manekiseattle

The history and people behind Seattle's oldest sushi restaurant
by Aileen Imperial

In an industry where over 60 percent of independent establishments close during the first year, MANEKI has a legacy of resilience — surviving through World War II and the incarceration of Japanese Americans.

Born and raised on the same block as the restaurant, Yokoyama recalls MANEKI as being central to Seattle’s Japanese community since its inception. Yokoyama and longtime restaurant caretaker Jean Nakayama, have been key to the restaurant’s resiliency.

Ownership of MANEKI has changed hands only a few times in its century-long tenure. The longest owners were the Sato family; Tokuji Sato owned MANEKI between 1923 and the early 1960s, when he handed ownership over to his daughter, “Shi-chan” Virginia Ichikawa, and her husband Joe.

Nakayama says that the original castle-like MANEKI was ransacked and vandalized during the war.
After the war, the Sato family returned to Washington State and reopened MANEKI in the location that had been used as the storage space during the war, where MANEKI still operates today.

✅MANEKI -- 38 Essential Restaurants In Seattle, Winter 2022

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Seattle’s oldest sushi restaurant has been open since 1904, surviving the incarceration of its owners during WWII. MANEKI remains as resilient as ever: Since the pandemic started, the Japantown restaurant has offered online takeout orders for its large menu of sushi rolls, udon noodles and Japanese comfort food. Indulge in the beef sukiyaki or unagi donburi, or make a takeout meal out of snacks, like the spicy cod karaage, potato croquettes and onigiri (rice balls).

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MANEKI Karaage Gold 💛 Crispy and bursting with tender seasoned chicken.

Thank you Peter Morada Peter Morada] for sharing your fave snack! Try our Spicy Cod Karaage for some added heat 🔥

✅ TAKE OUT ORDER
✅ PICK UP [ 4:30 - 8 PM ]
✅ TUESDAY thru SUNDAY

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Reposted from Peter Morada]

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