon, unagi, and the yellowfin tuna. They gave a generous portion of fresh fish for the amount that you pay. This business has exceeded my high expectations for a good sushi spot. Just keep in mind that it is a small business with a few tables.

Han L.

I am a fan of Musashi's, so 4 solid stars. Musashi's offers slightly above average sushi for dirt cheap prices, especially for Seattle standards. The best deal imo is their chirashi don. It's not listed on their paper menu, but it's on their board. The chirashi is $14.50 and includes 7-8 ingredients, including several cuts of salmon, tuna, and yellowtail; eel; 1 shrimp (not a raw sweet shrimp); masago; 1 baby scallop, among other things. Their sashimi plate is a good deal also. For $12.50, you get about 7 pieces of thick cut nigiri and 1 sushi roll. I really like how the restaurant gives each table a thermos of hot tea. It seems this place is more known for and geared towards sushi than anything else. It doesn't really serve izakaya or traditional Japanese foods. The space is small and a little divey. I don't think most people dine there for the ambience, lol. As you can imagine Musashi's gets a lot of business, so the wait to be seated may take a while. Nonetheless, once you're seated, the service is friendly and timely.

Cassandra A.

I'l definitely be back. I came in on a Saturday night fully expecting to wait an hour as most people on yelp advised. What's great is that they will take your name and number down so you don't have to wait that full hour there. We went down the street to a bar to wait at before we came in. When we came the host greeted us and told us where we would be seated when the table was cleaned. Come in knowing what you want. I think after maybe two minutes of being there our waitress asked what the table wanted. I ordered the chirashi bowl for everyone and a couple of spicy tuna rolls. Um. They were amazing. And even though it's been a week since I ate there, I'm thinking about when I can go back to eat another charashi bowl again..... SOOOO good. I think our total bill for all of that, plus hot saki was under $60. Pretty amazing for sushi. I would say the only down side is the wait and the fact that when you do get a table you will feel rushed. Otherwise -- great experience. Oh yah - they only take cash or check so bring cash.

T O.

Got here right at opening, I thought the chirashi bowl was very good, but mostly it was good sushi at a decent price. I don't think anything was mind blowing, but if you are looking to eat fresh fish at a decent price, this is a good place to do it.

Braxton E.

Musashi's was really just OK. I had the chirashi bowl which was pretty good, my wife went for an assortment of smoked salmon and california rolls with an order of the onigiri. All of the salmon in the rolls and onigiri was really dry, and there was so much rice around it that it ended up being a sticky ball of dehydration. If you're in the mood for sushi and you're in Wallingford, stick with our go-to place: Shiro's.

Rachel C.

The fish is not fresh at all... Gave this place three chances but my stomach never felt good after. I work at a seafood company as well, so I can tell the quality of the fish, which is not great. Never gonna go back

Sahar B.

Mmmm so good. So cheap. The chirashi bowl and noodle salad are my favs, but I don't think I've tried anything on the menu I haven't loved.

Ekra R.

Good sushi for a good deal! I have been obsessed with japonessa forever but this place is a good alternative. The sushi is all raw unless you ask to get it seared but personally I like it raw better here. You can practically ask for anything in your chirashi bowl and substitute the fishes but keep in mind if you ask for salmon and shrimp only, like I did one time, you get way less food. The restaurant is always busy, and is a super small place so I would come here if I literally wanna stuff my face in 20 minutes or so. If you want a sit down restaurant I suggest some other place.

Austin D.

My favorite sushi place in Seattle, and probably the one restaurant I will miss the most if I ever move from Seattle. This place has ruined ever other sushi place for me because the portions are relatively HUGE! If you like salmon and unagi, you can't get a better deal. They are a bit lacking in quality on the scallops, and the sweet shrimp is worth getting, but there's a noticeable quality difference with super high class sushi places. All in all, it's my favorite sushi place because it fills me up, tastes good, and is priced very well.

Catherine W.

I have heard about how fabulous Musashi's is for years. Last week, I tried it for the first time, and possibly because of raving reviews, I was a bit disappointed. My main thought was "Meh". Is the sushi good- yes (I got the sashimi plate and a spicy tuna roll). Is the price good- YES! Is it the best sushi I have ever had- nope. I did like the ability to call in our order and pick it up right when we arrived- and I would not hate going here again. But it was still not the magical experience I expected.

Erica L.

I can't rave about this place enough! Musashi's had an at-home feel, very small and cozy but so welcoming. The people that worked here were so kind! And the food was just amazing!! We got the smoked salmon and cucumber rolls which were amaazing. And make sure you get the miso soup! Our 2 orders of cucumber rolls (12 total pieces), 2 orders of smoked salmon rolls (12 total pieces), and 2 bowls of miso soup was only $15! The one recommendation I would have is to come early!! The place opened at 5:00 for dinner time; we got there at 5:02 and half the tables were already taken! By 5:10 there were already people waiting outside for a table. So come right when they open, or take-out is also a good option! (: But all in all I would highly recommend coming here, and I'm definitely coming back!

Mint A.

One of the very few restaurants that I never mind that it's cash-only place because it worth a little extra effort to try to find an ATM just for eating here. The quality and value that you get is far exceed the hassle. I always want to order everything in the menu by the time a server come around. We try to control ourselves, yet can't resist to get two Chirashi Bowls and Eel Bowl. Unlike the original location in Wallingford, there are more seats and not as cramp. The table turn over and wait time is also much shorter. The service seem to be less organized though; it took them 10 min. to clear some tables. The servers doesn't really keep track of which customers come first, and only come around to put your name on the waiting list once in a while. So, some people would try to cut the line to be able to put their name first.

Shuxuan Z.

Like most people, I find that the Chirashi bowl is a really good value. The default one has four different types of fishes and scallop. We then ordered a bowl with all salmon. Also, the seared salmon was really tasty!

Danny H.

I don't come to Musashi's that often but every time I do, my salmon/seared salmon bowl is perfection! 1. Fresh, flavorful, and it just melts in your mouth. 2. Very friendly staff even when this tiny spot gets jam packed. 3. That spicy mayo though... Just try it and you'll see. 0 to 100, reviews are real quick.

Isabelle W.

Came here with a friend visiting from Oklahoma and a pledge to try some authentic Japanese food. We were nearly blown away by the fishy smell, but were not disappointed in the food! We had some pieces of nigiri (pickled mackerel- big yum! and Ikura) and split a chirashi bowl (because other yelp reviewers said its a must). Salmon in the chirashi bowl was cut too thick, but everything else was delicious. I would rate this place a 4 instead of a 5 because the only downside was the service. We felt very hurried and unwanted when we were done with our food but not our beer. All in all, great spot. Go to eat, not to linger.

N S.

Musashi is my go to place to satisfy my sashimi cravings! I love the chirashi bowl. The portion is incredibly generous and reasonably priced. Please remember that this establishment is cash only. I highly recommend it.

Yerang P.

Some of the freshest cuts of sashimi you will find in the Seattle area. You may have to wait half an hour, but I promise the wait is worth it. I started going here while I was attending college at UW nearby. The sashimi, nigiri, hand rolls, etc etc, and of course the famous chirashi bowl... Everything is incredible. $15 gets you the chirashi bowl which consists of a bunch of sashimi over a generous portion of rice. This is also customizable... I usually go with salmon, tuna, albacore, and yellowtail. Straight fire. It is a must-eat if you're looking for straight to the point, no ridiculous combination rolls, delicious sushi.

Linh N.

Came here for dinner with two of my friends after a long day of wandering around DT Seattle and playing tourist. My friend was visiting from out of town and wanted sushi that would, " melt in your mouth". I'm not sure if she found that here. We got seated fairly quickly even though this place is small and there was a line outside. I guess it's easier to seat 3 people than 2 or 4? We all order a chirashi bowl with our own customization. I also had to get two uni nigiri to see how it compared to other places I go too. We got our chirashi bowl fairly quick and wow, the bowl was overfilling with fat cuts of fish! Very fresh and so so good. My only complaint was my bowl didn't seem to have any nori, I probably had a strip the size of my fingers, but other that that. Very good! Definitely recommend this place for anyone that loves chirashi bowl and for $14.50 who could pass it up! I had my two pieces of uni sort of after my chirashi bowl and those were also really good. We got free skittles when we paid due to the Superbowl :] I'll probably come back here if any of my friends from out of town ever wanted to grab a chirashi bowl but I don't think I would drive from WS for it. It's still a great little place! though! ** Forgot to say, the miso soup that thye serve here is realllly good! I burnt my tongue sipping it because it was THAT good and this is coming from a person that isn't even a fan of miso soup haha.

Rebecca P.

Oh how the first time was absolutely life changing! $20 bill to cover my stomach for dinner and a bit of the next morning.. I discovered that albacore is the fish I love raw. The chirashi bowl helped this love to be found. I had the regular chirashi bowl; very round, shining pearls of rice covered by a few cuts of marinated eel (unagi), two small scallops, a decorative shrimp (ebi), fat slices of salmon, albacore, yellowtail and tuna, all topped with a sprinkle of bright orange eggs. All for $15.50, I believe. Remember! Cash cash cash! They don't take cards.. First time that I felt like "wow, this is why people eat raw fish." None of the freezer taste. It tasted so... clean and fresh! Personally I don't like the yellowtail at all. It has a peculiar aftertaste that I don't care for. Likewise the tuna was also not to my liking. It tasted.. saturated. Anyway! Next time I would customize the bowl to just eel, salmon, and albacore. Parking is best left to parallel parking pros or determined individuals. There is no private parking lot so street parking is an option. Or taking the bus. There can be a wait - if with another person(s)(during the prime time of dinner, especially!) so if you're not willing to wait about 30 minutes + I would avoid during the "usual" dinner times and opt, instead, for an early dinner or take-out. Did buy 5 chirashi bowls which racked up to $80 in cash - for those who are planning to go in a small group. And a block and so away is the Fainting Goat (gelato) and Trophy Cupcakes. Molly Moon's (ice cream) is also close. Dessert~

Dembe N.

Went back today to pick up a to go Chirashi bowl. It wasn't good as it was first time. Would give average lunch at $15.88 + 2.12 tip.

Amanda S.

Musashi's never ceases to be amazing. The chirashi bowls are really great for the price. The fish is cut thicker than I would like but you get a lot! And everything is fresh fresh fresh. Bring cash. Long wait and no making reservations.

Evie L.

I feel that I need to be honest with my yelp readers. Please note that the chirashi bowl still remains the highlight of my culinary outings in Seattle. But that order of spicy tuna rolls? Both DH and I experienced intense stomach problems that were...it's best not to go into the details. Minus one star. I hear that often times older fish will be used to make spicy tuna rolls because the old fishy taste can be smothered and hidden by the spicy....

Jessica H.

noms noms noms It is quite scary how close this is to me. I shouldnt be coming here so often but $16ish for a bowl of nicely packed chirashi is irresistible. I love the variety of fish they offer, such as salmon, seared albacore, tuna, unagi, hamachi, scallop, ebi, its amazzzinnn!! What makes this place my favorite however is that they can switch out whatever option you like :) I looovee my escolar, so I like to sub out albacore for my white fishy. Just make sure you dont eat too much escolar. Seating here is very limited, I would say a group of 4 or more is pushing it. I have been here with bigger groups however, and the servers never seemed to get too annoyed, props to them for being able to handle the chaos! I will come back, or more like, I get the cravings when i've been musashi-sober for more than 2 weeks...

Alexa N.

this place is seriously amazing. I have nothing but good things to say about this place. Even though it's tiny and there's a bit of a wait ta totally worth it. The chirashi bowl is the best thing ever and I like that you can sub out fish for other kinds (more salmon for me) the pieces of sashimi are so fat and delicious.

Shereen A.

Years ago, in college, Musashi popped my cherry (for nigiri and sashimi, that is!). My cousin found this gem and brought me here on the condition I would eat raw fish, not just spicy tuna rolls. We finally got a seat and he ordered for the both of us. The food is here is a bargain unlike what you'll ever find anywhere else. Rolls that range from $2 upwards include decently priced sashimi, nigiri, and chirashi bowls. The long wait isn't only because it's cheap food, it's also fresh and tasty. My personal favorite (like everyone else that eats here) is the chirashi bowl; the best holler for your dollar, and customizable!! Whatever fish you fancy x100! Quantity is equivalent to a mini aquarium, seriously! The maki's are the size of your fist with a good rice to fish ratio. Try putting your fist in your mouth. Yeah, that's what I thought. More food than you'll expect, with generous portion sizes that won't leave you hungry. You'll be back to eat more happy noms at this local favorite. I love this spot. So unpretentious and worth the wait. The inside isn't fancy, but comfortable and inviting, a down to earth mom and pop shop you'll find yourself coming back to over and over. Ca$h only!

Nancy F.

Huge portions and fresh! The price you pay is so worth the amount of sashimi you get :)

Jennifer P.

Two words: chirashi bowl. I have been to Tokyo, I have had the "freshest" sushi in the world - and THIS is the ultimate Seattle sushi experience for a great price. Whenever I order a chirashi bowl, they let you order it with exactly what you want on it. If you're not a fan of eel? Fine, then don't get eel. Get extra of something else on there, or ask if you can add something else to the mix. Whenever I get a chirashi bowl, I just get it with salmon and yellowtail. OH - MY - GOD is it delicious. The pieces of fish you get here are so incredibly fresh, and they are HUGE pieces of fish! If you are looking to get quick sushi, don't plan on coming here and just walking in. If you need quick sushi, I recommend you call ahead and order over the phone and then go pick it up. You will get your order in roughly 15 minutes. If you show up in the prime dinner hours, expect to wait about 45 minutes to get a spot. I think there are roughly 10 tables in the place. Also, the place is cash only, so it would serve you well to remember that ahead of time as opposed to going to the gas station a block away to use their ATM.

VyVy M.

I was taken here for my birthday because of my love for food and sushi and I honestly couldn't have had a better meal. Of course I had to get the Charishi bowl since everyone was recommending it. It was absolutely so wonderful. The salmon and tuna and sashimi / nigiri and the other pieces were so fresh and cut perfectly over steamed rice and it all really melt in my mouth. So tasteful as filling and satisfying. We had ordered other sushi rolls along with the charishi bowl but I'd say that it was pretty filling for me. I really liked this place. It was small yet very inviting.

Marla B.

Our favorite sushi place in the world! We moved to Mukilteo 4 years ago from Greenlake and we still drive here for sushi, once or twice a month. Delicious, consistent and the price is right.

Jeff S.

This little sushi place located in Wallingford is easy to pass by at first glance. The inside seats maybe twenty on a good day. But once you discover how awesome their chirashi bowl is, you will not mistake the ever present crowd outside for a 44 bus stop. No, those folks are the patient customers waiting to devour some raw fish. The size-to-price ratio of the sashimi found in the chirashi bowl borders on ridiculous...ridiculously awesome that is. And to top it off, the quality is surprisingly good given the goliath cuts. The rest of the menu contains modest rolls: fish + rice + seaweed. No mayonnaise drenched, sauced up caterpillar rolls or anything of the sort, which is of course, fine by me. A few notes before you venture here for yourself. 1) It's cash only, so leave the plastic at home. 2) Unless you want to join the hungry mob outside, call ahead for takeout, pass go and collect your wonderful dinner before the stomachs pains begin. 3) If you truly want to dine in, go for lunch. I've found it to be less crowded early afternoon. Lastly, enjoy!!

Elizabeth C.

This place has a LOT of hype, mostly around the chirashi bowl, so I figured that I had to try it. As everyone else has said on here, the wait can be pretty ridiculous, so I'd try and get there at least half an hour before you expect to feel hungry. After trying it out, though, it's totally worth the wait. The fish is really delicious and fresh, and the rice is so good. I am definitely going to try the unagi bowl next time (which is like the chirashi bowl, but all eel) which I'm sure will be amazing. They also give you a bowl of miso soup while you're waiting for your food, which is always nice. I came out of Musashi's very full and satisfied, so I count that as a success in my book!

Brian C.

Musashi is an inexpensive cash only establishment with a line. Casual decor and cozy. Is this the Paseo of Japanese food? When you arrive, you'll have to put your name on the wait list next to the register. If there's no line, you're probably dreaming. Don't want to wait? You can call in your order to go. Service was prompt and attentive. Each table comes set with a thermos of hot tea and cups. Yes it's free and yes it's for you. They don't tell you of this fact. We both ordered the chirashi bowls and I had an additional order of tamago. Bonus points to the restaurant for accommodating substitutions to the chirashi bowl. The chirashi bowl comes with an assortment of sea delicacies. Salmon, tuna, eel, shrimp and roe were among the ones I recognized. All of this sits on top of a bed of nori and rice. I really wish the rice was warm. The quality of fish was average. While most pieces were firm with great texture, they were missing their characteristic oiliness and flavors. The tamago is $2.50 for one piece and was overly sweet. Most of their clientele are students from the nearby university. It's a great deal if you're hungry for sashimi but if you're fishing for quality, go somewhere else.

Brittany C.

$14 chirashi. Enough said. But seriously, I spent last summer in Seattle and this is the place I miss the most. The fish is fantastically fresh and the prices are so reasonable! The salmon is especially good, perhaps because it's fresh Washington salmon. Eel and tuna were also among my favorites. Get a chirashi bowl (variety of fresh sashimi over rice) so you can decide for yourself which fish is your favorite. The sushi rolls and nigiri are also pretty delicious, but chirashi is probably the best deal. The restaurant is pretty small and there's often a wait (there's also a second location in Factoria Bellevue that's slightly larger). To skip the wait, get your food to-go and head to Green Lake Park to enjoy your sushi with a view -- the best picnic ever.

Ryan S.

ONLY REVIEWING FOOD!!! Never eaten in the restaurant. I know it's pretty small, and almost always busy. I order take-out every time I go and I've never had a bad experience. Call in your order, wait 15-18 min, in and out within 2 minutes. I've never had a bad take-out experience from Musashi's, and I've ordered at least 30 times. Chirashi bowl is the way to go here. Never eaten anything else here, and I don't think I need to. Excellent value for all the fish and rice you get. The pieces of fish are hearty, never been short changed with the size of the fish pieces. High quality fish, always looks/tastes fresh, can't really say anything negative about it. If you like sashimi, eat here. If you prefer a specific type of fish over others, you're able to customize the chirashi bowl (e.g. half salmon half tuna). Again, if you like really good sashimi, eat here. now. CASH ONLY!!!!!!!!!

Tina Y.

Musashi, you are placed deep within my heart. I'm a senior at the UW and I've been coming here since my freshmen year. Can I just say I've shared so many memories with this place? I remember during freshmen year, I came to musashis with my friends after the end of every final. So many good memories were made here. Now on to the food, you really can't complain. It's the best bank for your buck. Sushi is fresh, portions are huge and I like the fact that it sticks to the traditional selection of sushi. No fancy rolls with spicy mayo sauce here...just good old pieces of fresh fish. I always either get the CHIRASHI ($14)bowl or the bento special ($12). I really like the chirashi if you're in the mood for sashimi and the bento if I'm in the mood for variety of things such as sashimi, chicken and beef teriyaki, tamago, grilled veggies, and daiko. So so delicious, and simple. Love the California rolls here too, portions are unbeatable. The service here is excellent! !! The owner is so kind and considerate. Often he's given us free noodle salad and miso, probably cause I've become a regular and he recognizes me now. You might have to wait 10 to 20 mins but it's worth it! Truly a gem to seattle sushi community.

Christopher A.

One of the best sushi places in Seattle by far! Definitely get their chirashi bowl. The cuts of fish are generous and the assortment is great. However, if you just want only a couple different types of fish, just ask. I usually just get hamachi and salmon. Maybe I'll throw in some unagi if I feel like it. Getting the spicy tuna roll as a side is always a good choice! Cash only hole in the wall and usually busy, but well worth the wait.

Ali D.

If you're in the market for the freshest sushi in Seattle, this is your place. Having gone to many Seattle sushi restaurants I can say that Musashi's has by far the freshest, most choice cuts of sashimi. It was here that I was first introduced to the Chirahasi bowl aka a burrito bowl for Sushi lovers. What you get for a mere $13 is a bed of perfectly seasoned sushi rice, a layer of dried seaweed and generous portions of albacore, salmon, ahi, shrimp and unagi (or extra ahi for me!) It is pure, simple sushi at its very finest. Come early on any night if you don't want to wait for up to an hour. Also bring cash! Not the fanciest joint in the world but what more do you need when you're having some of the freshest sushi in the city?

Sophie L.

Great sushi at a great price! My friends dragged me along to Musashi's to settle their chirashi bowl cravings. I'm not a fan of the chirashi bowl, but for the amount of fresh fish you get, it's a really good deal. You can even customize the bowl with certain items you like more than others. I've even seen an all salmon chirashi bowl (1/2 fresh, 1/2 seared). Their rolls are also really good as well. I typically get the California roll, spicy tuna roll, and shrimp tempura roll. Two rolls are plenty to fill you up, but I order more so I can share and have more variety. The lines can get quite long, so get there earlier to put your name on the list. If you go with a group, drop someone off to sign in while you search for parking. If you go 2-3 streets in from 45th, you'll find plenty of parking. Don't get greedy and try to park on 45th or the next street over.

Chloe W.

Harasume salad, get it! This stuff is the best! Sometimes I just go and get 4 orders of it and eat it in my car like a squirrel. I really wish I knew the recipe so that I could have it all the time!

Helen T.

Friends from Seattle were raving about this place and their Chirashi bowls, so I had to try it right? We came for lunch and there wasn't much of a wait, though I heard the wait gets pretty long at night since this restaurant is so small. When you walk by this place and you can literally smell the fish. Everybody who comes here basically gets the Chirashi bowl (it's not on their menu, but it's on the white board in the restaurant). It's $14.50 before tax, which is supposedly cheap for Seattle and for how much sashimi you get. Overall, I thought the chirashi bowl was pretty good. Not all the sashimi was fresh, but most of it is. The rice was really good as well. They give you a lot, so you can easily share (though my friends thought it was so good that they finished it all). This is definitely good, but I think I've had better sashimi. But it's a pretty solid chirashi bowl. Oh and if you don't like a certain kind of sashimi, just ask them to take it off and put more of something else! :)

Jim S.

My favorite sushi place of all time. The churashi bowl is insanely great big cuts of sushi for the price. Musashi's is how I like to approach sushi-- I don't need something super fancy, a hundred stylized rolls, unexpected ingredient combinations for a ton of dough. I want the best fish, sizable cuts, traditional basic preparation and a good price point. Given my preferences it's lucky I live near Mushashi's. The wait times, and cramped interior, can be an issue for some folks I guess. I mean I go to a lot of restaurants with my toddler, but I wouldn't even try it here. But when I'm on my way home and remember I don't have anything in the house for dinner, I just call here, order a Churashi bowl to go, they have it ready for me 15 minutes later when I stop by, and boom: healthy great-tasting inexpensive awesome dinner is achieved. Remember: cash only! Really wish these folks would get start taking cards. Also, kind of worried that the big condo-plex across the street is gonna make it more crowded, harder to get a table at.

Alex K.

Don't get me wrong, for the price and portion sizes the place can't be beat. It's SUPER cheap and if I order two rolls for myself I will definitely have leftovers because they are quite large. My girlfriend enjoys the Chirashi Bowls which are also very generous servings of quality fish. My problem is with the rolls. As cheap as they are, they always taste rather flavorless. The salmon cream cheese roll is made with CANNED SALMON. This seems like such a waste when I look over at my girlfriend eating generous portions of fresh fish in her Chirashi bowl. I understand that Musashi's is a more authentic sushi experience and they are popular for things other than their rolls (nigiri and chirashi). And I understand that American sushi tends to complicate rolls to the point where you can barely taste the fish. But I'm not asking for tons of sauce and fancy decorations all over my sushi rolls. I just want the fish to be fresh and not canned. Unfortunately, Musashi's doesn't deliver on that front. Come and order the Chirashi like 90% of the customers do and you will probably leave happy. The rolls aren't worth battling the crowds.

Ricky P.

My friends took me here just last week and wow, I'm glad I had my first chirashi bowl here. The price was well worth it for the chirsashi bowl! Honestly, I'm not a fan of raw fish. That's why I was happy when I read reviews here that we're able to SUBSTITUTE the raw fish for anything you want, no extra charge! SO, I ordered half seared salmon and half unagi. That stuff was the bomb-diggity. Not only were their chirashi bowl prices good (and tasty), so were the regular sushi rolls. The prices were more than reasonable for the rolls, even tho I didn't order any lol. Overall, 5 stars for the cheap chirashi and substitution of raw fish. I luv me some unagi and seared salmon.

Jade L.

Chirashi bowl... What can I say? Here are all the reasons you are amazing: 1. Quality of fish - who cares if you get a lot quantity wise if the fish isn't even fresh?? The salmon was absolutely buttery, along with the scallops and yellowtail. Those were definitely my favs. 2. Quantity - well if the quality is awesome, who doesn't want more?? And boy do they give you a lot. The pieces aren't cut perfectly, but you get so much fish. I got this huge cube of salmon! They're not stingy here. 3. Price - most places have chirashi bowls for at least $20, and any place that had a chirashi bowl comparable to Musashi probably costs $30. But at Musashi, it's just $15. I went at 1:30 on like a Tuesday and there was no wait at all. Just gotta be strategic about it! I'll definitely be back!! P.S. Word on the street, you can do substitutions.

Gabrielle G.

After seeing only a FEW pictures of Musashi's famous chirashi bowls, I HAD to give this place a try because I love raw fish/sushi! This place DOES get busy, lucky for me and my boyfriend we were seated within 10 minutes, perfect timing because right after 10-15 people or so were outside waiting to get seated. So I definitely recommend coming right when they open or on the weekdays to avoid long waits. We both ordered the chirashi bowls, and they were DELICIOUS! I could do without the tuna, in my personal opinion, coming from Hawaii, Seattle's salmon (raw and cooked) definitely tops Hawaii's tuna, but I just really don't care for tuna here in Seattle. Doesn't taste as fresh/good. Anyhow, the salmon was TO DIE FOR, it literally melts in your mouth, it was that fresh. I will definitely come here again for their chirashi bowls and to try the other sushi on their menu. I'll probably substitute the ahi for more salmon next time around.. the seared salmon was also pretty good (I substituted that for the ebi since I'm not a big fan). The only reason I give this place 4/5 stars is because while my boyfriend and I were scarfing our food (trust me we were eating pretty fast), midway through while we were clearly still eating, our server asked us if we wanted to pack our food and I could honestly feel him trying to rush us out. Literally after I had put in the money for our check, right as I had closed the little folder thing, i swear the server just swept it out of my hand. I didn't even get a chance to tell them to "Keep the change" but it didn't matter anyways because they didn't even ask or return to our table. RUDE! I'm sure it wasn't on purpose, but the customer service could do a little bit of brushing up.

Angelica F.

I've been wanting to come here for their Chirashi bowl since everyone has been buzzing about it. Definitely wasn't disappointed! The amount of fish you get for $15 makes this more than worth it! Also ordered some sashimi and nigiri. Good price for the quality. The space is small and I can only imagine how crowded it gets during s rush. Come on off hours to beat the lines! Service was great and place looked clean. Would recommend!

Gloria G.

Hey Macklemore-you know what is f-cking asweome when I get $20 in my pocket--CHIRASHI BOWL!! Pass on the thrift store (except for that time I found my awesomely horrendous ugly sweater), I prefer to use that precious cash to feed my sushi craving. I am fortunate to live a block away, skip the one hour wait, make a quick phonecall for my usual pickup of the $15 Chirashi bowl with a generous portion of wasabi and ginger. Pick up always ready in 15 minutes, never fails. This is diner style sushi affordable for the student budget, so it's not high grade sushi but competitive with other surrounding sushi restaurants when comparing Chirashi bowls. And I still have some for the thrift store...cha ching!

AlyxandraMonique S.

This place is amazing! It is a little small for a well-known Japanese sushi bar to go to but is definitely worth the long waits. A great plus factor here at Musashi's is the customer service here is fantastic and one of the employees deals well with the plenty of customers in and out of the restaurant waiting to be seated. He was very accommodating to everyone and handled the busy night well. The presentation of food for take out and to go is cute, simple and of course delicious. They offer a variety of different types of sushi and are all set at good prices. Musashi's is something worth trying out if you're ever in the area!

Claire F.

This place is the best!! The best bang for your buck and the freshest fish. I always go and get tons of salmon nigiri (yummy) and not to mention their rolls are bomb and great portions! Tip---don't eat at the actual place, just get take out! Too busy

Jonathan C.

The reason that I didn't give Musashi's a Five Star rating is because the restaurant itself isn't very big so often times you will find yourself waiting for a good amount of time if you plan on eating within the restaurant. Ordering to go is something I highly recommend to cut down that wait time. The Chirashi Bowl is the way to go, you can change and modify it to exactly you want. For me I kept teh Unagi and the Tuna and then the rest was Salmon, half seared and half raw. Highly highly recommend this dish. One of the best raw sushi places you can get! Came here many times after the first visit.

Nick A.

The main advantages of coming here is that the portions are large and relatively cheap compared to other places. The best deal is their bento where you get tempura, teriyaki, rice, sashimi, and their salad for 12-$15. It's my favorite deal! Their chirashi bowl comes with generous slices though I can't say it's that much different than other places. Due to long lines I usually call in orders to go. Also bear in mind that this place only accepts cash.

Traci G.

I just ate lunch here and while I was eating I kept thinking, "Why do people wait in line for this place? Why does it have so many good reviews?" The fish is previously frozen and bland - no better than what you'd find at Blue C Sushi or in the sushi trays you buy at the deli counter. But then it dawned on me that Musashi's is very popular for the following reasons: 1) They look and feel like an authentic hole-in-the-wall sushi joint so you think you made the right choice coming here. 2) The menu mimics an authentic sushi menu. They stay away from tacky, goopy, Westernized rolls covered in sauces and spicy mayo and slathered in cream cheese. 3) The fish is cheap and service is decent. But at the end of the day, good sushi just doesn't come in the form of $1-2 per piece. And people really need to stop praising the "size" and "freshness" of the fish. Hunks hacked off inexpertly from previously frozen fish is nothing to praise. I can't argue with the fact that if you're tight on cash this place will do. But I felt compelled to share that the high ratings don't properly reflect the quality of fish you're going to get here. If you want good sushi, you'll just have to shell out way more cash for that.

Tim C.

So I just found out recently you can customize your own Chirashi Bowl. Don't care for the albacore? No problem, get the seared salmon instead! All you want is tuna and eel in a massive bowl of rice? No problem, just order it! Oh, not to mention, it's flippin' delicious. Everything. 5-star institution, ladies and gents. It doesn't get much better than this, ESPECIALLY for the price you're paying. You don't wait in long lines for nothing.

RJ C.

I got the Chirashi bowl. You should get the chirashi bowl. Every one should get the chirashi bowl. Good portions, and it has Unagi. Get it! P.s. it looks like a cheap teriyaki joint on the inside, but dont let that turn you away!

Jamie M.

Epic salmon quality and epic prices. Dinner for 2 is 30$ and youre super stoked on the food. Cash only skim is so respectable they dont deserve to pay taxes

Brittany N.

I have a confession to make. This is the little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that made me fall in love with chirashi bowls. Their fish is so fresh and delicious that the inevitable wait time for a table, slightly cramped seating, and crowded atmosphere is inconsequential. If you prefer more roomy seating, try the Bellevue branch of Musashi's! Same owner and sushi, just bigger restaurant. Shhh...it's been two and a half years and I still haven't found a place in the Bay Area that serves a chirashi bowl that compares. ;)

Huong N.

Stopped by on a Friday night at 7pm, 50 minute wait for two, the place is tiny, has about 8 tiny tables hence the wait is always long. So we wend across the street for drinks while waiting. Food was good, the chirashi bowl was delish. I would come back. Cash only, no credit card at this place.

Hana L.

Absolutely one of my favorite places to go for sushi or in Wallingford!! I've only ordered the CHIRASHI bowl but this is a must-get item, especially if you love sashimi! The fish was fresh, melted in your mouth, and the portion was large. Barely finished all the fish and left half the rice. Can't go wrong with hefty portions of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, eel, scallops, and shrimp on a bed of sushi rice - all for less than $15?! :D The service is also amazing! Every time I go, they give us free food. Once, the waitress gave my bf and I each a bowl of miso soup and this amazing imitation crab salad that even my picky boyfriend enjoyed (and ate all of!!). There's supposedly one in Bellevue so I will definitely hit that one up in the near future! Expect waiting in line but it's so worth it!! :)

Jay P.

OH MY.. $ for $ the BEST SUSHI PLACE I HAVE EVER BEEN TO IN SEATTLE! I have been to almost all the best sushi places. I even went to Nishino recommended by Matsuhisa when I met him personally. Nishino was also considered the best in seattle and was overrated. This place of course doesnt have the quality like Nishino or Matsuhisa in Beverly hills, but it was incredible for the price you paid! Also, majority of the sushi distributor, I actually know the owner so all the fish is practically supplied by the same distributor, its just how they take care of the fish. At any rate, this place is SO good for the price. If I was a UW student I would go here everyday. CHIRASHI bowl was good price and VERY good. LOVE this place!

Elle K.

I live pretty close to musashi and I know they are usually packed with people during lunch/dinner time, so I almost always get take out. This space only has about 7 tables placed right next to each other. If you call in 10~15minutes prior to getting there, they will have your order ready on the counter. You pay without waiting in line and enjoy the meal at comfort of home:) My favorite is, and probably everyone else's favorite, a chirasi. It comes with nice variations of sashimi on top of seasoned rice. Their pieces are usually really thick and reasonably fresh. I have to add that it used to be even better few years ago though. The sashimi pieces here are not the most carefully constructed masterpiece like you would see at shiro's, but for the price, they are great. I also enjou their spicy tuna handrolls(makki), and special bento. Special bento comes with chicken skewer, little nit of beef, mushroom, japanese egg omelette and rice with sweer sauce. It also comes with genereous amount of asorted sashimi, and an amazing crab salad! If you want to try their sashimi, but isn't a big fan of raw food, special bento might be a beeter choice, as it offers little bit of many different things. There is a molly moon a block away, and thats where i always get my dessert after musashi:)

Chiz L.

Definitely the best bang for your buck in Seattle when it comes to sushi. I mean, it cannot get any better than this. You get 15-20 pieces of sashimi on a bed of glorious sushi rice when you order chirashi bowl, free complementary hot tea, im constantly wondering how the food here could be so cheap? I have never had a chirashi bowl this wholesome and cheap anywhere inside or outside of Seattle. Check out the noodle salad here too, lots of creamy mayo and cumcumber goodness. But because it is so cheap, there's pretty much always a long line waiting outside the door. So, please be courteous and stand uo when you finish and finish fast, because others are most definitely freezing outside on a winter night or hungry their stomachs speaking whaleish.

Mike S.

Chirashi bowl !!! Its not on the menu but the waitress essentially told us to order it when we arrived and I am glad she did. Arrive 15-20 minutes before opening to avoid the long wait and bring cash because it is all they accept. Overall great food and a great price.

Andrea M.

Usually when cheap and sushi are in the same sentence it is not a good thing, but this place is awesome. It looks like a hole in the wall from the outside, but seriously try it. The wait is usually between 30 minutes to 45 minutes but it is worth the wait. We usually go up the street to a Thai bar and get a drink or go across to the wine bar across the street while we wait. If you tell the server, they'll keep you on the list and bump your name to the top once you get back. Super convenient ! Get the chirashi bowl. You get a ton of fish and it's really cheap and delicious. Don't expect any fancy Americanized sushi rolls here. They pretty much keep the sushi simple and fresh as it should be.

Rachel C.

Chirashi bowl is amazing and food was overall great. However it took 1 hour and 10 mins to be seated for 2 people. The server seemed like rushing us snd forgot to give us the correct amount of change. wasn't worthwhile waiting.. would suggest take out next time!

Christie K.

Great place for quick super affordable sushi. Prices were on the low side so I was expecting kaiten (conveyer belt) quality sushi, but the quality of the fish here is a bit better than that. Can't go wrong with fresh fish for cheap prices.

Ryan M.

I was told about this place by my brother who is another sushi advocate. I tried this out with a friend one night and couldn't believe the prices. I spent 20 dollars flat and came away with more sushi and sashimi than we could eat! The sashimi was fresh and elegant, the rolls were what you would expect when you pay 2.50 for a roll. There isn't a lot of extras on the rolls, but then again, you're only paying 2.50 for a whole roll of sushi. It's definitely not the most elegant, or extravogant, but dollar for dollar, but sushi place I've tried so far.

KeFei Y.

Pretty tasty food, and good price..ordered a bento box with some sorted sushis, fresh meat and big portion..two things I think I am a little bit of disappointed, no credit card accepted, the teriyaki chicken and beef have no flavors..

Gilad B.

Great as always. Come and enjoy the sushi and much more

Zack X.

Extremely hot interior (they should turn on the AC). Ordered sashimi bowl, very mediocre.

Allison W.

Well worth the wait! There is always a line outside, but that's because it's so delicious!The sushi is very tasty and not very expensive! The food came very fast and everyone was so friendly! The portions were average size and the tea is yummy! The place was very small and intimidate. However, the place was clean and very inviting! Would come here again for sure!

Daniel L.

Good quality fish, chunky pieces in the chirashi, BUT to me, serving huge chunks of fish doesn't always mean the best. It might be the best for college students, but there's just something about sushi, that when the fish you get served is just too big, something's off. However, the fish was still fresh and the chirashi was filling.

Felisa D.

THE LOW DOWN: This place is neither for particularly mind-blowingly awesome traditional sushi (Jiro Dreams of Sushi type) nor for Westernized, "fun" sushi (like California rolls, Dragon rolls, any other rice + nori + fish + mayo craziness combo etc.) This is the place to go for a super-size me version of sashimi, nigiri and chirashi bowls. For the amount you pay, you get decent (certainly not the highest grade stuff but plenty decent), large amounts of fish. And the slices are nearly obscene in size. Whenever I receive my order and I pick up a slice of thick sashimi, I end up with an excited grin (OMG) with undertones of terror (OMG is this even safe??) on my face. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: 1) It's cash only. Or you can also write a check. 2) Parking sucks. It's right on 45th. It's fine. Drive around a bit. You'll find something! 3) When people are all "It's a no frills" type place, this is code for "It's tiny and you MIGHT get elbowed while eating." I want to say the whole dining area might be 300 square feet... if that? So if you will dine in, be prepared to be a trooper for nervous, awkward laughter following another customer elbowing you in the head. SUGGESTIONS: 1) Call for pick up. Your food will always be ready in 15-20 minutes. They will pack you enough wasabi, pickled ginger and soy sauce. I promise! But keep in mind that you are ordering food that is supposed to be served in a chilled temperature for take out so time your pick up wisely, yo! 2) Order the chirashi bowl or a nigiri combo. Do it.

Azure S.

OK, so maybe this isn't the absolute best place to get your feet wet when trying raw fish, but I think it's pretty good: you get a good idea of what it tastes like without having to dig into the last recesses of your wallet to pay the bill. The sushi tasted pretty good. I got the variety plate which contained yellowtail and tuna, among other things. However, I will agree with some other people that the fish is cut rather large. It's a hassle trying to eat a piece of nigiri without struggling to either cram it all in or rip the other half away. However, if you're trying to fill your stomach, this place will do that for you. A very large hassle is the wait. My group of four had to wait maybe 20 minutes to be seated because the seating area is so small. If you have a smaller group (2 people), it will probably be easier for you to be seated.

Ayla W.

Oh Musashi's, how you fill the hole in my heart that was once filled with the plethora of Vancouver quality sushi. Musashi's isn't fancy or extremely great quality by any standards, but when comparing to Vancouver it's right when it comes to price, size and decent quality. Of course I ordered the chirashi bowl, I often sub the unagi with saba. Everything has always been excellent, the fish tastes fresh and it certainly fills me up. I've also ordered their ika nigiri and the squid has always been decent quality (not extremely chewy). The best part is the price - it's pretty on par with Vancouver prices, and most Seattle sushi always seems much higher.

Theresa H.

This place definitely offers some of the highest quality sushi in the city. The nigiri is incredible, in particular the salmon and tuna. The fish is just so fresh and rich. The sushi rolls are also excellent, but not the highlight of the meal. I recommend ordering the assorted nigiri plate so you can sample a variety of them. Beyond the sushi, the best part is that despite their popularity, the place is just as simple, small, and homey as always. Although there can be quite a long wait for a table in the evening, the key is to get here a bit earlier- around 5pm. They don't offer happy hour, but it's a much more relaxing atmosphere than the rush hour times. The only negative experience I had here was feeling really rushed by the servers. I tend to like to order a couple of rounds- first a small variety of sushi and then continue to order more depending on what I liked best in the first array. But after we ordered our first round, they brought us the check. When we said we weren't finished and would like to order more, the server was friendly about it, but it still felt a little awkward. Also, remember to bring cash! We forgot, and had to run to an ATM, and they were not very happy about it. So besides the less-than-stellar service, this is definitely a must-go for sushi lovers. Extra bonus- free pot of tea on the table, and generous portions of ginger and wasabi!

Vanessa R.

I luckily didn't have to stand in line last night. I've heard so much about this place, and I have to say the hype is real! I really loved every aspect of this place. It's cozy and has a lot of character! Te service was fast and the food was super delicious! I got miso and a chirashi bowl and miso soup and it was simply heavenly! Just note it is only cash only!

DC D.

Do not hesitate to go to this restaurant. 4.5 stars. It is sooo good. Everything comes together here: price, food, atmosphere and service. A great little, local place. The line out the door will tell you all you need to know. We went at 8:30 and were seated in 10 mins. One of my favorite places....

Rachel S.

This Sushi place is the best of both worlds, good quality sushi for a super reasonable price. As far as I know being a basic white girl (so nothing) this is super traditional sushi. So no fancy dragon rolls covered in spicy mayo. So know that going in to order you fatties. I think I have had the majority of the rolls, I always go back to the Chirashi bowl which has rice and is loaded with fresh fish(no seaweed). This dish is fantastic. I have read some other reviews on yelp about Musashi's not having fresh fish. Like I said before I don't know much about sushi but I don't think the fish could be fresher unless it was moving as you swallowed it. I guess some people are in to that... The only not great thing about this restaurant is that the building itself is super small, which I actually think is fun and cozy, i just don't like the wait that comes with it. So just expect that if you want to eat in. You will wait outside for a while. It's not the staff being slow because they will bring the food out faster than you can eat it. It's just the popularity of the place. Anyways you can easily fix this problem by doing take out, which usually runs a 15-20 minute wait time. If you don't do that, I'd come when it opens. So in conclusion best sushi place I have ever eaten at. Go here if you're in Seattle.

Alexandra M.

$3 uni and $3 toro? Count me in! They have the most Chirashi Bowl for the best price. Sure, you can find good Chirashi bowls at other overrated sushi bars, but the price at Musashi beats them all. Also, I recently discovered that you can actually customize your own Chirashi Bowl! The service is great for a little hole-in-the-wall sushi place. They never try to rush you even though there are long lines. The young wait staff (probably students) are polite and respectful, unlike most student wait staff. I docked off one star just because the wait can get a little too long, and because they're not open in the afternoon.

Shan T.

So I went here for lunch today with a friend of mine. Musashi's is my go-to affordable sushi place! So good for the price point. Location is good so parking is plenty. However 45th can be congested depending on the time of the day. I went for lunch today, at around 12 so the wait for a table for 2 was not that long. If yoy go for dinner, plan for an hour wait. I've only ordered to-go during dinner time and the wait is usually around 30-40 minutes. I ordered a salmon chirashi bowl (I didn't know that I could customize the Chirashi bowl so when my friend told me about it, I couldn't resist! I mean who could resist raw salmon goodness) Just like I imagined, the salmon was so good for the price I paid. Big chunky marble pieces of salmon that leave traces of fat at the corners of my mouth. Yes, bring me more please! I also to-go an order of California roll because it is so cheap. I can't wait to go back now ;)

Mukee C.

Best value sushi in Seattle! I've been eating at Musashi for about once a week for the past couple months now and I gotta say that I am still not sick of their food. I've never had bigger nigiri/sashimi pieces anywhere else. You almost cannot eat it in one bite. I usually get their Chirashi Bowl and Hamachi Kama but I've tried most of their rolls and different types of nigiri that Musashi offers. Before the main course they bring out a crab salad with noodles and eggs along with a bowl of miso soup. I think enough has been shown and said about their Chirashi Bowl on this yelp page so I won't go into that. Their Hamachi Kama (yellowtail collar) is simply grilled and is served with sauce (ponzu?) and a side of rice. Most of the times I've had it here came a little burnt, but I don't mind that. Almost every time I've dined at Musashi, I had to wait at least 10 minutes to be seated because there will be a line during meal times so be prepared for that. Overall you won't find any other sushi restaurants in Seattle that will beat Musashi's when it comes to value. The quality of the fish is not the best but that's understandable because I don't think that's what they're aiming for. So if you got a big appetite for sushi that won't break your bank account, go try this place! Food- 8 Service- 7 Value- 10

Cindy S.

the CHIRASHI is a must try!!! you can also ask to have it all seated.. or change the selection of fishes! :) don't forget to bring cash or check when u come here, they don't acxept cards!

Grace W.

I think this place deserves a solid four stars, mostly because their chirashi bowl is a really good deal. Unfortunately, I don't really like eating raw fish so I can't enjoy the variety of food that is offered here. However, my husband loves this restaurant. They give generous portions of good quality fish that covers a good sized bowl. For non-raw fish eaters, this place might not be a good fit for you. I ordered their California roll and a curry plater. The curry was very saucy and the chicken was kind of tough - not tender at all. I think it was over cooked. The California roll wasn't that good either. I thought the rice inside the roll was a little dry. I think the roll didn't have enough avocado. I left the restaurant feeling disappointed because my taste buds did not have a very colorful experience. My husband however, left feeling super happy with a big smile on his face. He couldn't stop talking about his chirashi bowl. For me, I'm kind of indifferent. I don't think I'll come back, unless I'm dragged by my husband. Oh yah, the line is out the door so plan on coming a little early so you don't have to wait.

Joyce L.

Musashi's chirashi bowl so far is the best in the city. Decent quality and price. However, service isn't so good at the restaurant

Diaa Eldin Z.

This is the best sushi in Seattle, possibly the best sushi in the world. I usually order the sushi plate and a few extra nigiri pieces on the side. I pay about $20. Best bang for your buck. The portions are quite generous and super fresh and tasty. The only downsides are the long lines and the fact that they are a cash only business. If you are ordering to go, you'll get your food pretty quickly though so keep that in mind. Service is great as well and they always thank you for returning.

Peiran S.

One-liner: This is a cozy little shack with about 10 tables serving high quality sushi/sashimi, with about another 10 guests watching and waiting outside. Details: First of all, urchin is served here, and served freshly. That's absolutely one bonus star. Chirashi bowl is to die for if you crave sashimi. It covers almost everything, even scallops, but no urchin. We also ordered unagi bowl. I will grant it a passing score. Tips: Come no later than when it opens, with cash.

Dave M.

Pretty solid sushi. It's cash only which is an important detail. I don't know that id consider this the highest quality or freshest sushi on the planet but for the price and the quality of service you cannot go wrong. Buddy and I both went in and got the Chirashi bowl each, highly recommend, and 24 pieces of sushi and it was 20 bucks a piece, great value. Highly highly recommend the miso soup, very tasty and the tofu is top notch. All in all, super pleased. Good food, good service, and affordable.

Christy L.

Was quite pleased with the "Chirashi" bowl--generous amounts of flavorful, smooth slices of fish placed upon a helping of rice. Only complaints so far is the cramped seating arrangements (which is to be expected with a "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant) and the wait time. Would have to venture here again in order to properly evaluate the quality of the rest of the menu, but its popularity as an establishment overall is undeniable.

John N.

THE best sushi for the price. It's obvious by the line that is here EVERY day they are open. People happily sit outside for an hour just to enjoy this little place. I've done that countless of times. The atmosphere is cozy. I love the posters on the wall. You sit close to other people but everyone is there happy and enjoying themselves. It's like going inside a little bubble of happiness for an hour. It's amazing. I go not only for the food, but also for the endorphin rush of having just spent time at Musashi. Order the chirashi bowl. Not on the menu. But who needs the menu at Musashi?? And the hand rolls... Oh, the hand rolls are Eeeehxcellent. But my favorite is the yellow tail. It's a huge chunk of deliciousness.

Mel C.

I can never get tired of their chirashi bowl. Best sushi place I've had so far.. cannot find any better one anywhere :( I hope they make the place bigger because it's pretty tiring waiting for seat and i feel i have to rush while i'm eating because so many people are waiting outside.

Ashley N.

I can't believe I have never heard of this place until a few weeks ago. It's definitely a hole in the wall with very little seating, but it's a nice little place. We saw quite a few people waiting outside and thought the wait would be at least an hour. To our surprise, the host said the wait should be about 20-30 minutes. In 20 minutes, we were seated to a table ready with its own hot tea carafe. We placed our orders of customized chirashi bowls and a few minutes later were greeted with chirashi heaven. I customized my bowl by substituting seared salmon for the ebi and scallops. The sashimi slices were thick, fresh and absolutely delicious. I would definitely say this place is top 3 in Seattle for my favorite sashi spots now. I honestly can't get over how flavorful each sashi was, and that I only paid $15 for a bowl of sweet sushi rice filled with a whole selection of sashimis. I definitely want to come back and try out the rest of the menu. The makis and nigiris also looked like great deals for the quality of fish you get. The service was also on point - fast and efficient from beginning to end. We checked in with the host to make sure my name wasn't already called, and he remembered my name and said it would be only a few more minutes. They never remember names! Can't wait to come back!

Christine Y.

Small restaurant, cash only, nigiri sushi is better than the rolls, blah blah. But these are not negatives so much as information you should know before you go. Here's the real negative: the fish isn't that great. It's not that fresh or high quality or buttery. It'll do, especially at their price point, but I would rather pay more to eat better fish. That and I wish they would pay more attention to detail. The amaebi (sweet shrimp) we ordered came without being thoroughly deveined/cleaned. No reputable sushi chef would serve that to their customers. Usually the amaebi head gets deep-fried and served also, but that was not the case at Musashi's. Their redeeming qualities are that they actually open earlier than posted business hours--so long as they're ready, they'll open--they have hot tea in stainless steel pots on every table so you don't have to wait for hot tea, and their miso soup is perfectly hot and balanced (miso to water ratio, that is). I can't just rely on miso soup and tea so I won't return. Guess that means more for you!

Sharon V.

a "must have" whenever in Wallingford (and don't miss the noodle-salad)!

Jennifer S. P.

Cheap! Yummy! Highly recommended! I was in town visiting a friend that lives around the corner. We were on our way back from a day out and ordered take out here. It was so good and I couldn't believe how cheap it was. The food was ready pretty quickly and we all enjoyed our food. When I go back I would definitely stop in to Musashi's and I know my friend is frequenting this joint on the regular.

Jessica Y.

I usually get the onigiri, but finally gave in for the chirashi yesterday. Love the seared salmon, albacore and salmon! This place is amazing.

Steffi T.

The Chirashi Bowl is heavenly amazing. Order that bowl with fresh Salmon, seared Salmon, and Unagi; they are such a perfect combination. Besides, the Noodle Salad is also as amazing as the Chirasi Bowl. If the staff asks you whether you want the Noodle Salad or Miso Soul as your appetizer, choose Noodle Salad. Ask for their Spicy Mayo also!

Dominique D.

Cash only! Tried this place for the first time on a Thursday evening and for a hole in the wall it was encouraging to see a line outside. We waited for about maybe 10-15 min and it was all worth it! The food is amazing! Really fresh sashimi and so cheap too! Get the chirashi bowl, it's so filling and so cheap. Each roll is also only $3, pretty amazing. The service was quick and efficient, bathrooms were clean.

Eric C.

Ordered takeout - 3 chirashi bowls It involved many large slices of fish (just look at pictures in the other reviews). But the quality left me wanting. I am a little surprised with the large number of reviews which mention high quality sushi - so it makes me wonder if I just had an off day. There wasn't anything bad, but I didn't think the fish was that great. I'd come back if I wanted large portions at a very reasonable price.

Serena W.

To be honest, I wasn't wow'ed by the famous chirashi at all. all the pictures on yelp show nice plump pieces of fish, but for some reason mine just didn't look and taste as good. There was plenty of delicious rice that filled me up b/c I was super hungry after waiting for 20 minutes on a Thursday night at 8:30pm. There was a lot of fish, to be fair, and lots of variety... but the flavor just wasn't there. And at one point, I think I even tasted a piece that was half frozen!? The sukiyaki beef bowl, on the other hand, was De-licious! Big bowl of rice with thin sliced fatty beef and yummy sauce. So good, that I gave up on my chirashi half way and went for this instead. another saving grace was the bill- it was not as expensive as I thought our 2 person meal would be. Will definitely come back for the beef bowl!

Karen S.

Basically come here once a week. That chirashi bowl makes me happy! Delicious, fresh and you can taste the quality! Worth the wait.

Jeff O.

This shack serves up great fresh fish in a delightfully cramped space full of character and characters. There's another reason for the wait: the prices are great. Fish itself is top notch -- the chirashi was a palace of wonders on a delightful bed of well-crafted sushi rice. If I lived in Seattle I'd be here far too often.

Y N.

I'm sorry but I do not know what all the hype is about. After reading all the reviews and wanting to support a neighborhood restaurant, my husband and I went there for dinner. The first thing that hit me was the not so fresh smell. It was also cramped - which isn't a deal breaker but we were in the corner and the fruit flies buzzing around us was not pleasant. I forgot it was cash/check only so hubby had to run out to Chevron, pay the $3 surcharge and come back - thanks Musashi for passing on the service charge on to your customers. We ordered a variety of foods, the chirashi bowl was okay but the oversized pieces of fish actually made me feel a little sick. The sushi was room temp and the condiments like the wasabi, the picked daikon, and the ginger - all looked wilted, dried out and like it had been sitting out for a while. The absolute opposite of fresh. The "spicy" tuna looked and tasted so bland, I only ate 3 of the 6 pieces. All the food came out within minutes of ordering and the check came out while we were only midway through the meal. Pack 'em in, roll 'em out. I wanted to write this review because I didn't think the other reviews reflected my experience there. I really wanted to like this place, but I will not be back.

Sarah C.

Good prices and pretty decent sushi. They chirashi bowl awesome. The store front needs some work and is really really small and they only take cash!

Safira M.

The chirashi is delicious and its a must if you visit this place.. you have to keep in mind that this place is CASH ONLY.. and there is usually a line, so you better come 15 minutes earlier and put your name on the list

Esther K.

How does this place have 4 stars? Surf clams had sand I couldn't even eat them, albacore was nasty I ended up throwing all of them away, tuna was bad only took one bite, and skewer combo (one chicken one beef) was definitely not worth $5. They were so dry I couldn't even eat them. Yellow tail was not bad. All the nigiris didn't taste like fresh fish. I was very disappointed. No wonder why price is cheaper than other place. I would rather pay more money and get better quality food to enjoy. And why do they cut nigiri in half? Not all of them but only clam and mackerel. I might give it a try one more time just in case they messed up this time only.

Kristen L.

Musashi's is probably smaller than your studio apartment and it's always packed. Any time of day you go, expect to wait awhile. Last night we got the chirashi bowl, onigiri, tuna roll and teriyaki beef. My BF liked the chirashi bowl and got plenty of fish for $14.50. My favorite was the onigiri; two triangular rice balls stuffed with smoked salmon for $3.50! My least favorite dish was the teriyaki beef skewer, which I guess could have been predicted considering I haven't seen any reviews of this item on yelp. It was very tough and chewy. So, you're best off sticking with the fish dishes here. The quality isn't necessarily the best, but it is a great value. Given the size of the restaurant, and the number of people waiting for a table, this isn't a place to sit around and chat. You can also order by phone and pick up your food which is something we'll consider next time.

Alex T.

I always love coming for the chirashi bowl! Great service and great food.

Auntie L.

I know the restaurant from my friends, so we went there but they close for few hours, so I come back for second time, I had tuna rolls, the rice kind big but the price is reasonable, but my friend order teriyaki and it was came with skewer like satay which is so wear, overall is just ok

Natalie W.

I was prepared on Friday night to wait for my sushi take-out forever... forever was 5 minutes... literally... and that was with a billion people waiting outside in the cold with me. Bundled up in my northface I had decided I had put off going long enough and made the detour for sushi take-out. Parking was not fun on 45th, but I already knew that. I ordered a tuna roll and a yellow fin roll + miso soup promising myself that I would be back for the sampler- it has everything and is 10.50* The bag seems light when I was given my order and I was prepared to be disappointed. I discovered when I got home that I had not 6 pieces of each roll like described- but 8! Heck yes~ I instantly ate like 4 when I was prepping my little dinner eating set up just because of this find. The rolls were 2.80 each! I was able to eat about 4 pieces every hour that night because I kept filling up. The fish was fresh and rolls yummy- the texture had moments of greatness and moments of me wishing it was better. Now that I have figured out that for 2.80(a filling roll) + 1.00(miso soup) I can eat quick like a bunny on the way home I am in love. Remember cash only... or check. UPDATE- My roommate and I both have gotten pretty back quality fish here lately in our take-out. I don't have any desire to buy their sashimi anymore and the thought of the spicy tuna roll make me wrinkle my nose...

Andrew M.

The food here is excellent and fresh. Even better, the prices are fantastic. The bad is the wait, but it's well worth it. Just be sure not to take a smoke break, and stand right by the door because the waitress will not call out your name more than once and she has a very soft voice. So in summary: Food : 5/5 Price: 5/5 Service: 3/5 Location: 3/5

J T.

This sushi restaurant is one of the best deals in Seattle! I ordered the chirashi bowl (not on the menu so you have to request it) and it was excellent. Make sure to arrive early or during nonpeak hours since the restaurant is small and busy.

Thao Trang H.

Loved this place! The prices were right, the harusumi salad was amazing. Definitely come here! It's small but cozy.

Kandice C.

I moved to LA from Seattle about 4 years ago, and let me just say that the only thing that still anchors me to Sea-Town like an umbilical cord is the Chirashi bowl at Musashi's. I could go into the details about how the delectable rainbow variety of fish sits on top of fresh, fluffy, sweet, vinegar rice and how the entire bowl is dotted with a generous helping of masago... ...or I could just tell you to get off your computer and go get some NOW because you are seriously missing out. Besides, since we had a close call with the Rapture yesterday, you don't have the goddamn luxury of taking chances anymore!!! But forreal, the Chirashi bowl would be my pre-Rapture meal of choice, and it probably will be yours too. Trust. ferosh.net

Jen T.

I hadn't been here since college, but was craving some sashimi today after work. I'm glad we stopped by here. I now remember why I would wait in the cold for hours to eat here. The sashimi is so dang fatty and buttery- at about a buck a piece, its absolutely worth the freshness and taste. Slices are HUGE. Downfall of this place. Space is itty bitty and as I was sitting there stirring my soysauce and wasabi the people standing there waiting bumped into me- which caused me to spill the soy sauce. #1 downfall- CASH OR CHECK ONLY but even with that....I would still go- cause its just that yummy! :)

Hanna K.

why am I always so disappointed with place? price is great, generous servings, yet I am not impressed and think this place is beyond over hyped. their nigiri and chirashi is probably the only things on the menu worth eating. their rolls suck. too much rice. also, their sushi is always a degree too warm for me which takes away the fresh taste, in my opinion.

Sonya G.

I love that Musashi's is one of those places that's around for the locals. It's not around to brag you can afford it, it's not around because you're drunk and it's convenient...it's there because it's GOOD and you can keep going back. Ever since high school, I have frequented this place. There is effectively always a line/crowd outside waiting, and with good reason. Musashi's prices are phenomenal for what they offer. The fish is fresh, they offer good variety (even for that weird friend you have who claims they don't like sushi!), and the walls are lined with cool old posters for local events. ("Oh my god, remember when so-and-so was here??") Bring your cash! No cards accepted here. But really? You won't need more than $20 anyway... :)

Howard C.

You don't come here for the ambiance or great service, just good fish priced affordably. I always get 8-10 albacore and a couple other items to round out the meal. It's typically about a 10 minute wait, so just prepare yourself for that if you are starving so that you don't kill someone while watching people eat. hahaha It's freezing outside nowadays so luckily they have hot tea. The good thing is they will let you pre-order so when you sit down, your food is on it's way. Finish off with some gelato at Fainting Goat up the street!

Ninette C.

This is a Seattle favorite for me. Yes, there's always a wait, its cash only and the ambience isn't exactly its strength, but its worth it for that fish. I always get a chirashi bowl. If I'm sharing with someone else, we order a few pieces of sushi and rolls as well. Rolls aren't its strength and neither is selection, but the sashimi is fresh, filling and a great value. I love hamachi. Oh yeah...and they put something in the brown tea I'm pretty sure because I can never stop drinking it!

Yoon H.

The place is a bit small so not good for big families but a great place for lunch with a friend. The sushi is always fresh and the slices are large not paper thin like some places.

Magdalenna B.

the best chirashi bowl ever. there's nothing better than musashi's. unfortunately is a cash only restaurant ::(

Carmen K.

I am so disappointed in this place.. after being raved about by friends and yelp, I have to say, the sushi was just okay, and the food was just too salty. We were able to find parking ok and had to wait about 10 minutes at about 6pm on Friday. Not too shabby. The establishment is SMALL but that totally didn't bother me. We ordered a spicy tuna maki, some hamachi sashimi, the chicken teriyaki, and the chicken curry. All the kitchen items were SO salty. The Chicken Curry was straight up gross. Sauce everywhere and not very much "stuff" in it. The Teriyaki comes on skewers which is just annoying and wasn't worth the pay off of unskewering for a salty piece of thigh meat. The hamachi was ok and the spicy tuna was a speck of tuna in a bed of rice and seaweed. Did I do something wrong? Why was my experience so gross? Do people just like this place cause it's cheap?

AT C.

went to this location a long time ago for a couple times. cheap great sushi! always got the chirashi bowl. since there's one in factoria now, i just go to that one. this one is too small and the wait outside is too long for me, hence one star off. otherwise, great sushi value!

Mandy S.

This is a great place in Wallingford for a quick satisfying meal. The rolls are Huge. I'm not a big sashimi fan so I love california rolls, veggie rolls etc...there's not a huge sushi taste, more like rice and it's warm..but altogether not bad since it's Huge...once again. And I love how I have a huge dispenser of tea right next to me. That give musashi extra pts. Place can get crowded, they have a small kitchen, and it's hard to find parking...

K B.

Best sushi value in town. Fast & friendly service coupled with great food and very reasonable prices. Cash only and pretty cramped seating area FYI. You might get better sushi at Nishino's (might ... it's debatable), but you'll easily pay twice as much. Aryana is super friendly and all the servers treat you like family.

Jennifer A.

Simple, traditional rolls & sashimi served to accentuate the incredible fish. Rolls are not filled with "fluff" veggies, but focused on the fish itself. Some of the best miso soup I have ever had! The wait is very long... but WORTH IT! They take down your name and there's a cute bar across the street to grab a drink while you wait. Must try if you appreciate and love sushi :)

Yen D.

Although the restaurant itself is small and cramped with lines that lead outside, out of all the Seattle sushi restaurants this is my fav! I have to agree it is pretty cheap in its decor, table settings and even the tea isn't that great, but... I'm a huge fan of the chirashi bowl which comes with albacore tuna and another type of tuna, scallops, thick pieces of salmon, tobiko and unagi. The unagi is also juicy and not oversauced. The rice is well seasoned and the portion is huge for $15. I can never finish it because it's so huge. I wish they would put ohtoro on their menu tho. Their rolls aren't outstanding in taste, but they're huge in comparison to other restaurants. I gave this restaurant 5 stars because of its onigiri filled with salmon. It's very rare for me to find onigiri on any menu. It had the right amount of furikake. It was warm and well formed. It was just as good as the onigiri I found in the 7-11i throughout Japan except this one was warm!

Michael S.

Why print menus if your customers can have a chirashi bowl? Good god that thing is amazing. Excellent if you're an indecisive eater because you get a little bit of everything (sashimi of all kinds and unagi). Once in a while I will order the unadon, which in essence is a bowl of rice with a heaping portion of unagi on top. While I do have wild unagi cravings sometimes, it becomes a bit overwhelming and I can't help but to reminisce about the chirashi bowl I was once united with before. If you have a large obsession with eel, get the unadon. For everyone else, the chirashi bowl is simply the best option. PS. Open on Mondays! #MusashiMondays could turn into a hit, plus I have chirashi cravings every day of the week.

Jennifer B.

The best deal you can get on edible sushi in Seattle! I don't usually eat sushi rolls but for some reason I'm addicted to their California Roll. This is the only place I ever eat this. I don't know what they do to it to make it so tasty! Besides that I will the chirashi bowl or the nigiri set because they are a deal and a half. Huge slices of fish that you can't have a normal conversation with the whole piece in your mouth. The line is out the door so the way I deal with that is arrive at 5pm or get take out. Otherwise I've waited an hour before and that is no fun.

Jackie M.

Hole in the wall sushi = getting my fill of fish. I recommend sticking with sushi instead of the izakaya, or grilled items. I ordered the bento box which pretty much has a bit of everything and a side of unagi and inari. By appearance, everything looked good. However, the chicken was too dry, the grilled veggies were just ok - needs more sauce, the beef skewers were fine, so if you must waste stomach real estate on meat... and let's not forget tamago, fake crab and cucumbers. Trust me on real estate, I could not finish all the food presented here. The real winners and the reason you should come here were our fish friends: salmon, tuna, yellow tail, etc - fatty and sweet. Lots of people coming in and out guarantees freshness.

Hai Yen N.

One word: chirashi. It's on the specials menu. $14 gets you a bowl of rice laden with more fresh fish than you can happily eat in one sitting. Mine came with salmon, ahi tuna, hamachi, scallop and seared unagi topped with roe and cucumber slices. You will not find a better deal in this town. Come early (before 6pm or you'll be waiting outside for a while) and bring cash. You're very welcome.

Sherry F.

Amazing, delicious, great quality, cheap. Huge pieces of sashimi, great chicken and beef teriyaki and sashimi set for $12. Love it! Very small so keep in mind if you want to eat in, you'll have to wait, otherwise, get it to go and walk over to a park.

Adam B.

The food is so good here it ruined my life. I can no longer go on living as a result of how amazing the sushi was. I'm not even a sushi fan usually and this place blew my mind.

Jenn N.

A friend introduced me to this place last week, and I am glad he did! The price is awesome for the quality you get (for the nigiri). I ordered the special bento and 2 pieces of the salmon. The special bento's sashimi portion is pretty generous compared to other bentos I've had. However, the chicken that came with it was a bit too dry to my liking. Anyway, my salmon pieces were thickly sliced and fresh. Bueno...

Jon D.

The pile of sashimi in the bento box was for real. Now this place is known for sushi, but the serious amount of fish in that box was a pleasant surprise. This place knows to keep the tea flowing. One plus. The miso soup was fantastic. Two pluses. Okay, so the grilled chicken was merely okay. And the grilled veggies were also merely okay. Yeah, the sushi was great, but the other food was a bit lackluster, though decent. But all in all, this place is nice. :)

Joseph M.

Finally decided to try this place and it was really really good. Got the chirashi bowl and the pieces of sashimi that came out were super fresh and the biggest I have ever seen. It was really good. Only downside is they only take cash and there are long waits to be seated. But other than that I will definitely be coming back here

Lloyd B.

A hole in the wall giant among sushi places! Tiny cramped little sushi place, a bunch of 2 top tables and a 4 chair sushi bar. People were friendly, especially with the close proximity, get to know your neighbor! Small menu but they have good stuff as specials, ask the waitperson and be prepared for a goodly list. We ordered 5 pieces of salmon nigiri, butter tender and at least 2 to three times the size found in other abundant wasabi and thinly sliced ginger, a salmon cheese roll, a spicy tuna roll and off menu a broiled yellow tail collar with rice. The most amazing pieces of tender, sweet fish with the texture of custard in spots (love sucking bones) accompanied by a sweetish sauce, the star of the meal..The large thermo-carafe on the table had lots of hot green tea, a nice help yourself option. Once wait staff brought the food and glasses of water they never came back to fill the water or ask if we wanted something else but with such great food I can forgive them. If I could I would have deducted a quarter star for this little gaff. We will return more than once.

Hannah R.

I wish I could say don't eat here so the lines wouldn't get any longer. But I try not to be greedy. This is our jump off..one of maybe three places we ever eat out at. We go enough to know when we won't have to wait..trial and error...but that's a result of frequenting often...I can't give away ALL our secrets. Husband and I split a Chirashi and large Sake. He adds an order of Unagi (one piece is easily double that of anywhere else I've been). Sometimes a second Sake..slash always. Half the price of the conveyor joints and if the fish isn't just as good it is better. The hefty portion of rice at the bottom of the Chirashi is noms!!!!!!! Yeah the place is cramped (because POPULAR) and tiny..but get over it, we are rating food/service and not architecture. Means it is easy to catch their attention and you get to eavesdrop...frankly I think it's a perk. The line out the door might make you feel hurried but the staff never does. OH AND IF YOU DON'T WANT TO LOOK LIKE A NOVICE BRING CASH, THEY DON'T TAKE CARDS AND IF YOU DON'T WANT TO WAIT OR YOU SLIP IN RIGHT BEFORE CLOSING, GRAB SOME TAKE OUT!!!

Darren F.

There is quite a line to get a seat. They did take our orders while we were waiting, so once we did get a seat, our food was ready. The Una Don is amazing with very large pieces of eel. The value you get is great as the pieces of fish they serve are huge.

Kenji O.

Gotta be honest: Part of me wants to lie to you - REALLY lie to you. That part of me wants to tell you that Musashi's is terrible and you should never go there - EVER. Why would I want to do such a thing? Because I'm extremely selfish and if I can keep you out of there, then Musashi's will be all mine. Yes, Musashi's is THAT good. Preface: I'm not your usual sushi snob that you'd find in Bellevue or Kirkland. I don't like over the top American-ized sushi with fruit or flowers or cotton candy or skittles on top. If you deep fry sushi or add 5 different types of fish and teriyaki sauce on top of your roll, I'm going to laugh at what your idea of sushi is. I think all of those things should have nothing to do with my favorite thing in the world (sushi). I guess to put it simply, I am what you would call a sushi purist. I just want fresh fish with high-quality seasoned rice.... apparently most of the time this is way too much to ask. Enter Musashi's. This place is amazing. AMAZING. Unbelievable. Phenomenal. The fish is very high quality (the yellowtail and albacore are unbelievable) and beyond that, there prices are superb. What is my favorite thing at Musashi's? The Chirashi bowl, which at $15.00, is arguably the best deal on sushi in town and once you get it, you'll realize why it's a good deal - the variety and quality of the fish you receive with it are truly top notch and the rice is always well seasoned. Is Musashi's a date restaurant? Not really - the ambiance is not great, and it's rather cramped inside. For me however, I don't need it to be anything else than what it is - great food and great prices. I'm actually happy the way it is and as long as you have those expectations that Musashi's is not a place you go for decor or it's trendiness, I think you'd be very satisfied. Obviously, the lack of seating inside Musashi's makes for some long waits if you get there at the wrong time - keep this in mind. Overall, Musashi's is the best deal for great sushi in Seattle. People will argue that Umi's or similar trendy spots are better, and while they are much more "hip," their sushi is not better - not even close. Musashi's is the real deal. P.S. - Please never come here. Musashi's is mine and I'd like to keep it that way.

Marc C.

Musashi's is a Seattle treasure. I've been eating here regularly since the early 1990's, and the quality has remained constant throughout. The sushi and sashimi are fresh and delicious, and the prices are reasonable. Nothing else I know of compares to Musashi's for this combination of price and quality. I almost always have the Sushi Nigiri (a nice combination plate of raw items), while my wife usually orders the Bento Box (another combination plate that contains some cooked items as well). In addition to these old friends that we keep coming back to, we've also tried the Chirashi Bowl. It's also delicious, and a little larger. So if you really want to hog out, this is the way to go. Tip: Musashi's is wildly popular, so if you want to avoid waiting (outdoors!) for a table, be sure to arrive at a slightly "off" time.

Laura P.

Whoaaa this place is crazy good!!! As a first timer around 1ish on a weekday we got totally lucky and nabbed the last seat in the whole place. It's a tiny joint, and super divey, not the usual fancy sushi spot i'm used to going to. The food is worth it, I promise! A huge pitcher of hot tea is at your side on the table and it's obvious at how busy they are that they want you ordering, eating and leaving. fine by me. I got one of the lunch specials that consisted of 2 different sushi rolls and about 5 different sashimi, and when i say sashimi oh yea.. these pieces of fish were literally the size of my hand and they melted in my mouth, it was some of the freshest and most delicious fish I've ever tasted! And all for only 9.95$ are you serious???? For just a few dollars more you can get teriyaki chicken with that. This place is uh-mazing. Cheap, huge portions and DELICIOUS!!! If you're a Sushi eater, you're missing out. Go, now!

Taylor S.

I can clearly remember the time I was lucky enough to eat at one of the finest sushi places in Tokyo. It was the best sushi I had ever had. Have you ever tasted sushi that just melts in your mouth? Yeah, it was that kind. Every piece just tasted amazing. Musashi's is on that level. This tiny, hole-in-the-wall yet comfortable Japanese restaurant offers the best sushi I've had in this area. You people who actually really know good sushi -- and I know there are tons in Seattle -- will realize this the moment you bite your teeth into the albacore tuna that is so incredibly tender or the huge pieces of salmon that make you wonder why you don't come to Musashi's every day. Doing so would certainly get expensive, but not necessarily break the bank. Musashi's lunch is cheaper than dinner , and I highly recommend their Sushi Plate. It is $9.25 and usually consists of five nigiri (salmon, tuna, albacore, yellowtail, shrimp) and eight pieces of rolls (two salmon, two tuna, two yellowtail, two cucumber ... these are also called "makizushi"). It's an incredible deal. Never had it, but friends say the Chirashi Bowl is incredible. By the looks of the damn glorious thing, they probably aren't lying. And Musashi's also offers some yummy noodle and seaweed salads, as well has hot dishes like sukiyaki and yakitori. If you want to taste amazing sushi, enjoy free green tea and feel wonderful for 30 minutes, give this place a try. It's worth every penny. BIG TIP: If you plan on going for dinner, be prepared to wait at least 20 minutes. There is always a line, unless you get there when they open or near closing time. Lunch is usually OK, but sometimes there is a wait, especially on Thursday's and Friday's. And it's PRETTY SMALL -- there are only about 18-20 seats on the floor and four seats at the bar. Don't expect to bring more than a five or six person group inside. BIG TIP 2: THEY ONLY ACCEPT CASH. So bring cash, or leave without tasting greatness.

Grace C.

My group had insisted we show up on time for dinner here.. didn't know what the big deal was until I saw the line of people waiting in the rain to eat at this small, but quaint place. The waitress had a nice system going where she actually took our order while we waited outside, and the food greeted us right when we plopped onto our seats. Don't expect your typical sushi rolls, like "Rainbow Roll" or "Caterpillar", but if you love nigiri, this is the place for you. Them thick, fresh raw fishies are worth the wait. You can still buy sushi.... in pieces, individually :\ Cash/check only, don't forget!

Thomas C.

I am a 25+ year fan and have made road trips back to Wallingford from wherever I've been in order to dine there. Space is at a premium, seating only 20-plus people but the possible wait is well worth it! Their teriyaki platter is faaaaantastic, be it chicken, beef or salmon. The rice has been historically PERFECTION and the noodle (harusame?) salad is SO good, I've ordered a large portion of it to go. Their sushi is just about the best I've had although I am not a sushi aficionado. I just see sushi as the delivery device for wasabi. I don't get there often enough but I just discovered (thank you, Yelp) that they now have a restaurant in Factoria which is much more convenient for me. So if they stick to the same recipes and approach to feeding, I will make that my "go-to" Japanese Restaurant from now on.. Service is excellent...very little wait time. Part of that is due to the space and number of tables. People dine back-to-back so it's not a place for very intimate conversation. The people who work there are delightful. One important thing to remember: CASH only! There is an ATM across N.E. 45th however. Sidewalk seating when weather cooperates.

jamie c.

This is a hands down the best sushi place in Seattle. My sister's favorite place. she loves their spicy tuna roll. I cannot wait for her to come back to seattle for summer break and take me here.

Leah K.

Not going to lie, this place is tiny. Probably about the same size as Thai Thom. There is always a long wait and this place is CASH ONLY. Aside from practically sitting back-to-back and elbow-to-elbow, and being able to hear everyone's conversation, this place is the best to go to in Seattle for quality sushi at a decent price. Get the Chirashi Bowl, the nigiri pieces are fat. That is all you need to know.

Justin M.

I'm an admitted fan... This place is one of my favorite little (not so) secrets in Seattle. While small and somewhat cramped, what I am treated to is a fantastic bang for your sushi buck and some of the freshest cuts of sashimi this side of Tokyo. What it lacks in ambiance (no sakura no hikari like Moshi Moshi, or lounge appeal like Momiji/Umi/Japonessa) it more than makes up for in quality and service. The food is exceptionally fresh and the service is super fast. This spot is pretty small so if you come during a lunch or dinner rush, expect to sit back and wait for a lil bit. Mind you, the wait is absolutely worth it. Like many of my helpful and yelpful has stated (and I must also state) the Chiraishi Donburi is the perfect meal, it's not listed on the menu so you need to ask for it... it's a (not so) well kept secret... ANYWAY, aside from the fact that the wait can be long and they are a cash only establishment, I can't hate.. I love this place and I will continue to eat here. 4 chiraishi-donburi-onegai-shimasu stars out of 5

Florencia K.

Go there occasionally and it always perfect. Should definetly try the salmon chirasi ( yes, you can decide what you want on your chirasi. The noodle salad is a must! There is only one bad thing. You have to line up for a longlonglonglong timeeee!

Alison S.

I agree with all the other reviewers, the Chirashi bowl at Musashi's is where it's at. The fish is all fresh and tasty, and the portion is very generous. I haven't tried the other dishes here though, because everyone in my group also ordered chirashi bowls :)

Steven J.

I will keep it simple, best "sushi value" bar none! I live fairly close, so we do take out. I call ahead and do not need to deal with the room size (small) or the wait tim (long). Just get some of the freashest sushi and take it home.

Joyce J.

My problem with this place has always been their rice. The place has fresh fish, no doubt. The chirashi is arguably a bargain at $15. However, this place does not have sushi rice right. It's too sticky. The grilled eel donburi is ok but when they are busy, it doesn't seem like they give eel enough time to grill, so the eel turns out to be soft. In addition, this place always has a long wait (although they give you the menu while you wait and you can get a table reasonably fast. It's an ok sushi joint but I would really rather pay a little more to go to a sushi place with better cooked rice. This place is cash and check only so come with cash.

Alex L.

My favorite sushi spot in the Seattle area! For everyone out there it's a no brainer to order the chirashi bowl, harasumi salad and sukiyaki bowl. I would also recommend the california roll, hamachi roll, and fresh salmon rolls. This is a place where you always get your money's worth. But they don't take reservations and the place is very small. So you may have to wait for 30-60 mins in the cold and rain.

David S.

I've been to both the Wallingford and Factoria locations. Big pieces for a great price. Chirashi is well worth it. Cash only. I love sushi and I love Musashi's.

Maria M.

My fav sushi place in town. High quality fish and extremely friendly staff. I usually have take out because the place is extremely popular however tiny, so you might have to wait for getting tables inside. However, if you only want to have take out, go for it. Waiting is worth it. I highly recommend this treasure.

Kevin C.

I've been here more than a few times, and I've had good and bad experiences. It seems like their sushi quality is hit or miss, I've had chirashi bowls which are absolutely out of this world, and some that are less than good. But the thing I love here is their Harusame salad, which I can't seem to find anywhere else, I could just eat a ton of that for a whole meal if I had the chance. Their bento is also a great deal, I've never had a problem with this.

Tricia K.

This place was packed at 1:30pm on a Tuesday afternoon, not hard to do since the place is pretty small. I never got a menu but I saw they were offering a chirashi for ~$14 so I ordered that rather than wait some more for a waitress to pay some attention to me. Luckily, they provide carafes of hot tea on the table at all times so I warmed up from the cold drizzle while I waited. Once I ordered the food came very quickly. Sushi here is a good value but it is not authentic as it is run by Koreans. So the sushi wasn't cut up in the usual thickness and length but the fish was extremely fresh. They even threw in some pieces of toro tuna which were FAB! There was way too much rice in the bowl and the miso soup was not made with homemade dashi so it was pretty standard.

Lovey L.

YUM YUM YUM! if you really like sushi try the chirashi! It is a steal.

Amanda K.

3.5 stars. This place is near where my brother's old cello teacher used to live. I've only come here a couple times, but have tried a lot of their menu. Be aware that this restaurant is pro when it comes to packin' in the people. Even at 4:30 pm, people are coming in to get their sushi fix. Don't hesitate to come here though, it goes by pretty quick, and you'll get seated eventually. Moving onward to FOOD. Before ordering, you will be served a bean thread noodle salad. It's completely drenched in mayo, and tossed with crab and cucumber, but hey, it's pretty tasty once you let some of the mayo run to the side. I'd say the best deal here is the chirashi. Multiple piece of fresh fish, tamago, pickled veggies, fish roe, seaweed, all on top of sushi rice. The thing is a plentiful portion, and should be shared. The bento is here also a great deal. Many compartments of rolls, sashimi, nigiri, and grilled items. My favorite part about the bentos is the grilled items. They are a little on the salty side, but grilled to perfection. There are chicken and steak skewers, as well as onions, mushrooms, and zucchini. The menu is limited here, but they have all the usual rolls and nigiri here. The fish isn't the freshest, but not as bad as others. Your stomach and wallet will both be happy if you come here.

Waves G.

OVERRATED! Not sure what's so special about this place except for the big chunks of fish they put on your bowl. First bite is fine. 2nd bite of this raw thing is tolerable. Third??? I couldn't swallow the thing. Plus, the wait is so long. I'd rather go somewhere else.

Jess F.

I've been eating here since the 90's. Yeah, it's changed hands and isn't quite the same, but I still love it. Harusame salad is so so good, don't leave without getting it, trust me.

Eric K.

Musashi's has been a classic for 30 years. The harusami noodle salad is divine with a touch of say sauce, and the sushi nigiri is excellent. Those two dishes and a large hot saki, and I am in heaven. In the past few years, either the owner Tashi retired, or sold the business, and the service has not been nearly as attentive. Also, last night I walked right I at 5:30 on a Saturday and got a table. Sort of un-prescidented, makes me wonder what is going on. But still, why go anywhere else and pay twice as much?

Vivi Y.

I would come back only because I want to eat chirashi at around 2pm. Their chirashi is undoubtedly cheap compared to a lot of japanese restaurants, but you also get the equivalent quality of fish. Their sashimi on top are in big chunks, but sometimes they're hard to chew because they're not just purely meat but also the fat near the skin...their fish just tastes oily, filling, but not the taste I look for in sashimi. However, with their price, I wouldn't complain so much if I decide to go there. If you don't like waiting, don't ever come during peak dinner time or weekends...Their restaurant is really small.

Kendal K.

Love love love Musashi's! Huge sashimi for fantastic prices, I challenge you to fit it all in your mouth. Don't forget to bring cash and call ahead for wait times, there are many others who know this is a hidden gem as well.

Rudy M.

Best sushi i've had in seattle. price is always right and service is great. place is always packed and it's a bit small, but def worth the wait. peace

K C.

You can't get any better than Musashi for simple, fresh, generously portioned sushi! Diners beware, come early, even on a seemingly slow evening like a tues night, because lines can get ridiculously long at this maybe 250 sq ft dining room! The most I've waited was an hour. But, it was worth it! You're not getting any wild roll creations here, but rather really fresh, huge pieces! The prices are easier on your wallet than say Umi downtown. Two of us walk out paying not more than $30 including tip (ordered spicy tuna roll, oshinko roll, beef skewer, two veggie skewers, edamame, two miso soups and a lrg beer to split). We've been going to Musashi for years and will be coming back for several years to come!

Seattle F.

Good concept. Small no frills but relatively inexpensive sushi. The food was good, but beware of the cash only policy here. I had fun and would go again.

Kai S.

My family and I used to drive 2 hours to Vancouver B.C just to get decent sushi and it's always been worth it. So my first impression of this place was "meh". But after coming in on a whim after having breakfast down the street, I became a believer. I ordered the Chirashi and the bowl was a decent size, the rice being closest to traditional i've tasted in the US, and the fish was thick and fresh. I'll def come back. With purpose. The only con i experienced was sticky tables and the tea was that cheap dim sum recycled water.

Gina T.

The Dish: After an afternoon at Green Lake, my boyfriend and I shared a Chirashi Bowl for our last meal in Seattle. It's decently priced ($14.50). Everything was really good (tuna, salmon, eel, etc). I think the shrimp tasted bland. I've tasted fresher salmon in Berkeley, but it was still pretty good. The tea was great too. I would say that the service was great too. We got seated right away - even though there was a pretty long line when it opened at 5. When we left around 5:45, the line was VERY LONG. So, get there early (or super late).

Diane L.

YUMMY. Cheap may be a word to describe this place but this place is also so much more. There are so many other cheap sushi places around town and that's all they are. Cheap. Here at Musashi's the sushi rice is warm and perfectly mixed with rice vinegar. The nigiri and sashami are served in healthy big portions (maybe a little TOO big :) ) and the fish is almost always fresh. Although the salmon we had the other week didn't taste all the way right. But the tuna was excellent and the unagi was one of the best I've had in town. I always test my sushi restaurants with an order of tamago and Musashi's passed with flying colors. Perfectly fluffy and balanced with the right amount of sweetness. Cash is king here so don't go in expecting to pay with your plastic.

Adi H.

This place has the best prices and the freshest fish! Some of the simpler rolls (any roll with just a vegetable or fish) are around $4 and they always have great specials on the menu! The veggie roll is by the best on the menu and I typically like crab and tempura shrimp in my rolls. The place is very small, so try to go during off hours unless you plan to wait around to get a table. They also do take out which may be convenient if you're just craving some good, cheap sushi. I've eaten here on more than one occasion and always have mixed service. When they're really busy they may "forget" about you but you do have hot tea on the table to enjoy for free as you wait for the food.

Chris R.

If you like nigiri, this is the place to go! Always the same to servers. The girl is awesome, the boy is terrible.

Sonia C.

The chirashi here is one of the best deals around. I think it's around $16 but you get plenty of thick slices of raw, fresh fish. I prefer to get it to go, since the restaurant seems crowded and cramped.

Annie T.

Like everybody else mentions, AMAZING CHIRASHI BOWL!! Such huge and fresh selection of fish for the mere price of $14. My bf dreams about the chirashi every day. For me, because I'm not a huge fan of raw fish, I love their california rolls. 10 piece for $5 I believe, a great deal. Also their unagi is thick and warmed up before serving, it's absolutely delicious. Miso soup and grilled mushroom are delicious and cheap also. nothing is really bad here, I love it :) Only downside is guaranteed wait, but I don't mind. A restaurant like this is one of a kind. You won't be disappointed.

Youngseok J.

Musashi is one of the better sushi places in town, and to date, the only sushi place that serves an adequate chirashi bowl at an affordable price. I was slightly disappoitned with una don since it didn't have enough unagi, but given that it's always busy (NOTE: AVERAGE WAIT TIME IS LIKE 20-30 MIN) I think it was worth the wait to get our bowls. Pieces are sliced huge!!!

Lucie L.

I expected so much because of all the wonderful reviews but this was a total waste of my time and stomach. I came here with a friend last night right at 5pm since we didn't want to wait but the restaurant was already half full! So we were thinking we are going to get some good sushi tonight!! So we sat down and we didn't really know what to order and since we have different taste we just ordered the sushi set A which was 2 cuts of hamachi nigiri, 2 cuts of tuna nigiri, 2 cuts of ebi nigiri, 1 cut of albacore nigiri, 2 pieces of salmon maki, and 2 pieces of albacore maki. First of all, HUGEEEEE slices of fish!! I felt like it was too good to be true! For once, I had finally found pieces of fresh fish that didn't fit into my mouth! Yes, it was SO DARN FRESH! Very good, and also nice and cold fish. BUT, way to much rice and the rice was not marinated very well. The maki was the worst. WAY to much rice and little tiny pieces of bad fish in the middle. After finishing the sushi set A, we were just very disappointed so we left and went to Kozue which is just a block away. :)

Rachel F.

Small and crowded, which makes it elusive during the peak of the dinner hours. But if you get a table - and remember to bring cash - it's well worth it. If it were easier to get a table, the price and quality would totally be 5 stars. But this tiny, good place is just too popular!

Brendan M.

I showed up at 4:40 yesterday afternoon, while my sweetheart was already in line waiting for the doors to open at 5. Since we were near the front of the line and just a party of two, the waitress seated us at a cozy corner table near one of the front windows. We enjoyed the accommodations: window-adjacent table, hot pot of tea ready for us, etc. The low prices shocked me; I went for the smoked salmon celery cream cheese roll and a cucumber roll, while BF went for the full California roll. I also had a Diet Coke. Total for two: under $18. For real? Cash or check only, by the way. Our sushi was really good, but not quite perfect. The fish in my salmon roll still had the gray stuff on the underside. I don't know if that's standard operating procedure at sushi restaurants or not, but I always remove the gray stuff when I'm preparing salmon myself. Otherwise, our sushi was great. We both appreciated the fresh, quality ingredients and expert preparation. My salmon roll was considerably larger in diameter than sushi rolls from most other restaurants, so my mouth was... uncomfortably full at times. The salty salmon didn't help. I love smoked salmon, but it has such a strong flavor that I always try to eat it in small bites. Anyway, no big deal. I'd really like to try Musashi's again, now that I've learned from my first visit. Maybe I'll go for the vegetarian options or try another fish besides salmon. And, of course, I'll have to make sure to get there early!

E T.

Pssst! You're wildest dreams have now come true. There is a NEW Musashi's open in Factoria and it has no lines and PARKING!

Flora C.

A few friends wave about this place for a charashi bowl. They told me people will wait in line for. I saw their young sparkling eyes (hint hint; I missed) when talking about this place. I thought how did this fine Japanese restaurant got out of my web. So, I have to try it. This is a four star restaurant for an average small Japanese restaurant near by the university feeding the young with empty stomach and dry pocket. This is the place provide calming food with average quality and ok price. To me, this is the "I've been here and done that" type of restaurant. The list checked kind of restaurant. It is definitely not the type I would stand in line for. However, I will say this is a good place for a quick bite if I am in the area and found a parking spot. Price: Sushi order by piece Quality: Ok but not the best kind like you would stand in line and wave about Environment: Very small place (no wonder the wait during peak time) Notes: Cash ONLY The waiter is taking orders and making dishes behind the sushi bar during my dinning visit.

Elizabethe A.

I have to say I wasn't impressed. I understand that it is super cheap, but I don't care how cheap sushi is if I bite into it and it's frozen. That is never worth it. Also the scallops tasted like nothing. They tasted like they had been washed before hand in tap water. Which I suspect they were because they were probably just thawed under running water right before they were served to me. I want to like this place, and will probably go back because it is so freaking cheap. But I can't really order my favorites there like scallop, and sweet shrimp, and sea urchin, which I can live with, but I don't want to. And that makes me sad.

E F.

Finally ate here after reading all the reviews over the years. All the previous times we were in the area, either the wait was too long, or we came on the wrong day, or at the wrong time. And yes, we showed up a little before they opened at 5 PM, and the place was already half full. Don't sit by the door in winter if you can help it, or you'll get blasted every time the door opens, like every 10 minutes, or when people carelessly leave it open...(really?!) We got 2 Chirashi bowls (~$15 each) and the Hamachi Kama (~$8). Nice large slices of fatty fish (salmon belly, tuna, amberjack, lightly seared bonito, eel, and some small scallops on top with tobiko). The Kama was quite yummy, though a bit of sauce during grilling would have really punched it up (it came with dipping sauce). Doubt we'd make a special trip, given you have to park on the street in the heart of Wallingford, but not bad for the money. We haven't tried other sushi places in the immediate area, like Kozue, so can't say if it was better or worse, but like I said, we were pretty happy with what we had. Even hubby said it's worth the wait (though maybe not half an hour.)

Rebecca U.

The only reason this isn't a 5-Star is because the venue isn't the cleanest. BUT - the food is FABULOUS! Chicken is all white meat, the beef is tender and low in fat, and the sushi was meltin in your out bangin! The portions are the perfect amount and the price is FABULOUS for FABULOUS quality! I so will be back. Stay Fabulous Musashi's and keep up good work!

Kate C.

This is my go-to sushi place when I was a student and craved legit sashimi. The line can be ridiculous if you are with a big party and they don't take reservations and is cash-only.

Dale T.

Love this place since I studied at UW 10 years ago. I still come to this place regularly. First of all, they give out big portion, and their grill items taste great. The seafood were fresh and pieces are big! I always order bento or chirashi when I go there. Their salad were also very different and taste very good. Please be prepared for a little bit of wait time! This place is small and always packed, but it is definitely worth the wait!

Chris T.

My boyfriend brought me here after a long day of work and convinced me that id be so enamored with the chirashi bowl that it wasn't even necessary to look at the menu (which means that I'll have to come back here soon, order something else, and update this review!). And boy, he was right! A pretty big bowl filled halfway with almost perfect rice (slightly sweet with a touch of vinegar...but slightly too sticky) and then layered to the top with a few pieces each of about 3 kinds of fish, and shrimp, scallops, and BBQ eel. All for under $15! If the other food is as great as the chirashi bowl, then Musashi's would easily get five stars if not for the lack of ambiance with the tile floor and the fold up chairs.

Jessica N.

This is my go-to spot for take-out or cheap sushi. The sushi is decent for the price point and the portions are great! You get big pieces of fish on the nigiri sushi and the full california roll is plentiful. The only con of this place is the size of the restaurant, so expect a wait if you go during peak eating hours and this place is NOT a good place for groups. I recommend getting take-out and it only takes 10-15 minutes for your order to be ready. Don't forget, it's cash only.

Ally W.

Completely amazing and relatively cheap - winning combination! You absolutely have to try their sukiyaki bowl, simply delectable. If you don't, you're seriously missing out! Also love their delicious selection of nigiri! I'm starving as I type, wish I could go there right now!

Danielle B.

The chirashi bowl definitely lives up to the hype! Had a good amount of sashimi for a great price (14.50) and the pieces were generous. The service is not that great, the host skipped over our name so we ended up waiting an extra 20 minutes or so, then waited quite some time before someone came to get our order. I understand they are very busy but it is a small restaurant so you expect service to be a little better. Overall great sushi at a great price, I think next time i will order in though.

Jane W.

Love their chirashi bowl! The line is incredibly long if you wait to get there past 5:30 on the weekends. Weekdays tend to be a little less busy, but it will be worth the wait! Nice staff and there is always a lot of sushi for the price you pay.

Ella O.

Two words: chirashi bowl. Another two: vegetable skewers. Well worth the wait. Completely satisfying and great value.

Anjou A.

This spot is a definate 6 out of 5 stars. There is almost always a wait, but it goes by fast. The food is definately worth the wait. It's cash only and the prices are right! The fish melts like buttah, espesh the tuna and salmon.

Willie M.

Musashi's is one of the most solid sushi places in town. While it may not be as good as some of the pricier, more high-end sushi places, it is among the best for its value, low prices for good quality sushi. Among my favorites are the onigiri (rice ball stuffed with salmon), the tuna, the eel, and the Japanese omelet. The Japanese omelet in particular is great, though it doesn't have any fish, the sweet egg creates a delicious flavor of savory and sweet, not unlike a more subtle maple syrup over eggs experience. Despite the fact they are always busy and jam packed with people out the door, I've always received excellent service. The servers have always been kind, and if there's ever been an issue with the order, it's often remedied quickly. There are only two downsides I can find for Musashi's. One is that every now and then certain cuts will be very cold, borderline frozen, this has happened more often with the hamachi than other fish. The other is that it's cash only, while I understand some of the motivations businesses have for doing this, it makes it a pain in this day and age, where even parking machines and farmers market businesses accept card.

Jenny L.

My all time favorite sushi spot in Seattle. It just feels and tastes like authenic, old school Japanese food. This place is always busy, but the wait is worth it - even it is cold or freezing outside! My fiance and I always order the Chirashi Bowl, and either the salmon roll, hamachi roll or california roll. For $14, the Chirashi bowl is a great value: 3 pieces each of 5 or 6 kinds of fish, plus shrimp and bay scallops. (I've paid $25 for 1/3 as much sashimi at other places, and they cut the pieces thinner than here) The Beef Sukiyaki is delish too, and great for a cold day. The servers are friendly and the food comes timely for as busy as they are.

Stacy Y.

We been here so many times but this is the first review for Musashi's. This is a great value/budget sashimi place you will ever find in Seattle that still delivered with good quality and decent service. Frank's favorite has always been their bento combo which has grill chicken, beef, and mushroom, zucchini, 10 pieces of sashimi, 2 pieces of tamago, rice, and a choice of soup or 'salad'. All these for 10.50! What a bargain :) And my favorite is just simple grill chicken with rice. Personally I think their rolls have a little too much rice so we just stick to sashimi instead. During dinner time, there's always a line outside the door, wait time can range between 30 to 50 mins. Inside is small and cozy, not much room to move around. Staff are generally nice and efficient. A restaurant that offers this price point for great sushi is hard to find and I think it makes Musashi stands out from other more expensive place. It's simple food with lots of comfort.

Christopher S.

I've heard time and time again from native Seattlites that Musashi's is the the best in Seattle for quality/price ratio. I often find it way better than much more expensive places. You'll likely need to be prepared for a long line, and crowded seating, but it's worth it and somehow way adds to the atmosphere. Make sure to bring CASH or check!

Kevin K.

The food here seems super fresh and delicious. The portions are gigantic for a price that's more affordable than most sushi bars in the area. The place seems to be always packed and parking isn't exactly easy, so plan accordingly. Service is nice. They have a strict cash/check only policy. The variety of sushi is pretty decent ranging from the Americanized California Rolls to Unagi, Yellowtail, and other Nigiri Rolls.

Amelia B.

Ironic that the absolute best sushi in Seattle is also the cheapest sushi in Seattle (ironic, but AWESOME). Their fresh salmon is to die for, and the pieces are huge. I know people rave about the chirashi bowl, and for $14 bucks I suppose it's a great deal, but I can never eat that much sushi. Obviously, my only complaint is how you have to time your visits to avoid the crowd. Advice?? My boyfriend and I make a point of going only before 5:30pm--grabbing an early dinner, and never on Fri/Sat. If you come after 6 you are guaranteeing a wait. Never come with more than 4 people. 1 or 2 is preferable. And don't go when it rains--you will be standing outside waiting. Though I won't lie--the wait is well-worth it. The smart was to do Musashi's is take-out. Call in ahead of time, and it will be ready within 15. And remember--cash only!

Luis C.

I really like this place! I grew up going here since I was a little kid. My Mom used to take me while we were out and about running errands in Wallingford. The owners are the same, and the food is pretty much the same food. I like their pricing too. My only gripe, if it can be one, is that they only accept cash or checks- no debit/credit cards. Bring Cash. This is one of my favorite places to eat in Seattle and I'll stay a loyal customer for a long time.

Helen M.

Soooo goooood. Hands down, Chirashi Bowl. You will not be disappointed. It's $14 for a huge bowl of sushi rice and more sashimi than you think your tummy can fit. It's usually a mix of 2 types tuna, salmon, unagi, some scallops, a little bit of tobiko, and whatever else they have that's fresh for the day. I usually can't finish a bowl by myself but on those days where I'm starving and I manage to get to Musashi's at the perfect time, I can handle a bowl AND a spicy tuna roll. Of course, you'd have to roll me out of there afterwards :p They don't take reservations so parties of more than 2 will have a bit of a wait. I do not recommend going with more than 5 people since the place will literally only hold about 30 people. We had a bit of a difficult time with 5 in our party but we managed to fit. Don't forget, it's cash/check only!

Nick H.

If I lived in the neighborhood I'd eat at Musashi's every week. Or rather, I'd call in my order ahead of time and take it to go. This is a very popular, very small sushi restaurant and you will probably have to wait 15+ minutes for a table (even on a weeknight). Once seated the service is pretty fast, considering how busy the place is. I'm not a sushi expert, but the food was delicious, fresh and both my date and I enjoyed what we ordered. I did a double-take when the check arrived. I hadn't really been paying attention to the prices on the menu and was shocked at our tab. We shared a couple of rolls, several pieces of nigiri and tea for about $20. Well, $25 with tip. I'm used to paying at least twice that for sushi. Also, don't forget to bring cash. No credit cards. There is a lot of great sushi in Seattle to choose from. What Musashi's lacks in ambiance and speed it makes up for with tastiness and low, low prices.

Elizabeth G.

I am a sushi snob, and although Musashi's is by no means the fanciest spot in town, it certainly provides inexpensive, speedy and high-quality fish. Your options are pretty basic here, so if you are looking for an elaborate roll with 17 sauces, this is not your best option. What Musashi's does best is sashimi or nigiri, always serving up generous portions of fresh, tasty fish for extremely reasonable prices. If you want to eat your weight in fish and pay no more than $15, get the chirashi bowl. My best advice is to call ahead and place a pick-up order, because the restaurant itself is very small and tends to have a crowd outside, rain or shine.

Brandon N.

Musashi's has the best sushi for the best price. You can't get the quality of sushi they have for the price I think in the entire city. The portions are great and the fish melts in your mouth. They prepare spicy tuna rolls the way they should taste. The Hamachi's amazing and so is the salmon. Can't say enough... I almost hate to give them a 5 star rating and such praise because I know the lines are going to just get longer and longer, but the owners deserve this praise frankly. Really nice people... The only downside is that it's a small place and so people do have to wait and they're always busy...but what do you expect for such high quality sushi at the price they provide it at?

Angela C.

If you love sushi and haven't been here yet, well, what are you waiting for? I have been coming to Musashi's almost weekly for the past seven years. I come here so often that I know the current owner by name and have been present for two different staff changes, which was unfortunate since I had come to really like and become friends with the previous staff of older Japanese women. The current staff is starting to recognize me though, which is nice and much appreciated. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Considering the prices, which are fabulous, the sushi portions are both fresh AND generous. For instance, my boyfriend and I went here recently, and this is what we got for less than $30: 2 pieces of eel, hamachi, albacore, and fresh salmon (so 8 BIG nigiri pieces) 1 noodle salad 2 rolls of spicy hamachi maki 2 rolls of spicy fresh salmon maki We actually ended up taking half the sushi rolls home to eat for breakfast the next day, which was still delicious. I would highly recommend asking the chef for the "spicy sauce" on the side, so that you can use the sauce with your nigiri. Trust me - it tastes so good! The only thing you need to keep in mind is that this place is CASH ONLY so bring cash or a check book. Now excuse me while I go wait in line for a table.

Rena G.

Despite its small and demure appearance, the fish is unctuous and the prices are unmatchable.

Chad Y.

Great quality sushi and definitely a place I check out when I'm in the Wallingford area. Prices are reasonable and the flavors are true to form. The service has always been pleasant and quick to please. Lines can be long, but it is definitely worth the wait!

Kelly C.

Chirashi sushi. That's it. Hands down. Only disappointment was I asked if they had umeboshi and the obaasan gave me a funny look.

Amanda W.

I'll start by saying I personally love Musashi's for what it is; fast, cheap, fresh, simple sushi. During the warmer months, we order here at least a couple times a month ... or whenever I get a craving. FOOD: The b/f and I typically order rolls and a few pieces of nigiri. Their selection of rolls is not near as varied as many other places, but they have a few choice classics that we always order: california, spicy-tuna, salmon-cheese, and hamachi. I've never had a "bad" or "funny" tasting piece of fish so it is likely that they consistently use fresh fish. That being said, I don't consider myself a sushi aficionado with a super-discerning palate when it comes to raw fish, so it is difficult for me to tell whether the fish is expensive and high quality or just of an average quality. Also, I've been told that the style cut of the fish and the rice/sushi ratio is not correct, but I wouldn't know the difference. Regardless, I find it tasty and satisfying when I'm craving sushi. PRICE: You will not find cheaper sushi anywhere else in Seattle. One reason we eat here so consistently is that it is as cheap (maybe cheaper) as making a meal at home. For the two of us, our bill is always about $20 (for rolls and nigiri) and we always end up with a few leftovers. We once ordered take-out for 5 and the bill was under $40!!! PLACE/SERVICE: Very small seating area. May feel cramped for some. When it's not busy and/or we have time to wait, we enjoy eating at the restaurant. The complimentary tea goes nicely with the food and the wait staff is always very nice, even when it's crazy busy. However, their take-out is very fast, usually about 15 min. Typically, we order food while leaving work and pick it up on the way home. Finally, they are cash only and are closed Sundays and Mondays. Sushi snobs will probably be disappointed in Musashi's. I would expect that most of the high rated reviews come from the fact that the food is so cheap and yet remains fresh and pleasing to the palate. Most of us sushi lovers wouldn't want to miss out on this neighborhood gem!

Dennis L.

Order a boat load of smoked salmon

Maria N.

This sushi restaurant is about as straightforward as you can get. No novelty rolls, fancy decor, or wide drink selection. And that's exactly what I love about it! Bring cash and be prepared to wait for a table--but I promise it's worth it. My boyfriend and I came here on a weeknight around 8 pm, and only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table to open up. We ordered 2 bowls of miso, chirashi bowl to share, salmon roll, and spicy tuna roll. I liked how the kept the tea carafes at the table--very convenient since I was practically inhaling it. The miso was delicious, better than I've had in most Japanese restaurants. The rolls were only so-so. The quality of the fish just wasn't there, but I figured that would be the case given the prices. The real standout is the chirashi bowl. I was very impressed with the quality of the sashimi (a few ragged slices, but overall very clean and delicious). Not only do they give you a great selection of sashimi: ahi, salmon, hamachi, scallops, with a sprinkling of roe on top, but they give you A LOT of it. It's a really amazing deal for $11. This is a great place to go for a quick, cheap, and casual meal. Not so great for larger groups or if you're looking for something more fancy or intimate. And don't forget to bring cash!

Lissa W.

Cheap with big pieces of sushi. What more can you want? The fish tasted fresh, and sure it wasn't the highest quality, but the cost to quality ratio was the best I've found. Go somewhere else if you want amazing sushi. The miso was also quite good. I got a teriyaki bef skewer that was dry and tasteless, but this is a sushi place after all. There was tea provided on the table as self-pour, which was quite nice. My friend and I both ate for $10, including tip, and we were both full by the end.

Ray I.

Owned by Koreans........but at least the food is good!! Chirashi bowl FTW! Thick pieces of fish for only $13!

Olivia H.

One of my favorites. You cannot beat their quality for their price anywhere in Seattle. It's one of those small places that are content with having a small number of tables because they have a fast turnover and never-ending stream of customers. People actually wait by the door before they open. Order their chirashi bowl, it's off the menu but the best deal there. By the way, DON'T come here if you're one of those people who feel so entitled, they are shocked that they have to write their own name on a list and wait outside for a table. Come here knowing there will be a wait that's worth it.

Jessica G.

After "breaking up" with Musashi's for a few months, I missed it and decided to go back. To my pleasant surprise, it had changed for the better! The rude female server that used to be there is no longer around, they've purchased new white tea cups (no questionable brown muck!), and the sushi is still delicious and for a great value. I'm happy to announce that Mushashi's has returned to being my go-to sushi joint, and memories of the bad experiences are fading fast. Hooray!

Sonia Y.

Chirashi bowl for only $14? You've got to be kidding me! And for those that don't know, the Chirashi bowl has basically a bunch of sashimi put on top of a bowl of rice. But not just ANY rice, it's the kind they use for sushi... I think it's ginger flavored rice? And it's a bit more sticky than regular rice. Anyway, there are 4 pieces of like a bunch of different kinds of sashimi, like salmon, tuna, a piece of shrimp, scallops, eel, and I know there is some that I'm missing! But anyway, for $14 that is definitely CHEAP! And it's also top notch quality & fresh. The shop itself is a bit small-- some call it "cozy", and yes there is a lot of times where you will be outside waiting, but I think it is VERY worth it! Oh, and I also love how they give you your very own tea pot so you don't have to keep waiting for refills!

Kevin A.

Great value for good quality sushi, the only problem is that everyone in Seattle feels the same way.

An R.

I don't understand why there are so many people waiting everyday . The person who made the sushi is koeran and is super crowed.

Brad A.

LUNCH: I had the $10 Bento box. Nice variety. No hotties in the room. This was my first visit there. QUALITY: I would recommend the lunch-time Bento. I did get some vege sushi rolls...hmmm...I don't like to complain, but the rice tasted cheap. So, stick with the lunch-time Bento Box is my best suggestion. (The small sample of beef teriyaki was a little tough, suggesting that they can and do use cheap ingredients...I suppose to keep the prices down.) PRICE: Not bad. The Bento Box was $10. The 2 sushi rolls were $2.50 each. HOTTIES?: I didn't see any. (This was my 1st time there.) ATMOSPHERE: The place is a very small 15 small table cafe. I didn't know they had lunch. When I've gone by in the evening, there's always a waiting line outside; so, I have no idea what dinner would be like there.

JD K.

This time around, wasn't that great. The service was awful. It took about 20 minutes before a server came to our table to take our order. Then the server brought out the wrong food and still charged us. We left disgusted and I promise I won't be returning.

Pawa P.

Simply best sushi in U-district, arguably in Seattle. Fishes there are always fresh and they know how to make sushi; I'm talking about legit sushi, not the fancy sushi with overprice values at high class restaurants. If you are raw fish fans, just get Chirashi Bowl and you won't be disappointed. It is quite pricey but the amount of foods and the quality are totally worth it. Only problem is if you go at the busy time, you might have to wait for a long time. But hey, legit restaurants suppose to be like that. They will treat you nicely no matter what though.

Orlene C.

This is the best value sushi in Seattle. However, they do not serve fresh crab. They only serve imitation crab. This makes me question the quality of the seafood. I come here for the spicy tuna hand roll and the pasta salad. The spicy tuna hand roll is excellent. I would get the food to go because eating their requires a long wait and cramped seating.

Kris H.

It was a busy night, but I don't mind waiting for good sushi. When it was our turn to be seated, (I was keeping track of who was ahead), the waitress spoke in Korean to a lady outside, offering to seat her next even though she just got there. The lady declined and said it's ok to go in order, and then we were seated. WTF??! So messed up!! Anyhow, we ordered a chirashi bowl, sushi platter, miso and half a cali roll. The miso never came. Why squish so many people in a small area if you can't keep track of them all?? This is definitely a "quantity over quality" establishment. The food is good for the price, but the customer treatment and squishing people together like sardines is a huge turn off.

Olivia C.

Chirashi, chirashi, chirashi....oh did I mention, order the Chirashi!!! They are very generous with their sashimi, which is a plus plus for fish love like me. The place is usually busy with long line. It can be very crowded and a little claustrophobic. But the food make up for all of that. Although they have good sushi, their menu is not as extensive as some of the other restaurants. I'm not a fan of their warm dishes, especially the curry. It's really salty. Nevertheless, go try their Chirashi. A word of advice, the dish is not on their menu. But it doesn't mean they don't offer it. Just tell your server you want Chirashi and they will bring a bowl of heavenly goodness for you. :)

Kit K.

Probably my favorite sushi place in all of Seattle, not only because it's delicious but best of all, extremely affordable. I don't think I've ever spent more than $20-25 after tip and I STUFF MY FACE - salmon cheese roll (gettin' a craving right meow...), miso, a piece of salmon here, eel there, crab salad... Seriously, I kinda feel like I have to go here at least once a month. It's bad...but so good.

Sandy H.

The Space Tiny storefront in Wallingford's main drag, 45th. Not much to say about the ambience. It's cozy and they try to fit as many seats in there as possible. The Service Decent. Nothing extraordinarily good nor bad. The Food Really good sushi at an affordable price. Extras Expect a wait if you go during prime lunch/dinner times.

SP A.

My favorite sushi restaurant!!!! Um~~ yumyum!! Their nigiri sushi and chirashi bowl are fantastic with thick fish cut. But due to the delicacy of the food, there is always a long line outside waiting, so I don't like to go there in the winter. :( When the spring comes, I will go back again!!

Nick B.

Finally got to eat here. Tiny place that fills up quick. I'll tell you what is not tiny though; the slices of fish you get on the Nigiri platter ($12 I think (!!!)) Prices are great. Simple sushi done right. Fish was fresh and perfect temperature. Definitely going to try the Chirashi bowl next time.

Nick B.

It is no hyperbole what so ever to say that this is the best sushi I have had in Seattle! Now, you may be turned off by the huge crowd of people waiting outside such a small restaurant. You may even say to yourself, "It would take them at least 8 hours to accomodate all those people in that tiny little space!" Do yourself a favor and wait. I highly recommend the Sashimi bowl. A sashimi bowl is essentially a whole bunch of sushi on top of a bowl of rice (rather than having it rolled or cut into littles swathes). And I will say this, the sashimi bowl at musashi is absolutely unbelievable. The sushi tastes so fresh it's like they beat the fish over the head as they brought it out to you. The prices aren't that bad either. If you want to avoid a lengthy wait try and odd time, but, as this place is so good and far from a well-kept secret, I encourage you to just grit your teeth, put down your name on the wait-list and then be prepared for the best sushi in Seattle!

Sarah C.

Chirashi bowl! $14! (Cash only.) May or may not be expensive, depending on your persuasion, but this is how to get so much sushi that you have to give some of it to your vacuum-for-an-esophagus friend. Love her to death, but that's how it is. She'll also eat the roe. I like it, but only so much of it. I'm very white about some things. I asked my Korean friend (different friend, same dinner) to speculate on whether the dish - it's a big bowl of rice topped with maybe 15 pieces of sashimi - is actually Japanese or if it was created with the American in mind (and then I wondered what 'chirashi' meant). She said it IS a Japanese thing but that they aren't near the same size over there. Anyway, it was pretty good. The fish didn't blow me away with its quality, but neither was it in any way nasty. We waited forever and it wasn't worth that. With Kozue and the one that starts with the 'I' just up the street and still to try, why would I come back? At least during the rush.

Heinz T.

Best quality sashimi deal in all of Seattle! This place doesnt have the best rolls, but still dope, but i never come here for the rolls anymore. If you like quality fish, for a super quality price this is the place. If you dont like eating raw fish, the other items on the menu are marginal at best. But if you do like raw fish you have to order the chirashi bowl. Its not even on the menu, but most of the time it'll be on the special's board and it comes with 4 pieces of yellowfin, 4 pieces of albacore, 4 pieces of salmon, 4 pieces of tuna, 3 scallops, 2 pieces of unagi, and 1 shrimp all over a bed of rice for 14 bucks! Parking isnt too bad in and around the neighborhood at any given time, Ive never had to walk more than 1 or 2 blocks. The place is small, and knowing the hours of the restaurant are key to not waiting too long. Its so compact in there, sometimes when your seated it feels like the people at the next table are at your table. This is one of those random places that are cash or check only, but i dont care, whatever you gotta do to keep the prices low and quality high, im with it....

Crystal B.

I have been looking to try as many sushi places in Seattle as I can to find my favorite one. I decided to try Musashi's because it was highly ranked on yelp. I initially tried to go on a Monday, but the restaurant is closed Sunday/Monday. My boyfriend and I went tonight (on a Thursday) and there was about a 15 minute wait, which isn't bad for how small the restaurant is. I would assume the wait would be longer on the weekend. The inside it pretty small and cozy, which gives it a nice feel. They only have a few tables that fit 4 people in them, the rest of the tables are for couples, definitely not a place to go if you have more than 4 people. The service is really fast, which is great. The server was a Japanese woman who was very friendly. She gave us the menus and some hot tea as we sat down. The menu is pretty small, only the basics, nigiri, teriyaki and a few rolls on there. Although the menu is small, the food we got was absolutely delicious! The hamachi and albacore nigiri melted in my mouth. They are not stingy with their slices either, I got nice fat pieces of raw fish. We got our sushi in less than 10 minutes and were stuffed in 20. Not only was the sushi delicious, but the prices were low. My boyfriend and I each ate a lot of sushi and our tab was $33, which is cheap for sushi. You can't ask for a much better experience for the price. I would still go back even if it were more expensive. It's a great place to go to get a sushi fix. It would be nice if they had tempura or udon on their menu, but i'm not complaining; I can go somewhere else for that. Just a heads up, they don't accept cards, only cash or check so come prepared. All I have to say is YUM!

Alice B.

How could I have not known about this place until now? Went there for the first time today for lunch and loved it! One of my top 3 favorite sushi places in Seattle. Prices were really excellent and quality was top notch. Individual nigiri pieces were $1.70, the fish was very fresh and portions were large compared to other places in Seattle. It really is a hole in the wall, and probably could seat no more than 20 people. The sign on the door says open since 1984, so it obviously has a great following. Service was decent and attentive, although I think our waiter had on one ear bud attached to an ipod or something because I had to ask for low sodium soy sauce three times. Otherwise it was a great experience. Note they do not take credit cards, only cash or checks. I'll be back!

Cliff D.

This. Place. Is. AMAZING. Uuuuhhhhhmazeeeeing. They have the best sushi in Wallingford... actually, the best I've ever had, ever. You won't be disappointed! The only thing you have to watch out for is their odd hours, like ever other sushi place in town. I believe they close at 2:30 for lunch, and open around 5 for dinner. Random notes: they have small tables and usually have a line out the door. Also, cash only!

Ane P.

The prices here are really good for sushi. I enjoyed their veggie roll with pickled daikon. But the prices for the teri plates are not so good. Two little skewers of chicken, a huge football sized heap of rice and miso for $6? In the future I think I'll stick to the sushi. I did however enjoy the small intimate atmosphere and the friendly service.

Dennis S.

This place is a gift to sushi lovers. A great bustling little sushi spot in Wallingford where the fish keeps moving and the people keep coming. Their chirashi bowl and vegetable skewers are awesome. I especially like going there for their sushi by the piece because they are flavorful and the pieces are HUGE in comparison to other places. The place is smaller and can get very busy during peak dinner hours so be strategic about when you go or else you might be waiting outside in the rain. Don't bring a large party, the place is not for that. The price is good and Molly Moon's ice cream is just a few doors down LOL.

Stas G.

This would have to be the best sushi value in Seattle. The menu is simple but you get a lot of bang for your buck. Be patient with the new wait staff as they have just recently rolled in a completely new crew. It will take them a little time figure out how to roll in such a fast paced little restaurant. If you don't want to deal with the wait or the hassle of dealing with the new staff try calling in a to go order. I would recommend chirashi, sukiyaki bowl, or any of the rolls.

kenny p.

This used to be my favorite sushi joint. Good price, good quality, and generous portions!! However they recently changed owners and the portions are not as generous as they used to be. I will come back in a couple months to see if there's an improvement. Also, DO NOT sit next to the table by the bathroom! You will lose your apetite!

Chase L.

This place is poppin! I walked out paying 26 bucks for 2 people but get this, we got a bento box, 2 sushi rolls, edamame, drinks and miso soup! It was wonderful! Me and my girlfriend will be going back here whenever we want true sushi. We have both been to Japan so we both know good sushi when we taste it and this place is the closest to true japanese sushi we have had since our last visit to Japan! THANK YOU MUSASHI'S

Kathy K.

Love this place. I call ahead all the time and do pick up here. The spicy tuna and salmon nigiri are absolutely delicious and always taste fresh. Only complaint is it's just too small! It's cash only - but that keeps the prices really low! Would definitely recommend to anyone.

Kristian L.

I live in Lynnwood and have only been here twice with my fiancee...and each time, it was worth the drive! The sushi was very fresh and generous! My fiancee had the chirashi bowl the first time we went and she LOVED it! I had the bento combo both times and it too was generous. I love the amount of sashimi they include in the bento combo. My opinion, the bento combo is a better deal than the chirashi bowl. And that's a because, the second time we went, my fiancee ordered the bento combo over the chirashi bowl...and that was very hard to do for her because she is big time sushi fan! Other advice: prepare for a short wait because this place is ALWAYS packed from opening to closing! And bring cash!

Jackson L.

This ma and pa's hole in the wall Japanese restaurant is truly a testament to tradition and making use of small space and providing intimate (close-quarter) dining. The lines often run around the block as patrons wait to come in and eat their awesome Chirasi (mixed sashimi bowl on rice) or bento dinner combinations that rock. I've been coming here since my college years at the UW almost 10 years ago! CASH ONLY but WORTH THE EXPERIENCE AND YUMMY FOOD GOODNESS!!!

Christie P.

I went to Fremont to get a gluten and dairy free cake for work birthdays and I drove past Musashi's TWICE and it was EMPTY BOTH TIMES I could have gone in and enjoyed a long leisure lunch of yummy, yummy sushi but no. I drove by. I kept going. Crying a little, I drove on. Friends don't let friends skip out on awesome sushi for an amazing price... or write painfully horrible poetry. Don't let this happen to you. Don't drive on. Go inside.

Yvonne C.

Updating my last review. Nigiri is still probably a 2-star experience. Haven't had it recently but in looking at other people's nigiri in the restaurant, it still looks like there are big slabs of fish relatively carelessly thrown onto big chunks of rice. But their chirashi is 5-star!! For $14, you get a ton of fish, tasted fresh. I'm definitely a fan. Just don't ding them for the sushi chefs that probably aren't really sushi chefs ;-) Maybe that's why the chirashi is that much better than their nigiri.

Aimee F.

Another cute restaurant in Wallingford. I adore the small time feel of this restaurant and many like it. I initially visited this cash only establishment by friend recommendation, well turns out this friend has great judgement. The rolls are well-priced and bottomless tea. Not to mention their ever famous chirashi bowl, if you want to try this out come hungry! It's an assortment of raw fish atop a bed of sushi rice served in, yes you guess it, a bowl. Come hungry, leave happy, but be sure to check their hours. There are weird gaps in service hours but well worth it.

Patrick S.

There's not much I can say that the other 287 reviews haven't said. The chirashi is an excellent deal and the sashimi pieces are of a wonderful size while also of an excellent price. however they don't have uni. the place is also extremely tiny. maybe the size of the area in front of the mcdonalds counters where you order. i should also probably be shot for making that reference in a sushi restaurant review. but hey, whatever, it works. :)

Cookin B.

Its more like 3.5 Stars. Their Unagi Sushi is one of the better ones in town. Its not to sweet and sauced out like most places. The spicy tuna and salmon roll is simple and priced very well. I have never seen sushi rolls so cheap. YOu would think this place was a sushi taco truck its so cheap. Anyhow its fine. But if you like rolls on steroids with shit loads of ingredients, this is not your place. This place is about fish, rice and seaweed with maybe 5 or so rolls but the tea is on the house, so props for that. I actually went to this joint 15 minutes after their opening hour. I wouldnt wait in line to eat here. This joint gets packed. I wanted to eat here the night before, but seeing a line about 40 minutes deep, I was like F that. Now after saying that, this place is the hip joint on the street. So go early if you dont like to wait. And remeber its simple there. And theres no drenching of spicy mayo, which is a good thing. Compared to Rain sushi and Kozue on the same ST. , this place smokes. The fish quality is way better as well, again pricing. see you again, right at opeing bell.

Yangfan X.

$15 Chirashi bowl. The only thing you need. The reason why I keep coming back. Sea weed salad pretty yummy too. But really, there's no other reason to come here. Must have.

Jason W.

The wait wasn't as long as the nightmare stories. The hamachi kama is the bomb here. It was only $7.50 and cooked perfectly with a great sauce, served with rice. Top that with super cheap pieces and I'd go to this place all the time. I went twice during my visit to Seattle. The pieces of fish were actually TOO big. Can't complain. Excellent place to eat...and then you can walk down the street to get ice cream.

Mira D.

This place is a closet. You are pretty much sitting on top of your neighbors, boo! I usually like to have a little space between tables and eavesdrop on only one conversation at a time, yeesh. Price is fair, but the variety is terrible; there isn't much to choose from. Parking is tricky as it's only street, and this place is on the main drag, you might have to circle a few times. Oh yeah, cash ONLY so come prepared.

Robert K.

This place is quite good in terms of taste, quality, and pricing. Here is the funny thing, the sushi is not good in my opinion and even though the price does it some justice, I would not eat sushi here. rather, try the cooked dishes instead, it's quite good. Hint: very long wait since its so small, order to-go or be prepared to wait, or come early of course. Disclaimer: I claim to be an "expert" when it comes to this type of food and so take my review as you like. :) I will say people way over-rate the food here, particularly the sushi!

Eric R.

Musashis is a great sushi place, especially for the price. Like the other reviewers have mentioned, price is traded for space and busyness, but in my mind it is totally worth it. The accommodations are cozy, so it is not an ideal first date place, but the sushi is the most important thing to me, and that is where it delivers full bang for your buck. The quality is very good, and the chirashi bowl is my favorite. It is very low priced, and gives you a very good sushi experience. If you are looking for really good sushi, without outrageous prices, definitely come here, just remember to get here near opening times or expect a line.

Won M.

Big fan. Not the highest quality fish but very good quality with huge portions. You know one of those days when you want to just stuff yourself with Sushi? Oh wait...that's every time I eat sushi. Anyways, this is the place for that. Generous portions with good quality fish. Always very busy and a tiny tiny place but great service. I personally like the ambiance. It's not pretentious. It's everyday place with everyday people. Also enjoy the bill at the end of the meal also.

Vivian L.

Hands down one of the best sushi places I've ever been to. It's not the most comfortable of restaurants but the quality of the sushi makes up for it. I crave the chirashi bowl almost every other day. If I wasn't a broke college student on a budget, I'd get this any chance I could. I love drinking the hot tea while waiting for my food. The sushi rice is perfect, and the portion is perfect for one person. Even if I get the chirashi to go, the portion is still fair. Love this place!

Daniel P.

I love this place so much! I wish it was open all day, everyday! Go for the chirashi, it is my favorite and I am sure it is many or people's favorite. They won't disappoint you, expect maybe you will have to wait a while since they are always busy. Overall, I said it's a must go!

Ellis J.

This is our favorite sushi restaurant for going out for a casual dinner. Sure there may be more fancy sushi places that don't make you wait outside (Make sure to get there early) or take credit cards, but you can't stuff yourself on amazing sushi for cheap. This restaurant isn't trying to be anything other than what it is, and what it is is amazing. Go for the great fish, friendly service, good prices, and non-stop hot steaming tea. Try the noodle salad too. It rocks.

Mary S.

Best sushi in Wallingford for sure! Superb prices and damn good sushi. The Chirashi bowl is a great idea, I usually grab a piece from my mister's when he gets it. I just get a few pieces.. The wait is pretty ridiculous, but the staff is always very kind.

Lynn C.

My FAVORITE sushi place in Seattle! I went here twice already and have not been disappointed at all. My fiancee found this place through raving reviews and he wanted to take me somewhere new for our date. As we drove by, we saw people waiting outside in the cold and light rain for their turn. "This place must be REALLY GOOD for people to wait in the cold" I thought to myself. I'm so glad we didn't drive on by because of the line. It was so worth the little wait. I didn't know when I walked in but I happen to know the owner. She is an amazing, sweet, and friendly lady. She introduced me to her son which was one of the sushi chef. What a great family! This place is AMAZING!!! Their sushi are so fresh and BIG. I had the chirashi bowl the first time and a bento box the second time. Yummy! And if you like seaweed salad, their seaweed salads are great too! I have to order it with my meal. Amazing food, awesome friendly service, good price... YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PLACE IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! I love Mushashi!!!

chris m.

Great service. Fastline to be seated. The atmosphere feels like you're in your mom's kitchen at home. Great price! They are one of the core restaurants of wallingford!

Connie C.

Great value! The chirashi bowl was abundant, plenty for one meal. The miso was above average. Price over other items on the menu were very reasonable. We waited about 5 minutes for a table for 2 at 7pm. Note: Cash only.

Jedd K.

This has to be the best sushi place I have had in seattle. I can't compare this place to restaurants such as Umi's since this is more of just fresh sushi. I come here so often and always bring a different friend along, the lady who owns the place likes me! My typical order: 2 Spicy Tuna Rolls, 2 Ikura, 2 Unagi. This is surprisingly enough to fill me up for an early dinner, and only costs about $12! I highly recommend their spicy tuna rolls, one of the best, and different than other spicy tunas! Also, their california rolls are very large and they taste awesome, I think the full roll (8) is only about $5.75 but seriously, its big. Also, when I feel like eating a variety, the Chirashi Bowl is probably one of the best deals they have. $15 for a bowl of sushi rice, and a bunch of sashimi above it. This will easily fill you up and you will smile after every bite. The only downside is they are always busy!! You usually have to wait unless you go right when they open. Also, it's a small establishment so there aren't too many seats. Oh, cash only too so don't forget your cash!

Angie K.

Chirashi. Bowl. I ate at about 5-7 sushi places in Seattle before this one during my 4 days there. You would think that I wouldn't have enjoyed Musashi's as much because I had so much sushi in such a short span of days, but nope. The quality is amazing -- fresh, melt-in-your-mouth sashimi. The portions were generous and they did not skimp on the fish at all.The rice was flavored perfectly. I will absolutely insist on going back if I am ever back in Seattle. Cash and check only; no card.

Yuliana A.

Musashi's is a proof that a restaurant doesn't need to have an extensive and fancy menu to be successful. They just have to be super good at what they do best - sushi in Musashi's case - and maintain the quality of the food. I always get the chirashi bowl ($14) here and has never be disappointed. They have unagi, tuna, fatty tuna, shrimp, scallop, and salmon on top of rice. Any dish with raw fish is very simple...you just have to make sure that the fish are fresh, and Musashi's did! Today I also tried the onigiri (rice ball with salmon filling). While it was good, it was overshadowed by the chirashi bowl. Musashi's is always worth the wait (though you might want to eat here while it's sunny outside...then you don't need to wait in the cold).

Michael H.

I've heard lots of good things about this place, but they don't jive with my experience. I tried the California roll and the yellowtail roll. They were not that great. There is so much better sushi available in Seattle that I just don't see the point in coming here. In its favor: CHEAP. As far as sushi goes, anyway. Cheaper and better than a conveyor belt place. The staff are nice too.

Grace K.

This is a review for the famous chirashi bowl. I am willing to say this is the best sushi (quality and price) in Seattle. Let's just say the Musashi's phone number is programmed into my cell phone. I have been getting these bowls for the last 5 years and would estimate at least 50 bowls have been consumed. Delicious and a must-try for sushi lovers. For adventurous rolls, I like to go to Umi, but if you're looking for a chirashi, this is your best bet. LOVE!

Elizabeth T.

The chirashi bowl is all the hype. It's delicious and fresh! I just wish they didn't keep the fish so cold. The salmon rice ball thingies were also good. They're simple. Salty salmon in the middle that pairs well with the rice it's wrapped around. The hamachi kama was perfectly fried with a beautiful dark char. The slightly sweet vinegar/soy dip they paired with it was perfect. The restaurant is, as everyone else states, cramped and tiny. I hope you don't end up having someone outside the restaurant window stare at your food as you eat. The silver lining would state that the weirdo finds my food visually appetizing, but dammit, I don't like it when strangers rape my meal with their eyes, even if it does look like food porn. Small things like their delicious oolong tea make me super happy and make up for the violation of my food.

Monali P.

Believe the hype. This place is good. Just got take-out and am very satisfied. Prices are unbelievable, spicy tuna and salmon sashimi are on point, fresh and tasty. I'm not sure why I got the salmon and cream cheese roll as I don't like cooked salmon much, it was beyond smoked to me. I say stick to the raw stuff, it's cheaper and it tastes better. They're busy for a reason, and if you want a seat, you'll just have to wait. I wasn't craving sushi for ages but now all I want is some more Musashi's.

EmKay B.

Beautiful, fresh sushi for amazing prices. Small and cute-may have to wait and write down name on little notepad..it's totally worth it. Good looking family owners too! Those who complain must be snobs bc I've had sushi from Manhattan to Chicago to Miami and this is the right temp (cool, but not too cool and not yucky room temp!), perfect freshness, and salivary gland inducing taste. The pieces of sushi are so generous. I struggle with what to order due to budget but when I cut my original order in half, I still am stuffed. 2 maki rolls and 3 pieces of sushi is plenty and about 13 bux. Noodle salad is delish. Even miso is above other's. Mouth watering BBQ eel too, my bf and I rave about it all the time! Salmon eggs were so delicious too, I ordered extra. Even the sushi rice is seasoned very well and tasty. Right price, right sushi. Free green tea too! They know what they're doin' here.

Erin R.

I count myself among the masses who don't get what the hype is about... I thought it was pretty Meh. I think the problem may be with what I ordered (probably should've tried the Chirashi bowl), but the rolls were blandsville. Happily the grilled green onions were pretty delicious. Service was incredibly fast, though I felt rushed by my waitress. If you need a cheap fix and you're in Wallingford, it's not a bad option... but I wouldn't go out of my way for it, and I'd happily pay a few more bucks for a tastier product elsewhere.

jon M.

This is the kind of place that you really don't want to write a review for because it is so small and is already so packed all the time. The sushi is as fresh as anything you can get in town and he prices are some of the best. Bento is always a good deal but the special Chirasi bowl is gangsta good. Be warned their hours are limited and the line can be long. Be nice to the waitstaff so they keep their prices down!

Ali P.

THE BEST hole in the wall sushi restaurant in Seattle. Cash only. Family run business. Always busy. The chirashi is 14.50 and so good. It has thick cuts of delicious fish and none of the unpopular stuff. Contains: salmon, tuna, albacore tuna, yellow tail, eel, scallops, one piece of shrimp. This is a traditional sushi place so it's not great for people who just like rolls and aren't big fans of raw fish. This is the best deal in town for sushi (nigiri) and sashimi. It is all about the fish at Musashi's! Also, the skewers are great!! Beef skewer yummmm and veggie skewers mmm so good. They welcome pick up orders, so just call in your order if you don't want to wait for a table. They're always packed.

Deb G.

Oh so good! One of the things I miss most about living in Seattle is the fresh, relatively cheap sushi (the only other thing - teriyaki). Musashi did not disappoint me or the coworker I dragged along. The sushi nigiri, California roll, and extra pieces of unagi meant we basically had to be rolled out the door. Plus, it was only 20 bucks each - how does it get better than that? Oh, I know. It would have been trying that chirashi bowl, which the guy next to me got. I thought about snatching it out of his hands, it looked that good. Next time, Musashi.

Mele Y.

Yep, I finally got 'Musashi-ed'. And yep, it was all that and a bag of chips. There were a few people waiting before us, be sure to go inside and sign in. Somebody will come out and get you when there is a table available. The wait time wasn't all that bad, around 15 minutes. The hardest part about waiting was smelling all the food from the outside! I had the Chirashi bowl which was delicious. The pieces of sashimi were so fresh, I'm salivating typing this out right now. My friend had the spicy tuna roll and the califonia roll as well as the vegetable skewer. She enjoyed her food and also noted how fresh the tuna was. For the price, the quality of the food is awesome.

Kevin W.

Love the chirashi here. Good selection of fish in the chirashi bowl like, tuna, salmon, albacore, baby scallops, unagi, hamachi. A must go for all the sashimi lover's out there. For the sushi, the portion was quite generous and the california roll is the best!

Rebecca L.

"wait. it's how much? for that? wow." about 75% of the times i dine out, this sentence is said with a tone of disbelief and resentment. i feel like my hard earned money is being wasted on a meal that was mediocre at best. musashi is pleasantly in the 25% bracket in which the meal was cheaper than the price paid. the sushi was good, the rolls however, is what won me over. the rice is well made as is their miso soup. on a cold october evening, there is nothing like that miso soup to warm your insides. the reason why i'm giving it three stars is because of the fact that it's so small. there is a good chance that you have to wait outside and they won't seat you unless your entire party has arrived. they also do not accept credit. CASH OR CHECK ONLY. luckily, i had my check book with me. So musashi, i liked you for your price and food. but for ambiance and sundries, i have to say three stars. good job!

Ani D.

I wish I didn't have a sustainability conscience when it comes to food any more, because Musashi's is my favorite--my weak spot. Just a great, well loved, neighborhood place where the food is excellent, the staff is so so sweet and generous (i used to frequent quite often with my housemates, and we always chatted with everyone there and would magically end up with some extra roll on our table--so lovely!) Anyway--musashi's--I miss you.

Sally M.

I LOVE this place. BEST CHIRASHI (for those of you who do not know what chirashi is, it's a variety of sashimi over sushi rice served in a bowl, $14) IN TOWN. Two thumbs up. Great quality & quanity for your sushi! And I love how they give us the whole bottle of tea at our table. The service may not be as great since it's a teeny tiny place, over-flowing with customers, with only about 2-3 servers. But I can never get enough of this place. I don't care if I have to wait outside 20 minutes to get a table! I don't care if waitresses ignore me when I ask for more water, their food is DELICIOUS. I don't think I will ever get tired of this place.

Bradley H.

Really good Japanese food in Wallingford. Both price and quality are great. Make sure to get there within an hour or so of them opening or else you'll have to wait for a table.

Sharon S.

Get there early. This small first-come, first-serve restaurant is a huge hit. It's not just any sushi restaurant, it's a true sushi restaurant so if you don't like fish and just all about california rolls and udon noodles, I'd recommend going somewhere else. Order the chiashi bowl.

Allan L.

You know you're at Musashi's when you see a dozen people standing outside of their door. I think it's safe to say that this place has a great reputation for its good food and relatively inexpensive prices. I'm personally a big fan of their chirashi (sushi-rice bowl topped with a variety of sashimi). This is a great place to go for a casual dinner but try to avoid going in large groups as their tables are small and probably seat on average 1-4 people at a time. Beware though, the restaurant hours are a little funky so be sure to check their operating hours before going.

George I.

Great sushi at a affordable price. Make sure you call to make a reservation. It's a small tiny place and usually there is always a line outside. Regarding food, my favorite is the chirashi. Steamed beans are a good appetizer as well. You can't get wrong with any sushi - the fish is always fresh.

Ashley J.

Best Quantity, Price & Delicious Sashimi

Praisye S.

I'm a fan! I have been here more than 10 times. The food is great, but the service is not so much, maybe because they always busy. But i do think that they need at least one more server. Cash only payment is the only thing that i don't like about this place. I mean come on, nowadays how hard it can be to setup electronic payment. =p

Stella C.

Great food. Worst possible service. Food: best sushi I've had in a while. Really exquisite. Service: 1st. no one brings us menus. The table was dirty. when they came clean it, they knocked a soy sauce bottle off the table. The braking of the bottle splattered soy sauce not only all over my husbands jacket but also into his eyes and onto the girl who was sitting next to us. He went to wash the soy sauce out of his eyes. After returning, the only words that were said were, "are you ok?" There was no apology, No acknowledgment of what happened, or any concern what-so-ever. 2nd: we have to ask for menus because still have none come to us. 3rd: after brining the menus the waitress brings the tea splashed boiling tea onto his leg. Still nothing is said. That was all the negative issues with the service that I can remember. No one thanked us or apologized for anything. I guess with the food as good as it is, they don't have to worry about service.

Whitney G.

It is a small place and keeps very busy! We got there around 5:45 on a Saturday night and it was packed! There were at least eight other people waiting outside with us but the wait was actually pretty reasonable, less than 20 min for sure. All the servers were super nice! We had hot tea waiting for us when we were seated and the food came promptly. The sushi was so good! Good prices for what you get. We left fat and happy!

Jesse F.

The best hole in the wall sushi spot in all of Seattle! I eat here every week. Fish seems to be handpicked as it is probably the freshest sushi in all the land. They do not have the most extravagant rolls bc, honestly, the fish is so good one would not want to mask the taste with some ridiculous sauce or by frying it. Prices are also a huge plus. Go for the Chirashi bowl, best value and you get to try out a ton of variety. Also, insider secret, you can customize your own Chirashi! Not many other sushi joints will allow it...

Connie L.

1. Crowded 2. Decently priced 3. Sashimi Consumed: Broiled Eel Sushi Sushi Nigiri $7.50 (assorted sushi plate) (2 tuna, 1 yellow tail, 1 prawn, 1 albacore, and 2 pieces each of tuna and yello tail roll) Some maki roll that wasn't memorable enough for me to reiterate the name. While I was expecting a long waiting time, my mother and I were actually seated within the 5-10 minutes promised. I was SO skeptical when the lady who informed us the wait would only be 5-10 minutes. But 5 minutes later... we were seated!! The place is pretty small inside. I would really only suggest dining pairs/couples. It's really not a place for any more. Even three is a bit awkward with the space available. Service was relatively quick. The sushi itself was pretty good since it was relatively fresh. I really really enjoyed the eel sushi. The sashimi was decent. I just learned that I can't have too much of it at once. I would like to come back to try the maki rolls.

Johnson T.

CASH/CHECK ONLY! Fresh sashimi Long waits Chirashi bowl I've been to Musashi's a handful of times and I've been satisfied after every visit! The nigiri selection is pretty wide and are delicious. For my last visit I tried the Chirashi bowl and I would definitely buy it again and again and again, with some nigiri pieces of course. The only downer to Musashi's is that the place is small so the wait is kind of long. I wouldn't bring a group of more than 4 people here.

Tammie C.

Came for pick up. They were so fast. Literally 10 minutes. And they have AC now so the -1 for environment is back on. 5 stars. Love this place. TIP: JUST CALL IN FOR ORDER

Melissa M.

This place is super amazing, I can't get enough of it! Everything is very simple, the fish is cut very thick and is very fresh. I usually get the chirashi bowl, and unagi and salmon nigiri. The bowl is filling and very nicely priced too! Everything I've tried here is tasty! I should warn though that the place it self is very very small and usually busy so customers waiting for a table or to go orders must wait outside. Also the small dinning area makes for some awkwardly placed seating. No cards, bring cash.

Sandra H.

This place is still my favorite casual sushi place to go for a quick sushi fix. The fish is usually fresh and the portions are great. The price is even better! I eat small meals so I don't even spend more than $10 each visit. It is a small restaurant in an old building so don't be surprised if it looks a little run-down. The Chirashi bowl is only around $15 and has a good selection of sashimi on top of a lot of rice. If you can eat a good amount and like sashimi, then this would be good for you.

Sophia W.

Great quality of fish for the price! The chirashi is a generous portion. The restaurant fills up very quickly when they open at 5 pm. At 5:30pm there is already a long line outside! This is definitely a eat-and-go place. If you are looking for a place to hang out with friends over a meal then I would suggest somewhere else. However, if you are looking for a great meal at a great place, this is the place to go for sushi!

Suzy L.

If you want to eat transitional Japanese food, DO NOT go there. This store owned by Korean. All the food were not as good as the real Japanese food. Service was soooo bad. When I asked them some question about the menu, they were more likely to skip my question or answer other customers questions. THIS STORE IS NOT WORTH TO GO! Save you money for some real Japanese foods.

Jessica L.

Cheap, healthy and deliciously simple sushi. It's the way it should be. Nothing is covered in sauce and taking away from the pureness of the fish. We must eat here at least one a week! My one complaint is that we order there a lot (we live around the corner), and most of the time the miso soup is cold and has to be reheated. This could easily be fixed by making the to-go soup containers when the order is being picked up. Overall the quality for what you pay is outstanding!!!

Diana G.

First off: CASH ONLY. If you got that, you're good to go. Pros: Great Quality Healthy Selection Fast Service Super Affordable Hip Venue Cons: Long Wait Not Fancy Rolls (though that honestly is a plus for me) Imitation Crab (the only thing giving it 4 instead of 5) The miso soup and rolls are wonderful, but if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, the Nigiri plate and the bowls will give you a TON of awesome raw fish for your buck. Charming place, super close to Molly Moons (sushi & ice cream night, yeah?). And you can get completely stuffed off of sushi for under $10. WHAT?

Cam A.

pros: generous portions, good quality fish cons: cash only, long waits, pieces could really be cut in 2 for the longest time i would drive by, see the countless groups of people waiting outside the restaurant, say "forget that" and drive on. first off, the sushi is excellent. it's not the best sushi i've put in my mouth, but it is quality fish. they also give generous cut sizes, which i was initially really excited about, buuuut, that excitement soon wore off when i was chewing an uncomfortable mouth-full of fish. this was soon a constant annoyance as it didn't let me enjoy the many characteristics of the sushi i was wanting to experience. i can understand the line of college kids who've pilgrimaged all the way from uw for the chance to eat magically large portions of sushi, but if you can travel around to more parts of the city you can find something better and without the, what i feel is undeserved, mystique.

Henry L.

I think the only complain to this restaurant is the wait. That says it all. However, there was a time I didn't want to wait and asked for take out. Turned out the rice was half cooked.

Trang T.

The chirashi bowl is soooo good and so worth it! $15 and enough to fill two tummies!

H K.

Great fresh sushi but be prepared to wait for a table

Will G.

My favorite sushi restaurant in Seattle without question. It is by far the best value: Sashimi/nigiri is as cheap, or cheaper, than any other joint, but the pieces are gigantic! And while I'm not a total sushi snob, the quality seems to me to be on par with just about any other place. The only cons are that the building is tiny, and they don't have a lot of fancy rolls (but on the plus side, places with extravagant rolls usually charge too much for them). But if you want simple, good, reasonably priced sushi, Musashi's is the best. And remember: cash only.

A B.

It was good but not the best I've ever had.

Jo C.

Best sashimi cuts in town!

Melissa N.

I have been here at least 5 times. This is the place to go if you want gourmet, mouth-watering sushi. This isn't the fancy-let's-fry-it-up kind of sushi. This is authentic, made by young, hardworking guys in a small kitchen. I came with a group of 5 recently, and knowing that the restaurant is very small, we split our group up. One of the guys was really nice to accommodate us and take our orders early because we were waiting a long time. As seats became open, people just sat down and took them. He was kind enough to notice and graciously told them there was a waiting list and that they could sign up on. The best thing anyone will tell you to get is the cirashi bowl. It's $14.50 with tons of sashimi that are thick and juicy and packed in rice. Such a good deal. The bowl looks deceivingly small, but I guarantee it will fill you up. All the pieces are so large, fresh, and tasty. I'm surprised that even the rice was really good. I've gotten two cirashi bowls in the past two weeks. I'm a little obsessed.... but it's hard not to be.

Sunny L.

I can't believe I've never written a review for this place. This is my favorite sushi place in the city in terms of both value and quality. There are definitely better sushi restaurants in the city, but for 3x the price. The sushi here is fresh, affordable, and come in generous portions. For around $15, you can get a chirashi bowl with a mountain of fish and rice that will fill you up and leave you a happy customer. You can also order a la carte, and I usually spend around the same price for six pieces of nigiri and a miso soup. What a great value! The size of the nigiri is also bigger than average, which is great if you don't care about fitting the entire piece in your mouth in one bite. For me, it's all about the value and not so much about how I look eating it! ;) I highly recommend this place. Bring cash and a big appetite!

Jeff C.

This is one of the better sushi places in Seattle. My favorite is still Maneki but this place is on top of my list as well. This place is super small but the turnover ratio is pretty fast. I came on a weekday, the place was packed by 5:45 am but we only waited 20 mins. I ordered the chirashi bowl, sweet shrimp, and hamachi karma. The chirashi is too notch- not a lot of sashimi choices but everything were fresh and flavorful! and you can't bear the price! ($14). The hamachi karma was the only disappointment... the dish was very dry... but hopefully it was just a bad batch because I will come back! The service is ok, only 2 servers for the whole place. I asked for additional plates but the server never brought them to me... I had to go up to the counter and get them myself. The servers were completely overwhelmed. This is a 3.5 star experience for me!

Antoinette H.

I love their sushi. It's fresh, consistent, beautiful and tasty. I LOVE their prices. It's the place that denounces the idea that cheap sushi can't be good. The only problem is that it's about the size of a postage stamp and it's INCREDIBLY popular. On a regular Wednesday night I've had to wait upwards of an hour for a table...and everyone waits that long because it's that good. Were it not for the lines, they'd get a 5 star. I have decided, from here on out, that the best way to eat here is to call ahead, and get it to go. My shop is only a mile away and I can stock beer in my little fridge. No need to wait forever for amazing food!

Ieva K.

I have never gone here and not waited in line for a seat. Worth the wait. This small hole-in-the-wall sushi joint is delicious. This is my go-to food spot in this area. It's small, cramped and nothing fancy by any means, but it makes up for it with the fresh and delicious sushi. I always order sashimi (and a Sapporo) and I am never disappointed in the quality. Food comes out fast and the service is great. This is a CASH ONLY place, and street parking only (sucks for me and my parking skills). (My 7/30 for November)

Leah S.

I don't get why some people are still ranting about this place. For God's sake, they have like the cheapest chirashi don ever ($15) and if you expect the chirashi to taste like what the other fancy japanese restaurants usually serve, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. Oh, and try to stick with their chirashi and noodle salad only or you'll be disappointed.

velma v.

Great food great prices which is why there is always a line....get there early or be patient....seaweed salad rocks!!

Nicole Y.

While in town visiting a friend, another friend who had attended UW told me that this was a must-visit spot. After hanging out in the lovely Volunteer Park, we headed toward Wallingford to sample some sushi. We knew it was cash only and stopped at an ATM beforehand. I believe they also accept checks and definitely saw a few people paying that way as well. There was a huge crowd outside but luckily most people were waiting for to-go orders. The inside area is pretty small, maybe only 8 tables. We were seated at the bar within 10 minutes of putting our names on a list. This was on Friday night, too! :) While waiting for our food, we enjoyed the tea provided on the house. Though crowded, we never felt cluttered at the bar and were able to have a conversation without shouting, which seems to happen in some small restaurants. We ordered miso soup (flavourful with large chucks of tofu and seaweed) and ordered some rolls and a nigiri sampler. The fish was delightfully tender and fresh and the rolls were gigantic. You can choose if you want 6 or 10 pieces in the roll...and that does NOT mean they just slice them thinly. We were unprepared for how much food we were about to consume. Luckily we were not rushed and took our time eating everything put in front of us. It was fun sitting at the bar and getting to see all of the rolls being prepared. Great place for sushi and unbelievably inexpensive. For everything we ordered, my friend and I split the tab and payed $15 a piece with tax/tip. Can't beat that!!

Anony M.

Gave it a try a few times. Couple times had hair in my food. Great value for the amount of food you get but its not good. The quality has gone down over time as well.

Andy T.

Best deal in town, quality and quantity is perfect. Owner is awesome and offers extra sides for regulars!

Anna A.

This is my favorite sushi place in town!

Tammy L.

The best chirashi bowl for the best price! I usually can only finish 1/2 - 3/4 because the serving is so big! Absolutely delicious and love how you can customize your bowl since I don't really care for the tuna. It gets super busy around meal times but it's worth it!

Jenn L.

CHIRASHI BOWL. $14.50, plenty of fresh, melt-in-your-mouth fish, and a ton of rice. Can't beat that! I always mean to try some of their nigiri and rolls but I can't seem to stray from the chirashi... I could honestly eat this every single day. The second I finish my chirashi bowl, I'm already craving another. It's a viciously delicious cycle. Yum.

Lena L.

Chirashi bowl is not on their printed menu. It is freaking amazing for about $13. By far the best quality for the price sushi in Seattle that I've had. Table wait times could be ridiculous, but service is lightning fast once you get a table. I would recommend getting a take out and eating your food somewhere else.

Michelle L.

Fresher than fresh sashimi for a cheap price. It really does not get any better than this Their vegetable skewers are alright... but it will definitely be the sashimi that keeps me coming back!

Harrison P.

This place is good and lines are long. Skip the wait and grab it to go (under 10minutes) beats waiting outside in the cold for 45 minutes. Definitely get the chirashi or nigiri(eel, scallop, and salmon in particular). Have you seen the thickness on some of these pieces?????? Sushi got back.. Service is friendly and they do thier very best given the dinner rush. Only time I would sit in is prob lunch time. Defiantly hate that they are closed Monday and Sunday!!!

Tabitha T.

Cheap, and fast, but not good. After they told us it would be a 15-minute wait, the two of us waited over 45 minutes to be seated. Once we were seated, though, the sushi came out within minutes of ordering, and each roll was only around $3. We were surprised by their limited menu - just a few basic maki rolls (rice, seaweed, and maybe some fish), some nigiri, some teriyaki. None of those fancy/Americanized rolls or tempura or anything. So we got edamame, two nigiri, and four maki rolls. Sadly, their maki rolls were mostly rice - very little fish. Salmon and albacore nigiri were huge but parts of each were chewy/difficult to eat. The smoked salmon & cream cheese roll looked/tasted like they used canned tuna. And later in the night, we both got stomach aches. I was so excited to try this place based on the good reviews, but I'm never going back. :'(

Evan B.

Best bang for your buck sushi in Seattle. It's cash only, and they pretty much just serve standard nigiri and basic rolls. But the fish is excellent, and they give you enormous cuts on the nigiri. Very cheap. Very good. On weekends, be prepared to wait a bit for a table.

Leah R.

So affordable and really fresh. Be prepared to wait (depending on the day and time) but so worth it!

Mary K.

I just went to the place with my girl friend. The sushi dinner ($12.50) came with a huge fresh raw fish. It was great! Despite of its long line, it's worth to wait. The host was very sweet (and cute! Lol). We'll so go back again. Highly recommend!

Katya O.

Yum I love the chirashi bowl! I get it with salmon and unagi and its perfect. Also last time I was there I was eyeing the salmon nigiri that the table next to us ordered. They looked like nice and large pieces, I am definitely getting that next time! The only down side is that the place is so tiny. I would come here in the off hours or take

Andy G.

Hands down one of the best sushi places ever! Great prices and always fresh. A must in Seattle.

Sixto P.

Big waiting lines, but you have to stop whining and balance the fresh, good food, home made taste and prices that come with it. The place is tiny, but the environment is great, besides the homie feeling, balance again, win, win. The reason for not taking any cards is the low price, so again quit the whining you spoiled brats, no one is going to die because of that.

Debbie P.

Finally got to go to the original Musashi's! Of course, I had to have the Chirashi bowl. Like it's counterpart in Factoria, this place it tiny and always with a wait. Unlike it's Factoria counterpart, it's Chirashi bowl has scallops!

Erin E.

Let me start off by saying - this was one of the highlights of my trip. BEST SUSHI. I'm from California and came to visit Seattle for a mini vacation. My friend and I were craving sushi and other friends suggested Musashi's. The place itself is tiny and crowded but not tight and uncomfortable. It's setting is more personable and intimate. Anyways, we were seated right away and both ordered the chirashi bowl. THE CHIRASHI BOWL. Oh lord, the hype is SO real with this one!! Not only is the price amazing but you can also switch out the fish! And the quality of the fish is insane!! The salmon literally melted into my mouth, the eel was incredibly flavorful and I've never had seared halibut before but I think it's become a new favorite!! I love this place so much. I would love it even more if they were open on Saturday afternoons!! But it's okay, I was lucky enough to have it once. :)

Kenny K.

It's a nice hole in the wall at Wallingford. This place is always crowded and has a line unless you come right when it opens. The food is great. If you like sushi and you live in the area, it's definitely one of the better spots to come to. I get the Chirashi bowl with other nigiri like salmon, eel, or tuna.

Tao Tao W.

So glad I got a chance to hit up this place. Its small but we waited maybe like 10 minutes for a table of 2 so it wasn't bad at all. Service is great and prices are STILL the same as years ago. The reviews and pictures are true. The awesome Chirashi with nicely sliced fish which includes scallop, unagi, tuna, hamachi, salmon, shrimp, and another type is still $14.50 and so worth it. If you want nigiri, they sell it by the piece and its a great bargain and huge cuts of fish. We got 2 chirashis, spicy tuna roll, tamago nigiri, and 2 scallop nigiri and the bill came out to $40ish - sushi for 2 for $40? fish is fresh too and they are quick on getting the food out. i have this bookmarked for the future too.

Christine S.

After deciding not to hit up Shiro's for sushi, Naomi L. recommended us to check out Musashi's. The restaurant is pretty small, so be prepared for a wait. They do have seats outside so that's nice. For two people on a Saturday night (a little before the dinner rush), we had to wait around 20 minutes. The chirashi bowl ($15) is totally worth it! You can order it with their pre-set assorted fish or pick up to 4 different items. We also ordered a bunch of nigiri (~$3/piece) and a tuna roll ($5). Fresh fish and huge cuts... what else can you ask for? Cash only, so that's a beez. But there's a Wells Fargo two blocks down if you need to pull out cash. Very affordable and delicious sushi restaurant!

Hai-Yen D.

Was in town from Salt Lake City, UT for a conference. Our group of 6 was driving around exploring the city when my local friend Andy asked if we liked sushi. We quickly agreed and drove to Musashi's without further explanation. We parked around the corner and walked to the small restaurant. It was going to be a 30 minute wait in the hot sun but Andy insisted it was worth the wait. We never looked at a menu because it was stated that we order Chirashi Bowls, so we did as we were told by the experts. The waitress took our orders while we waited, so it would all be ready when we sat down. The restaurant is very small, so we had to split our group between two tables. The hot tea was very good and the food arrived quickly after we sat down. My table of four ordered classic Chirashi Bowls with no substitutions and were all blown away at the large cuts of fish, the amount of fish in the bowls, and the great quality! I was so surprised how great a deal the bowl is and the quality of food that I received. I seriously haven't stopped talking about this place since visiting. Andy and his friend at the other table have been here many times and ordered Chirashi Bowl with half salmon and half tuna as well as salmon and unagi nigiri on the side. They ate everything but the rice from their bowls because they wanted room for all the sushi. Great food and service. I dream about this place every night. This will definitely be my first stop the next time I'm in Seattle.

Jamie P.

Bumping my review to 5 stars; this is the place we also go back to when we crave sushi, but even just for the salmon nigiri alone! Tastes really fresh, and good portions sizes for a fair price!

Lisa S.

I don't know if other places in Seattle offer cheap seafood, but the prices at Musashi's are fantastic. The chirashi bowl is $14, and it comes with everything, EVERYTHING. Ahi tuna, salmon, unagi, scallops, ebiko, hamachi, shrimp, and seared hamachi. Not only did they provide a lot of seafood, but the slices of fish were thick and fresh. I would have preferred the slices be thinner, but I can't complain! Thanks Musashi's for making my tummy happy! On a side note, good luck finding a table. We had to order take-out because the restaurant was full.

Jessica C.

This chirashi bowl may have changed my life a little. There was a giant crowd outside the restaurant. The waitress took our order as we waited outside which is really smart. Not only do we get our food quicker but we leave sooner and they get more business. Lol. I got the original bowl with the 8 different type of fish and I was not disappointed. My fav was the yellowtail, salmon and eel. So if I do get a chance to go back I will probably just get those three. The chirashi bowl was a little over $15.

Yuchi C.

Got chirashi and nigiri. Fish was super fresh, but poorly sliced...It actually affected my appetite so I guess it's a big deal. Scallops on the other hand were not quite as fresh. Amazing price, Cash only, so I will be back when I have sushi cravings.

Jen R.

I was visiting Seattle and was craving some decently priced sushi! The first, and most popular, sushi joint that popped up on yelp was Musashi's sushi! Instantly, all my seattle friends recognized this joint, confirming that this, indeed, is the right place to go to satisfy my sushi cravings. We got there right around dinner time, and had to wait around 25 minutes to get seated. The sushi restaurant is pretty small, but the servers were attentive. They came out to check up on the people waiting, hand out menus, and take orders in advance to expedite the whole process. I was confused at first because they didn't have the chirashi bowl on their menu. SO WEIRD since it seems to be their most popular item! When we asked the server, she said that the chirashi bowl was only an off-menu item. We ordered 2 chirashi bowls and 3 seared salmons on the side. OMGGGG BIGGEST PORTION OF FISH EVER?!?!??!? I mean, I can't really complain - you're really a BANG FOR YOUR BUCK. and the quality was very good for its price.

Truong M.

Hands down one of my favorite sushi restaurants in Seattle. Their fish tastes a lot fresher than most places I've been to. The Chirashi bowl is a great option to get a sense of the different nigiri that they offer and will definitely fill you up. If you're a fan of seared salmon like I am, they sear on a grill rather than using a torch which gives a great flavor. In addition, I don't know what they put in their spicy mayo, but it's amazing. Only drawback to this place is the extremely small location that's disproportionate to the amount of customers that they receive and that they take cash only.

Nina H.

Yup, still one of the best sushi spots in Seattle! What's even better is that they renovated and upgraded their interior at this location. You'll see a few new faces too since some of them moved to Gokan on the Hill (which I still have to try), but everything is still delicious and affordable as ever! Take out is still your best option if you don't want to wait. Though they upgraded their look, the space is still tiny.

Angela A.

This place is special - really good sushi in a really casual atmosphere. I can imagine just settling in here for some "working class sushi" after a hard day of work. I am in love with the chirashi bowls here. Their seafood is all really fresh and delicious. We live in Portland and often come to Seattle with no solid plans other than eating at this place. They put a little more vinegar on the rice than most places, I think, and the fish is cut into relatively large pieces, but it works and turns out to be really good.

Anthony B.

Musashi's is known for two things: A continuous line out the door at all hours of the day. And a Chrashi bowl that is more than worth the wait. Their sushi options are good as well. The spicy tuna isn't slathered in mayo so you can actually taste the fish, and the veggie rolls are nice ans fresh with a surprisingly large portion for under $6. But really if you are here for some raw fish go with the Chirashi it is packed with fresh fish and the salmon is usually fatty and buttery. They lose a star for being cash only and not actually offering much service other than taking your order, bringing you delicious food, and then taking your cash. Also tip for the diners, please don't linger there is definitely someone waiting for your table.

Ivy Z.

Definitely come to Musashi's if you like sashimi! You will get a very decent sized chirashi bowl for a very affordable price. This is one of my favorite places to take my friends when they visit me in Seattle -- especially if they are not accustomed to eating the ridiculously fresh fish that we have here in Seattle. You can choose what fish you want in your chirashi bowl which is awesome, giving you customization options. Their service is okay because they have so many customers going in and out of the restaurant every day. There will probably be a line if you come during the peak hours, so if you are pressed on time I would come a little earlier or later than peak eating hours. They have take out if you want to skip the wait.

Lucas O.

My friends took me here and I had a chirashi bowl for the first time and Jeese.... It's just ABSOFUCKINGLUTLY stun me from the first look as the taste! GAWD I'm in love with this place GOOD PRICE- GOOD SUSHI as me a sushi lover ! Definitely hit to this place again . Btw CASH ONLYヾ(＠ー＠)ノ

Vivian H.

My BF and I were hoping to be able to get a table here for dinner on a Wednesday night. We got there 30 minutes before closing and there was still a crowd of people waiting so we decided to order takeout. We both got the chirashi -- his with only seared salmon and unagi, mine with everything except I replaced unagi and ebi with seared salmon. The food came out in under 10 minutes. We couldn't wait to get home to dig in so we ate in the car. My BF really loved the unagi. I am not usually a fan of unagi but even I have to admit that it was really good and next time I will not be substituting it with something else. The seared salmon was too seared -- basically 90% cooked. I will definitely come here again when craving chirashi. For the amount of fish, it was an awesome deal.

Maria Y.

I recently gave Sushi Maru in Northgate three stars, and Musashi's is better than Maru, but I guess I've become less tolerant of some of the issues at Musashi's as I've been to and experienced more places. If you sit at the bar, you can see into the kitchen, and it looks dirty (though I haven't been back since their recent renovation); you can see them microwaving pieces of fish to thaw them. I don't really like the amount of wasabi they put IN the nigiri between the fish and rice. I will add wasabi if I want it but I also like the option to experience the "pure" flavor if so desired. The fish pieces on the nigiri are huge and often far overspill the rice, and it's actually so thick I find it a bit difficult to eat. Also, they've had some pretty worrisome health inspection violations in 2014 and 2015, visible here: info.kingcounty.gov/heal… . The 2014 one included issues such as inadequate hand washing facilities, proper cold holding temperatures, adequate thermometers and potential food contamination prevented. The 2015 one wasn't quite as bad, but still had a fairly high score (43). All these things make me nervous in a restaurant serving raw food. Combined with the long wait for Musashi's, at this point I'm more inclined to go to one of the other sushi restaurants on 45th or nearby.

Sarah P.

Can't go wrong with their chirashi bowl! Everyone loves it and everyone craves it. Best sushi I had in Seattle area! Growing up in LA, I have been spoiled with and surrounded by extravagant and extremely delicious food so my standards are a tid bit high regarding taste. In short, Musashi is a place where I would take all my SoCal friends to eat sushi.

Dainty P.

Cosy little Japanese restaurant serving sushi and other stuff. My friend and I went to lunch there on a Tuesday afternoon and we didn't have to wait for a seat. We got the bento box which had a sizable portion and was very tasty. I enjoyed the mix raw sashimi, vegetables, and rice. I did't care much for the beef nor chicken skewer as they tasted slightly bland and were not very tender. The sushi lunch was tasty. I was very satisfy with the quality given the price.

Mayori S.

It's just one of those restaurants where you have to take your friends, your family, your who ever when they visit seattle! The popular choice is obviously the chirashi bowl, but the rice bowls and nigiri platter is good too :) The price for chirashi is good for the amount of sashimi you get. It's like $14 before tip. Also know that it's not on the menu, but on the board in the shop! Also, the shop's really small so don't take a huge group to eat there.

Christy K.

Want sushi but on a budget? This is the place for you! Musashi's offer CHEAP prices for Nigiri and rolls for a good quality for the price range. GREAT option if you can't spend a whole lot... Usually I spend 8-15 dollars depending on how hungry I am~~ Highly recommend spicy tuna roll, seared salmon, smoked salmon, and unagi :D Keep in mind sometimes the lines may get long! So plan smart!

Kat L.

BRING CASH, they don't take any cards Came here after been raved about it by friends. Musashi's is a very very small house converted restaurant. There is absolutely no room to wait for a table inside. Luckily we were parked close and sat in the car instead of the cold outside. They only seat parties at tables made for their size (in other words, if you're a party for two and only a table for 4 is open, you will have to wait). They have hot tea at every table which they are really good at refilling. I ordered the nigiri plate, which came with 8 pieces of nigiri and 4 rolls. I hate thick slices of fish on my nigiri, so i was disappointed when I saw what was on my $12 plate. But I was pr oven so wrong! The fish was so good! All the sushi I got was delicious. They also have a bowl with sushi rice and lots of sashimi on it for only 14. A way better deal then the sushi plate I got. All the sashimi was just as tasty as my nigiri. I will defiantly be back and ordering the bowl! And the ladies who work there are SOOO nice!

Robby C.

Out of all of the Japanese restaurants in Seattle, there is absolutely no contest that Musashi's has the best chirashi bowl. Ever since my introduction to the chirashi bowl in my sophomore year of college, the chirashi bowl at Musashi's has been my standard of measurement for other similar dishes throughout the area and not a single restaurant has been able to measure up since. For about fifteen dollars, you are served a bowl of sumeshi topped with large succulent pieces of assorted sashimi. At a majority of places, the seven ingredients used for the chirashi bowls include inexpensive imitation crab and tamago, but Musashi's does not skimp on the ingredients and gives you large portions of salmon and tuna. There is often a long line and extended waiting times regardless of the day. In addition, there are a few complaints about the cramped interior and the fact that they are only able to serve eight chirashi bowls at any given time because they literally only have eight bowls to use for the dish. However, once you sit down and take that first bite of your order, you instantly forget about all the quips that you initially had and simply bask in the almost heavenly quality of the food.

J. L.

I love Musashi's. I think it is the best affordable sushi place I've tried in the general Seattle/Wallingford area. In particular, I'd order the chirashi. Yum! Excellent portions for the price, a warm diner-type atmosphere, and friendly service. I also like that each table gets its own batch of tea! How convenient. Downsides: this place is rather small, so the wait can be long. Also, it's not open every day, so check before you go.

Deborah R.

When I came to Musashi's I wasn't sure what to expect. Reviews had said that it was good - no frills - sushi for cheap. I started to think it was equivalent to Genki sushi. Genki sushi is the same as fast food sushi. It's good, you don't have to wait, it's cheap, and it's just a little better than something you buy at the store. However, I was pleasantly surprised Musashi's was even better than Genki. The rice was plump and fresh, the raw fish was amazing, and the tea was bottomless. I ordered scallop, salmon, and octopus nigiri. The scallops were sweet, the salmon was flavorful, and the octopus was a bit chewy. However, I have rarely had perfect, melt in your mouth octopus...so I wasn't too surprised. Very happy here, and I will definitely come back.

Wendy L.

Fresh, cheap, good chirashi. it's really worth the $14!! Get there early...because the line starts before they open~

Shannon M.

I am giving Musashi's five stars because of the sushi. Huge portions + low prices + fresh, well-prepared fish = Happiness. I know the dining room is crowded, and I know that the lines are always long, but in my mind it is always always worth it. You will not find a higher quality sushi (for the money) anywhere in the area. Musashi's, I love you.

Ray E.

Best sushi for the price! They give you huge cuts of fish for the sushi. This place is the perfect place to go for a legit sushi fix when you are on a budget.

Lilly A.

The first time I came here, I ordered the chirashi bowl. It was pretty good.. of course there are some sorts of fish that I'm not crazy about, but it tasted fresh to me. The chirashi bowl is about 14 dollars (cash cash cash only) and it was definitely worth the price... I could barely finish it! Luckily I came with two boys so whatever fish I wasn't partial to was consumed. Service was great, wonderful ladies who refilled our drinks often... it was a good experience overall

Stella Y.

How disappointing. Since my last review, the quality has dropped. The rolls have been getting smaller (admittedly, it's still big compared to typical sushi pieces) and not rolled as tightly so it tends to fall apart when you pick it up. My husband has also noticed that the sashimi has not tasted as fresh as it has in the past. An earlier reviewer mentioned that ownership has changed and I guess that could very well be the reason for this. Unfortunately, based on our recent experiences, this place is no longer our favorite sushi restaurant.

Sarah L.

Musashi is a good neighborhood sushi place. I wouldn't say their sushi is top of the line but it is definitely good for the price. There is always a line during lunch/dinner hours, so you are warned. I like to start with noodle salad because I'm usually starving from the wait. You can tell them to prepare a $10 sashimi plate for you. I also like their CA rolls: big, tasty, and filling. Spicy tuna rolls are good too. Overall, their sushi is solid-quality for a good price that never disappoint me.

Mimi L.

One of the best places to go for sushi in Seattle! I would probably give this place 5 stars if it weren't for the actual restaurant. The place is very small and always pretty packed, so there is usually a long wait and you have to wait outside because there is no room inside. Don't eat there if you are claustrophobic because everything is cramped in a really small space. I usually just order to go and bring it home to eat, that way I don't have to wait and eat in a tight space. The sushi here is very good! I usually get the chirashi bowl, which is a huge bowl of different types of sashimi on top of sushi rice. The chirashi bowl comes with tuna, salmon, eel, albacore, yellowtail, shrimp, and scallop. I like everything in it except for the scallops, but I just exchange it for tuna instead so it's fine. Both the sashimi and sushi rice is absolutely delicious and there is a LOT of it... I can never finish a whole bowl by myself. They have raised the price of it to $14, so it's a little pricier than before, but I think it's still a decent price for how much you get. My boyfriend got the california rolls last time and said they were the best california rolls he's ever had. I'm usually not a huge fan of california rolls but I have to admit they were pretty good. We have also tried the teriyaki and curry there, but I don't recommend them. It was pretty expensive for a small amount and not that good. In my opinion, you should only come here for the sushi. Overall, this place is great if you love sushi. It can be a little pricey sometimes, but you get a decent amount of food. I will definitely be coming back here (but probably ordering to go again)!

Ruby G.

My favorite place for cheap and simple sushi. I also like their chicken skewers. Definitely not for large groups. I used to live a block away, and there were lines outside everytime I came home from work.

Jim W.

Much has been made of the chirashi bowl, which, is certainly an off-menu steal at $14. There hasn't been much description about it though - saying it's fresh sashimi over rice doesn't quite do it justice. Musashi's is a no frills family-owned Japanese restaurant, with minimal decoration. The walls are covered with posters for local events and the place resembles a diner, almost. The thermos of tea at the table, right when you sit down, is a pleasant touch as other yelpers have mentioned. But the chirashi bowl... is housed in a traditional bowl used for...well, chirashi. Most Japanese restaurants spend some time arranging the fish to hide the fact there isn't really much fish in there. Not Musashi's. The typical bowl really isn't that big...but Musashi's does it right b/c there is practically a block of fish in there; it's as if the dish were an ice tray denture, but instead of water, you filled it up with fish. The cuts of sashimi themselves aren't particularly big, but there is just a very generous serving of tuna, salmon, hamachi, unagi, albacore, one shrimp, with some small scallop pieces in the middle and scattered tobikko throughout. Fresh! Delicious! As an aside, I was feeling extra hungry and also ate the sukiyaki beef bowl, which tasted better than it looked, definitely homemade and a few notches better than Yoshinoya.

Deserae W.

I'm not gonna lie, this place looks super sketchy. It's tiny, no frills, no decoration, no credit card machine. But what they do have is excellent, authentic food. The food comes fast. I usually get Chirashi, but it's too much food form me to finish in one sitting so I have some for a snack later. Their nigiri and maki are significantly larger than at other places. You'll definitely get your money's worth!

Angela J.

Chirashi bowl = YUM Miso soup = YUM Seaweed salad = YUM Bring cash!

Bobby N.

Comparing price, quality and hospitality this is a great place to grab a quick bite. The Chirashi bowl is my all time favorite dish to get. You can order individual rolls or sushi but they can literally be bite size. I just wished they had better service filling their tea jugs and welcoming guests.

Unjeela G.

Small/cramped; long wait of people around dinner time. Not a fancy place. They have basic sushi rolls and sashimi. Sushi rolls are mediocre if not subpar, but sashimi is good. Cash or checks, no debit/credit. Ajumma lady needs to smile more... her friends came to eat, I guess, cause she was so eager to make us leave, like not asking if we were gunna order more and skipping to the receipt. Cold. It's a tiny restaurant, customers like her friends shouldn't be complaining about others "blocking their view of the street" with their heads, aka MY head?? lol. Yea i don't know if i'll come again.

Quynh-An P.

I really don't get the hype over this place. I've been here twice and haven't found it to be all that great. The wait is always WAY too long...and I always try to convince myself "maybe I'm missing something"...but I never seem to figure it out. Maybe it's the Wallingford hype, because I also don't get the Molly Moon hype either and don't understand the line there. Anyhow, I ordered the salmon cheese roll, inari, miso soup, and tamago. The standard of what I usually get. The inari was pretty tasty...that was about it. The miso soup was scalding hot...which is fine, except for the fact that I asked the waitress for a glass of water 5 times and it never came. In fact, I wasn't the only one at our table that asked for water. It still never came. Not cool. The tamago was a bit sour...which is weird, because it's an egg omelette. The salmon cheese roll...what the heck was celery doing in there? Also, the smoked salmon tasted...fishy? I know it's fish, but most of the sushi I've had in the past have been so fresh that it's not fishy. I hate seafood because I can't stand the fishy flavor, and I like sushi because I can eat fish without dealing with the fishy flavor. I do have to admit that the cuts of nigiri are really thick, but I'd rather have quality over quantity. I keep being told it's "more bang for your buck" but I feel like sushi is one of those times where I'd rather have it as fresh as possible.

Joy C.

Okay, I admit it, I'm kind of biased. I love Musashi's primarily for their chirashi bowl, with that bed of rice and a nice smorgasbord of six? seven? different kinds of fresh seafood. I think there were three to four pieces each of salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and albacore; two pieces of unagi, one piece of shrimp, two scallops, some fish roe, and three slices of cucumber. All this for $14! You really don't need any more food after finishing that, even though the pieces of fish have gotten slightly smaller in the last several months. If you do order more food, most of the nigiri are HUGE. A friend of a friend ordered unagi and the eel was twice the size of the rice it was sitting on. Daunting. If you're as in love with Musashi's as I am, you will grow to ignore all of the following annoying little things: 1. Generous portions, but is fish quality the freshest? Better than kaiten sushi, but not as great as sushi from "classier" places like Nijo Sushi or Cherry Blossom. 2. The free tea on every table runs out very fast and it's often not very hot. 3. Be ready to brave the wind, rain, or cold during 3/4 of the year as the place is too small for patrons to wait inside. Heck, you're very close to your neighbors if the inside is packed like it usually is. 4. Which brings me to my next point...there will almost ALWAYS be a line and you'll need to write your name on a list that's usually already three to five names long. However, most people seem to know not to loiter and wait time should average fifteen to twenty minutes. 5. Ladies, I would advise not putting anything on the floor. I leave my purses on the carpet in my apartment (which is dirty), but at Musashi's, I eat with my purse on my lap. 6. Service here is fast because of the line and the need to get people in and out as quickly as possible. At times, it may feel like your table is being neglected. 7. Cash only folks. No cards whatsoever. I guess you can say that I've adapted quite well to the above seven nuisances. Bring a friend, cash, layers and patience, order quickly, and prepare to indulge yourself in some of the best sushi for your money.

Mike G.

My favorite place for sushi. -Order their Chirashi Bowl -Prices are great -No frills sushi -Usually a wait but you can get drink across the street

Ngoc-Diep P.

This is in the same area as Molly Moon's Ice Cream, so my idea of a perfect night with friends is go here to grab some sushi and then to Molly Moon's for dessert. Yup, life can't get better than that. Prepare to wait in line on a Friday night here. It's always crowded because this place is small. It has the hole-in-the-wall feel because it's just like a tiny ramen shop in Japan, but has freaking good food. Love hanging out here, makes me feel like I'm in Asia again on a warm summer night. We ordered several types of sushi. I personally love the rice ball. I don't know what they put in there, but it's freaking good!!! We also ordered warm sake and it's served just right in the tiny sake cups. Endless supply of tea at no charge, which is a plus! Service is always excellent and friendly. Chirashi bowl--all my friends, whenever we go together always get it, I don't since I can't possibly finish it. The portion is huge! Worth your money and it's good from what I've been told. Not on the menu. Have to ask for it. In summary, want a fun night out with friends, not anything fancy but still have good food, go here! Sushi places nowadays tend to have an Americanized look or seem fancy. But at Musashi's, you'll get the authentic feel of a mom-and-pop sushi shop. ^_^

Jacky A.

I love this place, I used to go to Lincoln high school since the Roosevelt was remodeling, Musashi's is one of my favorite japanese restaurant when I had lunch with friends, they have okay services but 100% good quality of food. It might creep you out when you see their store front, but the food is amazing... their famous CHIRASHI bowl (which is sashimi over rice) $14 is wonderful. It is totally worth it. I had sashimi over rice in other place before, but with that good quality and quantity of raw fish on top of sushi rice, it is amazing. The ball may look small, but I can only finish 3/4 bowl. Special Bento is awesome too, they are the two things I usually get there other than sushi. I 100% recommend this to my friends and others... It is just not a good location for tourists since the nearest attraction maybe is UW. AND BY THE WAY, DO NOT GO AS A BIG GROUP, their tables are small, they had some table for 2 that can combine into a table of 4, other than that, it will be the 6 people individual sit at the bar. hope this can help you out ^_____^

Tracy I.

If you love sushi you have to go to Musashi's and order a chirashi as well as the noodle salad. Simply fresh and delicious. The restaurant is tiny, its like the size of my foot (jkjk), so the line at times can be fairly long. Lately, I haven't had to wait more than 10 minutes for a table. Beware, this place is kind of a dive and that's why I didn't give the place 5 stars. DO NOT sit at the counter! This is simply a warning. I sat at the counter once with a friend and we started to analyze every speck in the kitchen - but regardless the sashimi melts in your mouth. Oh, and there was this one lady who was making the orders, I think she was going to have an anxiety attack, but she no longer works there (I haven't seen her there for months). I think some people think that the menu is minimal, but the great thing about it is that the staff can make any roll that you want, minus if you want something fried. And, you can substitute in your chirashi bowl as well...

James F.

Holy Crap! this place rocks. Now I know why there is always a line out the door! cheap yummy sushi!

Nam N.

The sushi here is affordable and tastes great at the same time. I especially love their Chirashi bowl (not on the menu), which has tons of sashimi slices compared to other places I've been to. Plus, I was shocked to see that it's ONLY $14 for the quality and amount of food in that bowl! Make sure to go there when they just open for dinner (5pm) so you can beat the line and get your food faster. Their maki (rolls) are quite small, so you might have to order several if you have big appetite at the time. Cash and check ONLY. Not good for a big group of people because the place is TINY and cramped. And they're closed on Mondays.

David A.

Still good but not as great as it once was. I still enjoy going to Musashi's but I use to crave it. I've gone for years but since the change in ownership I no longer feel it's as good. The sushi size has become a bit smaller but still bigger then most and I no linger feel like the regular I use to where the sushi chef use to know my order. I will still go to Musashi's because it's far better then any conveyor belt sushi place and the portions are still good size for the price. Finding a seat during peak lunch hour can still be a challenge.

Suzi P.

Musashi's is quite possibly one of Seattle's best hole-in-the-wall restaurants ever. Upon popular recommendation, I brought a friend for some sushi, and we each ended up ordering the highly recommended chirashi bowl, which was huge and more than enough for a single person's serving. The bowl has a sushi-rice foundation, and it is layered with strips of fresh sashimi; it is well worth the $15 price. Other items on the menu such as sushi rolls and even fried fish appeared tasty and popular among other customers. In terms of customer service, it was brisk and to-the-point, and the hot tea is free and plentiful. The only word of caution is that this venue is rather small and not very fancy, which could be a good thing because you don't have to dress up. Due to its small capacity, expect at least a 20 minute wait time to dine in, ALTHOUGH, you can call your order in and pick it up ahead of time.

V K.

I got the Chirashi bowl: $14.50...15.88 after tax it came with a bed of rice (the kind mixed with vinegar!), a random piece of nori, and 3 slivers of yellowtail, that kind of quickly grilled ahi tuna, salmon, red tuna, scallops, a nice helping of the tiny orange fish eggs, and a piece of cooked shrimp and unagi. it was very very delicious...the fish is flavorful and tender, except some of the pieces were in more of a 1x1x3cm rectangle, whereas some where the normal sized pieces about .75x2x3cm. overall, worth the price! I went with 4 other people and they were very accommodating, although towards the end of our meal, another party of 6 or 7 wanted a table so we felt we were being pressured to leave since the waitress kept cleaning the table while we were still seated and talking.... I guess they had to do that in such a small restaurant? Oh also, I believe the owners are Korean and not Japanese. Comparison with Kisaku (in Greenlake): the sashimi quality is not quite as a good, but I like the Chirashi bowl's variety and quality for the price.

Kristi F.

There are a ton of sushi places in and around Wallingford, but I always choose Musashi. Even when I have to wait for an hour (we go next door to Olympic Pizza and have beer while we wait) to get a table in the tiniest restaurant I've ever seen. The waitressess are nice, even when people are impatient because they have to wait. (like it's the waitresses fault anyway). Order the Chirashi Bowl-you get a ton of sashimi (more than the platter) and it's all fresh and tasty. The spicy tuna rolls are also fantastic. They give you a carafe of hot tea, which is also a nice touch. The best part about this place is that it's cheaper than other sushi places, but you still get good food. For two people we usually spend $25 (without booze). A nice tall Sappora goes really well with those spicy tuna rolls though. Cash or check only!

Zachary Sam Z.

A friend insisted on taking me here since it is her absolute favorite sushi restaurant in Seattle. It's definitely got an appeal to it. I like the cozy atmosphere and the flexibility with ordering - my friend ordered "however much sashimi you can give me for $15. Chef's choice" and ended up with a nice spread. The fish was delicious and fresh. The wait was a bit of a downer, but we just camped out at a nearby coffee shop and got hot chocolate. Yum!

Will A.

Since I moved back to the city I have been trying to link up with friends from college that I haven't seen in some time. We've got a group together that tries to do dinner / happy hour at least one night a week so that we can catch up and simply socialize. "Let's go to Musashi's tonight." We drive by it and my friend says, "There it is." I look and see what, from the outside; appears to be a hole-in-the-wall, living room sized restaurant. You ever heard the saying about not judging a book by its cover? This place defines that! As we're driving by we notice a line out the door. The place is packed inside and there are a good 10-15 people outside. It's about 37 degrees so I take this as a good sign. We park and then walk in and get put on a waiting list. We were told about 20 minutes so we decided that was enough time to walk across the street for a drink or two. While the two of us were at the bar (forget the name!) I overheard the two ladies sitting next to us talking about "their table" and wondering "if it was ready". Being the outgoing guy that I am I ask if they were in fact discussing being on the waiting list across the street at Musashi's. After confirming my hunch, I suggested that we might have a better chance getting a table if we had combined our parties. Got a laugh from them which was alright because I was just trying to strike up conversation. The ladies paid their tab and walked across the street and we followed suit a couple of minutes later. Still waiting outside the four of us were talking about sushi and as their party was being called for a table one of them told my friend and me to order the sashimi bowl. "It's not on the menu and it's basically the chef's choice." We were called for a table about a minute later and ended up at the bar. Niiiiiiiice. Actually it wasn't that nice because you can't really see anything which is a shame because those guys seemed quick! We ordered a couple of rolls of tuna, salmon, and pickled mackerel. We then asked for the sashimi bowl and two Sapporo's. We get the sushi a couple of minutes later and I was absolutely amazed at how good it was. After plowing through our rolls we shared the bowl. Ahi Tuna, Eel, Salmon, and Yellowtail. I think there was Red Snapper in there as well but I'm not positive. I've been a Shiro's fan since I moved here and will probably still go there from time-to-time but this place was comparable and much cheaper. After we finished we handled the check and headed out but not before stopping by the table of the ladies that suggested the sashimi bowl. "Thank you!"

Kevin Y.

The best bang for your buck at Musashi's is surely the Chirashi bowl, an off-menu item consisting of a stone bowl with a variety of fresh sashimi (and some cooked unagi) on a bed of sushi rice. It's delicious and filling. And it's only $14! Also, one can enjoy complimentary green tea with your heaping pile of raw fish. Would get 5 stars, but it's cash only (a minor inconvenience) and sometimes it can be a bit of a wait to be seated due to the small dining area.

Desiree V.

We got here before 5 (when they open) because there is ALWAYS a line and waited outside till they opened. The service is very friendly and helpful. Their noodle salad is tasty and the sushi is great. We got the spicy tuna and veggie. I love that they have tea (free) on the table. This is by far, the best place in Seattle to get good sushi at a great price.

Linda T.

Musashi's is the best bang for your buck when it comes to sushi in Seattle. I have dined here for lunch and dinner 10-15 times in the past few years. The food has been consistently good. My husband loves sushi, and so we like coming here for the nigiri and chirashi bowl. They always serve generous portions of fish that taste fresh. The sushi rice is always made just right. On each table there is a thermos of tea to fill in your own cup which is I think is really nice, because I love tea. Other items I have tried on the menu that were okay were the chicken skewer, onigiri rice ball, California roll and salmon cheese roll. I really enjoy their harusame noodle salad. The restaurant is located in a small space in Wallingford. The decor is simple and casual. There are various posters of Seattle events on the walls. Sometimes it is fun to sit at the bar and watch the sushi chefs in action. Dinner time is usually the busiest. Unless you arrive right when they open, you can expect to wait at least 30-60 minutes for a table. The service has overall been fast and good. Even though the lines are long, they always seat you as soon as they can. There was one incident when we were somehow skipped in line and ended up waiting longer. But once they discovered that error, they immediately sat us at a table and brought us miso soup, took our orders, and brought the food in a flash which was a good save. Don't forget they are cash only. I can't wait until next time for more yummy sushi goodness in my belly.

Jialu Z.

Super good Japanese restaurant! The Sashimi is affordable and fresh. Highly recommended

Van N.

Review based on trip to Seattle. Home base is in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our friends from Seattle took us here on New Years Eve. They stressed the importance of meeting at exactly 11:30am to beat the rush. And we sure are glad we listened to them. The restaurant is so small!!!!!!!!!!! Lines started forming outside that looped through around the corner as we were eating. Our group of 10 had to split into two tables because of the limited space (we didn't mind though). Based on reviews I read, I ordered the chirasi bowl minus the tuna and the addition of extra unagi. I also ordered the onigiri, because all the animes I watch, make it look so damn good. People tell me it's just rice but ITS NOT JUST RICE!!! Haha. The onigiri was delicious with the cooked salmon in the middle and the seasoning on the outside. My chirasi bowl was amazing balls. Holy cow the size of the cuts are huge and incomparable to Utah's limited selection of sashimi. This place deserves a 5 stars because of the friendly service, the quick food service, the freshness of seafood, and the price!!!!! I paid for a group of 10 and it was 99$!!! You cannot get that quality of food and that price anywhere in Utah. I felt like I got too good of a deal and was ripping off the restaurant LOL, so I tipped 40% of the bill. The owner was taken aback from the tip that she gave us free sushi rolls! Who does that? She was so nice! All in all, I feel a little depressed writing this review because now I am back in Utah with no access to Musashis.

James H.

This is a no frills and thrills type of sushi restaruant but they pack a punch in quality and quanitity. I ordered the nigiri special, spicy tuna sushi roll and 2 pieces of tuna maguro. I was surprised at 1. The size of pieces of fish, 2. The basic menu and 3. Price I was wondering why a single piece of maguro was $2.00 until I saw it come out. The rice to fish ratio is off the chart. The fish was nice and long and there wasn't a lot of rice to compensate. The nigiri mix was fresh and quite plentiful. My least favorite of what I ordered was the spicy tuna roll that had a mayo based sauce. If you're expecting unique and cool sushi rolls here, you should go elsewhere but if you're looking for fresh and thick pieces of fish. Then this is the place to go!

Liz C.

If you could jump into the ocean, catch the freshest batch of fish and then fillet them to your liking, it would taste like the chirashi bowl here. Thankfully, Muashi's does this work for you and all you have to do is wait in line and then eat. It is true - there are people who wait for this place to open up so that they can sink their teeth into some fatty pieces of fish. We arrived around 5:20 (they open at 5:00 on Saturdays) and there was already a hefty line outside. Thankfully, Musashi's serves their food fast so people are coming out and in at a faster than average rate. It wasn't long before we were taken in and seated. You get your own thermostat mug with hot tea in it. If you aren't a hot tea fan then you can simply ask for a glass of water. The chirashi bowl is not on the menu but if you've already seen on Yelp, it's the most popular item so most people know of it anyways. It comes with yellowtail, albacore, tuna, salmon, shrimp, and unagi. However, you can customize it however you want by taking out what you don't like and substituting it with what you do like. I went for a bowl with no tuna, albacore and shrimp and opted out for seared salmon and more unagi. My partner asked for a chirashi bowl with only unagi and seared salmon. We also ordered a full roll of California rolls, onigiri and miso soup. Miso soup - This is one of the better miso soups I have had. It came out warm and the soup was not overly salty like I am used to. California rolls - A full set comes with 10 pieces but you can choose to do a half set of 5 pieces if you would like. Unlike most California rolls, this one is bigger and is wrapped with seaweed on the outside rather than having rice on the exterior. It is filled with imitation crab that is not soaked up in mayonnaise. Some pieces had avocado while others did not. I felt that it was slightly inconsistent but overall, the rolls tasted of higher quality and freshness. I felt like it needed a bit more oomph to it though. Onigiri - After seeing onigiri in animes my partner really wanted to give it a try. We were actually quite surprised. The onigiri rice is very flavorful and is filled with salmon. There is definitely a lot more rice than salmon but the rice is good enough to eat by itself. If you order onigiri it comes with two. Chirashi bowl - YUM. This is literally like a fresh batch of fish from the ocean put into a bowl. The sushi rice is not overwhelmingly flavored and the pieces of fish were generous. I enjoyed how each tasted fresh and fatty. The salmon (raw and seared) along with the unagi were my favorites. The seared salmon is cooked on top but still raw in the middle so it tastes cooked in your mouth with that full fatty flavor to it. The portion size is generous and for the cost, this is a steal. Spicy mayo sauce - I recommend this sauce because it's not like your typical spicy mayo. It has something else in it that makes it so much better. It's a little on the sweeter side but it works with the rolls and the sashimi pieces. They give you a whole bottle to your table so you can use as little or as much as you want. Service - It is a bit slow and they are not always attentive but the two servers are constantly on the move. It took them a while to bring us our spicy mayo and water (she forgot but then she remembered after a few minutes). It also took some time for them to notice that we wanted some to-go boxes and our check. I brought the check up to them, which is CASH ONLY by the way, and it took some time for them to take the check and cash from me. I can understand why it gets hectic though. The total for everything after tip was a bit over $45. If you are a sashimi lover then this place offers some of the freshest sashimi for a killer price. For those who are impatient, you can call and order to-go and pick up your order without having to wait long. I didn't mind the wait since it was so worth the food. Now the ocean is in my belly, hehe.

Yang C.

This place is ideal for the quantity vs quality debate. There does come a point when enough is enough. My wife and I ordered our usual nigiri selections and I was actually turned off by the huge cuts of fish they serve. I mean, sometimes less is more. On a few pieces they had to cut the nigiri piece in half... in.... half.... cause it they made the piece too big to begin with. I know, I know, some of you are reading this thinking that I'm an idiot for saying that and this place is the greatest. You are also the people who's reviews I unfortunately disregard and don't take into account when I want a great sushi restaurant. If you want value sushi and are a UW student, this is the place for you. If you want quality top-notch sushi, go elsewhere.

Angela S.

So I came here because my friend said the sushi was extremely cheap and when I say that I am not kidding. They only have very basic maki rolls so do not expect anything very fancy. Even though I was super full from eating earlier, my friend suggested I must get the Chirashi because you can't get anything like it. I agree. The Chirashi was HUGE and at the price of $15 I got more fresh fish there than I would get in a sashimi combo for half the price. There was unagi, tamago, hamachi, sake, maguro and tobiko. I would approximate at least 15 pieces of fish in my bowl and they were big and thick pieces. You also get a good helping of sushi rice as well to eat with it. The pricing for everything is super cheap and the fish is pretty fresh and delicious. There is a line and it is small and very close to one another but many do order to go!

Karlo G.

A fantastic hole in the wall sushi place. The popularity of this place is evidenced by the consistent long lines and wait times. Once seated, we noticed the efficiency of the wait staff and immediate service. Prices are very reasonable and overall good seafood quality. I recommend ordering the Chirashi bowl and harusame. You may also order a la carte style. Please be aware they only accept cash or checks.

Mae D.

I don't have to write a long review to tell you how delicious this place is. Just drive by when they are open and see for your self. Their storefront is always packed with people inside and out. Granted their restaurant is small, there is always a crowd in front of their entrance. People will wait as long as it takes to get a seat because the sushi here is fresh, delicious and inexpensive. I use to come here a lot when I was in college with my friends. It was a nice, cheap way to have a great bite to eat. My favorite is the chirashi (it's not in the menu, you must ask for it by name) and the spicy tuna. The one thing that I discovered during my date with my wonderful man was the onigiri (rice ball stuffed with salmon and topped with seaweed/sesame seeds. Just writing this review makes me want to go and get some sushi from Musashi... but this time I'd like to go right when they open so I don't have to wait! I don't like to wait when I'm hungry, except when I am waiting in front of their door. The delicious smells wafting from their vent keeps me going until I sit down and order.

Weifei Z.

We had a group of four people who were wowed by: 1. How affordable this place was. We stood outside for about 35 minutes and decided, probably due to delusion induced by hunger, that we needed two of almost every nigiri on the menu and four of the rolls. We ordered so much that when we saw they had escarole sushi once we were inside and wanted to order it, our waiter actually chided, "I think you guys ordered enough." And the price was still reasonable given our intake. 2. How gianormous the sushi rolls were. Seriously, I have never seen that much fish on any individual piece of sushi anywhere. Our waiter was so right and we had to take some sushi home. I think we all walked out with visibly inflated tummies. No regrets. 3. How good it was for the value. I don't think I can eat more sushi for another few weeks.

Alekkz H.

My first impression.. was "ehh.." why did my friend bring me to such a place.. but the sushi made up for it! The inside is pretty small. I don't really want to downgrade a star because of one piece of sushi. I got 2 Tuna, 2 Egg, 2 Albacore, 2 Salmon Pieces of Nigiri~ I liked all but the albacore. REALLY SURPRISED AT HOW HUGE THE PIECES WERE! I thought it was super duper cool... I haven't eaten such big pieces before! :) I recently discovered that albacore and halibut are my new favorites but this albacore.. wasn't that great. The egg ones had a strange taste to it.. but I still enjoyed it! I really want to come here again!

Aleksandra T.

Cash only? That's fine but at least let me know when I call in an order, not after I drive there and take forever to find parking.

C. J. T.

Some of the best sushi I've ever and the prices are absurdly affordable. I love sushi, it's one of my favorite foods, & Musashi's is presently my personal favorite place to go for this happy addiction.

Peretz S.

This place became must stop-eat place for us because of its amazingness. Great sushi. Chirashi bowl is my favorite yet so many other sushi and rolls that are amazing. Price is unheard of for its quality and quantity. Amazing place, I would highly recommend! Just one thing! Expect the at least 30 mins of wait, but it is worth it!!

Aaron P.

My wife and I dined here about 5 years ago when we first moved to the Seattle area. Although the atmosphere was frantic, we really enjoyed sushi and the atmosphere the workers put out was warm and inviting. Our most recent experience was much different. We arrives shortly before they scheduled to open but found they were already seating so we got a seat. We were then seated and ignored for about 10 minutes when the server returned. My wife and I inquired if they had any toro. The waitress then gave us a blank stare. We then explained that toro is fatty tuna and her expression was still blank. Finally it clicked that she should ask the sushi chefs and they didn't have it. We were losing confidence by the minute. The server finishes taking our order for food and drinks, and comes back shortly with my beer. We then proceed to wait about 5 more minutes until the server comes back with my wife's sake. The food came out I'm a reasonable time and it was good. Large portions of fresh fish for a good price. It is clear the chefs do not take the pride in their work or profess the same skills as a higher priced establishment. The rice balls were formed quickly without care and the slices of fish while large, looked like something I could put out with my lack of training and knife skills. This clearly isn't the same musashi that we dined at years ago. Whether it is a change of ownership or a less discerning client base I'm not sure. The meticulous care professed by many sushi chefs isn't here but there is value to be had if you are a poor college student.

Molly L.

Get the Chirashi special (~15 pieces of fresh sashimi on top of a bed of rice) for only $14.50! Note that if you don't like any of the sashimi selection on the chirashi, you can also substitute any of the fish for something else. Also, don't veer away from the chirashi. We were tempted once to try something else (the bento) and it was a huge disappointment. Come for the fresh fish and come EARLY (maybe around 6PM) to avoid the long waits (which are sometimes up to 45 min!) and it'll definitely be worth it :)

Rossana Y.

If you want to get decent sushi without wanting to make a huge dent in your wallet (literally, cause this place is cash only), Musashi's is a winner. This place is small and usually packed, but the quality of the sushi definitely makes up for it. I always like to order the chirashi bowl. It comes in a decent sized bowl with thick slabs of salmon, tuna, fatty tuna, yellowtail, scallops, shrimp and eel on top of white sticky rice. All for around $14! I love how the fish is fresh and they come out in pretty big pieces. I always end up feeling full and satisfied. So just remember 3 things: 1. Bring cash. 2. Don't bring too many people. 3. Get the chirashi bowl. Itadakimasu!

Lucie W.

My friends and I were planning to go here for my birthday last September but it was soo crowded on a Friday night. Also, the place is small so a group of more than 4 people would be a bit obnoxious. Finally, finally got around to going here! Got there right as they opened at 5pm and there wasn't a wait. However, a small wait formed after like, 30 minutes. I ordered the california roll and nigiri plate. Delicious and very reasonably priced. The nigiri plate was $12-something, with a variety of nigiri. The california rolls are bigger than normal and they cost $5.75. I recently went to Metropolitan Market and their california roll was smaller, looked less appetizing and cost $6.99. Ugh. I ordered the veggie roll on my second time coming here it was so yummy. Ask for the spicy sauce for dipping! Can't wait for my next sushi craving, I'm coming here.

Lauren T.

Best bang for your buck. Really. You can't go wrong with a $15 chirashi with big and fresh cuts, as long as you're willing to wait for it. It gets pretty crowded at both lunch and dinner on the occasions I've been there, but if you're too impatient, they also do take out! I've now learned to take advantage of customizing my chirashi bowl with my favorites.

Dustin S.

Very good fresh fish, good customer service with very limited seating. Had to wait 39 mins to be seated. The bowls were delicious and I had plenty of food. Talk about food coma. I would say it is the best sushi I had in Seattle.

Roger L.

Our go to place for Chirashi. The cuts are big and tasty. I like how they let you customize your bowl. I usually take out the tuna, shrimp, and eel and get extra scallops and salmon. Great prices. I've gotten their other rolls too which were decent. The beef sukiyaki rice dish was really tasty too.

Mark B.

I imagine what draws people here is the inexpensive sushi, not its quality or the service. The quality was standard for any decent sushi joint - some pieces were delicious, others were run of the mill. One of the things to know is that this place wants you to order before you sit. And don't expect any type of table service once you're seated without getting glares from the staff. It's a cash only establishment, and as I was counting to make sure we'd cover the bill and tip, the hostess took the money from me and I had to tell her I wasn't done. Staff then took the tea cup out of my wife's hand and my daughters rice bowl away, which she was still working on. This place is all about getting customers in and out. We were told 15-20 minutes, but waited 40. Again, the price seems to be the main driver for this place. You may like it, but the overall experience doesn't beckon a return.

Ramblin G.

Ive been going to Mushashi's for many, many years. I had the Bento lunch and thought 'meh'. The beef was very tough. Some of the sashimi pieces were cut too large and there were tough tendons in the fish that made it difficult to chew. The skewers and rice were dry. They used to serve it with teriyaki sauce at the bottom of your dish and that added needed moisture and flavor. Unfortunately, service and the quality of the preparation has gone way down from what is was many years ago. I guess the current customers don't know or care because the tiny place fills up. I actually went the first time to Musashi's while being interviewed for a job. Out of some nostalgia, I rated them as highly as I did. It had been 6 months since I last went there, and it'll be a very long time till I try them again.

Michael P.

Value priced very, very good quality sushi without any frills. I ate here with a friend who lives nearby and my bill was around $10. The wait was a bit long, but I'll blame that on the fact that we went after the Fremont Solstice Parade. They have hot tea waiting for you at the table in a thermos as you sit down, but you have to ask for water. Service wasn't the best but this is just a mom and pop kind of place with fresh fish delivered daily, so the focus is on the food. I will keep this place in my mental rolodex as a place to eat on the cheap if I'm in the area. There are an unreal number of options on 45th, but this place is worth a visit if you're a sushi fan or you want something fairly quick and cheap. Major score in my book: Their sashimi pieces are HUGE! I will probably be back soon.

J D.

Small space, huge nigiri, good waitress. Got there early for dinner service (4:45) and they let us in early. Got the chirashi bowl. This is absolutely worth the value. As are the nigiri piece orders. Smoked salmon and seared salmon were great.

Anna B.

Musashi is good, if you like cheap sushi. It's not my favorite sushi place in town (that would be Umi), but it's good if you want a super cheap tasty dinner. The portions are large. Typically one full California roll and two smaller rolls are more than enough to fill my belly. It's really easy to get out of there for $10 and feel pretty satisfied. I recommend calling for takeout during busy times. It typically takes them about 15 minutes to prepare your order. The place is postage-stamp small and can have a really long wait, especially at dinner. I recommend the California roll. They put egg fried in soy sauce (I think) inside, and it gives it a sweet taste that California rolls at other sushi joints lack. A friend of mine loves the vegetarian roll because they actually put daikon radish in it. Tasty!

Seattlefoodblogger B.

Check out my write up on Musashi's at seattlefoodblogger.com

Shantel M.

One of Seattle's gems. Great sushi that is super cheap. Shows that people do not have to spend an arm and a leg to get fresh fish and sushi. Highly recommend the Chirashi. Totally worth the wait.

Emily M.

This is hands down the best place in Seattle for cheap, fresh, plentiful, delicious sushi. Ever since I learned you could order the chirashi off the menu, I've never looked back! Delicious. The only problem is they're not open Mondays!

Bailey C.

Being a vegetarian - there are a few good sushi maki's that are 100% vegetarian that actually taste good. But lo and behold - I'm not kidding - this restaurant has the BEST and Unbelievably delicious vegetarian sushi around!! CRAZY GOOD!! For meat eaters - I hear they have really Awesome beef skewers!! Teriyaki beef skewers, that is!! They have a lot more entrees for meat lovers that will not disappoint! I hear the California roll is awesome! There's a reason why people are patient and wait outside just to taste this delicacy!! YUMMY! If you don't want to wait that long - just order "take away" and you'll get it in no time! This place is a MUST TRY restaurant - very casual environment - it's all good! The ONLY thing to remember - This restaurant only takes CASH. Make sure to bring plenty of it! You can never have "too much" sushi!! Food 5 Service 5 Decor and Ambience 3 Cleanliness 3

Erin B.

My all-time favorite sushi place! Every single item on the menu (and especially the things that *aren't* on the menu...) at Musashi's is delicious, fresh and cheap! You can't get any better than that! I only wish the wait for a table wasn't so long, or wasn't right in front of those giant windows! Waiting for a table, watching everyone inside eating all that spectacular sushi... it makes me sushi-feral! If you do decide to try Musashi's, please... eat slowly and contently until you are happy and satisfied, and then GTFO!!!

Mailani W.

I don't want it to be a pop quiz, but it's CASH ONLY. Settle down... It's a mom n pops joint, and they keep their prices modest and serve mean sushi. Just know that. I did tell you so stop with the bitching and enjoy please. Now, this place is smaller than you think. I'm talking walk-in closet small. Pretty sweet place if you want to take your hot date, and be within eskimo kisses close ;) Love the basics (onigiri), maki rolls, sushi, skewers. Sweet take out spot, nice Japanese family running the place.

Selena P.

A good sign if you are going to try a place for the first time is if there is a line of people outside the door waiting for a table. Well there is rarely a time I have gone by this place that I have not seen a line, well, unless they are closed that day. Musashi's isn't a snotty, high end place to have sushi. It's a hole-in-the-wall, cramped table seating, affordable and downright tasty sushi place. The menu is basic and that's all you need. No fancy rolls or random sauces, just good, sizable cuts of fish served simply and promptly. There is nothing bad that I've had here. The salmon nigiri is stellar, the California rolls are tasty and the hidden gem is the chirashi bowl. Lots of cuts of fish heaped into a bowl of sushi rice. And to top off the whole experience, every table is equipped with a thermos of tea, aaahhh...bliss! This place only takes cash or check so leave the credit at home. But bring your appetite and your patience as you will inevitably wait for a seat at this place. But it is all worth the wait!

Amanda D.

Best sushi place in Seattle. The first time I went was during their lunch hours so seating wasn't a problem. Every other time there has been a short wait, but nothing too bad. The sushi is homemade and fresh and delicious. I love that it comes with tea. it's very inexpensive and filling and much better than conveyor belt sushi (who knows how long that's been going around?!) The reason for four stars and not five? Cash only They close for a few hours between lunch and dinner

Philip L.

Driving along 45th near Interlake, you can't help but notice crowds of people hovering around the front door of this little building. Ahhhh....this little building is none other than Musashi's After waiting about 40 minutes or so, my friends and I finally were able to get counter spots, which is an interesting location to eat because I was looking right into the eyes of the sushi chefs! Awkward... Anyways, I LOVED the food! The salmon and spicy tuna rolls that I ate were fresh and delicious! I also ordered this combo teriyaki with chicken and beef served on skewers. The meat was also very good and tasted rather fresh! The homestyle kitchen definately served up some good Japanese eats. Next time I will have to try the Chirashi bowl that everyone keeps craving over. The venue is a bit small, but still comfortable. They have a good system of writing your name on a pad as a waitlist. It seems to be efficient and frees up time for the servers. Speaking of which, the servers are very nice and prompt as well. They explain their dishes well and kept checking my water levels even when it was jam packed! So, this is a great small sushi venue if you have some time to wait, and don't mind being a smaller, close eating environment!

Phoenix mi m.

Yummy affordable priced sushi =) The wait can be as long as an hour sometimes but i am happy to wait. i love the nigiri here... chirashi bowl is a good item to try... you can also order sashimi by the piece =)

Elizabeth H.

Great price! i work near this place and we often place pick up orders from here. They always have it ready in 15 to 20 minutes and they never mess up the orders. The chirashi bowl is an amazing value, you get a lot of fresh fish for about $15 bucks. Since I always get to go orders I have never actually sat down to eat so I can't speak to the dining experience. It is a small restaurant and it is always full, the ambiance doesn't seem very nice.

Tien T.

The place is small so during their lunch rush, there will easily be a 30-45min wait. So be prepared, put your name in and walk a few doors down and either grab a cup of coffee at Fuel or wait in yet another line at Molly Moons. The decor is of old/new posters of bands and events around the city with chairs that look like they hopped out of an episode of the Brady Bunch. The food is yummy and very cheaply priced. The chicken curry is delicious, large portioned but has only about 2 quarter sized cubes of chicken is $5. Sushi by the piece is only $1.50 and a few rolls such as the California and Spicy Tuna only cost $2.60 (6 pieces). **Make sure to bring CASH...otherwise you'll find yourself running to the ATM at Chevron**

Letha F.

Cheap, fresh, generous portions of sushi bring me back to this hole in the wall again and again. Their California rolls are NOT the standard--they're so much better. They're the size of a futomaki but with different ingredients: avocado, crab salad, cucumber, inari (sweet tofu), tamago (omelette), and delicately pickled mushroom. The combination is a slightly sweet bite of beautiful freshness that I can't get at any other restaurant in the world! The harusame salad is a great starter, as are the satay veggies. Chirashi is always on the specials list hidden on the wall somewhere. The onigiri (rice balls stuffed with cooked salmon) are super street food to take out when you're wandering around Wallingford. But let me emphasize the bargain: the fish slices are gigantic and you pay a low price for them, even if you order a la carte nigiri. It's special. What's the drawback? No reservations and immensely popular, so you always have to wait. The restaurant itself is crowded so you will surely bump elbows with someone. And the service is wonderful but overworked, so you can sometimes be forgotten. All you have to do, though, is speak up. They're so nice and eager to make your experience a good one. It's a true hole-in-the-wall neighborhood delight. Believe the hype. Sometimes hype is there for a reason.

Denny L.

takes too long to get food in my belly California rolls are big and cheap nom unagi is excellent but pricey skewers are also a must try (juicy ^__^)

Dennis M.

Rating this 4 star because of the quality/value ratio. Whenever I need to get a sushi fix for a $10 price then I come here. I'm stuck on ordering the Nigiri set from Musashi. It consists of a nigiri piece of yellowtail, albacore, tuna, salmon, shrimp and something else that is escaping my feeble mind. Cuts are generous and fresh. In addition you get 2 small roll pieces of tuna, albacore, eel and cucumber. No miso soup is included, so you need to order separately. The ambiance is cramped, semi-dirty and bathrooms are lacking. Here's a classic hole in the wall sushi experience. If this experience appeals to you then I highly recommend!

Terri B.

I am trying restaurants in the UW/Wallingord areas where students can eat for under $10. (I am the Mom of 2 students, not one myself.) I had heard great things about this place so added it to my list. I arrived at 11:50 AM and it was kind of busy. Good sign I thought. Since I was eating alone, I found the smallest table I could....seated 3. The waitress kept trying to give me a booster seat for a small child. HUH? Did I forget I had put a baby in my purse? I told her at least 3 times I was alone. That's when she yelled at me! I was not allowed to sit at that table if I did not have someone with me. Another HUH? Told me I had to sit at a different table. I was already at the smallest one. She seperated a table for 4 into 2 tables for 2. Slap me! Never occured to me to do that when the customers were coming in in droves. I did move to the other end of the restaurant though I did consider just walking out the door. The not so nice woman brought me a salad. Sorry I can't describe it as my anger overshadowed. I only ordered the california roll. Good, had to ask for more ginger and wasabi but, that is typical of most sushi places. You know when they eat it, they want more. Why do they all make us ask for more? The roll was decent, not the best I have ever had. They only take cash so be prepared. The waitress did get a 10% tip....35 cents. That payback felt good. :) I will not be back to give this place another chance though what I saw others ordering did look good. Be sure to sit at the right table!

Jason Y.

One of our favorite places for sushi in Seattle - the wife and I routinely get the chirashi bowl. It's a perfect size for us, with excellent cuts of fish - consistently delicious and very reasonably priced. Love the bottomless hot tea they serve especially on a cold Seattle-y day. Also love that cucumber salad to start! And lastly, love that Molly Moon's is just up the street! The place is usually very busy when it's open, I would suggest going right at opening or maybe 1 hour afterwards as the first wave of customers start to leave. And definitely not a place for a big group outing.They also do carry-out, so call ahead if you prefer that option and eat some great sushi at home!

Bill B.

really nice little sushi bar. simple, yet delicious menu. very well priced. i make it a habit to eat here every few months. great intimate setting.

E. Sally L.

Great lunch menu deals and fairly fresh fish quality. Try chirashi bowl.

J K.

I don't like hype. So I was skeptical of Musashi's. I haven't been in a while, so I decided to reacquaint myself with the small, popular, Wallingford Japanese joint. I'll start with the negatives. It's small. The atmosphere is like a convenience store. The service is overworked and inattentive. The waits can be horrendous -- long enough for me to avoid this place. But... the food is fantastic for the price. Probably the best $10 bento in town -- lots of goodies: takuwan, lots of sashimi, a tasty crab salad, chicken kushi, teriyaki beef, sesame rice, etc. So, for the price, you could do a lot worse. But remember the wait. Bring a book... or make sure you're with someone that isn't boring to talk to.

Peequi P.

One of the best sushi place in Seattle. If you disagree you don't know sushi.

JP P.

couple years ago, I rated this place 4/5 now it went down to 1 star.... 1. had baaaad scallop.... it was just nasty... my g/f had the same opinion on the scallop that day..... this could be only for that day we visited, but recently i discovered that M became very inconsistent with the quality of the food..... 2. look at the presenting in the hall, realize how nasty it is.... take a glimpse over the kitchen.... my toilet is cleaner than the kitchen seriously.... and make sure you wipe the mug cups presented on the table, because after wiped inside, we found a stain on the napkin we wiped with.... NASTY!! heard new management took the place, don't really know when, but every time i visit recently, it's getting worse and worse...

Alan W.

Get chirashi or nigiri, don't waste your time with teriyaki. If you know what you're doing, you can try to create your own sushi assortment plate choosing one by one. Seaweed salad and miso soup are pretty good. The tea on the table is nice and I'm always entertained by the Japanese waitress who has a frequent smile she gives customers despite the true "I hate my life" feeling just behind the smile due to her tyrant boss. Musashi's is a cute, tiny, eensie weensie room where you can easily speak to another person on the other side of the restaurant without raising your voice. This adds to its deliciousness. Go to Musashi's and enjoy raw fish!

Adam H.

I went on a Sushi Bender a few weeks ago Musashi's ended up on the list. I've been walking by this place several days a week on my way to work for about 6 months now, and there's always a line, so I figured it had to be good right? Wrong, It turns out that the perpetual wait exists for two reasons. One, being that the place is tiny, and two being that it's extraordinarily cheap for sushi. The overall dining experience was fairly pleasant. it was quick, and our waitress was friendly enough, but the fish just wasn't all that great. In a city on the water, I was really hoping for a spectacularly fresh sushi experience, but I didn't find it at Musashi's. Don't get me wrong, I've had much worse, this isn't chain restaurant buffet sushi or grocery store style or anything, but it wasn't high-grade fish by any stretch of the imagination. When it comes to raw fish, only the best is good enough. You won't find me back here with Kozue just a few blocks further, and still very reasonable prices.

Scott M.

The quality is slipping with the new ownership... I was very disappointed the first time I went after the change in ownership, I went so often that they made me feel like family. I have gone in several times since the change in ownership, it seemed that they kept the quality up for the first few visits, then began to slip. Yesterday I was in to have a bento box....both the grilled beef, and chicken skewers, were bone dry.....and the chicken was flavorless. The japanese pickles were sliced paper thin, rather than the generous cut you used to receive.... The new servers never smile, aren't very welcoming. It's still decent, and a good value, but it isn't what it was...

wn c.

One of my worst experience at a restaurant. As some of the loyal Musashi customers already know the previous owner sold this restaurant to a younger Korean ownership. The food in general is not the same quality as before, but it's not terrible, it's really now just average in my opinion. The Onigiri has become so small I no longer even order it. And for those who think the prices are cheap, well, it is if you compare with higher end Japanese restaurants, but for 2 people you are still looking to spent $35 plus at Musashi after it's all said and done. It's not bad in terms of Sushi, but I would not call it "cheap". Having said that, yes, I do agree with some postings here that a $14 Chirashi is a bargain, but again those who knew the quality under the old owner, know that it is not the same. But the most horrible part of my trip to the restaurant yesterday is the discrimination. We were seated before this Korean couple who obviously know the owners as they enjoyed a friendly chat with the owners in Korean language. There is nothing wrong with that. But as a dish I ordered came out which I thought was mine, went directly to the Korean couple who were seated after us. The place is small enough that the waiter either felt insecure about this practice or noticed my puzzled look, came to me and said "sorry, we have some confusion in the kitchen". I just kind of laughed and said "ok"..Who are you kidding? I have been a loyal customer for over 15 years at Musashi. I can put up with the slight decrease in quality since the change of ownership, but I am not putting up with discrimination. It is simply wrong and bad karma for the business.

Adriana K.

I had always wondered why there was a line at the door at nearly any given time this Wallingford joint was opened. So naturally, I had to see if it was really worth the lines. Well, to begin with, its super small inside with I would say less than 10 tables. Service was friendly and fast (it has to be with the crowds!) and I tried miso followed by the much hyped sushi bowl special, chirashi ($15; cash only) which had a TON of sushi- way too much for me. Nice to try, but not sure I would wait in a line when there are several other good sushi places just up the street with way more room and better ambiance.

Rebecca H.

It's not worth waiting in line to eat bad sushi just to save a few bucks, especially when there are so many other fantastic sushi restaurants in this city. I have been here twice and I'm not going back. The smell of the interior makes me wonder if the raw fish has been sitting out too long and getting warm - a scary thought. On both occasions I tried Musashi's, the sushi rice wasn't prepared properly, it had way too much rice vinegar, and it hadn't been cooled down enough. The quality of the fish is sub-par. The "huge slices" everyone's raving about? That means they're untrained "chefs" who are cutting it wrong! Plus, it's always crowded and cramped - not my idea of an enjoyable dinner out. Why does everyone like this place?? I'd rather spend a lot more on better sushi, even if it means eating sushi less often. (Hint to the clueless: it's supposed to be a special treat, not a "value-meal".)

Sarah A.

I don't get it. My sister, her friend and I came here to see why people raved about it. The fish was okay. The inside of the restaurant was so small I felt claustrophobic. The sizes of the fish are WAY too big. In my opinion, it's not the way sushi was meant to be. I like my raw fish cut thinly with a small portion of sushi rice beneath. There was waaaay too much rice in all the nigiri. When I left, I felt really nauseous from the thick luke-warm pieces of fish. I wouldn't come here again. I like Kozue so much better.

Curtis L.

their california rolls are to die for... who cares about the wait, i just order to go. their cali roll are 2 inches in diameter, 8 peices long, $5.75, uses shredded imitation crab and includes tomago. i'm so there! only one bad thing, they are closed on Sunday.

Dan P.

Somehow I had avoided going to Musashi's and that was really a mistake. The place is small, so don't bring a group and don't be in a hurry for a table. We actually put our names on the list then headed over to QFC for some shopping before returning to wait for a bit. Fortunately it was worth the wait. What? You want something clever? Go eat some sushi. Close the damned laptop lid, get off your butt and go wait in line. Except you probably missed it since they close too damned early. Sucks, doesn't it?

Scott L.

Sparse interior, always loud and generally cool inside temps on anything but a warm day. There's no valet, no maitre'd, no place setting until you sit down and barely any seats. The wait is long and when you do enter, it is bustling and hurried inside. So how can I give this place a 5 star rating? Simple, the food. Superior ingredients, fresh seafood and great value. Preparation and presentation are tasty and consistent. I just realized that I've been going since 1992, almost 20 years. Heed the other comments as it does get crowded - plan on waiting, arriving off peak hours, or just order take away.

Andy L.

First impression; shitty looking little place with a crowd of people outside waiting to get in, I am encouraged. Bad (though friendly) service further confirmed that there may well be some special sushi action going on here. And turns out, they just happen to have GIANT NIGIRI!!! Its like twice the size of regular nigiri, literally two full bites a piece, and priced like regular sized nigiri. Not bad! And good quality too! Seattle may well be the land of giant cheap sushi, and if so, fuck yeah Seattle! But this was the only place I've been to thus far so we shall see. The menu is fairly limited and for some reason they braise the shiro maguro (which IMHO ruins the naturally melt in your mouth texture of that white fleshed beauty.) Good Ginger, Strong Wasabi, Tasty sweet rice, and a decent price for hot Sake. Unless the rest of Seattle turns out to be an even better deal (and I WILL be keeping you posted on that) I would definitely suggest this little place.

Anondah M.

If you wanna eat sushi until your stomach pops but don't wanna pay too much, Musashi is the place. Their sushi pieces are huge! Almost small size of rice ball... Downsides of the place are: 1. usually have to wait for a long time 2. cash only.

Patrick B.

We've driven and walked by Musashi's a hundred times, marveling at all the people waiting outside to get in. My daughter and I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. Lets see: the sushi was fresh and delicious, the portions were huge, the prices were low and the service was super friendly and fast. Sure the small restaurant was crowded and we had to wait a bit to get in, but that's part of the charm of a great neighborhood restaurant. (And do you really want to go to an unpopular sushi place?) The salmon, yellow tail and prawn sushi were our favorites. My daughter summed it up: "I can never go to the other sushi place again!"

Jacob W.

Musashi how I really wanted to be a fan, yet again I walk away merely satisfied, not urgently thinking about my next visit. My first time to Musashi was at the recommendation of my boss who insisted I get the bento box for lunch. I was impressed at the amount of food but nonplussed by the taste and quality of the fish. The other parts of the bento box were quite similar to any number of teriyaki stores in the area. I left unimpressed, but thinking it was a decent lunch spot. After hearing over and over about the great chirashi I finally decided to give Musashi another try. This time I went with my girlfriend and had chirashi, spicy tuna roll and California roll. Once again the quantity of food is great! That chriashi is loaded to the top as I'm sure you can see from all the helpful pictures. The fish was fresh but not cut with as much care. The sushi rice in the chirashi was a little too sour, too much sushi rice vinegar in my opinion. The rolls were large, especially the California roll which was huge, but tasted relatively pedestrian. Once again I left stuffed from all the food but not overly impressed. Overall Musashi is a good neighborhood sushi place, decent food and price, but did not meet the hype or merit the 15 minute wait in line. A-ok, a solid 3.5, go when there is no line for a quick bite.

Mark W.

Best quality and service for your buck. not for sit down dinner just great sushi

Vince N.

chirashi bowl is awesome. they give u generous cuts of fish

Sara A.

Both food quality and service were not good. I don't know why this restaurant rated higher. I never go back again.

Chris G.

5 stars for reaching my pinnacle of casual dining: fast, cheap, healthy and good. The chirashi bowl is a favorite for me and my wife. We eat here almost once a week (and sometimes more often). An impressive quantity of pretty darn good sushi, great rice -- all for a very resonable price. Easily the best value for sushi in Seattle (or LA for that matter).

Sylvie X.

It's one of my family's favorite places. Food is fresh fresh fresh! I love their sashimi and rolls, the best California roll in town. They have a kind of noodle salad, yummy! And the price is very reasonable. Great value. When we want to have Japanese food, it's always the first choice.

Karman T.

Musashi's is one of the best sushi places in Seattle. There is nothing like a Chirashi Bowl, so refreshing with the fresh, fresh, fresh fish. And the rice is the perfect stickiness. One of the few places I actually use the ginger to clear my palate between fish because the fish is so fresh.

Jimmy B.

We were out of towners and heard about this place so we decided to give it a try. Upon arrival there was a pretty big line to get seated. The place is pretty small but worked out well. I decided to go with the 12 piece combo. The fish was pretty fresh and tasty. I tried my friend's shredded beef with rice. It was really good and the portion for that was pretty big. Decently priced menu. They forgot about our sake for awhile. Customer service was ok....didn't get much smiles during our patronage. Good sushi and would definitely come back again when in Seattle.

Christina C.

Can't beat the price and the freshness. Love that I live within walking distance. Remember to bring cash or check!

Joshua S.

I ended up at Musashi on a Monday night as it came recommended by yelp. We walked in around 7pm and were lucky to grab a table for 2 right away, shortly after we sat down a line started to form that never went away. We ended up situated next to the restroom which has a lot of people squeezing around our table which wasn't to bad but I wasn't exactly excited about it either. The service was reasonably fast and friendly and I always enjoy getting free tea with my meals. Though we had some old school brown ceramic coffee mugs for tea cups didn't bother me but was kind of interesting. We ended up getting whatever the sampler plate like thing was along with some extra salmon. The fish was fresh but not the highest quality but above the average for the price you pay. My only real compliant about this place are that when given our selection of regular and smoked salmon it wasn't pointed out which was which. Parking is not to bad. You'll only have to walk a couple blocks at most and I wouldn't want to park on 45th anyways. For the price this place it pretty awesome. Bonus for being close to Molly Moon's for desert.

Sarah L.

Yum, yum, yum! The chirashi bowl that everyone craved about was so delicious! The few times I've been there, I have only tried to the chirashi bowl, so I can't speak for the rolls or other things on the menu, but the bowl has always been fresh and flowing with thick slices of sashimi. Can't get any better. Minor downsides are that there is a gap in hours where they are closed before dinner I believe, so check before you go! And there has been a slight wait time every time I have been, but we have been seated pretty fast.

Joyce Man H.

Sashimi was very fresh and sliced HUGE. The prices were like that of a hole in the wall college restaurant, but it was much more gourmet. I would have given it 4 stars, but I took one out because the waitress forgot about us. I went with my boyfriend, we ordered, then 5 minutes later a couple sat next to us, and they got their food before us! I had to ask the waitress if our food was ready yet and it came out soon after that, but was slightly cold. What's the deal?? "Fried rice balls" were weird. I don't recommend them.

Carl A.

CHEAP-FRESH-FAST-FRIENDLY-DELICIOUS I would eat here every night if I lived closer.

Guud Food K.

I have been going to Musashi since 1998 and there has been quite a change in the quality of their food since the business changed hands. The new sushi makers are Korean, not Japanese which was the case with the former / original owner. Musashi lacks its soul now that new owners are not engaging with their customers anymore the way the previous owner used to do by remembering regular customers and serving extra sushi pieces for frequent customers. Slow service: A male server with a earphone on. I am not sure the Japanese lady who used to work there still works. Korean lady is nice but never bother to bring any water. Japanese servers who used to work there were very prompt and attentive. Bento : When the new owner took over the business first thing they changed was the beef teriyaki skewer. Previous owner always cooked the beef mid rare which was always plump and juicy. Now they serve pieces of rubbery thin beef. Sushi still remains to be similar except the prices seem higher. I am not planning on going back there anymore. There re many other sushi restaurant that serve as good quality sushi at lower price.

Sarah C.

Grew up in CT, where you can't get sushi for under $8 a roll. Musashi's is delicious, cheap, service is great. ALWAYS a wait but so very, very worth it.

Jenny D.

Although I've been trying my best NOT to overeat lately, two of my friends are terrible enablers and brought me here despite my half-hearted pleas. Of course I ordered the chirashi bowl (it is on the "special" menu on the black chalkboard) which got me only a million pieces of fish for $14. It was quite literally insane. I believe it is 3 pieces of salmon, unagi, tuna, albacore, eel, scallop, and yellowtail? over rice. There is NO toro (fatty tuna) in the bowl, contrary to some of the reviews (at least not anymore). They do not serve it anymore, probably due to high costs. Who knows...it doesn't matter because it's so damn good. I gobbled the whole thing like a sick and hungry caveman who isn't on a diet. The sashimi was top quality (not perfect, but very very good) and the slices were very generous. Presentation also gets 5 stars because the fish was layered so intricately and beautifully. The rice was lightly cooked sushi-style and paired nicely with the fish so you didn't overlap too many flavors too fast. My friend got the spicy tuna roll and my other friend got a salmon handroll. Both came with their specialty spicy sauce which is QUITE spicy, so request it off on the side if you aren't into spicy foods. Both were fresh and delicious. Before your meal they also serve you an interesting Japanese take on cole slaw. Not my favorite thing, but at least it's free. The service is quick and friendly, we managed to go on a night where there wasn't a line. Remember it's CASH ONLY and that the wait is worth it!

Jerica W.

Had an amazing session of SUTRA YOGA with my girlfriends and sushi was the perfect post~practice meal. Prices, portions, service~excellent. I'm a new regular :)

David X.

Musashi's is my favorite sushi restaurant in the Seattle are. It's both higher quality than the conveyor belt type Sushi restaurants like Sushiland and more authentic than the asian fusion type restaurants like Umi Sake House. I usually get the chirashi bowl, which is several different types of sashimi on sushi style sticky rice with vinegar. It's only $14 and it's a decent amount of food for the price (especially since it's sashimi). The sashimi in the chirashi bowl and in the other sashimi dishes are very fresh. The rolls are good as well but I rarely get them since I come here to eat sashimi. However, despite all the fresh and delicious sashimi, there is usually a very long wait of 30 minutes to 1 hour since the inside is small and they don't take reservations as a result. They also only take cash. It's not exactly fun waiting outside in the rain on a typical Seattle evening but the food is definitely worth it in my opinion.

Becky R.

So, as far as sushi goes, this is your typical Japanese street side/locals type joint. Cozy (read - small, meet your neighbors elbows), very friendly and folks are known by name, has a following, line out the door on some occasions, and good portions with can't really beat em prices. I can't say the flavor was to die for, but it wasn't bad. I ordered two rolls (OMG, way too much food for one belly) AND a couple nigiri items. I'd go back, but probably when on a budget or in need of great, friendly service. Still gets four stars due to great prices, portions, atmosphere, service, and decent flavor. Yay, customer service!

Tim O.

Meh. Really? 40 5-star reviews? Huh. I probably should have left after they told me they were out of edamame and that any order of nigiri sushi would take a long time, but sushi rolls would be very quick. Nigiri - that's putting a piece of fish (or whatever) on a rectangle of rice, right? That's much quicker than a roll?!? Are the sushi rolls pre-made? Don't know, they don't taste like it. There's enough good sushi places in this town not to head back any time soon.

Jason C.

This place certainly is a novelty and I can see why many bring their service. It's small, tightly packed sitting area seems to glimmer with authenticity and character. But the food wasn't that great. The prices are great. No wait, they are spectacular. However the food simply wasn't up to snuff with the several other sushi places around Seattle. The California rolls, though large and plentiful, were pretty standard and very pedestrian. It was a classic "big roll" illusion. Lots of rice, little substance. Bless the hearts of the hard working staff at Musashi's. They were busy with the mass of people all waiting to get in, get fed, and get going. The g/f and I got forgotten in the corner, leaving us to fend for ourselves for tea and utensils. It's not the best place in the city for sushi, c'mon. If you want proof, compare Musashi's spicy tuna rolls with the same rolls at Izumi's. You'll see.

Val T.

I have three words. CHEAP GOOD SUSHI. and not to mention, Freshh fresh. Great, efficient service even if you have to wait to get it-- it's well worth it. I can't believe how cheap and affordable the Sushi is, too. You get hooked up with a fat bowl of edemame and a carafe of tea while you wait. Two rolls of fresh sushi here beats the 5.99 gross kind sold at Safeway in those prepackaged sushi containers. :/ Take a quick seat in here next time you are in Wallingford. Good, cheap sushi never disappoints.

Suzanna F.

I just tried Musashi's today and only got take-out, but my experience so far is definitely 4-star material! They seem to have great service (I noticed one of the customers chatting it up with the waitress/cashier) and, at least for me, were super fast. I ordered a full 10 piece California roll ($6.58) and it was delicious!! They packed it so perfectly (including wasabi, soy sauce, and ginger!) and made it fresh after I ordered. I actually only ended up eating half of it, so now I have leftovers for tomorrow :D The restaurant is small, but I think this adds to it's charm. It's important to note that they only accept cash or check! Luckily, I happened to have my check book with me (I'm one of those people who forever forgets to carry around cash...) and was able to sate my sushi craving.

Jennifer M.

Bring your cash and your appetite and your patience to this place and show up early. The price is right, the quality is high and the food is fantastic. They have about ten tables inside and don't take reservations, so show up early and you may have a wait anyway. Dress for the weather because if you're waiting, you're doing it outside and standing up. The food really is worth it, though. Their fish is perfect. The price is perfect. The service is friendly. And the tea is good, hot and included. For the sushi novice, this place is nice because you order by the single reasonably-priced piece. It makes for a great no-commitment order that lets you try what you're interested in without having another piece sitting there taunting you. It's pretty much ideal. Again, don't forget the cash. They don't take plastic.

Daniel W.

Great Place. Fresh Quality Sushi for great price. Have to wait often because it's so popular. Sushi Fanatic Approved!! If you are a sashimi type of person, Try the Chirashi Bowl~

Aubrie B.

Hole in the wall sushi place that is amazing and good prices!!

Viv L.

I have to come here at least once a week. It's so good! Fresh slices, large portions, and prices that fit my college budget. I have also gotten a few friends hooked, so this place has become our go-to spot for sushi cravings. Try to get in at 5pm if you don't want to wait as long to get a table. Getting there even 30 minutes after might be the difference of waiting outside (for 10-15 minutes) and getting seated right away. I order the spicy tuna roll, unagi, tamago, and salmon cream cheese roll for myself. I also get the California rolls, hamachi, and chirashi bowls to-go for my family.

Amy L.

The chirashi is an awesome deal for $14! The fish tastes fresh and the portions are generous. The only drawback was the bones in the eel, but it was a great meal overall for the price you pay. Would definitely come back!

Rowena D.

They have the best California rolls I've ever had! Lately, I've been on a sushi kick and had to try Musashi's. This place is really small and gets really crowded. They definitely need a larger space. My husband and I shared the Nigiri Sushi, California rolls, and 2 pieces each of the Sweet Shrimp and Salmon. Their sushi pieces were so big! Our total bill was under $30 including tax and tip. Not bad for all that food. Next time I want to try their other dishes like the Special Bento Box.

Selena B.

Oh.. it was so good. I want to go back for more... and more. This is a tiny tiny little store in Wallingford but it serves oh so good sushi and Japanese food. Its not posh and upscale it tastes more like Shitamachi cooking (Local Grub). Its "cheap" in its prices, but its also cheap in the service and decor. Tea is on your table and you serve yourself, you have to wait a long time in line outside the store to sit down, and the waiters are to the point. The tables and chairs are tiny so limit it to groups of 2-3 people when going. They also were doing lots of take out :) I wouldn't have gone if my friend hadn't assured me it was good. This place is CASH ONLY! A little annoying in this age of plastic but no worries.. there's a Gas stand with an ATM near by to save you. ;)

Ray Z.

Eating at Musashi's is like flying coach on a budget airline. No frills, no fanfare, and there's usually a line. But ultimately, it gets the job done. And sometimes that's all a person needs. Great noodle salad, btw.

Brett T.

A real hole in the wall place with capacity of around 25, but this place is well worth a seat if you can snag it. Musashi offers a variety of sushi as well as some teriyaki and other Japanese staples. If its your first time, get the nigiri plate. It's around $12 for 11 huge pieces and the quality of the fish is always good or better. If you don't think that'll fill you up, get a harusame noodle salad on the side. You don't find it on many Japanese restaurant menus, but it's great! Also, if you have a bigger appetite, get the chirashi bowl which is not on the menu. If sushi's not quite your thing, I'd recommend the lunch/dinner bento which comes with teriyaki beef and chicken, vegetable skewers, sashimi, egg omelet, and rice. I always come here if I need to get my sushi fix. With unlimited tea and quality food at affordable prices, it's hard to go wrong. Just get there early or be prepared to wait a while. Service 3, Atmosphere 2, Taste 4, Value 5.

Jeff L.

This place was da bomb.... now it's just a bomb. The fish just isn't fresh anymore compared to even a year ago when I frequent this place week after week. The hamachi cuts aren't even good anymore. The California rolls still are great as are the prices and the size of the fish. Even then, I'm still giving a 5 stars for value. three stars off for quality and if you are smarter than a 5th grader, that equals 4 stars.

Katie S.

These people are SO LAZY. This is one of those restaurants afflicted by 'always closed when Katie drives by' disease. The chairs, always up on tables. They mock me. Of course, now here in Ballard there are so many different poses of sushi to enjoy, that I don't really care if M is open. OK, you don't care about this! Let me tell you that YES the sushi is fresh and tasty! The service is swift and friendly! I've tried about half the menu and everything was great. If you like standing outside waiting to get into a little sushi joint, than there are worse places to wait for. Musashi is pretty good! Just never open when I'm around.

Cathy G.

I have eaten here many times. Too many to count. It is popular. You may have to stand in lin eto get in. I never care. Everything I get is superb. From the miso soup tot any kind of sushi. The tea is plentiful an dthey are quick on customer. Askign for extra ginger.. no problem. This small place is VERY popular. Go and let me knwo how you like it.

James L.

If you are looking for fantastic food at an exceptional price, and don't mind the charm of a small place where the owner actually cares about what they serve you, this is the place. This is a small box eatery. Those of you rating this place 4 stars or less because of selection of fish or how cramped the seating is, are missing the point. THIS IS A SMALL BOX EATERY! You all know it going in because you can see THROUGH THE WINDOWS. It's called glass: it's clear so that you can FREAK'N see inside. "DEE DEE DEE" There are lots of other; rEaLLy expensive, spacious sushi places with "ambiance" around that serve dyed, poor quality, and "not so fresh" fish. If you want to rate a place poorly, do so because the service was terrible, or because the food is bad. Don't rate badly because you went to a "small" place and was disappointed because they had a limited menu. The folks at Musashi's are working hard to provide quality eats with limited storage space. The fact is if it's small then expect a limited menu. Ever been to a place that's tiny with a complex menu? Makes you wonder how they keep fresh food, fresh. Musashi's has a long wait to be seated because this place is popular. The food is so delicious that people are willing to wait outside more than an hour in the dead of Seattle's wet winter; you've all seen it. It's also not unusual to see people lining up outside twenty minutes before they open. This place has such great food and is so popular, they actually have to close for a few hours in the middle of their business day. That's how awesome it is. Don't believe me? Check out their hours. The wait staff is superb. Imagine helping over a hundred people a day in a shoulder to shoulder hectic environment. Yes, they sometimes make mistakes but are quick to fix if you speak up. Eat here because the fish is fresh, the prices are fantastic for what you get, and the service is impressive.

Lily H.

Though I am not a big fan of sushi--especially raw fish sushi--I have to admit that the California rolls at Mushashi's are wonderful: plump, fresh, delicious, and filling--that is, for Japanese cuisine. (I recommend a full order, I wasn't able to stop eating them in rapid succession). In fact, they are so good that I will hesitate in the future buying the same at Uwajimaya's or certainly Trader Joe's, QFC, Metropolitan Market, etc. There is no comparison. The fact that this restaurant is so tiny actually so small and the tables so few is not a problem at all, as the ambiance and the clientele are attuned to the Japanese modus operandi: the harmony of economy of means, hard work, and respect for others. I believe it is Japanese-run. The food is cooked a few feet away from the windows of this "box-car" restaurant. Counter seating for four or five people. There is usually a line outside all the time, but there are chairs outside, so you can watch the world of Wallingford go by. Unpretentious, no nonsense, quality-at-a-price-you-can-afford. Tea in stoneware served gratis. Service unobtrusive.

Bonnie C.

Ah, Musashi's. The first thing you need to know about Musashi's is that you will most likely have to wait for a table, since it is tiny, and you will have to wait outside so as not to disturb diners. Do not be discouraged by this. You won't be waiting long, even if it seems like there are a lot people in front of you. Just don't forget to put your name on the list. Once you get inside, a feast of fresh, cheap sushi awaits you. There is nothing sophisticated or complex here, just big chunks of super fresh fish and satisfying rolls done right. Also, the tea is a stronger, darker brew than most japanese places use - I like it. Remember, cash onry!

Mackenzie B.

If you don't like to wait in long lines to get into a small confined space and then wait another 20 minutes for food under bright fluorescent lighting, then keep on driving. If you don't mind waiting in line and for your food then you are in for a real treat. Mind you, this is not the all-time best quality Japanese Sushi-Bar but it is quite affordable and it's convenient Wallingford location is pretty much on the way to anywhere. O.K. I'm a Pescatarian 'cause I love Seafood and Pizza too much to deny myself those foods. I've been down the Vegan and Vegetarian road from the time I was 18 until now (how old am I? I forget) I must say that the Sashimi bowl has kept me coming back for more. I'm such a glutton when it comes to Unagi. Perhaps it's one of the more "fatty fishes" and that's why I like it, just like coconut & macadamia etc.. These guys do it right! If you can't be bothered to drive down to the International District then this place will certainly do for your Sushi cravings.

Erik B.

Go if you: - Want *inexpensive* but decent quality sushi - Don't care about decor - Don't need top quality service - Live in north Seattle (this isn't a destination place) Avoid if you: - Are looking for a chic scene - Are a connoisseur of the finest sushi - Are on a first date

Ian S.

Start with 3 stars. Take away one star because there are very few tables and there's often a huge wait. Add one star for low prices. $10.50 is pretty nice for the sushi sampler that costs at least $15 at most places. Take away one star for the limited menu. They don't even have geoduck. Incidentally, I like to pronounce it "geo" instead of "gooey" and I suggest that you do too. It just makes it more fun to say. It sounds like an arch-nemesis of Darkwing Duck. Add one star for huge portions. The fish on each piece of sushi is about the size of my tongue. Take away one star because they only take cash. Who the hell has cash? Add one star because it's close to Kozue, where you should go instead. And now we're back at 3 stars. (Side note: I try to evaluate sushi without putting too much weight on quality. Seriously, unless the fish is rotting, quantity is more important. If you weigh 75 pounds and can survive on the pathetically skimpy portions most sushi restaurants give you, then you can afford to worry about quality.)

yin y.