Junkichi Robata Izakaya

This was my first trip here, and my experience didn't match the hype. I want to believe that overall this was an off night on their part, but for now, I can only give it 3x stars. Our waiter was awkward and non-existent most of the evening. He walked us through the menu and we ordered many items he suggested. Sadly, the signature dishes just didn't taste right. Everything tasted completely over-seasoned. The beef sukiyaki was super sweetened. The grilled hamachi collar tasted like a custard dessert. The garlic fried rice was pleasantly heavily citrus / ponzu in flavor, but we couldn't tell if that was on purpose or not. High marks for their seaweed salad with sesame dressing, plus the seven spice tuna appetizer. I want to give this place a fair shake with another shot, but at $$$, realistically, I'm going to just keep exploring other spots. I will wholeheartedly say their plating ability is great for Instagram likes.

Great Japanese restaurant. We tried many in the menu and none of them were disappointing. Comments: takoyaki should be filled with more octopus and less flour. Box sushi and squids are very nice. Beef is pretty good and I like the different sauces they provide. Black cod has a nice presentation but I personally like the Maneki style better since they only serve the best part of the black cod. Ice creams are so nice! Love red been and black sesame flavor as you can hardly find them in Seattle but really delicious. We also ordered pork sausage but they were just so so. Staffs here are very friendly. We have a nice server and I’m very sorry I forgot his name. There’s also a Japanese chef delivered some food to us and introduced a little, who’s also very kind and typical Japanese style which is pretty cool. Overall the experience is great and I think I will be back again.

The staff is inviting and helpful, the food is delicious and fresh, and the decor is elegant but not high-brow. I loved it! For me, the location, only one block from the Capital Hill link light rail station was super convenient. The menu is clean-looking and easy to read--and the cover is made from cedar wood, so it smells good, too! The tables look like the can be easily configured in pairs of two or four, plus the bar seating for individuals or small groups that want to watch the chefs work! The food made me and my friends nostalgic for Japan. The sashimi was as tender and umami (meaty) as the best I ever had. The presentation was professional and just slightly whimsical, which is perfect for photo taking! The mixed appetizer plate would be excellent for people bringing friends who need to be gently nudged into Japanese Izakaya cuisine. It includes a few traditional Japanese foods, but also some that are more Western (like raw vegetables and dip). Recommended drinks: whatever sake was in the royal blue bottle with the white label--it was recommended to us, but I didn't catch the name. And, for a mixed drink, the Yuzu Gold. Yuzu is a popular Asian citrus fruit and makes for a sweet liqueur with a slight tang. The rice cracker, bean paste, and strawberry dessert was the only (very small) disappointment. To me, the first bite was slightly stale and too salty from the cracker. Once I tasted the beans and strawberry, though, all the flavors combined beautifully! The flavors were simple but went so well with the last of my sake and cleaned my palette of the meal, so I didn't feel like my breath was exuding soy sauce and sushi. I enjoyed a lot it, after that first bite.

When I was in Seattle, I found this place on internet. I followed my instinct and went there. And I'm glad that I did. I tried taru sake and then switched to shochu on the rocks. They both were very good. For food, I started fresh oysters and tsukune with raw quail egg. Tsukune was fantastic. Grilled vegetables on the skewers. Okra with miso sauce and shishito with bonito flakes. Really nice. Then torikara and some nigiri sushi. They were all great. And my server Tim was very attentive and gave some recommendations on the menu. We even took a picture together, hahaha. I will go back there for sure.

A unique Japanese style is always fun to go to and I enjoyed trying the rockfish served robots style over a spit — it is always a wonderful taste and texture to experience. Crunchy and salty yummyness. You can find many other Japanese classics on the menu and you’ll be in for a yummy treat

Firstly and most importantly, the food is pretty wonderfully exquisite here. The Gindara Saiko is amazing--a hearty cut of grilled cod with miso, a bit of cheese, is a terrific mix of tender meat with crispy skin (just watch for the stray bone or two). Also had the Battery mackerel Osaka style "box" sushi-- a sushi roll in a rectangular shape that's fresh and savory. The only evidence that this place just opened: 1) Served sushi without soy sauce (which you purists out there would excuse anyway) 2) Serving hot tea without teacups (had to ask a couple times, but they eventually came) 3) Serving said hot tea in scalding hot tea cups (?) which may be cultural more than practical, but had to wait for the cup (and thereby the tea) to cool before drinking so I wouldn't sear my fingertips off...which became lukewarm tea. Otherwise, staff is super duper friendly, the manager was also very nice and chatted with us about the food, and the overall atmosphere is lively, boisterous and high energy (just be sure you have a reservation or otherwise get there early!) Great experience in Capitol Hill!

Corn appetizer is one of my favorite item here. And the rib-eye steak can’t go wrong which you can cook to your desire in the iron skillet.

A nice new addition to Capitol Hill. We walked in without a reservation on a whim and the waiter seated us quickly at the bar. The space is small and I would highly recommend making a reservation for the future. First. we had the sake flight and had 3 different exceptional sakes which were recommended by the waiter and they were amazing. We also ordered the Sonrisa de Diablo roll and although it only had 6 pieces, each piece was huge and filling. Finally, their sukiyaki is amazing and it's a must try for anyone visiting this place. It is large enough for 2 people while sharing other dishes. I loved the presentation and atmosphere of this place and their super friendly staff. Our waiter was very cool and knowledgeable. Will definitely be back.

love this ambiance! this spot and its sister restaurant gets busy on the weekends. it's great place for drinks and dinner. i'd like to think i'm a chirashi connoisseur and wow, this chirashi was amazing presentation and tasted PHENOMENAL. i hope i get to come back and try it again!

The bara chirashi really caught my eye. Beautiful presentation although the portion looked smaller than I expected. The fish quality was pretty good except for the uni which had that stinky taste. There is a sauce at the bottom so I didn't need soy sauce on the side for this. Honestly pretty good for the price though! My friend and I went around the time they opened and service was mediocre. Our server never checked on us.

I have an always loved Rondo as I enjoyed all the dishes I tried. However, I got take out of the Bara-Chirashi bowl, and there was a long strand of black hair mixed in the food. I even doubted if it's my hair, but it's mixed in the rice and fish, and I had just started eating without mixing the ingredients. I immediately lost the appetite and felt disappointed. I will continue to go to Rondo as I love the food, but please take measures to prevent this happening again!

Another spot on my Seattle Japanese curry adventure, Rondo intrigued me the most with the beautiful presentation in all the photos of their katsu curry. I stopped by right after they opened on a Thursday for lunch and was the first one there. During my entire time in the restaurant, there were never more than a couple of patrons inside, making everything quick and easy. I guess it's best to visit during weekday lunch to avoid any waiting. Tonkatsu Curry ($19) - Rondo injects a lot of unique elements on the plate for what is usually a simple comfort food dish. Instead of a simple daikon fukujinzuke, Rondo uses pickled onions that add a similar crunchy texture, but has an entirely different flavor profile, with somewhat of a raw onion spice, but also a gochujiang-ish fermented spicy kick. The only thing it's missing is a bit of acidity, to help with the palate cleansing between bites of the flavorful curry and the meat. Rondo also provides a bit of thinly shredded cabbage - traditional for katsu places, but I've never seen it before for katsu curry! The curry is excellent. Perfect consistency, thickened into a gravy rather than a soup, paired with great flavor - filled with curry spices, but also nuttiness, meatiness, with an excellent savory quality. There's plenty of small chunks of beef and crushed almonds mixed in - something I've never seen in Japanese curry before. On top of the curry they add a spoonful of a delicious chili oil. It's nutty, smoky, and only a bit spicy, adding additional complexity to the curry and kind of a Chinese flair. This is overall one of the best Japanese curries I've had in recent memory. The tonkatsu served at Rondo is also excellent. The fry/cook time on the pork loin is perfection, with the center of the pork still a slight shade of pink, leaving the meat exceptionally moist and tender. The slab is very lightly breaded in panko, resulting in an exterior that's crunchy, but missing some flakiness. It's a little matted down and compressed in comparison to most panko breaded foods, but I didn't find that to be an issue. The meat has a strip of fat along one side, adding richness and additional moisture. The pork is covered with sesame seeds and a drizzle of tonkatsu sauce. There's more than enough flavor in all the other components of the dish that the sauce is not needed at all. In fact, I think next time I get the curry, I will ask for them to omit the sauce. Rondo cheapens things out a bit by using medium grain Nishiki rice. While it's cooked until fluffy and not too moist, I still heavily prefer a proper Japanese short grain. This is the fourth katsu curry I've had since moving to Seattle, and the fourth using medium grain rice. I guess it's just a thing around here? (Overall rating 5/5) I can't help to compare the katsu curry with Kobuta & Ookami, since I visited just two days prior. The tonkatsu at Rondo has a superior cook, but the breading at Kobuta is better. I enjoyed the curry at Rondo more than the curry at Kobuta, which I found to be a bit too sweet and acidic. While the pickles and toppings at Rondo are interesting and delicious, the fukujinzuke at Kobuta is more traditional and works better with the dish. The rice at Rondo is the same or similar strain as Kobuta, but is cooked much better. Rondo serves the best overall katsu curry I've had in years. I can't wait to visit again to get the curry and try some of their other dishes. Bathrooms - Two unisex rooms

Often busy on weekday nights, I would try to reserve. Bar seating, big shared tables, and smaller tables. Will try the Chirashi next time! Uni Croquette: crisp outside and creamy inside with plated sauce to pair. Light savory inside, corn good balancer. Seafood Uni Udon: creamy without being milky, but wish the sauce was a tad thicker. Good combo of sashimi and ingredients, uni was good briny and sweeter Katsu Set: Crispy but soft crunch outside. The meat is pretty good, drier than Ookami :0

Wow! My family and I had a great experience at Rondo. The food was authentic and delicious! Great variety, good quality ingredients and presentation. Service is courteous and fast. Ambience is a bit noisy, so not necessarily a place for a date or intimate conversation. (Some tables are shared). Definitely a place we will visit again!

4.5/5 - I love rondo simply because of its katsu curry. The katsu curry is 5 stars for me, but everything else does not live up in comparison. However that katsu curry is so good, I make the trip just to eat it. I think it is the best katsu curry in Washington. The katsu is so crispy and the curry is very flavorful. I like that they give you garlic chips to add to the flavor. So if you go here, you know what to order. You'll be raving too after. The restaurant lacks seating for big groups, but the aesthetic of the restaurant is nice. Since some of the seating is blocked from view it can be hard to get the attention of the waiters, but they are all usually friendly.

I've been to this place twice. Rondo's Wagyu with Soft-Boiled Egg dish is a treat for the senses! The wagyu was tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection, while the soft-boiled egg added a luscious creaminess that tied everything together beautifully. The presentation was elegant, and the portion size was satisfying. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that the dish was on the pricier side, and I expected just a bit more depth in the seasoning to match the quality of the ingredients.

Rondo is a Seattle favorite and a must whenever I visit family & friends here. Their menu is expansive, and I love the variety of yummy things we can get. Some favorites to help your ordering: -Tako Wasabi (raw octopus) $6 -Uni Shooter $9 -BB Noodles ($10 or &28 w/ uni & ikura) -Curry ($12 or $19 w/ tonkatsu) -Bara Chirashi Bowl $29 People may gloss over the raw octopus but it's amazing! It's got a nice chew to it, and tastes so refreshing with a little kick of wasabi. It's really cheap at $6 and a nice small dish to share with 2-3 people. I'd also highly recommend the BB noodles that were surprisingly very good, not something I'd expect to eat at an izakaya - it felt like a Japanese/Italian pasta. Lastly the homemade curry - which is packed with an array of flavors including ground beef/pork, veggies, caramelized onions, chicken broth, and more spices. It's got a rich and deep flavor and is so delicious! One area of improvement is just the temperature of the food - we felt like the hot food came out a little more lukewarm than we would prefer during our last visit. Overall, I still love this place and am looking forward to coming back!

The best bite of the evening was the popular creamy uni croquette, a must try for a reason. It was Seattle restaurant week during our visit and my friend tried their special, which included their deluxe bara chirashi sushi, assorted sashimi, and a uni wagyu handroll. The handroll was surprisingly just okay. I ordered the All About Seafood bento which similarly included the mixed chirashi and sashimi but also came with grilled fish (mackerel) and a piece of uni croquette. Their fish quality is great, I loved their bits of buttery salmon and crab in the chirashi. Their uni and seafood creamy udon is yummy and worth a try, consistent with other uni udons I've had in LA and Torrance in California. Overall good for the price and diverse menu. Skip the spicy tuna crispy bites and their soft serve. Their cocktails are pretty strong. Waited about 30 minutes on a Saturday night. Food comes out quick.

Super yummy food! Everything tasted amazing! Great service! I recommend coming here right when it opens because it got crowded fast! Super cool spot with a nice vibe. Loved the decor. Enjoyed our time at this place and would come back!

Rondo is one of my favorite spots in the city! The sashimi is fresh and delicious and I love the variety of dishes you can order. The drinks are great and refreshing, and their parfait and panna cotta are soooo good. It's a fun spot on Broadway and the ambiance is like what you would expect at a Japanese izakaya. Highly recommend!!!

Was excited to try this place and can't say I'm disappointed, but I also can't say my expectations were met. We were seated pretty fast and the host got us waters right away, which was nice. Food didn't take too long to come out. Service was alright. Food was mostly good, but it was kind of hard to justify how much we spent on it. I ordered the All About Seafood Bento. It's on the pricier side, but I don't mind dropping a little more money if the portions or the quality reflect the higher price - which it didn't. The bento comes with pickles, chirashi, Uni croquettes, grilled fish, some sashimi, and a couple leaves of salad (not being sarcastic, not joking). The fish was fresh and decent quality, but not to the point where I was satisfied with how much I paid for how much I got. Uni croquette was delicious, savory, and creamy. Grilled fish was unmemorable. Sashimi was pretty good but only 6 pieces total. Chirashi was also good, but it was a lot of rice and a little bit of fish. The interior decor is really fun to look at and creates a unique vibe. I'd come back for the croquettes, but I'm probably not going to splurge on the bigger bento/sashimi sets.

Pleasantly surprised by the freshness and quality of sushi. Huge menu selection from udon to ramen to chirashi bowls and all were artfully crafted and flavorful. Loved the salmon battera and yuzu sparkling soda. About a 30 minute wait due to limited seating inside but they do take reservations too.

I had the bento box with saba and fried chicken and split the curry donuts. I was surprised at the curry donuts. I was expecting donuts filled with curry. But they were more like Chinese you tiao-- very hard and crunchy, and they came with a bowl of dipping curry sauce. I would skip these next time. Entrees and a split appetizer came to $50, which I found very reasonable. Service was great. It's a little crowded inside, though.

Was recommended this spot by a local and it did not disappoint. Fun, maybe a little kitchen decor but added to the ambiance of a casual but good spot for groups. We had a big group so we got to order a lot: the pork ribs, fried chicken, corn karaage, maze-men, uni udon, crispy spicy tuna, califorlnia roll and of course the chirashi bowl. The pork ribs was tender, fall off the bone meat but the sweetness was a little too much for me. The fried chicken is juicy but note some pieces are BIG and it wasn't the easiest to share. The corn karaage was a misnomer. Basically grilled corn cut in half. Didn't resemble karaage at all. The sushi came out next and I enjoyed the crispy rice with spicy tuna but the california roll didn't resemble a california roll at all except for the crab and had this sweet sauce on it that was not great. I liked the maze men a lot. Good flavors, very tasty and the same with the creamy uni udon. Usually not a fan of uni but enjoyed it here. The highlight is no doubt the chirashi bowl. You don't often see beef on a chirashi bowl but it worked well here. The rice was cooked and seasoned perfectly and the fish was fresh and worked well. It was by far the best dish on the menu and why this got 4 stars instead of 3. Overall the food is uneven but that chirashi bowl took it over the edge. Fun place and I enjoyed the vibe. Would come back again if I had a big group.

I really hate to be that person who writes a negative review on a beloved staple but Rondo is subpar - at best. I've visited on previous occasions and it was good but I can't say the same anymore. First, as a party of 3 who only ordered 4 dishes, you'd expect the dishes to come out within a decent timeframe so the party can eat their meal together. The first dish came out and we didn't get the second dish until after our friend completely finished her dish. She purposely ate slowly so we could all eat together but since she ordered udon, we didn't want her to wait because it'd get cold. The remaining 3 dishes all came out one by one and I was the last to get my dish and my friends were done eating by then. This isn't a fast food establishment- it's an actual restaurant. You'd think their expediting would be better than My "wagyu" curry dish was hardly wagyu and I had about 3 pieces of thinly sliced meat and the rest were fat. I'm honestly not that picky but to call this a Wagyu dish was kind of laughable. My friends wagyu chirashi bowl ($29) had 3 tiny pieces of meat on it and the rest of the dish was salty. My friends creamy udon lacked in flavor and was a bit more watery than it should have been. We also ordered the spicy chicken -- this was nicely fried and flavorful. We enjoyed this. We also ordered the house ginger ale and tasted zero ginger. I'm a ginger ale fanatic but this had no element of ginger in it. Overall just an unfortunate and disappointing meal for all 3 of us.

BTW, I also ate the UNI & IKURA B.B. NOODLE, but was too hungry to take a photo. :( For starters, definitely get the cocktails with egg whites. It might seem daunting, but it feels like a creamy foam on the drink (I don't know if that sounds bad to some, but it tasted delicious to me). Overall, it reminded me of drinking in Japan because the alcohol flavor wasn't overpowering compared to many places that serve cocktails (I'm sensitive to the taste of alcohol, as you may have noticed), but I could still feel the buzz! If I wasn't driving, I would have ordered another one. The UNI & IKURA B.B. NOODLE was a bit heavy for me, so pairing it with a drink or a side dish was the best way to enjoy it. I also wanted to be adventurous, so I chose to eat tako wasabi. It did open my nose a little bit, but it was something I would order again. It had a slightly fishier taste than when I tried it while it was still moving in Busan, but then again, this is Seattle, so I shouldn't complain. The salmon bowl was good, as the salmon was rich, and the pickles cut through the richness of the salmon. I wasn't a fan of the salmon roe, but overall, I loved the experience and would definitely take my friends and family here for a special occasion.

I can't believe it took me this long to try Rondo out and I now found another favorite Japanese option in Seattle. Having recently visited japan I was very excited to see they offer the Teishoku meals that I ate all the time while visiting. That said I was in a ramen mood and went with the black garlic tan tan which did not disappoint! Love the heat. This is not your typical ramen but they have that option too if you prefer. I also opted for a seafood bento which was delicious! Super fresh seafood. Overall this place has your more traditional Japanese dishes but also plenty of more unique/adventurous options. I will definitely be back!

We came to Rondo for lunch before heading over to the stadium for Niners @ Seahawks on Thursday night football on 10.10.24. This places reviews are accurate, the fish is high quality stuff, as is the fried chicken bowl. It's boneless with fluffy light breading, & some hot sauce on it, a unique awesome way to make fried boneless chicken. You can get a really good happy hour special with a mini sampler of corn on the cob, tuna bites, a single piece of a California roll, tall shot glass of saki, & a 16 ounce beer for $10. Great deal. The sliced tuna in a bowl was my favorite dish, I can't wait to come eat here again the next time I'm in town.

Happy Hour Menu Crispy & Spicy Tuna Sushi $11 - squares of rice (battered?) and deep fried, wrapped in nori and topped w tuna tartar. Very tasty and crispy! Surprised, but probably one of my favorites of the night Tako Wasabi $4 - cup of raw octopus/wasabi and a side of nori. A bit more wasabi than my preference, but nonetheless was pretty solid. Honestly a generous portion for $4 Curry Donut $7 Chinese you tiao that you can dip into a beef curry w a soft boiled ramen egg (and some mustard). Very interesting combo to dip a hot and fried you tiao with beef curry. Not sure if it is my thing, but definitely would say it's an interesting dish and worth a try Tasty BB Uni & Ikura $16 Ramen noodles tossed w garlic, cheese, and oyster sauce and topped with a few pieces of uni and a generous portion of ikura. Definitely enjoyed this one and would get it again! Regular Menu Taiwan Waygu Ramen $17 I believe this was a bar special item, but an oxtail / waygu broth with ramen noodles. Honestly tasty, but probably wouldn't get this one again and instead try a different dish the next time Toki Whisky Ice Cream $8 First impressions were that the soft serve was fine and the whiskey was just a touch at the tail end of the caramel sauce. As I ate more of it though, the whiskey became more pronounced. Surprisingly was just a touch on the sweet side. Definitely enjoyed and would get it again!

Came for happy hour (late lunch) and left super satisfied!! My bf and I shared the chirashi bowl, mazemen, spicy tuna crispy rice, toki whiskey soft serve, and 2 tenboro sets. This was so much food that I didn't need dinner later haha everything was delicious but my fave was the chirashi bowl!! It was a piece of art and so flavorful! It had a good variety of fish and was a big portion. Definitely will be back :)

Huge Nut Allergy Warning: There are almonds in the chili oil, and peanut oil is used in some of the shoyu ramen dishes. The spiced ground pork in some specials also contains a peanut sauce. There are a surprising number of nuts for a Japanese place, so I advise caution! Time to Food: 8 minutes (appetizers) to 25 minutes (Ramen, remade once, explained below) We had a 30 minute wait around 7:30PM for two people. The seating is cozy and snug, but the decor is very attentive, with coat racks even being provided. Service was extremely considerate. Once I explained that I had a nut allergy, the staff came by and checked on things several times. There was a miss in that they normally top a shoyu ramen with peanut oil, which they had to remake for me. Then they also had to recreate it without the ground pork since that also had nuts. I got a free ice cream as an apology for the wait, which I found very considerate. For two people, we ordered: -Mr. Pork Ribs (5/5): Incredibly fall off the bone tender with a very flavorful balsamic puree. Recommend lightly brushing the ribs with the slice of lemon. I even ate the spring mix afterwards and it was great with the pork sauce. It is a little sweet, almost like a honey glaze. -Tonkatsu Curry (?/5): My friend gave this an 8/10, but I could not try it after discovering the chili oil had almonds. -Modified Shiye's Red Shoyu Ramen (4.5/5): I can't judge this fully, as I had to get it modified without the peanut oil and ground pork which also had peanuts. The shoyu broth was a little light and bland with a heavy soy emphasis once I got toward the bottom - I think the peanut oil would add just the right amount of complexity here. The pork and noodles were 5/5 amazing. Pork was very tender, and the noodles had the perfect size, firmness, and chewiness. Maybe some of the best ramen noodles I've had in years. I could see this being a 5/5 with what they are envisioning. -Matcha Ice Cream (5/5): Very reminiscent of Somisomi's soft serve texture. It's very good and easily sharable with 2-3 people. It's vanilla ice cream with a matcha sauce and it's delicious. Overall, stellar food and great service that were very considerate towards my allergy. I'd warn anyone with a nut allergy to be careful here but you will be in for a great meal when all is said and done!

Went in on Monday night and there a 5-10 min wait to sit at the bar top for 2 people. The restaurant was full inside with some people waiting. They do offer outside seating. I ordered the salmon chirashi bowl. It was very i loved the flavors of the bowl. The salmon was tasty and this was a pretty filling dish. Would recommend and will be back again!

I was intrigued but I can't say I'm impressed yet. Rondo is owned by the same folks as Tamari Bar (which I love) so I'd love to come back and try more dishes. Since I was by myself this time, I only got to try the Bara-Chirashi Donburi which was elegantly plated and packed with a variety fresh seafood. It's a bit pricey for not a lot of food so I was left a bit hungry after and ordered the ice cream with hojicha sauce. Learn from me and order appetizers or another dish for a fuller meal. The staff was super friendly and very prompt in taking orders and checking in. I really enjoyed the bar seating and getting to watch the chefs prepare the food. This is a great spot for an easy weeknight dinner and most parties got seated without a wait. Primarily street parking in this area. I believe there's some paid retail parking in The Lyric garage attached to this building.

I came in for a weekend dinner and was expecting an hour wait, but surprisingly was called after 20 minutes about a cancelled reservation. The inside can get loud and is pretty small, we shared a communal long table, but still felt privateish. I ordered the all seafood bento which had chirashi, grilled fish, sashimi, salad, and small uni croquettes. The best thing from that was definitely the croquettes. They were super creamy and crispy on the outside. I'd definitely order that as a full appetizer next time. Rest of the food was good too, the chirashi only comes with salmon and tuna, so you don't get the full range of fish that the full chirashi comes with. But I think still really good since it came with an assortment of other things. Overall, really yummy! I'd definitely recommend the uni croquettes, they were actually life changing LOL

Having spent a lot of time in Japan, Rondo actually hits a lot of good spots with me. Indeed, if it were set in a busy district like Tokyo's Roppongi or Osaka's Namba districts, it would not be out of place. There's a buzz on the street outside and from its patrons inside as well. The options are both traditional Japanese and Japanese fusion suited to American hipster tastes. To purists out there, this may seem a bit anathema. And if the food were not that good, I would agree. But the fact is that their dishes are all-around good. The quality and the care into preparation is there.Whether it is chirashi (one of my faves) or the various ramen options, it's hard to go wrong. Rondo does get a couple of demerits for occasionally spotty service. But taken in all, this eatery not only serves good food, but it is fun. It has just the right vibe for a great night out.

Typical PacNW take on a Japanese izakaya, with wood tones and a bit more light (or should I say less dark) than traditional. Food is a variety, from pastas to chirashi to katsu to sushi, and a modest variety of alcoholic drinks. Service is good, and the food itself is more than decent. Karaage is cut a tad too large to be proper karaage, and the pork katsu was a generous, even massive portion that was a smidgen overly-fried and with breading a tad too heavy than traditional Japanese katsu bread. The wagyu-topped BB pasta actually had a very good and rich pasta, although the waygu atop it was so-so. Finally the yeow teow (Chinese fried crueller) with curry was a miss, the yeow teow itself was good, but adding curry and egg was not a good combo. If 4* seems generous given the description of the food above you might not be wrong, but something about the vibe here also just happens to work out? And friends who have been say it's worth frequenting, so maybe the menu items from this meal were just a miss.

Ok, Rondo. I see you. Keep doing your thing. My boyfriend and I bookmarked Rondo for last dinner before our return to the Bay Area. We were walking along Capitol Hill and wandered into Rondo around 5:15pm, which was 15 minutes before Happy Hour ended (Daily from 2-5:30pm). Very modern and cool ambiance. Definitely used themes from a traditional ramen/sushi restaurant and combined it with eye-catching details from Asian-fusion restaurants. There were only a few servers and upon getting their attention, I ended up impulse ordering the a Toki Classic Highball (HH$9) and a Taro Mule (HH$9) as well as the Spicy Tuna Crispy Sushi Bits (HH$11) and the Bara-Chirashi Donburi (HH$25). Since the food is personal sized/tapas style, we also added Rondo Fried Chicken ($12), Uni & Ikura BB Noodles ($18) and the special Wagyu Bolognese BB Noodles ($26) to our order. Each of the items we ordered were delicious, well thought out, and the flavor profile and texture was on pointe. The servers mainly left us alone but made it a point to refill our water and ask if we wanted additional beverages before the liquid was empty. Upon leaving, I did see that a party that arrived past Happy Hour also ordered the Bara-Chirashi Donburi ($29). The container was considerably larger and it left me questioning whether getting the item off the menu is generally larger or if they had ran out of the main container. If so, I would rather just get the regular menu item.

Delicious Japanese food, great seafood and ramen. Had the goat set it was epic picture speaks for itself. Very cool atmosphere, more casual than fancy but would be great for a first date. Service was little slow, the servers were low energy maybe cause it was Sunday lunch but didn't impact the food quality. Hope to come back soon.

hey rondo... Great fish + great udon. Kinda loud in here but in a funny way? I noticed the very appropriate amount of mentaiko I got in my noodles (it was already a mentaiko sauce. then I get more on top? like that's so true) My friend and I didn't get our stuff at the same time but they apologized. That's really all I needed you know? What my friend abi lee here said before is worth reiterating, that portions may look suspiciously on the smaller end but it ends up being just right. They make you doubt, take you to the tipping point, and then safely land you in blue waters again in their arms. Feeling dessert-curious after the main course.

Rondo is one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Seattle. The vibe is very casual, and you'll find lots of homage to Japanese pop culture all around the restaurant. The service is great and I think the prices are fair given the quality of their dishes. If you have a larger party than 4 I would definitely make sure to call ahead or make a reservation. Their take on Ramen and other traditional Japanese dishes are definitely worth the try. Chirashi bowls are always a must when I visit!

Rondo Sushi is a great experience. Their donburi's are exceptional! I was not disappointed. The rice was cooked perfectly, and the combination within each of the chirashi's was amazing. The freshness came down to the uni which I often times worry for, however, Rondo's uni (topped on top of the bara chirashi) was some of the cleanest and creamiest I'd ever had. Every bite was a burst of flavor, and the presentation was stunning; it really made the dish feel special. The interior is also worth mentioning--those empty bottle walls are such a cool and eye-catching touch that gives the restaurant a unique vibe. I'm definitely planning to come back soon, especially during their happy hour to take advantage of the great deals and try their parfait. Highly recommend

Love it here! The fish has been consistently fresh and I love their creamy udon options. The fried oysters were a super tasty addition. Decor is elevated and modern, I love the whiskey bottle wall. Service is usually prompt, even when it's busy

So strange -- I almost feel duped? This is probably one of the best looking chirashis I've ever gotten, but the actual fish taste/quality was so lacking. I don't understand how with the vibrant color and all, but I did not find the sashimi enjoyable. I did get it for takeaway but ate it minutes after picking up. Staff were very friendly and the dining room looked great. But unfortunately the food was such a miss that I'm wary of coming back.

Sometimes you just want to go to your comfy spot and that's how I would describe Rondo! It's amazing for lunch/dinner and just brings that homey Japanese restaurant vibe with their open kitchen concept! My personal fav is spicy crispy tuna bites! Also, if you are feeling dessert go for one of their shakes, truly will not be disappointed! Also, each time we have been there the team is wonderful and welcoming!

RONDO WAS DELICIOUS. I would recommend sticking to their standard menu - I wasn't too impressed with the items on their specials menu, but their standard menu is solid. Cool vibey ambiance. Good service.

This is some of the best Japanese food you can get in this state. All the flavors are bold and distinctive and the textures are all very complementary and professionally prepared. The price is very reasonable for the portion size and quality. I particularly enjoy the creamy seafood udon and the curry donuts. They have flavor depth that is unmatched in any similar dish at other restaurants. Only complaint is the service. It's not bad at all but it is very slow. It takes a long time to get your order taken, then to get your food, to get water, to get your bill, and to sign your check. This compounds into long wait times in an already small restaurant because tables move slowly. The food is top tier and it's worth the wait if you're patient.

Parking: free 2hr street parking few blocks behind or across. No reservation today, not a lot of ppl. But normally you can make a reservation. 2 gender neutral restroom. Has a changing table. You can see the menu via paper menu or qr code menu. We ordered: Rondo lunch Teishoku - good Mr. Pork Ribs - fall off the bones, super tender Rainbow uni shooter - refreshing Chef omakase sashimi - thick sashimi Uni seafood creamy udon - ok Overall food is wonderful. Service is another story, she doesn't look very happy to serve us or not happy in general.

Rondo's HH is always a fun time with a group of friends. Their ten-buro set is sure to get the party started. The salmon chirashi bowl is really flavorful and their sashimi cuts are sized well. Keep in mind when the restaurant is full, the staff may be a little slow but they are attentive and have been very accommodating whenever I came in with a large group.

We made a reservation for a Saturday and were seated right away! The vibes were definitely great and super fun (loved the decorations they had & the movie they had protected on the wall) but since we were seated behind a divider area with just 2-3 tables nearby it was more secluded from the rest of the restaurant/guests which maybe affected the vibe a bit. While chirashi bowls are sometimes a hit or miss for me, I did enjoy the one we tried partially because of how many different toppings they supplemented the fish with, which made it more interesting. The flavoring of the oxtail ramen was rich and satisfying, although it arrived warmer rather than hot. While I'm really glad I got to try Rondo and had a great meal there, I'm not immediately dying to be back -- but I do think I'd return to try some of their other menu items and drinks!

Came on a busy Saturday, and was seated immediately. The environment of the shop and gave an upscale vibe, but also kept that retro/gamer Japan vibe. They have some awesome merch hanging up and I loved the feeling when coming into the store. The food was freakin amazing! I ordered the vegetarian sushi and the presentation was so clean and looked classy. Like whoever makes these dishes makes them to perfection. On to the taste of the sushi. All together was a burst of the soft rice and tangy and sweet. I can't even describe it, but it was delicious. The ramen is my new favorite ramen place.. sadly I live on the other side of the country. The ox tail broth is delicious, salty but not too salty and again gives an upscale taste. Everything put together was delicious and tastes like home. The chef definitely loves what he does and makes each dish into perfection. I will always think of this place and I will definitely be back to Seattle just for the restaurant. The waitress and waiter are very kind and service was fast.

Came here on a Sunday night for dinner. Really wanted something soupy and saw their Black Garlic Tantan ramen that is a very interesting combo fusion of Chinese (tantan noodle) + japanese (ramen). Surprisingly this combo works very well! It has the right amount of spiciness in the broth and complex flavor instead of just straight up spicy/salty like some other ramen places. The ground meat is seasoned well so it tasted great. Black garlic gives that umami aftertaste so that works! The egg was cooked just right it's still somewhat runny. But it was an additional $2 to add an egg that I didn't know upfront. The inside is nice and cold, plenty of seats and cool decorations. The downside was our server wann't really attentive, didn't refill out empty cups until very later when we had to flag him down for numerous times.

Came here for a late lunch. It was packed, but thankfully the wait was less than 10 minutes after putting my name and phone number down. It's a fun vibe in there with an open kitchen layout. I got the Bara-chirashi Donburi. Great flavors and the portions, quality and taste met my expectations for the price. Since it was a hot day, we also shared their soft serve with yuzu sauce. Delicious and not too sweet. Overall, a great Japanese spot and I would be back again!

Came here on a Monday for dinner as they were one of the spots that was open on Mondays. The staff was friendly. The facility was nice with interesting decorations. Still got a lot of people so highly recommend to get a reservation ahead of time. The ingredients of the food was below our expectations though. Didn't feel particularly fresh. The sushi were with a lot of rice as well. We enjoyed the cold salt-lemon ramen as the soup was refreshing. Paid street parking until 10pm or there was a parking garage in the back of the building for $7 per hour.

This is a great find in Capitol Hill. Definitely recommend getting a reservation in advance. When we got there there were was a crowd waiting outside along the sidewalk. The place had pleasant decor with a casual yet hip vibe. We ordered a combination from the regular menu and the specials. All the food was fresh and on par. Our stand outs were the uni shooter and bluefin hand roll. All the flavors balance each other out with some nice zest from the perilla leaf. For uni and sushi lovers this really hit the spot on a summer night out. We enjoyed the uni udon and the chirashi bowl with hits of meat and other assorted sashimi. It had a some unique seasoning that sets it apart from the typical chirashi set. I prefer the karage at taku but still the chicken was tender inside and great crunch on the outside. Service was impeccable and very friendly. Would definitely go again.

Came with a group of 7 and was seated at a communal high table. The vibes are cute inside and they have a screen playing movies. I ordered the salmon chirashi bowl and the flavor is super yummy! The portion was also very filling. Love the tobiko and yuzu ponzu were perfect additions The matcha tiramisu was amazing I would definitely recommend it! Also ordered yuzu chocolate tarts and was honestly a little disappointed by these - the flavor wasnt the best and the crust was very hard

Came on a Saturday night around 8 pm with my husband. There was a small wait but was seated in 10-15 mins. The dining area seemed a little small with a mixture between bar and table seats. We sat at the bar and had a view of the chefs in front of us. He ordered the spicy tuna donburi and I ordered the Rondo deluxe bento. The server was very attentive to check with the chefs on what fish the meal came with since I have a fish allergy. The favorite of the night probably had to be the spicy tuna donburi. We finished with a parfait with hojicha syrup. Overall a good meal and filling.

Stepping into Rondo on a Wednesday night was a delightful surprise! We were promptly seated, which set a positive tone for the evening. Food: Our culinary journey included indulging in uni shooters, savoring the flavorful B.B. noodles, and relishing the freshness of the salmon sushi. Each dish boasted quality ingredients and impeccable flavors. Drinks: The Geisha, a matcha Gin & Tonic, was a revelation to my taste buds. Its unique blend of flavors left me craving for more, and I couldn't resist ordering another round. Ambiance: The comfortable seating arrangements paired with the upbeat EDM music created a lively atmosphere. It was the perfect backdrop for a fun dining experience. Rondo exceeded my expectations, and I look forward to returning!