Mashiko
Seattle, WA 98116View Map
(206) 935-4339 Editorial Review
Gen-Xer's play sushi chef in West Seattle, with winning results
Since 1994 Hajime Sato has helmed this sushi joint. Menu items are as colorful as Hajime himself (check out the restaurant's Web site, www.sushiwhore.com): Charley's Angels Roll, Green Lip Mussels with Dynamite Sauce, and Cheesy Aligator Roll are some of the sample dishes. Traditional Japanese music isn't played at Mashiko, because, according to Sato, "it reminds [him] of two things: grammar school and death." Instead, "new and interesting music" plays. All of this adds up to a unique sushi experience, culminating in Sato's catch phrase: "Shut up
The Scene
Chef Mashiko enlists college kids to turn out surprisingly well-executed, colorful sushi to Gap-clad regulars. A tad larger than intimate, tables are set close enough to share food with neighbors. One look at the bleached, minimalist decor will have you mentally paging through an Ikea catalog. Service is always courteous.
The Food
The Tiger Eye is a great starter--raw tuna wrapped tightly around fresh salmon roe, then deep-fried. Diners who vow to "try anything" might order the Moriawase, the chef's choice of sushi and sashimi, a broad selection of fresh fish served with all the standard favorites--this is the ultimate way to enjoy sushi. An order of edamame, a rainbow roll and some sake round out the meal nicely.
When the rain falls, I watch people, cars, and whatever else escapes my eye, move through the falling droplets of water. From behind the Sushi Bar I watch the entire world bleed out of a plate glass window, and think about symmetry. Because it's the tiny connections in life that we take for granted that hold the most splendor.
In 1994 I had an idea. Believing that food is one of the most powerful languages in not only defining cultures but also in integrating them, I wanted to open a Japanese restaurant that would transcend the traditional way of presenting and thinking of food from my country. Furthermore I wanted to do this in a way that wouldn't send my customers into debt.
At Mashiko we are always trying to create new and interesting ways to interpret Japanese food and sushi. This is an all-inclusive precess. You'll never hear traditional Japanese music in Mashiko, because it reminds me of two things: grammar school and death. Believe me you, if you've ever been to an elementary school in Japan... death isn't too bad. So we play new and interesting music that we hope will compliment the food.
I want you to try new things and ask questions. If you can, I'd like you to stuff your face. I want people to laugh and enjoy food and life. Please, shut up and eat!
