Marination Ma Kai Menu 2026: Hawaiian-Korean Fusion in West Seattle

Marination Ma Kai is a waterfront restaurant and bar in West Seattle (1660 Harbor Ave SW) serving Hawaiian-Korean fusion cuisine. It is part of the Marination family of Seattle restaurants, originally started as a food truck in 2009 by Roz Edison and Kamala Saxton. Ma Kai translates loosely to 'toward the sea' in Hawaiian — a nod to the restaurant's harbor-view location on the West Seattle waterfront.

Marination Ma Kai serves Hawaiian-Korean fusion food: Spam sliders on sweet Hawaiian rolls, kalua pork tacos and bowls, kimchi quesadillas, Korean fried chicken sandwiches, poke bowls, shrimp tacos and tofu options. The kitchen blends Hawaiian plate-lunch traditions with Korean street-food flavors. It is also a full bar, known for tropical cocktails like mai tais, lychee martinis and Hawaiian mules with panoramic views of the Seattle skyline across the water.

Marination Ma Kai is located at 1660 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126 on the West Seattle waterfront. You can reach it by driving over the West Seattle Bridge, by the West Seattle Water Taxi from the downtown Seattle waterfront (a short walk from the dock), or by car from California Ave SW. The restaurant overlooks the Seattle skyline and Elliott Bay — one of the most scenic dining spots in the city.

Marination Ma Kai is generally open daily for lunch and dinner, with expanded bar hours on weekends. Hours can change seasonally and for private events — confirm current hours on their official website at marinationmobile.com or by phone before visiting, especially in winter months when waterfront restaurant hours may shift.

Yes. Marination Ma Kai has a solid range of vegetarian and vegan-friendly items. The kimchi quesadilla (vegetarian), kimchi fries (vegetarian), tofu taco, tofu bowl and shave ice are standout plant-based picks. Edamame and coconut rice are vegan and gluten-free. Staff are generally helpful with modifications — ask about swapping proteins on bowls and tacos.

The Spam slider is Marination's signature item and one of the most recognized items in the Seattle food scene. It consists of grilled Spam on a soft Hawaiian sweet roll with neon mayo (a bright, tangy aioli) and kimchi. Marination helped popularize Spam as a serious street-food ingredient in the Pacific Northwest, and the slider has remained on the menu since the food truck days in 2009.

Yes — the West Seattle Water Taxi stops very close to Marination Ma Kai. The dock at Seacrest Park is a short walk from the restaurant at 1660 Harbor Ave SW, making it a popular outing from downtown Seattle. The ferry runs seasonally with limited winter service; check King County Metro's Water Taxi schedule at kingcounty.gov for current times and fares.

Marination Ma Kai has traditionally operated as a casual walk-in restaurant and bar with limited reservation capacity — the waterfront patio and bar seating are largely first-come, first-served. For larger groups or private events, contact them directly through marinationmobile.com. Weekends and summer evenings can get busy, especially when the weather is clear and the skyline views are at their best.

Marination Ma Kai's outdoor waterfront patio is generally dog-friendly (leashed pets welcome on the patio). The casual, relaxed atmosphere also makes it reasonably family- and kid-friendly, though it is primarily a bar and restaurant rather than a dedicated family dining spot. Confirm the current pet and seating policy directly with the restaurant, as patio availability is weather-dependent in Seattle.