Seattle teriyaki
Photo: John Margolies · Public domain

The American version of grilled-then-glazed chicken on rice that Toshi Kasahara invented at his Lower Queen Anne counter in 1976. Sugar, soy, char and shredded cabbage.

On 2 March 1976 Toshihiro Kasahara opened a 30-seat shop at 372 Roy Street called Toshi's Teriyaki. His sauce broke with Japanese tradition: he swapped mirin for granulated sugar, basted the marinade on yakitori-style chicken thighs over charcoal, and finished the plate with rice and a pile of shredded iceberg. The Seattle Times credited the move with launching a city-wide format that now numbers more than 200 teriyaki shops, more than any other US city. The dish is the only American food invented in Seattle that the city eats without irony.

2 editor picks for Seattle teriyaki in Seattle, ranked by editorial score. All Seattle signature dishes · Seattle teriyaki across every city.

Maneki ★ 4.5

$$JapaneseInternational District

Maneki in Seattle's International District is the oldest Japanese restaurant on the West Coast: opened in 1904, surviving wartime internment.

OrderThe geoduck sashimi if it is on the board, otherwise the chef's nigiri set with a tatami room.

TipReserve a tatami room four to six weeks ahead; the bar runs walk-in but the room shapes the meal.

DirectionsView

Ba Bar Capitol Hill ★ 4.3

$$Vietnamese Street FoodCapitol Hill

Ba Bar in Seattle's Capitol Hill is Eric Banh's 2011 Vietnamese street-food room running pho until 02:00 weeknights and 03:30 on weekends, the city's only.

OrderThe pho ga with chicken at 02:00 or the bun cha at lunch with extra nuoc cham.

TipThe bahn mi counter at the front does takeaway until close; the late-night menu after midnight is shorter and faster.

DirectionsView

Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide

Seattle teriyaki makes more sense with someone from Seattle explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.

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