Koku Cafe + Market

Health food restaurant · Lower Queen Anne

Koku Cafe + Market

Health food restaurant · Lower Queen Anne

2

1417 Queen Anne Ave N #101b, Seattle, WA 98109

Photos

Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null
Koku Cafe + Market by null

Highlights

Koku is your go-to cafe for mouthwatering Asian-inspired rice bowls, cozy vibes, and a dash of friendly charm on Queen Anne Hill.  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

1417 Queen Anne Ave N #101b, Seattle, WA 98109 Get directions

kokucafemarket.com
@kokucafejapanesericebowl

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

1417 Queen Anne Ave N #101b, Seattle, WA 98109 Get directions

+1 206 285 1352
kokucafemarket.com
@kokucafejapanesericebowl
𝕏
@kokucafemarket

$10–20 · Menu

Features

wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

"Koku is a consistently good, interesting, and satisfying choice that Frank Guanco found himself returning to frequently." - Gabe Guarente

Top Restaurant Standbys of 2019 in Seattle - Eater Seattle
View Postcard for Koku Cafe + Market
@eater

"Koku, a Japanese cafe and market, will replace Cederberg Tea House on June 19. It will continue serving traditional South African rooibos lattes and red espresso drinks. The owner, Kurt Schewe, plans to introduce rice bowls, sandwiches, and salads featuring fermented Japanese ingredients. The cafe is named after the Japanese concept of kokumi, which enhances the five basic tastes. Koku will also sell Japanese specialty products and locally fermented foods." - Adam H. Callaghan

The ‘Sixth Taste,’ Kokumi, Rules the Menu at Queen Anne’s New Cafe - Eater Seattle
View Postcard for Koku Cafe + Market

Harry

Google
Great place for some Japanese style rice bowls. Came here for lunch while visiting the nearby Kerry park. Although it doesn’t have a tons of seating, we were able to find a table outside pretty easily. They don’t have too many options for rice bowl but they ones we chose were very delicious. We picked one pork and one chicken. The quantity was a bit on the smaller side but taste was definitely made up for it. They also offer Japanese style cheese cake which looked great but we didn’t end up getting it. We will have to come back 😉

Lindsay Brownlee

Google
We just moved to the area and already know this spot will be a staple for us. We stopped by for lunch yesterday and got miso soups, the Tobago Gohan egg bowl and the Kokumi melt. The bowl was fresh and flavorful — delicious and dynamic. The sandwich was insanely delicious (“best sandwich I’ve ever had in Seattle” according to my husband.) The service was fantastic and the space was quiet and cozy. Again, we’ll be back. Often. :)

Andrew

Google
Koku is amazing, great food, friendly staff and casual atmosphere. We ordered brewed pork rice bowl with fried egg, cookies and sandwiches, all were well prepared and perfectly cooked. There were so much detail in the food, the tea even came with it's own timer. The venue even has it's own parking, definitely coming back again.

Jessica

Google
pretty surprised by the high reviews but i dont live in queen anne so maybe the options are limited the carrot side salad had such a weird taste. hard to describe but even as someone who tries not to waste food i had to give up on it. the kokumi melt was really small for the price and was just really greasy. the pork and vegetables did not pair well together. lastly the matcha latte had little matcha flavor but was really sweet

Kallen Tu

Google
The mirin soaked chicken bowl had a layer of creamy pesto on top, pickled radish, cucumbers, carrots and a good amount of rice. Good combination of flavours and it was a very healthy bowl. Not sure if this satisfied my cravings, but it was decent. The service was great and they have a bunch of interesting selections of drinks like Mela.

RLS

Google
Koku has deliciously healthy bowls I always end up getting when I need something last minute. They're centrally located on queen anne hill, walking distance from just about anywhere. Perfect place to grab a bowl, a hot coffee or tea and deliciously unique desserts with an Asian flare. My fav bowl is the tofu bowl. The South African Malva cake is a MUST!

Ritika Rao

Google
Go here now! This cafe has a unique menu. I'd expect to find this food in a sit-down restaurant. They have Japanese grilled cheese, bowls, and delicious Japanese desserts. The tofu bowl is creamy and herby. Their desserts are perfect, I'd recommend all of them. I wish the grilled cheese had more onions in it.

Connie Cheng

Google
Just wanted to share this quirky little cafe. Koku recently added this onigiri and it is delicious. Koku seem to lean to the side of the slower side of life where folks come to enjoy one another's company and not for quick take out. But for someone who works from home and just wants a quick bite this giant onigiri hits all the right spots.

April B.

Yelp
I've ordered delivery from here twice and their rice bowls are insane. I got the koji tofu bowl both times and it is definitely going to be on repeat when I need something fast and delicious. Everything in this bowl is delicious, but the sauces are what make it stand out. The flavors are bold and go together so well. The cauliflower is my favorite part Just because there's so much flavor and sauce, I could do a bit more rice. The amount of food is perfect though. Not an overwhelming portion but very satiating. Koku Cafe really hit the jackpot here -- they've created a dish I know I can't replicate at home and now need to have in my life. With fair prices, I'll be a repeat customer as long as I'm in the area! Follow my adventures! YT & IG: @apriladventuring

Austin K.

Yelp
I paid $15 for a veggie curry rice bowl. The portion was extremely small and it was kind of spicy for me. I could have cooked it for $5 or less. I was disappointed since I'm Japanese, so I was looking forward to eating nice Japanese food.

Alexa Z.

Yelp
Delicious food. Fast and friendly service. No parking lot so street parking only. Good for small groups. Not a lot of big tables for larger groups.

Matt B.

Yelp
Good casual spot on Queen Ann Av, with Japanese-style bowls, breakfast plates, okonomiyaki, and more. They had a couple vegan options, which is what got me in the door. I ordered the Koji Tofu bowl ($15.50 plus tax; made vegan by omitting the butter), a bowl with white or brown rice, cold tofu, roasted cauliflower, sautéed mushrooms, cucumber wakame, and watermelon radish, drizzled with teriyaki and pesto sauce. Very nicely flavours, especially the pesto they used. The tofu would be better cooked but the sauces save the day. The portion is on the small side but it's sufficient unless you're famished. Very friendly service, with the food made by a nice Japanese couple. Good spot.

Arlene S.

Yelp
Stopped by for brunch as I'm near the area. I ordered a mirin chicken rice bowl and a matcha latte. The rice bowl looked small but packed with ingredients that it was quite filling for me. The mirin chicken leg is served in a shredded version which makes it easier to eat. There are lots of small side dishes inside, such as cucumber wakame, mushroom, carrot/turnip, and daikon. I like the combination of everywhere where it is filling but not heavy on flavor so feels like a healthy meal. The rice was too wet and mushy but otherwise still a good rice bowl. I got the matcha latte and it tasted like the matcha was well blended without being too sweet.

Huong L.

Yelp
We stopped by this place for dinner and thought it was ok. This place have been on my list for a while now so I was excited to try. We got a vegetarian okonomiyaki with added egg and since it was take out the shape was interesting hahaha. It was a good amount but its not the typical okonomiyaki that I'm use to. This one was more like an omelette, very eggy and didn't have any of the components that reminded me of a regular okonomiyaki. We also tried one of the rice bowl and that was ok as well. I'm not sure I like the flavor combo much, the pickled veggies was very pickly and the rice bowl also had bold flavors so they were fighting each other rather than complimenting each other. Overall, it was ok, it was good to try but not sure it's worth going out of the way to try.

Hanna S.

Yelp
This sweet little Japanese café and market located at the top of Queen Anne, nearly kitty corner from the five spot is a great addition to town First the food: Japanese curry, tofu, and animal-based bowls wonderful miso soup. Great teas, a sofa by a fireplace and a wonderful market full of great Japanese food items Even the baked goods are made in house, and there are some very traditional ones to American chocolate chip cookies made with a twist I will come back here again It was so good and the conversation I had with my friend so engaging that I forgot to take photos. Next time Arigato Gozimas

Tony J.

Yelp
Small cafe + market up on top of Queen Anne, serving up Japanese-inspired "healthy" food. Came here on weekend for breakfast, and the place was pretty empty. Order and pay at the counter and they bring you the food. Food came out in reasonable time. Got their Osaka okonomiyaki and the Gochujang pork rice bowl. Between the two I liked the okonomiyaki better. The savory pancake has some bacon, cabbage, and topped with teriyaki sauce. The pork rice bowl had cauliflower, cucumber and some other veggie. Taste was okay for Asian-fusion sort of food. A little bit on the pricey side for about $14-16 per item.

Celina S.

Yelp
Extremelyyyyy mid. The vibe reminded me of going to a museum cafe. They try to make it fancy but it's pricey for what you get and just not good The curry and chicken rice bowl were not flavorful. The gochujang pork was not bad but the rest of the bowl ingredients didn't mesh well for me. The okonomayaki was decent but not anything special.

Bhushan D.

Yelp
What an amazing, quaint little place this is. I stumbled upon it while taking a walk in Queen Anne approximately an year ago and it has been my go to place since then. I have tasted many things here from donburi bowls to omelettes to coffee to Japanese cheesecakes. The flavor profile is brilliant and consistent across all the food. I have so much to write for this place but it would take a lot of time so I will just list few things that I end up ordering again and again 1) gochujang pork bowl, ginger koji tofu bowl 2) Japanese curry bowl (vegan) - this is blast of flavors 3) Osaka omelette 4) Japanese cheesecake

Nhan L.

Yelp
Super cute little cafe on top of Queen Anne hill. Def grab a latte and sandwich before heading to Kerry park! Highly recommend the red latte especially if you need a decaf drink. It's so earthy, creamy and delicious. The tori bacon ranch sandwich was delicious. I would get that again but I would pass on the gochujang brewed pork bowl. There wasnt enough rice for my liking and heavyyy on the pickles. I did enjoy the cauliflower addition for extra veggies tho!

Connie N.

Yelp
Omg this place was SO yummy!! I'm staying at an Airbnb close by and we decided to stop here to grab some food for our friend who slept in lol They have so many options! My friends tried the curry and rice bowls. The gochujang & curry was good! Okonamiyaki was interesting too. I got the bacon egg and cheese and it was the best thing I've ever eaten. I'm not a breakfast person so I just wanted something simple since my main interest was the pastries. But OMG. It was so flavorful. A bit greasy but after a traumatic late night flight in, it was exactly what I needed LOL The pastries were all delicious!! I forgot my choco chip cookie and was almost too lazy to go back for it but I'm glad I did. It was perfect. The matcha cookie was delicious too. I usually don't like matcha but this cookie converted me!! Everyone was so nice too. We didn't wait long for our food and the cafe is so cute. It seems like the perfect spot to work remotely. I'm glad we gave it a chance! Update:: loaded up on cookies before my flight! Got the BEAR sandwich and worked remotely until they closed. Everyone was so nice! The cafe wasn't loud, making it the perfect place to answer calls.

Jennifer K.

Yelp
Wow, this is my new favorite hidden gem. Charming Japanese fusion cafe and market on a nice corner in Queen Anne. Cute little place where you order at the front with a tiny market in the back that sells diverse Japanese drinks, sauces and small food items. A little pricey but loved the selection of unique items. Very eclectic menu but we decided on the Forager sandwich, the Ginger marinated tofu bowl with an added fried egg, a matcha latte (with half sweetness) and a Japanese cheesecake. The latte was excellent- just the right amount of sweetness and matcha. The Forager was really unique and all the flavors went together. The standout was Ginger tofu bowl. The tofu was so well seasoned all the way through- I could eat that by itself. All the other ingredients were delicious and I enjoyed every bite. The Japanese cheesecake was a delight. It reminded me of the Sarah Lee pound cake I used to have growing up but fluffier and lighter, with just the right amount of sweetness. Nice staff and good vibe. Not sure why this place isn't as busy as the other cafes down the street, but now definitely I'm a fan. Now I want to try all their sandwiches and bowls- such creative recipes and combinations!

Maryam A.

Yelp
I discovered this cute cafe in Queen Anne through Seattle Restaurant Week. There's not a lot of seating so make sure to get there early. I recommend getting the okonomiyaki as an appetizer to share with friends. They were nice enough to put the bacon on the side since I don't eat prom but my friends do. All the rice bowls looked so good but I ended up getting the Japanese curry as per the recommendation of the cashier that day. Nice, hearty and warm on a cold day. If you love citrus, definitely get the yuzu lemonade. Also, if you're a fan of black sesame, get the fudge - it's so good. While you're waiting on your food, check out the mini market. I picked up some yuzu marmalade (yum!) which I'd never seen before!

Lulu K.

Yelp
Warm rice bowls on a rainy day were such a great idea. The flavors worked well together and I liked the variety of veggies with meat and rice!

Mark T.

Yelp
We went back to Koku and this time it was awesome. We had some excellent sandwiches - sort of like Eastern Grilled Cheese things. One was a Kokumi Melt which had pork, cheese and ranch along with some other stuff. The other was a Tori Bacon Ranch - chicken, bacon, shishito peppers, arugula and scallions. Both sandwiches were a delight. Our hippie-ish friend ordered a Ginger Koji Tofu Rice Bowl which had tofu (surprise!), cauliflower, mushrooms, edamame mash and topped with miso butter, teriyaki sauce and crispy fried shallots. All served fresh and efficiently. Now I want to go back!!

Erin K.

Yelp
I was searching on yelp for a hearty and healthy cafe to try and Koku popped up. I saw that they had Okonomikyaki and I was intrigued. The interior was so warm and inviting. I ordered the mirin-soaked chicken, Osaka okonomiyaki, aka caramel latte, and the royal milk tea. I highly recommend the mirin-soaked chicken and the aka caramel latte. The mirin-soaked chicken was so tender and the pickled vegetables with the scallion pesto sauce pulled everything together. It was the right amount of food and didn't make me feel greasy. I have had better Okonomiyaki and I feel like the royal milk tea was a little watered down but did have a strong tea flavor. Would love to come back to try the Gochujang brewed pork bowl!

Crystal T.

Yelp
Red flag the moment i walked in and saw all white employees, and random images of japanese people framed on the wall. It was giving --gentrification. But i was willing to give the benefit of the doubt. Tried the Osaka okoyamanaki and mirin soaked chicken bowl..quality of the food is not worth how much they are charging given the white washed rendition of whatever they are trying to imitate. The portion sizes are reasonable. However the mirin chicken bowl was absolutely drenched in a mediocre pesto sauce which made the overall bowl very soggy (yeah it was soaked alright). Don't come here if you are trying to find a cute asian cafe where you can enjoy the food.

Bhagya G.

Yelp
We came here for brunch on a Saturday morning. Not very busy. Small quiet cafe on Queen Anne. We ordered the Gochujang brewed pork rice bowl and Kokumi melt sandwich along with lattes. The food was delicious!! The sandwich was basically a pulled pork sandwich which was YUM!! Really liked the rice bowl too. The lattes were nice and creamy. Not too sweet. Perfect! 10/10 highly recommended.

Vivian H.

Yelp
I ordered the Gochujang Brewed Pork and it looks 100% like its photo, which was exciting. It was fun to look at and eat. The flavors worked well together. However, I don't know if I'd return for the price and location. Koku Cafe is located awkwardly on a hill next to a weird intersection. I also didn't realize they had a parking garage, so I ended up parking on a street. However, I am interested in trying other rice bowls as well as the Osaka Omelette and Kokumi Melt. With that being said, my opinion and rating may change as I determine if it's worth it to go out of the way to eat. I recommend ordering online for takeout: koku-104686.square.site, which was quick and easy.

Joscelyn C.

Yelp
Super cute little café! I was craving a wholesome rice bowl and this place absolutely satisfied my desires.

Minna A.

Yelp
I've never had an okonomiyaki before, but it was quite mid. The best part were the bonito flakes and the sauce. The donburi bowl was also very very mid.

Wennie H.

Yelp
Popped in for a quick bite/pickup and service was okay, not like friendly but not rude, sort of just acknowledged that we had entered. Food took about 10 or so minutes, so it wasn't bad. There was only one person ahead of us they had ordered a drink. Partner ordered the gochujang brewed pork and I got the tamago gohan. Mine wasn't good, the pickled items really overpowered everything in my bowl and the different temperature also didn't help. I know that that can't be helped but this is my own preference. I found the edamame paste sort of salty with a really grainy mouth feel. My partners bowl was really flavorful and the pork was tender. Not sure I would go out of my way to come back here but if I was in the area, I'd be willing to try other things. Just wasn't super impressed.

Connie C.

Yelp
Was really interested in coming here because they had so many vegan/vegetarian options and because their food looked like a really interesting combo of Asian fusion/brunch, but unfortunately the food did not quite suit my tastes. That being said, I'd still be interested in coming back to give some of their other items a try if I was in the area What we ordered: - Yuzu limeade: delicious and refreshing - Alpine Okonomiyaki: It was fine - it was a little bit too salty and the mushroom taste was too strong for me (giving truffle vibes, which I personally don't like) and overall didn't seem like anything super special - Midori Grilled cheese: Again it was fine, but a bit too salty/strong. The bread had a very satisfying crunch, though - Malted chocolate chip cookie: Way too sweet; to the point where looking at anything else sweet was nauseating for the rest of the afternoon

Grace K.

Yelp
Quiet not crowded. Had an Okonomiyaki. I am from Osaka area. Hmmmm. It wasn't close to the real Okonomiyaki at all. And over priced for it :( knowing ingredients. I will come back for different snacks tho!

Nicole Y.

Yelp
Not bad! I ordered the the ama latte, tamagotchi egg bowl, some miso and the cheesecake and they were all delicious. The latte was very unique. I like the smoothness of it. And the egg bowl was very filling and a great proportion. There are a lot of pickled vegis on it, which may or may not be your thing--the pickled purple onions were my favorite. I'd love to try more of their coffees and pastries the next time I come in. I recommend giving them a try.

Renee S.

Yelp
This Japanese cafe is so fresh. First time I tried the vegan bowl, Ginger Koji Tofu....and, oh my! Flavors, textures, flavors and more flavors. YUM. Every thing in the bowl was so fresh. Somethings were unheated, some warm, which made for a delightful combination. Nothing over cooked, nothing seemed day old...just pure freshness. They have a couple other bowls with meat; pork and chicken thigh, so I can bring my meat lover friends there next time I go and I'm sure they'll be pleased. They have many desserts and unique beverages. My daughter chose a latte made with fermented rice which gave it sort of a honey-like touch. She enjoyed her drink very much, saying it and an airiness to it and was deliciously unique. One cool note, the location used to house a South African style tea house and Koku has kindly left at least two of their items on the menu for those who are nostalgic for them.

Adela R.

Yelp
I'm absolutely obsessed with this place!! Everyone who works at Koku is soo nice! I work across the street so my coworkers and I frequent Koku weekly. Every single food item is amazing and full of flavor. I always get an iced matcha latte with oat milk and vanilla and the BEAR sandwich (add the habanero sauce!) It's my favorite thing on the menu, I think about this sandwich weekly LOL I'm always craving it on a Monday- they're closed Mondays btw :( One of my favorite things is their online ordering, it makes everything super easy and they're usually always putting it out on the counter for pick up before the estimated time. The cafe itself is super clean always and there's a good amount of seating, and I love that they have a little specialty grocery area to check out too!

Urba M.

Yelp
Stopped by for a quick bite. Tried the forager sandwich and the TBR - Tori Bacon Ranch without the bacon. The chicken was cooked really well and the flavors worked splendidly together. The forager mushrooms were delicious and well complemented by the pickled turnips.

Rikhia C.

Yelp
Definitely a new favorite! All the food is made in-house with quality ingredients. I had the Edamame Toast which was had a good amount of toppings so I was full for most of the day -- a win for me! Also try the white chocolate chip matcha cookie -- it's so soft! They have bowls, sandwiches, drinks, desserts and an in-house market!

Rylee M.

Yelp
Wow. Just wow. This is by far my favorite cafe in Queen Anne! The service is beyond fantastic (fast and friendly) and the food is delicious. My favorite items are the tofu bowl and the ama latte, and don't forget to try the Japanese cheesecake!! Lastly, it's a great place to do work from because of all the indoor and outdoor seating. Good vibes all around.

Jenny H.

Yelp
This is one of my new favorite places in Seattle!!! I loved everything about this place! The vibes and ambience of the cafe were so cozy and great! The staff were great and friendly too. The food was SOOOO good. We got the vegan curry bowl which was super comforting and delicious and the chicken rice bowl got better with every bite, super tasty!!! The matcha latte is one of the best ones I've ever had, it tasted very fresh. The matcha cookie was just okay for me but everything else was soooo dang good!!!!!! Highly highly recommend!

Jenna R.

Yelp
Was looking for a coffee shop and a quick bite near Kerry Park and saw this pop up on Apple Maps. We took a ride share here and it's located on the top of a hill, easy to find, has outdoor and indoor socially distanced seating. The woman at the counter was sweet when she explained how everything works and she brought our espresso drinks right to the table and then the food. My friend and I both ordered the BEAR sandwich, which I believe is bacon, arugula, avocado, scram. egg, & ranch on sourdough and we both took one bite and didn't talk to each other until we finished. Great portion sizes, friendly open atmosphere with a small market item section, and overall good attitudes from the staff. Would definitely come back and recommend to others in the area. I wish we were staying in Seattle long enough to come back and try the other items on the menu! *important note: they are CASHLESS except for tips

Sara C.

Yelp
Koku is one of my favorite places in Seattle at the moment. For those of you who have been following me for some time, you may know that I prefer Japanese food thanks to my Japanese mother. With that, whenever I see any new Japanese place open in Seattle, I'm initially skeptical since I've been let down so many times. But as soon as I walked into Koku and saw their menu, I was head over heels in love. I couldn't stop myself and, during my first visit, I ordered all of the following... -8 oz yuzu limeade -12 oz yuzu limeade -Koji tofu bowl -Black sesame brownie -2 sakura mochi -Red miso (container for takeout) The tofu bowl was quite tasty and the Sakura mochi tasted EXACTLY as I hoped it would taste. The black sesame brownie exceeded my expectations. The yuzu limeade was so refreshing that I had to go back and get another one. Yelp, I am in love again, and what a lovely feeling it is. Koku, this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Anna S.

Yelp
What a truly delightful place to be! Excellent coffee, delicious tofu bowl, really yummy malva, matcha cookie, and more. Really friendly people and a nice relaxed sunday vibe. Sat outside: the place was full, which makes sense, but it was nice in the fall air! I will absolutely be back--this place rocked my socks!

Diana X.

Yelp
Cool cafe with wonderful Japanese-inspired breakfast and lunch foods. Some items were hit or miss for me, but the ones that were hits were absolutely incredible. I'll start with the hits + The malva pudding is incredible. You have to microwave it, and it turns into a pudding cake with a sweet, buttery syrup sauce. There's a perfect balance of caramelized taste and texture of the soaked cake. My favorite of the bakery treats I've had here so far. Caramelized exterior, spongy interior soaked in heavenly warm butter. + Gochujang Brewed Pork Regular - the pork is incredibly flavorful and tender. Alone, it could carry an incredible taco or any other dish using pulled pork. Tender. Fantastic. Perfect level of dark brown sugar spice gochujang. Some of the others - and maybe this was just personal preference + The Japanese cheesecake is super fluffy, and with a unique twist of a delectable blob of cheesecake custard in the center. A little too sweet and could be creamier, but a lovely sweet treat anyways + Blueberry cookie lacked flavor, but there were some occasional bursts of blueberry in it. Could have been heavier with the butter, tasted a little stale + Royal Milk Tea - too sweet, not strong enough. + Aka Caramel Latte - a little disappointed in lacking miso taste. Was hoping for something tangier and maybe a balance of savory and sweet, with a hint of fermentation. But not the case. Also more sweet, sugary than caramelly.

Katie L.

Yelp
This is a cute spot for lunch! I thought the food was solid and you get a good amount, the Gochujang Brewed Pork Donburi is more savory while the Japanese Curry Bowl is more creamy and sweet. I think both are equally good just very different flavors! Unfortunately I wasn't a fan of the Royal Milk Tea (it wasn't very sweet, I ended up adding several sugar packets) and the iced tea wasn't anything to write home about, but everyone working there is very nice and the food comes out quickly. My favorite things there are the matcha white chocolate chip cookies! There is some cute indoor seating with an area like a sofa and squishy chairs and patio seating along with a small grocery store type area in the back selling things like alcohol and sauces.

Caroline L.

Yelp
I really wanted to like this place but it was disappointing. The pancake and rice bowl was very mediocre, the matcha was almost undrinkable, and the place was pretty much empty so atmosphere very lacking.

Tai D.

Yelp
I would say this is a fusion style Japanese cafe. There was a lot of seating for a casual lunch stop. I got the Osaka style okonomiyaki, which is basically a cabbage pancake with bacon on top and other toppings like bonito (fish flakes). I thought it was tasty, but was the size of a "standard sized pancake" rather than the okonomiyaki size I expected. I also tried the AmaLatte which is espresso with milk and amazake. Amazake is a sweet fermented rice drink that's often had during New years. I felt like it was a good latte (quite sweet), but did not get a lot of "amazake"experience" from it. They did have a very delicious matcha cookie there that I would buy a dozen of if I could.

Julie N.

Yelp
I CANNOT believe this cafe/market is not as well known because it definitely should be! We wanted a Japanese breakfast and definitely got it. I got the Japanese pancake with a fried egg and it had so many distinct flavors that paired perfectly together, the right amount of umami. My boyfriend got the rice bowl and it definitely filled him up and made him happy, saying he wish he came here earlier during our Seattle trip. There is easy parking on the smaller neighborhood streets and a quick walk to the market. You can also order alcoholic beverages if you want as well! Thanks for a great experience, I loved this breakfast!

JB M.

Yelp
Been here to dine in a few times pre-pandimic and never remembered the portions as small; however my Fiancé and I visited for our first take-out order in quite some time and were both a bit shocked to see how small it was. It was fresh and delicious but $12 seems overpriced at this portion size. Photo: Mirin Soaked Chicken Rice Bowl

David H.

Yelp
After seeing the 5 star rating, I was really excited to come here for lunch. Although I didn't find it amazing, I really enjoyed my meal here! It's a quiet & cozy little Japanese cafe over in Queen Anne and was a pleasant experience. One thing I like about this cafe is the variety on the menu. There are a ton of different desserts to choose from, including teas, lattes, cakes and more! They also have food options, serving rice bowls and a handful of sandwich options! I spent 5 minutes salivating at all the different options before finally deciding what to order (honestly it's a tough decision). I ended up ordering the brewed pork bowl and the malva pudding. The pork bowl was good - tasty flavor and not too salty. I thought they could've switched out the ginger for something else. The ginger didn't flow well with the bowl. The malva pudding was nice and not too sweet. Overall the food here was good but it wasn't nothing too special. Personally, I didn't think it lived up to the 5 star rating. Ultimately, Koku Cafe is solid choice that isn't too pricey. With a ton of different options, your cravings for dessert or lunch will surely be satisfied here!

Conor S.

Yelp
Great place for a nice lunch. Really glad to see something like this in my neighborhood. The store has a little pantry where you can buy food items from Japan. The staff was friendly and quick. The food came out warm and was really well balanced as far as flavors.

Bob D.

Yelp
Excellent Japanese curry bowl! And all the baked goods I've tried have been fantastic. They also have a small selection of goods to buy, like ramen base and sauces and a few other random things.

Maggie S.

Yelp
[Quarantine Delivery Part 2] Craving for some hearty food so decided to get Koku again! I ordered the Tamago Gohan Breakfast and Red Cappuccino. The portion of the Tamago Gohan Bowl was somewhat smaller than the Ginger Koji Tofu Bowl I got last time, but it still made me really full! The flavor is similar to the tofu bowl because of the sauces and ingredients, but more refreshing because of the pickled veggies. Recommend getting this bowl with the fried shallots furikake for a crunchy texture! The red cappuccino is made with rooibos tea (flavor is similar to black tea), and topped with some cinnamon powder and sugar! A great milk tea to start off your morning with!

Himani N.

Yelp
I loved this cafe!! I wasn't too hungry but did want to try the amazing food. I got very light items: the Missoula tea, sunflower kale salad, and miso soup. The miso soup was delicious and had mushrooms in it. The kale salad was also amazing. The dressing masked the fact that I was eating kale. :) The tea was perfectly calming--sweet and minty. The tea kettle it came in also was so cozy and cute. Lastly--the vibe of this cafe was ideal for the overcast rainy city of Seattle. It feels like a bright refuge from wind and gloom. I would 100% come here again. I would also make this my regular spot if I lived in Seattle.

Christy P.

Yelp
Pretty meh. I got the gojuchang bowl and it was too strong/umami for me. I also think they put too much sauce on their dishes. Tried my friend's omelette and got the same strong/saucy ness. The cafe also smelled a little weird, probs a combo of all the sauces lol.

Lillian T.

Yelp
I would classify this as an Asian American fusion style cafe that is in the health food category. I got the gochujang braised meat bowl and I actually didn't taste a strong gochujang flavor like I thought I would. The sauce almost looked like it had tahini in it but not too sure, so it was an interesting and unique combination that I can't quite figure out if I liked or not. It's served alongside pickled cucumbers and radish which helps balance out the meat flavor. It's a order and find your seat type of set-up, and you bus your own table. Nice place to have a catch-up with a friend - you can eat a full meal, just order coffee, pastries, or all of the above. Their baked goods include things like Japanese cheesecake and matcha white chocolate cookie. Located fairly close to Kerry Park.

Rikki J.

Yelp
THIS. PLACE. IS. AMMAAAAAAAZZZZIIINNNGGG AMAZING. AMAZING. The food is made with so much love. It's so fresh and the staff are all so pleasant to work with. I stay near DuPont, but driving up to to have lunch is a great experience for us. I wish there was one in Tacoma. It would be perfect in the Rustin area too