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Blue Fish

166 Lake St S Kirkland, WA (425) 822-8245  

Hours  

Blue Fish is a Japanese, Sushi, and Noodle Shop restaurant where most Menuism users came for a business meeting, paid between $10 and $25, and tipped between 15% to 18%.

People describe this restaurant as Japanese, Sushi, Sashimi, Sake, and Noodle Shop [ tag it ]

Stats

  • # of dishes people have entered : 22
  • # who want to try this restaurant : 3
  • # who have favorited this restaurant : 0
  • # sites linking here : 0

Overall

***1/2

3.5 avg. based on 10 ratings & 11 reviews

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Reviews

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11 reviews

Award_star_gold First reviewed by:  john
Feb 8, 2008 Link

I like this place. I've been there 3 times,...

I like this place. I’ve been there 3 times, one time back in 05 when they just opened, and 2 times recently. I had unagi roll and salmon the other day, and it was very good. My companion didn’t want flyish fish roe in her california roll, so I requested for that to be put in unagi roll, and they accomodated and it turned out very nice. Then on a Saturday I had their lunch special bento box with sashimi instead of the regular california rolls, and liked my food except gyozas. But I don’t like gyozas in general and don’t think it had to do with that place. So, their food and service are nice, and they take prime card. I definitely will be back.

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Aug 26, 2007 Link

Dropping in quality, increasing in price

Back when Blue Fish was called Sake House, my friends and I gushed over how we had discovered another fine choice for Eastside sushi (as there are never enough). Perhaps we were more naive about sushi back then, or perhaps the change of name/management really has affected things.

In any case, the quality of the food is pretty poor now, and the service was very slow for our meal (a Thursday evening dinner). Most every dish that we ordered was overpriced and underflavored. The ambiance is still nice, with some open street seating and a direct sunlight in the evenings.

I’m terribly disappointed in Blue Fish, and it’s now off my list of sushi options for the area.

This is a follow-up review for this restaurant. Read my previous review for this restaurant here

What I ate:
  • *

    A big box of disappointment. I found a large quantity of stale tempura, paired with a generous helping of overcooked tonkatsu that was as tough and flavorless as rawhide. Yuck.

  • *

    Totally undersized and overcooked. Way too dry, and required far too much chewing power.

Extras:
I came here for
fun with friends
My meal cost
between $25 and $50
I tipped
less than 15%
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May 6, 2007 Link

you can do better for Eastside sushi

Blue Fish is an ok choice for sushi, but in my opinion it is overpriced for the quantity of food. I think it is pricey simply because it is kirkland waterfront. The food was pretty good and fresh enough – but the price needed to be lower to make it worth it.

Not much atmosphere in this restaurant, and it was kind of weird to be playing amercian pop-rock music. The restaurant was pretty much empty on a Sunday evening.

I don’t know if I’ll be back here not because it was bad but because it was nothing special. Though I would like to try their lunch, and their ramen.

What I ate:
  • ***

    An average caterpillar roll – presentation wasn’t that impressive. It was ok but nothing to rave about. Fish was fresh at least.

  • ****

    The fish was pretty fresh – quite expensive just for 4 pieces.

Extras:
I came here for
a family meal
My meal cost
between $10 and $25
I tipped
between 15% to 18%
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Dec 11, 2006 Link

I took a closer look at the menu this time

My follow-up review for this restaurant. Read my previous review for this restaurant here

To be accurate, their happy hr is from 5 – 6 daily. So here is the deal — come at 5;45 pm and take happy hr orders b4 their last call; In about 15 -20 mins, ur meal comes exactly dinner time!

What I ate:
  • ****

    Deep fried chicken, with BBQ sauce. This is not perfect but definitely better than chicken skewer.

  • *****

    Deep fried sushi roll with avocado and salmon. Think about a combination of Tempura and sushi roll, u’ll get a better picture!

  • *****

    Seaweed and fresh veggie (mainly cucumber) with house special vinegar dressing. It also tastes a little sweet.

  • ***

    This tastes so so to me. Maybe cos i am not a big fan of sushi.

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Nov 14, 2006 Link

Different name, same great food

Having had a good experience with the dinner menu in the past (my previous review is here), I decided to try out the lunch menu to see if it was up to par. I’m happy to report that it was!

The first thing I noticed was the name change – the last time I was here it was called Sake House. The change seems purely cosmetic, however; the decor and menus look the same as before. Amusingly, they haven’t switched the name on the receipt, which still says “Sake House”.

The ambiance was pleasant – the large plate-glass windows let in plenty of light from the street into the neat and clean dining area. Service was good and prompt, and there was definitely good value for the lunch specials, especially if you add an extra roll.

I’d recommend Blue Fish for a solid lunch choice in downtown Kirkland.

What I ate:
  • ****

    I had a craving for ramen, and this hit the spot. Good volume of ingredients, with a creamy sauce that wasn’t too creamy.

  • ***

    Standard fare, but a good deal at $3.50 for 8 pieces when added to a lunch item.

  • *****

    For dinner or lunch, this sake doesn’t disappoint. =)

Extras:
I came here for
a business meeting
My meal cost
between $10 and $25
I tipped
between 15% to 18%
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Nov 9, 2006 Link

Good lunch value

This place has a bunch of good lunch specials and even a 6.50 bento box but I opted for the ramen special with sushi addon. The people were friendly and the food was good. If you’re near downtown Kirkland, definitely check it out for lunch.

What I ate:
  • ****

    A good size bowl of tasty ramen with nice chunks of pork – just fatty enough to have good flavor :P

  • ***

    I got this as an addon to the lunch special for only 3.50 more. 8 pieces is pretty good for this price.

  • ****

    Nothing like a nice cold sake to start the afternoon. It certainly makes lunch more soothing :)

Extras:
I came here for
a business meeting
My meal cost
between $10 and $25
I tipped
between 15% to 18%
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Oct 9, 2006 Link

Great Japanese place for happy hr & dinner

It is not a too spacious place, but really well decorated. Sushi Chef is nice and friendly. The food was just good and satisfying. The name is changed to Blue Fish recently, not sure how much it does with seafood, but ppl always remember it as a good Sake place.

It’s a good place for HAPPY HOUR from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Appetizer goes down to $2.99. (I don’t quite remember sushi and sake, but they are only slightly higher). We tried all of them, and they just taste Yummy Yummy.

Their serving of JAPANESE GREEN TEA really delighted me, but I don’t know they also charge it without giving a heads-up. So make sure u want to pay and then order.

PARKING: there is a small parking lot uphill b4 it.

I would recommend it as a great GET-TOGETHER Japanese place. Cos my girls and I quite enjoyed the whole atmosphere of this place and its neighborhood.

What I ate:
  • ****

    Salmon is baked perfectly, with Sukiyaki saurce poured down instead of soaked in. It came with Miso soup, veggie salad, Tempura, and also rice. So enjoy not only the quality, but also quantity.

  • ****

    Very typical Japanese dish. The Fried Tofu is so soft that u cant resist it but melt in the mouth. ( this is only for happy-hr price)

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Sep 27, 2006 Link

Good sushi, even better sake

The sushi was good, but nothing to write home about. The sake was really yummy though, and is my current favorite!

What I ate:
  • ****

    Tempura prawn sushi roll, quite tasty, with a little spice.

  • *****

    There’s nothing quite like an excellent shot of sake to get that capillary action going from the tips of your fingers to the bottom of your toes!

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Sep 27, 2006 Link

Good sake, mediocre food.

Food wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything spectacular. However, the sake was tasty.

What I ate:
  • ***

    Not bad, but a bit tough (perhaps becuase it was over fried?).

  • *****

    Very sweet, smooth, and easy to drink. The experience of the sake’s auroma climbing up my nostril is worth experiencing. I’m going to go find myself a bottle at the nearest Uwajimaya.

  • *

    I would not get it here. Go to your nearest Kiku! (or if you have more cash, Nishino)

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Sep 26, 2006 Link

Decent Japanese food, great location

The food here is okay, its location on lake street in downtown kirkland is unbeatable though especially if you want to take your date for a romantic stroll along lake washington after dinner!

What I ate:
  • ***

    Ordered this since they don’t have my favourite (and notoriously hard to find) geoduck sushi. Personally I would have preferred the sukiyaki to be more sweet and salty, the servings were generous though and I definitely enjoyed my meal!

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Sep 26, 2006 Link

Lives up to the name

Everything at this clean, sparsely decorated restaurant in downtown Kirkland contributed to a fine overall dining experience. The waitstaff was pleasant, accommodating and attentive, and the portions on the entrees were very large. The sake we chose to have was absolutely fantastic (see the individual item review)

What I ate:
  • ***

    Huge portions, but the noodles were a bit too soft for my taste.

  • *****

    Crack cocaine in water couldn’t be better. This sake was smooth and sweet down to the last drop. At $30 for a whole bottle, it was a fantastic deal for the table.

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