One of Seattle’s Best Sushi Restaurants Now Offers Takeout Omakase and Chirashi

This may be among the more surprising takeout pivots in Seattle since Washington’s stay-at-home order was implemented in March. Wataru, the acclaimed, upscale sushi restaurant in Ravenna, is now offering 10-piece omakase dinners and chirashi bowls for takeout, as well as sake bottles to-go. The meals cost $40 per person and are available to reserve via Tock. This marks the first time the restaurant has ever done takeout, and it comes as COVID-19 measures continue to keep dining rooms across the state closed until at least May 4.

The minimalistic Wataru opened in late 2015 with an artful Edomae omakase experience, which means the fish is often cured, marinated, or pre-seasoned in other ways. In keeping with that style, the takeout omakase selection features seafood prepared by soy dashi zuke, apple or straw smoke, yuzu sesame marinade, pickled in red vinegar, and seared. The chirashi includes assorted sashimi served over sushi rice with shitake mushrooms and Ariake seaweed.

Wataru chef Kotaro Kumita learned his craft under sushi master Shiro Kashiba, and built the small, Ravenna restaurant into one of the most sought-after omakase experiences in Seattle. Reservations are usually booked months in advance, but are now simply a Tock click away — although it remains to be seen how long the service will last. Kashiba’s own high-end sushi destination Sushi Kashiba is closed for the time being. And while there are several other sushi restaurants open for takeout and delivery in Seattle, notably International District mainstay Maneki, translating the craft of an exclusive omakase experience to-go isn’t easy.

• Wataru [Official]