ISSIAN

"Add Issian to your Seattle Japanese restaurant shortlist. They serve excellent kushiyaki, from drippy minced chicken or sizzling pork belly sticks, to fried snacks like gyoza and shumai, all of which go great with a pint of Sapporo. Or, suppose you wanted to stop in and exclusively eat sushi, you can do that too. Plus, vegetarians have a lot to like about Issian, too, with plenty of options involving tofu, eggplant, and natto. When the night calls for a tornado of tasty plates to hit the table on repeat (or alternatively, a massive hunk of broiled salmon belly), we can't think of much better in Wallingford for a group meal." - aimee rizzo

"This izakaya in Wallingford is a perfect place for a group to enjoy drinks and share small plates. Dishes include grilled mackerel, grilled tuna collar, a variety of yakitori, fried chicken cartilage, kushikatsu (tonkatsu on a stick), and even French fries with wasabi mayonnaise. Yaki onigiri (soy-sauce-glazed grilled rice balls) are the perfect dish to fill up at the end of a meal." - Jay Friedman, Eater Staff

"The next time you’re feeling disillusioned by brewery food trucks that prioritize greasy sandwiches and fries, grab space on Figurehead Brewing’s hidden garden patio to snack on otoro and grilled beef on a stick by way of in-house sushi and yakitori vendor Ooshiba. This Japanese kitchen serves nigiri that could go toe-to-toe with the likes at some omakase spots, and it feels very fun to pair your buttery wasabi-smeared salmon belly with mellow Mexican lager out in a courtyard that's effortlessly serene and breezy. " - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley

"Deep-fried gyoza tend to have brittle edges that get soggy fast—but not the ones at Issian. Instead, the wrapper on these pork-filled bundles stay blistered and crackly, with air bubbles from the hot oil and nary a dry crimp in sight. They come with a smear of hot mustard that cuts through the grease while also clearing your sinuses quicker than a puff of Flonase ever could. While you’re at it, grab their prawn shumai too, which are also deep-fried." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley

"When everyone requires Japanese food but that's about as far as the conversation got, try Issian. For one friend who just wants to split fried snacks and kushiyaki, you can do that. For another friend who exclusively is interested in a sushi feast, you can do that too. Plus, vegetarians have a lot to like about Issian, with plenty of options involving tofu, eggplant, and natto. When the night calls for a tornado of tasty plates to hit the table on repeat (or alternatively, a massive hunk of broiled salmon belly), we can't think of much better for a group meal in Wallingford. Just try to make a reservation in advance if you can." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley