Shiki Japanese Restaurant

Best-tasting sushi. I've had the pleasure of sampling a lot of sushi in Seattle and so far Shiki is the best as far as flavor. Presentation leaves a lot to be desired, but we're talking flavor here. I had a couple pieces of sake (salmon) and hamachi (yellowtail) sushi and a spicy tuna roll. The sake and hamachi literally melted in my mouth and tasted so buttery! The fish portions were also good. The spicy tuna roll was actually spicy (yay), though the nori was on the outside which isn't my preference. My friends has the don buri and were a bit disappointed that their dishes were basically just a pile of rice with tempura shrimp on top or whatever other topping they selected - no other flacvors. So those left something to be desired, but this is a sushi restaurant so go for the sushi and you'll be happy.…

Best Sashimi You'll Ever Have. Rolls are not the point here. If you want good rolls, go to either Mashiko in West Seattle or Wasabi Bistro in Belltown (honorable mention for Rikki Rikki in Bellevue). Now, onto the review of Ken's amazing restaurant. He is a master of his craft who will expertly prepare the freshest maguro, hamachi, albacore, toro, etc. and cut it three times as generously as anywhere else, so if what you savor is a slab of perfect raw fish, come here. The kitchen entrees, such as katzudon, are highly recommended as well, as are the appetizers like potstickers or tofu in garlic. There is no glamor or gimick and it's not really a place for people who aren't sure if they like sushi. But for those hardcore sushi lovers: you deserve this.…

Pretty standard - 2.5 stars actually. I know this place gets great reviews, but personally I think it was flat average. Tempura was a bit greasy, miso and edamame were not salty enough, and the size of the chicken katsu order was enormous (enough for at least 3 meals). I gues when you factor in the amount of food you get with the higher priced entrees, it makes it worth it. So, I'd guess I'd say this was a good value for what you get. Just not super exciting. Perhaps we ordered the wrong dishes.…

Best Sushi Get's Better!!. As a sushi lover I have been a loyal customer to Shiki for years. Ken Yamamoto's sushi is simply wonderful ? incredibly fresh fish served by a Kyoto style sushi chef - What could be better? To keep things interesting during the Fall and Winter months, Ken-san also serves Fugu. If you really want to see a master present his art, call ahead and request an omakase (chef?s choice) dinner. We must have had eight courses the other night!

The other day I wandered in for one of Ken-san?s special lunch bento boxes (best lunch deal in Seattle) and I was presented with a remade restaurant. The Godzilla sized TV is gone from behind the sushi bar, the walls have been painted in a cream color with a beautiful Japanese red lacquer treatment on the lower part of the walls and the whole area behind the sushi bar is all new. What a difference!

If you haven't been to Shiki in a while - you will be very surprised, if you haven't tried it yet you should.…