Image 1 of / 28 Caption Close

Image 2 of 28 1. Shiro's, in Belltown, is often considered the best sushi restaurant in Seattle. It's known for omakase (chef's choice) and owner-chef Shiro Kashiba, pictured here in 1996. Kashiba trained in Japan with Jiro Ono, believed to be the world's greatest sushi chef and subject of the documentary "Jiro Dreams of Sushi." Kashiba also wrote a memoir about his training and early days of Seattle seafood foraging, before it was trendy. Photo: Seattle Post-Intelligencer. less 1. Shiro's, in Belltown, is often considered the best sushi restaurant in Seattle. It's known for omakase (chef's choice) and owner-chef Shiro Kashiba, pictured here in 1996. Kashiba trained in Japan ... more

Image 3 of 28 2. Mashiko, whose website is sushiwhore.com, is a small, quirky, sustainable West Seattle restaurant with a big following. It has fresh fish and fun rolls like "atomic tuna," with fried jalapeno, cucumber, spicy sauce, tuna and habanero masago. Photo: pinkpucca, Creative Commons Flickr. less 2. Mashiko, whose website is sushiwhore.com, is a small, quirky, sustainable West Seattle restaurant with a big following. It has fresh fish and fun rolls like ... more

Image 4 of 28 3. Nishino, in Madison Park, is known for its traditional and innovative items, including spicy salmon tartare on crispy rice and its "Arboretum roll," of yellowtail, japapeno and avocado. In Madison Park. Photo: Seattle Post-Intelligencer less 3. Nishino, in Madison Park, is known for its traditional and innovative items, including spicy salmon tartare on crispy rice and its "Arboretum roll," of yellowtail, japapeno and avocado. In Madison ... more

Image 5 of 28

Image 6 of 28 4. Maneki is a venerable International District restaurant, which turns 108 this year and reminds some people of diners in Japan. It has a casual atmosphere and a huge menu, with such items as black cod collar and tako-yaki (octopus, bonito and nori). Sushi is sometimes very good, sometimes okay. Photo (not of Maneki): arabianrose, Creative Commons Flickr. less 4. Maneki is a venerable International District restaurant, which turns 108 this year and reminds some people of diners in Japan. It has a casual atmosphere and a huge menu, with such items as black ... more

Image 7 of 28 5. Umi Sake House: This Belltown restaurant has a major following for its fresh fish, popular happy hour, premium sake, inventive rolls and downtown scene. Photo: Jessica Spengler, Creative Commons Flickr. less 5. Umi Sake House: This Belltown restaurant has a major following for its fresh fish, popular happy hour, premium sake, inventive rolls and downtown scene. Photo: ... more

Image 8 of 28 6. Japonessa Sushi Cocina is a hip, sushi-Latin fusion kind of place, with a well-known happy hour (which seems to run all day) and modern rolls like the "tarantula extreme," with comes with chili aioli. In downtown Seattle. Image: Japonessa website. less 6. Japonessa Sushi Cocina is a hip, sushi-Latin fusion kind of place, with a well-known happy hour (which seems to run all day) and modern rolls like the "tarantula extreme," with comes with chili ... more

Image 9 of 28 7.Tsukushinbo feels like a hidden gem, because it's small and modest, is located on a fairly empty street, and lacks a restaurant sign. (This 2008 photo was taken before the sign came down). But it's often crowded with fans of its sushi, shoyu ramen and gooey agedashi mochi. In the International District. Photo: Google Street View. less 7.Tsukushinbo feels like a hidden gem, because it's small and modest, is located on a fairly empty street, and lacks a restaurant sign. (This 2008 photo was taken before the sign came down). But it's ... more

Image 10 of 28

Image 11 of 28 Tsukushinbo has been such a favorite that when Mariners' pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki (L) left in 2004 to return to his native Japan, he had a last lunch at Tsukushinbo to say goodbye to owner Mike Hirakawa (R). has been such a favorite that when Mariners' pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki (L) left in 2004 to return to his native Japan, he had a last lunch at Tsukushinbo to say goodbye to owner Mike Hirakawa (R). less Tsukushinbo has been such a favorite that when Mariners' pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki (L) left in 2004 to return to his native Japan, he had a last lunch at Tsukushinbo to say goodbye to owner Mike Hirakawa has been such a favorite that when Mariners' pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki (L) left in 2004 to return to his native Japan, he had a last lunch at Tsukushinbo to say goodbye to owner Mike Hirakawa ... more Photo: DAN DELONG / Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Image 12 of 28 8. <b>Fuji Sushi</b>: This dark, quiet restaurant in the International District is popular for its sushi and bento boxes. 8. <b>Fuji Sushi</b>: This dark, quiet restaurant in the International District is popular for its sushi and bento boxes. Photo: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Image 13 of 28 9. You won't find trendy Belltown-type crowds at Toyoda Sushi, a small, unassuming place in Lake City. But you will find a lot of fans. As "Jennifer D." says on Yelp: "Toyoda Sushi is not about the frilly, fancy rolls and Asian fushion shmushion. This is where you come to enjoy high quality fish and traditional Japanese dishes in a family friendly setting." Photo: King County Assessor's Office. less 9. You won't find trendy Belltown-type crowds at Toyoda Sushi, a small, unassuming place in Lake City. But you will find a lot of fans. As "Jennifer D." says on Yelp: "Toyoda Sushi is not about the ... more

Image 14 of 28 10. <b>Kisaku</b> is a Green Lake favorite in a relaxed setting. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wakxy/2986473168/">joaquin uy</a>, Creative Commons Flickr. 10. <b>Kisaku</b> is a Green Lake favorite in a relaxed setting. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wakxy/2986473168/">joaquin uy</a>, Creative Commons Flickr.

Image 15 of 28

Image 16 of 28 11. Musashi's: This Wallingford hole-in-the-wall is always packed. Why? The nigiri cuts are big (and usually fresh), and the prices are good. Cons: Long waits, cramped tables. Photo: Google Street View. less 11. Musashi's: This Wallingford hole-in-the-wall is always packed. Why? The nigiri cuts are big (and usually fresh), and the prices are good. Cons: Long waits, cramped tables. Photo: Google Street ... more

Image 17 of 28 12. <b>Chiso</b> in Fremont has a lot of standard nigiri and rolls (tekka maki, California, spider, etc.), plus a happy hour that's pretty popular. 12. <b>Chiso</b> in Fremont has a lot of standard nigiri and rolls (tekka maki, California, spider, etc.), plus a happy hour that's pretty popular. Photo: Seattle Post-Intelligencer / SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER

Image 18 of 28 13. Izumi: This low-key, traditional Kirkland restaurant is located in a strip mall. Fans say it has fresh fish and great prices. Photo (not of Izumi): lara604, Creative Commons Flickr. less 13. Izumi: This low-key, traditional Kirkland restaurant is located in a strip mall. Fans say it has fresh fish and great prices. Photo (not of Izumi): ... more

Image 19 of 28 14. <b>Momiji</b>, which features a serene interior around a Japanese garden, is a hip sibling of popular Umi Sake House. It definitely has its own fan base. In Capitol Hill. Photo: Momiji website. 14. <b>Momiji</b>, which features a serene interior around a Japanese garden, is a hip sibling of popular Umi Sake House. It definitely has its own fan base. In Capitol Hill. Photo: Momiji website.

Image 20 of 28

Image 21 of 28 15. <b>O'Shan Sushi</b> has quickly become a favorite Ballard restaurant, with nice service, fresh fish and good prices. Photo: O'Shan Sushi website. 15. <b>O'Shan Sushi</b> has quickly become a favorite Ballard restaurant, with nice service, fresh fish and good prices. Photo: O'Shan Sushi website.

Image 22 of 28 16. <b>Sushi Zen</b>: If you happen to be in Snohomish County, this place, located in a Mill Creek strip mall, is a big hit with sushi lovers. Photo: Sushi Zen website. 16. <b>Sushi Zen</b>: If you happen to be in Snohomish County, this place, located in a Mill Creek strip mall, is a big hit with sushi lovers. Photo: Sushi Zen website.

Image 23 of 28 17. Wasabi Bistro has a sleek interior and a well-loved happy hour, with wagyu beef sliders, shumai and a lot of rolls. For dinner, there's nigiri and more rolls, both traditional and modern. Photo: Google Street View. less 17. Wasabi Bistro has a sleek interior and a well-loved happy hour, with wagyu beef sliders, shumai and a lot of rolls. For dinner, there's nigiri and more rolls, both traditional and modern. Photo: ... more

Image 24 of 28 18. Shiku Sushi is another popular, upscale sushi restaurant in Ballard. (There's also Moshi Moshi). Shiku is known for its nigiri and rolls, a full bar and fancy Japanese bidet toilets with heated seats (at least, in the ladies room). Photo: Google Street View. less 18. Shiku Sushi is another popular, upscale sushi restaurant in Ballard. (There's also Moshi Moshi). Shiku is known for its nigiri and rolls, a full bar and fancy Japanese bidet toilets with heated ... more

Image 25 of 28

Image 26 of 28 19. <b>Oto Sushi</b>: On the Eastside? Try this popular place in Kirkland, located near Walgreens and Massage Envy in Juanita Village. Photo: Oto Sushi website. 19. <b>Oto Sushi</b>: On the Eastside? Try this popular place in Kirkland, located near Walgreens and Massage Envy in Juanita Village. Photo: Oto Sushi website.

Image 27 of 28 20. <b>Nijo Sushi Bar & Grill</b>, in Pioneer Square, is known for happy hour, outdoor seating and crowds of tourists and urbanites. Photo: Google Street View. 20. <b>Nijo Sushi Bar & Grill</b>, in Pioneer Square, is known for happy hour, outdoor seating and crowds of tourists and urbanites. Photo: Google Street View.