Maekawa Bar

Read my previous review for this restaurant here

I’m such the brat. I think Maekawa is decent by Seattle’s standards but since I’ve been to izakayas in Japan, I give it a three-star. Our waitstaff was friendly but not as attentive as I would’ve liked. As for the food, some dishes are tastier than others but most were not quite on par with Japan’s standards, or just standards of a great dish. That being said, I’d still go back to try out their other items since there’s so much to choose from. Plus it’ll be a fun hang-out with large groups of people (and open till 2am on weekends).

…in Seattle. Maekawa Bar is the best place to go (along with Fort St. George next door) if you want to experience a real Japanese style ikazaya. The funky restaurant is on the 2nd level of a building in Chinatown. They play Japanese pop/rock music and the wait staff all look 1st generation Japanese. This restaurant isn’t very big, but it is lively and packed with young Japanese people speaking the language and enjoying their meals.

Everything on the menu is cheap, pretty much everything is under $10. A great place to come and sample various Japaneses dishes. They offer many dishes you won’t find at other Japanese restaurants in the area.

Maekawa is definetely at the top of my list :-) It brings back memories of my recent trip to Japan.

Another place that I have gone past in International District many times but have only stepped in for the first time last friday :) If you want to try out lots of non-sushi type Japanese items this Ikazaya place is not bad. It’s always packed with people and as a result I think service suffered (they only had two-people waiting the tables…)

Basically, unless you flag down the wait staff, they will pretty much not come to serve you :)

Having said that, the dishes are not bad, don’t remember what we all had since went with a large group and many plates were ordered, the price per plate is ok. Would’ve given it better rating if not for the service. Oh well.

I like this restaurant because there’s so many different things you can order and try. You can order a lot of appetizer style items and try all sorts of things. It’s great. Although I won’t say healthy, a lot of things are oily and you will probably smell like food after you leave due to the open kitchen. But it’s a fun experience and they have pretty tasty alcoholic drinks. I’d recommend the Calpico Soju.

this is one of my favourite late night and general Izakaya place in Seattle (not that there are that many to begin with). The Kakuni is to die for! They also have three types of draft Japanese beer on the cheap. They have a wide selection of tasty cooked and raw dishes. One raw tuna rice bowl is incredibly delicious with lots of tuna! Nearly my dream come true.

Traditional Japanese dishes from what I’m told. Lots of unique dishes to try, and I’ve enjoyed it everytime I’ve been there.