Maneki Restaurant

This is a place I used to go about once every month or two while I was still in school. I liked it a lot because the price was reasonable. Even though the place is pretty beat up, it has a warm atmosphere because of their long history. Pros: Cheap and decent food Cons: Don't expect to get great service more

My “tempura lover” and “sushi lover” frnds highly recommended Maneki to me, and they come here... more

My “tempura lover” and “sushi lover” frnds highly recommended Maneki to me, and they come here almost once a week. I see it a big commitment, consi... more

service: holla! food: holla! cuts: holla! beer: holla! locale: holla! owner: holla! full six hollas! maneki is best in west. Pros: six hollas more

In a city where sushi is about as available as specialty coffee drinks, I choose Maneki over and over again for their extremely fresh fish selection, comfortable and traditional setting, and dirt-cheap prices. Pay a little more for the Blue fin Sashimi--it is absolutely amazing. Pros: Fresh fish and ambiance Cons: Long wait, slower service more

Maneki used to be my fave Japanese restaurant in Seattle. I loved the authenticity and old school ambience of the restaurant. However, dinner tonight was quite disappointing. We ordered broiled salmon belly which came out stale and not crunchy like it used to be AND it had no seasoning at all. I had to dip it in soy sauce. The adegashi tofu was the only dish that was still good. We also had takohachi but the squids were chewy. My favorite entree, the Nabeyaki udon was mediocre, they only gave me three pieces of tempura and the broth was not tasty. All the staffs seemed new so I wondered if they had new ownership. The service seemed a little faster today. I wasn't told I have to wait 2 hours like usual, maybe because the restaurant had lost its touch! That's too bad...I guess I'll just have to hunt for a new fave Japanese restaurant in town...any recommendations??? more

After reading the other reviews flamng the poor service, I joined just so I could point out the high points of this establishment. Yes, service is sometimes slow and the occasional language barrier is difficult but you simply do not get this kind of authenticity anywhere else in Seattle. Maneki have been there over 20 years with the original owners. Grandma is behind the bar and Jean is still taking reservations. The food is extraordinary. Old school local Japanese dishes fill the menu and the nightly specials board tells you what is fresh. There are very few places n town where you can get live prawn sashimi or live in season Uni. They also have other unique dishes like their ankimo salad and various batayaki. True, this is not a hip shiny joint. True, the service is sometimes spotty. BUT...if you love food and are not engaged by California Rolls or even simply nigiri, this is the place for you. Uncommon food at reasonable prices without all the overdressed hipsters. more

Maneki's service has got to be one of biggest turn offs I've experienced in the food industry. I went in with 6 of my friends today. As I walked in and informed the lady that I had made a reservation, she hastily directed me towards the back of the restaurant where the rest of my party was at, and requested that our party leave the restaurant by 830. Not surprisingly, Our server came and started clearing our table out without asking if we needed more food/desert around 7:40. I usually give a 20% tip everytime I visit, regardless of how rude the lady at the front is because at the end of the meal I can not be more satisfied with the good food. Tonight has got to be the worst, and an 18% gratuity was added, which is less than what I usually tip so I guess that is okay. Aside from the bad services, I continue to go back, at least once a month, sometimes more than once within the same week. Their fish is always fresh. They also serve traditional cooked dishes that are not served at other places that cater to most Americans, which are all so flavourful. The price is unreasonably low for the quality of the food. I believe when eating out, you pay for the food and the service. I guess since the food is worth the money, I can ignore the fact that the service has room for improvement. Pros: Food, Cozy environment, Reasonably priced Cons: Mediocre service more

Maneki has decent Sushi, though if you really want top notch sushi (and are willing to pay for it) I'd recommend Shiki, Saito's, or Toyoda (up north). That said, Japanese food is so much more than just Sushi! Maneki has solid Izakaya style food -- Izakaya being Japanese bar food. Dishes like Tako Yaki (octopus puffs), Kaki Murai (deep fried oysters), Yaki Tori (grilled chicken skewers), and Hamachi Kama (broiled yellowtail collar) are easy ways to get a feel for this sort of food, and Maneki does a good job with each. The portions are very good for the prices you pay, and be sure to order a beer with the meal. I've found the service is generally decent, though I tend to go close to closing time when it is less busy. more

Love the tatami room seating and the friendly wait staff, but that was arguably the worst sushi I've ever had! The pieces are huge quantity, but who cares when it doesn't taste good. The rolls fell apart, the fish tasted fishy or no flavor at all, presentation was so-so, nigiri and roll slices were too big to handle. Pros: tatami rooms, good gyoza, authentic atmosphere Cons: poor sushi quality more

Maneki is very traditional. The waiters are impersonal, but attentive, and the sushi chef sticks to his menu. Unlike I love Sushi or the one and only Nishino's, the chef will not deviate from his menu, AT ALL. The sashimi was plentiful, and the rolls ok, but the fish was way too big for one bite (rather untypical of sushi), and overall nothing was particularly fresh, despite the fact that Maneki is about a five minute walk to Elliot bay. Not bad, but there are way better sushi places within a couple minute drive of china town. Pros: Traditional feel Cons: Freshness, creativeness, sake choices more

service is slow and not very attentive, but the quality of the food is absolutely outstanding!!!! if service is a must for you, i suggest you head elsewhere. but this place- good things come to those who wait. i've had sushi from other places and other cities, but nothing stands up to maneki's. it's no wonder they've had a loyal following since the 1920's. Pros: food, quality Cons: parking, service more

Maneki has the best authentic, traditional food that I have ever eaten. If you go, you may have to wait, but the food is worth it. The sushi is good, but the Nabeyaki Udon and Beef Sukiyaki and the Gyoza are so delicious...I love it there! Pros: Delicious, cute bartender Cons: Cigarette smoke more

I read the other reviews, and this may not be the place for you if you want an Americanized Japanese restaurant. Yes, there is a bar with cigarette smoke. The food, service, people, and atmosphere are very authentic Japanese, and the food is delicious. Humble, friendly, great variety, truly authentic. Ask for the sushi chef's recommendation or special. Don't skip the hot sake and Japanese beers. more

I frequently visit Seattle and I much enjoy one of the freshest seafood the city has to offer. Not only does Maneki have the best sashimi, it's reasonably priced too. I like the cozy small feeling of the restaurant and the food is great. It gets a bit crowded though, but that goes to show how popular it is. Pros: Inexpensive, Good Food Cons: Crowded, Parking more

Maneki is by far the best sushi in town. The fish is wonderful, and the sushi rice is perfect. Whether you are on a date or celebrating a birthday party the atmospere is good. The service is prompt and friendly. Pros: great sushi, friendly service more

This is the best Japanese food in town. The restaurant is popular, so make reservation. I can feel for the review who didn't order the first pass and had to wait. Like I said, they are super busy and open for limited hours. Just call attention to the wait person. The food is top notch, I have never been disappointed. more

This is a great place if you enjoy authentic japanese food. In the past service has been slow, however it seems lately they have been doing a better job on the service end of things. Great sushi. Usually crowded for dinner but they do their best on getting you seated. One bad thing is that you can sometimes smell smoke from the bar. Pros: great food, good service Cons: , no take out more

I visted Seattle for only a few days, but without a doubt the highlight of my visit was my dinner at the Maneki. The ambience is delightful and the food is superlative to almost any dining experience that has preceded it. My party of five had about five appetizers, two plates of sushi and five entrees and only spent about fifty or sixty dollars. The appetizers are fresh and delicious, ranging from safe favorites to exotic treats worth trying at least once. The sushi is fresh and offers many varieties. The entrees are very reasonable and delicious with authenticity. A must for Japanese food enthusiasts and gourmets alike. Pros: Excellent prices, Authentic menu, Delicious food more

The Citysearch reviewer must have been at a different restuarant! This place is Fabulous! I've only had less than stellar service once, and that was on a very busy evening. Usually I get a tatami room (Highly Recommended) and there are always 3 people checking to see that we have everything we need. The last person I took there informed me that he went back to a former favorite and found they couldn't remotely compare to Maneki's sushi. Try the Monk's Fish Liver sushi..WOW! And the specialties of the day/week (?) offer some unique treats. Pros: Freshness, Tatami Rooms, Value more