Umi Sake House anchors Seattle's Belltown dining scene as a destination for sushi, izakaya small plates, and one of the most extensive sake programs in the Pacific Northwest. The menu spans classic nigiri and sashimi all the way to inventive specialty rolls with names like Knockout, Casino Royale, and Hotter Than Hell, paired with Japanese whisky cocktails and sake bottles from across Japan.
Signature items
Umi Sake House sells nigiri by the piece and sashimi by the slice — ordering 6 slices locks in the best per-piece value.
| Fish | 1 pc (nigiri) | 3 slices | 6 slices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuna (Maguro) | $4 | $10 | $18 |
| Salmon (Sake) | $4 | $10 | $18 |
| Yellowtail (Hamachi) | $4 | $10 | $18 |
| Sweet Shrimp (Amaebi) | $6 | $14 | $26 |
| Scallop (Hotate) | $6 | $14 | $26 |
| Snow Crab (Kani) | $6 | $14 | $26 |
| Freshwater Eel (Unagi) | $5 | $12 | $22 |
| Salmon Roe (Ikura) | $5 | $12 | $22 |
| Egg Omelet (Tamago) | $3 | $8 | $14 |
Like-for-like comparison of common sushi categories across popular Seattle restaurants.
| Category | Umi Sake House | Kura Sushi | Fob Sushi Bar | Benihana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuna roll | $9 | $3–$4 (conveyor) | $10–$12 | $9–$11 |
| Spicy tuna roll | $11 | $4–$5 | $12 | $11–$13 |
| California roll | $12 | $3–$4 | $10 | $10–$12 |
| Sashimi (6 slices, tuna) | $18 | $8–$10 | $18–$22 | $15–$18 |
| Specialty roll | $21–$30 | N/A | $18–$25 | $15–$20 |
| Happy hour sashimi set | $10–$14 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Umi Sake House opened in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood and quickly established itself as one of the city's premier destinations for Japanese cuisine and sake. The restaurant's name — umi meaning "sea" in Japanese — reflects its focus on high-quality seafood, from pristine nigiri and sashimi to inventive izakaya plates like the Dynamite Bake and Hamachi Kama. The Belltown location, just blocks from Pike Place Market, draws locals and visitors alike who come for the creative specialty rolls and the curated sake program.
What truly sets Umi apart is the depth of its sake list, which spans everything from approachable junmai pours by the glass to rare daiginjo bottles from storied breweries across Japan. The bar team crafts a rotating menu of sake cocktails that blend Japanese spirits with house-infused ingredients, and the cocktail program features Japanese whiskies from Suntory alongside craft gins and mezcals. Dinner service runs daily from 4 pm, with late-night hours on weekends, making it a natural anchor for the neighborhood's nightlife.
Happy hour at Umi — offered daily from 4 to 6 pm and again from 10 pm to close — is considered one of Seattle's best, with discounted sashimi sets, rolls, izakaya plates, and sake. The kitchen and raw bar both participate in happy hour pricing, something many sushi restaurants do not offer. The combination of quality, creativity, and a genuine sake education makes Umi Sake House a standout in the Pacific Northwest Japanese dining scene.
Make a reservation on OpenTable, or check current hours and order takeout on the official site.
Visit Umi Sake HouseUmi Sake House is a Japanese restaurant and sake bar in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. The menu features izakaya small plates, sushi and sashimi, specialty maki rolls, noodle dishes, and an extensive curated sake program with 100+ labels alongside craft cocktails made with Japanese spirits.
Yes. Happy hour runs daily from 4–6 pm and again late night from 10 pm to close. It covers both the kitchen and the raw bar with discounted prices on sashimi sets, rolls, izakaya plates, sake, beer, and well drinks. Happy hour is dine-in only and substitutions are not permitted.
The Dynamite Bake ($23) is a baked hot plate of spicy snow crab, shrimp, scallop, mussels, habanero tobiko, spinach, and scallions. It is one of the restaurant's most popular signature dishes — rich, slightly spicy, and meant for sharing.
Specialty rolls at Umi Sake House range from $17 to $30. Most fall in the $21–$24 range. The most expensive is the Scorpion Roll at $30 (ghost pepper aioli, ghost pepper sauce), while the Crunchy Cali and Crunchy Seattle are among the most affordable at $17 each.
Yes. Umi Sake House offers a dedicated vegetable sushi section with items like the Avocado Roll ($6), Cucumber Roll ($6), Ume Shiso Roll ($7), and the Lucky Leprechan or Ladybug specialty rolls ($20). Hot plates like Agedashi Tofu ($11), Spicy Tomato Tofu ($13), and Shishito Yaki ($9) are also available. Some items can be made vegan by confirming with the kitchen.
Umi Sake House offers an extensive sake program with 10+ glass pour options ranging from $9 to $16 per glass, sake flights (any 3 for $22, any 5 for $33), and dozens of bottles from Japanese breweries across Niigata, Akita, Kyoto, Nara, and other prefectures. Styles range from dry honjozo and junmai ginjo to creamy nigori and rare junmai daiginjo bottles priced up to $240 for a 1.8L bottle.
Umi Sake House serves dinner Sunday through Thursday from 4 pm to 11 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 4 pm to midnight. Happy hour runs daily from 4–6 pm and 10 pm to close. Hours can change seasonally, so check the official website or call ahead to confirm.
Yes. Reservations for groups of 1–5 guests are available through OpenTable on the Umi Sake House website. For larger parties, the restaurant has a separate large party reservation inquiry form. Walk-ins are also welcome based on availability.
Umi Sake House is located at 2230 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, in the Belltown neighborhood — a short walk from Pike Place Market and the Seattle Center. Street parking and nearby paid garages are available in the area.