Sushi Kaunta (Reservation is required via Tock platform only, visit our website)

An absolute gem in Kent. The restaurant has a cozy, traditional Japanese atmosphere that immediately makes you feel relaxed and welcome. I had the 18-piece sushi platter, and every single piece was beautifully balanced and incredibly fresh. I also ordered an uni sushi on the side, and it was outstanding. The chef explained that it was Hokkaido uni, and the flavor was on another level—rich, clean, and naturally sweet. From now on, I think I’ll only be ordering Hokkaido uni. The chef was exceptionally kind and took the time to explain the dishes, which made the entire experience feel personal and special. Amazing food, warm hospitality, and a wonderful atmosphere. Highly recommended for anyone who truly appreciates high-quality sushi.

We love sashimi, and driven by our strong passion to find the best sushi spots. We visited Sushi Kaunta, where we met a sushi master unlike any we’ve seen in Seattle. We’ve tried almost all of the well-known sushi spots in the area, but it was truly surprising to find a place like this in Kent—like something straight out of a restaurant featured on Netflix’s solitary gourmet. As the chef poured us a sake, I noticed his hands, wrinkled from constant work in water, and even before tasting the sushi I could feel the level of dedication and effort he puts into his craft. I have no doubt that Sushi Kaunta will rise to the ranks of the very best in Seattle purely through its reputation. Wishing them continued success.

Worth it! Very fresh and delicious sushi - had half size kaisen don and 14 piece chef’s choice nigiri with miso soup plus one each sea urchin sushi and real crab inari. Plenty for the two of us and it was nice to show up for our reservation and our order is already being prepared. Cozy small space and very welcoming. Very nice I speak to the chef himself. Many new fish I’ve never tried before and expertly prepared. Thank you for a great experience! Also got fresh loaf of bread afterwards at the bakery on the corner because they were still open. Win all around.

Only the chef is working, no waitstaff, so you can’t enter until the exact minute of your reservation. There’s also no ice. The sushi is okay, but not worth the price. For what you’re paying, omakase should be served piece by piece. Instead, everything just comes out on a plate, and the plating isn’t anything special either. I’ve had better presentation at cheaper restaurants. Ambiance is okay but a bit cramped. Customer service from the chef was mid. Went once to check out the hype and won’t be coming back.

Best sushi I've had in a long long time. Temperature, texture was perfect. Environment was unique with reservations required with the chef only taking one party at a time. Cozy and personable. With a simple non descript black and white sign outside in an old aging building, in Kent of all places, you will find the best sushi experience in the Seattle area. Looking forward to the next visit.

I recently visited this sushi restaurant, and it was truly exceptional. If I could give more than five stars, I would. The fish was incredibly fresh and delicate, but what impressed me the most was the rice; perfectly seasoned, with just the right texture. And the chef was very kind and attentive. Highly recommended for anyone who truly appreciates quality sushi.

Chefs Choice Nigiri 14 pcs $54 Bara Chirashi Don (full size) $45 Crudo Special-Seabass $19 Uni (Canada/Hokkaido) M.P. One man operated private sushi spot in Kent, WA. A true hidden gem in Kent open only 4 days a week. They release reservation time-slots every two weeks and is based on reservations only. They also only take one group at a time which makes it a super unique sushi experience whether it's with your significant other, family or a group of friends! No need to travel all the way to Seattle for good sushi anymore We got the 14 pcs chefs choice and each piece was so delicious and some nigiris had pickled wasabi on top! Not the best at fish names so I couldn't remember all the pieces when Chef Sean kindly explained it to us but regardless each piece was amazing. Most chirashi dons are about the same here and there but this bara chirashi don was definitely different was blown away with the flavor. Even the tamagoyaki on top is made by Chef Sean and isn't overly sweet like most but more savory which I loved. we also tried a uni from Canada and some from Hokkaido. Personally loved the uni from Canada-much sweeter and superr creamy not too much ocean flavor.

My husband and I have celebrated both of our birthdays here, and each visit has been an exceptional experience. Chef Sean is incredibly polite and attentive, and the ambience is warm and comfortable. It’s truly our favorite spot for sushi. We ordered the Chef’s Choice 14-Piece Nigiri and the Premium Kaisen Don—both were beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. We can’t wait to come back again.

Sushi Kaunta absolutely BLEW ME AWAY. I've never had such fancy sushi in my entire life, and for a relatively affordable price. It was featured in the Seattle Times in February 2024 (https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/this-hidden-gem-in-kent-serves-superior-sushi-at-non-seattle-prices/), and I get the hype. My co-worker has been here before and wanted to take me out for lunch to celebrate a job promotion. Sushi Kaunta releases reservation slots every week. We were lucky to grab a 3:30pm slot on a Thursday afternoon as reservations fill up quickly. What's interesting about this restaurant is that you place your order when you make your reservation rather than when you arrive. However, you can order more nigiri or other sides when you get there if you wish. Sushi Kaunta is a very small restaurant with three small tables and a small sushi bar that sits five people. The interior is nothing fancy (which is probably how they are able to keep prices low), but it's clean and well-lit. Sushi Kaunta is truly a one man show as the guy running it, Sean Hyun, is your chef, server, and host. My co-worker pre-ordered a 14-PIECE NIGIRI OMAKASE (+$54), a LARGE SASHIMI OMAKASE (+$54), an UME SHISO ROLL (+$6), two CHUTORO (medium fat tuna) NIGIRI (+$6 each), two SPICY CREAMY SCALLOP GUNKAN SUSHI (+$4 each), and a HOTATE (scallop) NIGIRI (+$4 each). The 14 piece nigiri omakase came with unagi, salmon, sockeye salmon, trout, tuna, yellowtail, and more. The large sashimi omakase came with salmon, sockeye salmon with shiso, sea bass, yellow fin, and tuna. All fish were super fresh and melted in your mouth- I'm a sushiholic, and I've never had sushi like this before! With each bite, I was hit with an instant rush of dopamine! My favorites were the sockeye salmon with shiso, the sea bass, uni, and the hotate. The shiso really added a nice umami touch to the fish. Even without the extra side orders of nigiri and roll, we were stuffed and had leftovers to bring home. The sushi presentation and taste alone is remarkable. However, what's even more remarkable about the experience is that when the chef brought each dish out, he pointed at each piece of sushi and told us what type of fish it was and what country it was from. It probably took at least 2 minutes for him to describe all fourteen pieces of nigiri and he had it all memorized whether the fish was from Iceland, Mexico, Japan, or elsewhere! I've never had such a unique and personalized and cosmopolitan sushi experience before. Service was fantastic, especially given that it was just the one guy doing everything. Upon seating, he pours you complimentary hot tea which was super comforting on a cold winter day. He also checked in on us multiple times even when he had other customers eating at the bar. Overall, all I can say is WOW. I can't wait to be back - thank you, Sushi Kaunta, for a memorable experience and for opening my tastebuds to what real sushi should taste like! 6/5 for food, 6/5 for service, 4/5 atmosphere

Sushi Kaunta encapsulates the essence of minimalism- from its intimate ambiance to the simple/delicate prepared sushi that celebrates the purity of Japanese cuisine. **By reservations only**

The reviews and ratings are true-- this place is a very special opportunity to eat really fresh fish prepared simply to let it shine. Everything was delicious. It was nice to be in a small space that wasn't completely packed. We got distracted and didn't take pictures but the ones posted would be what our meal looked like. A tip for those trying to make reservations-- follow the instagram announcement for reservation openings and be sure to look at the menu first. You have to pre order and only have a few minutes to do so or you start over.

Hands down thee best sushi in WA, practically beats all the sushi places in the U.S. Chef Sean always gives the best service. He will be celebrating his 3rd anniversary in March. I can't believe I've been coming here since he opened. It's not easy getting reservations. I watch chef Sean's IG to check when he opens up availability. I've only been able to get a four seater two times this past year 2023. Most of the time my friends ask me to make reservations for them so they can experience Chef Seans tasty omakase and everything else on his menu. Thank you Chef Sean for another amazing year of sushi! May your 2025 be even more Blessed!

Delicious sushi! The fish is so fresh and each piece is handcrafted by the chef! We had the classic chef special and chirashi! Both great choices and literally anything here is good! Must get reservation and order ahead

Can't believe I haven't written a review until now. It's a definite 5 star! Best sushi in the area hands down. The baby lobster roll is to die for! It's only $25 too. Everything is delicious and the service is top notch. Very limited seating but he does work as a 1 man show so he can only manage a couple of bookings at a time. Will come back again shortly!

If I could rate this higher than 5 stars, I would. I HIGHLY recommend eating here! Chef Sean is a one man show, but we were able to be in and out of the door in 45 minutes. You'll need to preorder before your reservation, but it saves so much time! I honestly don't remember what each fish was, but they were all so buttery and smooth--literally melted in my mouth. I'd highly recommend trying something from the Chef's choice section. If you love fish you can't go wrong there! The place can only fit around 10 people, so it felt very intimate. We were very lucky to have the restaurant to ourselves which made the experience even more special

Very tiny place so as other people said you will need a reservation. The chef was really nice and everything, even the wasabi was amazing. The fish just melt in your mouth and the unagi is bomb. Definitely a hidden gem in Kent!

Sashimi is very fresh and delicious; already lightly seasoned so didn't even need to dip soy sauce Took us a while to make a reservation but if you check on their instagram they will announce when reservation slots are released- Reservations are usually opened around Sunday around 12 noon for the following 2 weeks. Reservations released every other Sunday! Reservation time slots are every 45 mins. When we went we saw a table of 2 and someone at the counter finishing up eating. So I m going to assume each time slot I only served one table and a single customer to maintain a not overly crowded environment. Complimentary tea and water is offered; they also have a variety of sake and other drinks for purchase.

Sushi Kaunta piqued my curiousity after another Yelp Elite/IGer and her culinary posse would post about it, so it was added to my southend list of bookmarks. I happened to see another IG post about the next round of reservations to open in late July. I managed to snag a spot online via Tock (8/4/24). A deposit is taken and applied to your final bill. It wasn't much of a challenge obtaining a lone reservation. I guess it would be if one's party was two or more. Bone head move though - I showed up a week too early. It was booked for Sat 8/17/24 at 230pm, however, I showed up at Sat 8/10/24 a little before 2pm. Thankfully, this northender had other bookmarked businesses to explore while in Kent. I returned on the proper calendar date (8/17/24), found street parking despite a nearby farmers market and street fair going on concurrently. I checked in at 210pm, but the chef/owner asked me to return at 230pm. So I just sat on a bench outside the main entrance. This made sense to me as I realized there are staggered reservations which allows a one-man operation to run smoothly and each order prepared freshly to each customer. The chef/owner essentially wears all the hats: host, chef, waitperson, and busser/dishwasher. I made sure that this was my sole meal of the day. I was able to indulge in a premium chirashi don which included a wide variety of fresh cuts of assorted fish from global sites atop perfectly seasoned rice with wasabi and pickled ginger. I also added a negi toro maki - very large generous roll. Most notable to me was the quality cuts of fish - clean flavor, perfect texture, and served at optimal temperature. I dined solo at the counter corner with a great birds eye view of the fresh assorted fish case. I had hot tea throughout and to wrap up my meal. There are a nice collection of available sake and beers onsite too. It was a focused yet meditative late lunch for me. I'm sure this would have been enjoyable dining with others. But this worked as a deeply immersive culinary meal with a "classy, demure, mindful, considerate" vibe. Perfect with this introvert's mindset.

5/5 I've been coming here for years. I originally came back when it was owned by a husband and wife who were the sweetest couple. For sometime it's been ran by a new owner, and I can say it's only improved. I convinced a friend to bring me here for a late birthday meal and their sushi easily rivals most of what is available in downtown Seattle, and all from a dive in KENT! Ambiance 4/5 - nothing fancy here. Just a no frills sushi counter and a handful of tables. Very intimate setting. It fills quickly so reservations are a must. Service 5/5 - being a small place the chef actually served us on top of making the sushi. He was very friendly and even though he was helping others, we never felt we weren't being taken care of. Food 6/5 - The sushi is amazing here, definitely one of my favorite places for it. The seafood is extremely fresh and the rice is perfect. We ordered assorted nigiri, a scallop "crudo" which was interesting and delicious! Very Italian inspired. I ordered a half portion of their unagi don and it's definitely the best I've had. The unagi held its texture, there was slight smokiness to it. Compared to most places where it's thin, sometimes almost slimey texture and drowned in unagi sauce. This wasn't the case here. Must try!

What a fantastic experience. This place is a teeny hole in the wall restaurant inside Titusville Station, and chef/owner runs a one-man show. There are no wait staff, just him. As such, reservations are highly recommended along with preorder, all of this is done on Tock platform. I went for lunch as a solo diner, since reservations fill up fast for parties of 2 or more. The food is incredible. I got the chirashi plate and unagi as a side. Presentation, freshness, portion size, and attention to detail--superb 10/10. He was super busy with a whole row of orders to make but still made time to chat with me and his other patrons. I was able to take leftovers of my heavenly lunch home and have the rest the next day. Fish was STILL fresh. That's how you know!

The word is out on this cute little sushi spot in dt Kent! I had no idea this place existed except for a chance run in with fellow Seattle foodies who told us about Sushi Kaunta! I promptly made reservations for the end of December 2023 to celebrate my hubby's birthday. BTW, make inquiries and reservations via @sushi_kaunta on IG. The owner/chef will respond after business hours. He also sends the menu so he can plan your meal. The options are very reasonably priced! I did let him know ahead of time what we wanted (chef's choice sashimi and a half order Premium Kaisendon with real crab to share). As mentioned, this spot is located in dt Kent, with street parking available. When we showed up, we were the ONLY people there. I was not expecting that. Now I know why this place gets booked out for weeks! When you secure spot at Sushi Kaunta, it's basically a private party and you have a personal sushi chef! It is run by the chef/owner - and ONLY the chef/owner! About our selection, we thoroughly enjoyed our choices, it did not look like a lot, but it filled us up! A great variety of sashimi with a few extra pieces, too! The chef was quiet while preparing our meal, but once he was done, he was definitely chatting it up with us! We definitely recommend a visit here!

Sushi Kaunta must be a gem for people who love close and around Kent area! If it were closer to me, I would visit more often during those non peak eating hours. Was lucky enough to be able to try a dinner hour with 4 other friends. We were able to try their sushi chef omakase with individual pieces. I've also come a different time to try the omakase all together. I enjoyed both experiences! Many different varieties, and I love being able to choose extra rolls and dishes to add with your meal. Very cozy and intimate setting. The bar is slightly high so we weren't able to watch chef Kaunta prepare the dishes. But he's also a one man show, so it was a nice different omakase experience where though enjoy the company of who you come with dinner with. Often times omakase is an experience with the chef, and to you don't get to mingle with your friends as much. This one was a nice omakase where you're mostly conversing with your friends, then getting pauses of edible delight. Luckily parking was easy to find, but it is a little bit more on the wary side in terms of if I thought I would be safe walking in the dark in. Priced perfectly that I would be itching to return when I can. I love how the new reservation system is in place. Hopefully that will help Chef Kaunta out more.

Whooo hoo. Only took me forever to get reservations but I got one haha. This place is harder to get seats at than a Saturday shoe release. Chef Sean is a one man show but he does it very well! When I arrived on Saturday it was me and another person until a couple showed up 15min later. It does help him prep everything since he runs his place alone. I had pre ordered the chefs choice nigiri and added sweet shrimp, otoro, and two pieces of uni nigiri. I was really blown away by each fish from the chefs choice. Some were so buttery and delicious. Love the sauce and fresh wasabi he had on certain pieces. It was a quiet lunch but so amazing. I was trying not to do the happy dance in the chair cus I was scared to fall over but that's how great the quality of fish is here. I would love to tell you some of my favorite bites but I honestly wasn't listening when he was explaining the pieces to me cus I was heavily staring at the fish and being so excited to eat haha. I do know that the trout which looks like salmon was probably the best thing because chutoro on that place. Who knew trout could be so delicious! I was really surprised by that because it literally just melted in your mouth. Anyways lunch was great and now I need to somehow get reservations for 3 haha. Wish me luck!

Compared to the big-name omakase spots in Seattle, Sushi Kaunta stands out in probably my top 3. It is unassuming and yet elegant, a tiny shop that hosts one small group at a time. Without any of the theatrics or formality, the sushi itself shines and is extremely high quality and fresh. A lot of friends say that this is the best uni they have ever had (even those who usually aren't uni fans). Make sure to have at least one or two of your sushi seared (aburi) which is a small add-on fee per piece. Try a crudo plate for a unique Italian twist on the sushi experience. Chef Sean was calm, quiet, and accommodating to us, and you can tell he puts so much effort and skill into what he does. We are big fans and slowly bringing more and more friends to try this place for themselves!

So phenomenal that at the end of the meal I asked to come back for any openings that Chef Sean might have during the rest of my stay in Seattle. If you manage to get a reservation, you will try your luck at getting another one, too. My friend Brendan and I visited on Friday at 3:30pm. It took us about an hour from downtown Seattle to get to Kent, so if you're driving from Seattle, please plan accordingly to be on time. We ordered two of the chef's choice nigiri (one for each of us - $45 each) and a chef's choice sashimi ($45) to share. Then we added Hokkaido uni nigiri ($12/piece). Brendan also tried a few Japanese beers. The incredible quality and chef attention across the board sets this unassuming, 12 seat place apart. Each piece of fish was luscious and delectable (I especially loved the ocean trout from Scotland), and the slightly sweet uni was even better. We could not stop talking about how impressed we were the entire drive home and for days afterward. I know I should not be greedy, but I then DM'd the restaurant Instagram to see if I can get another opportunity to eat here. Wish me luck! Update 2/28: I got another shot with takeout - so delicious and everyone at at home had the chance to enjoy it too!

For a humble counter all the way in Kent, I didn't know what exactly to expect - I only knew that it had a strong following of loyal patrons. Now, I know why. Make your reservation in advance by messaging their account on Instagram and prepare for an incredible meal. I think I can say it was the best sushi I've ever had. We got a roll as well which was tasty, but just skip it and go all in on the nigiri. It'll change your life. The rice is perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the fish quality is out of this world. The salmon had a delicious firmness to the meat while being so tender, especially with the skillful scoring. The uni and salmon were so good we had to go for seconds. Uni was $8 a piece and filled the gunkan to the brim. Incredibly sweet! The chutoro was quite close to otoro, very fatty. The most expensive piece is otoro at $7 a nigiri, and the salmon (which was belly) is only $3.5. Contrast this with omakase pricing which is around $10 a piece. I've been to a few Seattle omakase places, like Takai ($200) and Sushi by Scratch ($165). Omakase is a bit different, but for ~$80 a person (after tax and tip!), I had an even more satisfying meal at Sushi Kaunta. I might say I even enjoy this more than omakase - you have full control over what fish you're served, can customize to your liking (sear/sauce, I added jalapeno to a roll, etc), and is similarly intimate as Sushi Kaunta only takes 1 party at a time. I haven't found more delicious sushi in Seattle. Run, don't walk to find a time to dine here. Can't wait to come back!

This has been the best sushi I've had in a while! Everything was super fresh and reasonably priced for the amount of food you get. It's ran by the sweetest chef and is a one man show, and the service was great. They only have 12 seats available and it's reservations only so be sure to make one before showing up!

Came here the second time and everything was so good again!!! The uni from Hokkaido was definitely the star of the show...so sweet and fresh and big pieces!!!

10000/10 would recommend this place if you are looking for a really intimate experience with sushi!! Sushi Kaunta is a one man show, he is your chef, server, and busser so give him some grace and be kind!! If you're lucky enough to snag a reservation you won't regret it. I ordered myself the 10 pc chefs choice nigiri and half order of the premium kaisen don. I was honestly stuffed at the end but I really wish I had more room to try some other items on the menu, but that's ok cause I'll just come back again regardless to try the other fishes he offers :) he explains where his fish sources are from and what he plates them with (toppings or sauces). I also love that he does half orders of the rice bowls! He is pretty punctual with timing (I arrived about 10 min before my reservation and he politely asked that I come back right on the dot) there's only two tables that seem to be best for a 2 top and the bar with about 6-8 seats? So plan your party accordingly. Been living in Seattle for 3 years and this is the best sushi I've had since moving I can't say that enough lol Such a great experience and great quality. I hope to be back soon!

My boyfriend expressed how much he LOVED this hole-in-the-wall restaurant when he went with a friend. So we decided to celebrate our anniversary here for me to try. It's located on the first floor of an old building with other small local stores across of two parks (Kherson and Rosebed) on W Gowe St in Kent. There's only street parking around the area and luckily, my boyfriend and I were able to park right in front of the restaurant! Reservations only! Call or DM the restaurant via IG to make a reservation as this is a one man show. When we arrived, my boyfriend mentioned he already ordered some sashimi and sashimi donburis over the phone as he made the reservation.The one and only chef working at the restaurant mentioned that we could order more if we were still hungry which we did. The donburis that we ordered were the Special Meguro Don and Sake & Maguro Don. The sashimi were Sockeye Salmon with Yuzu, Otoro with Wasabi, and Salmon. The fishes were veeerry fresh. The otoro were both our favorites as it literally melted in our mouths, SO GOOD YUM. The yuzu with the sockeye salmon was also a combination I would not have thought of - sooo good. We added a roll - Flamingo Roll with Scallops inside and Tuna on top. The spicy mayo on top of the roll was VERY good. It wasn't overwhelming, bringing out the taste of the scallop and tuna for them to shine as they were the main proteins in the roll. Everything was really fresh and sooo good! Overall, my boyfriend did not lie - the quality of the fishes were high tier for a reasonable price (in my opinion). I definitely enjoyed my meal and would love to come again in the future!

Ho chef sean really be out here gatekeeping his fish. This dude legit eats sushi everyday and i wouldn't blame him considering the freshness of this place. Hands down best spot in WA and even better than some places in HI. Like dam I don't think the fish even knows that it died. Sean is a funny guy and i respect the man's hustle i wish him continued success in his business. But dam this man's restaurant is harder to get into than a nun's panties. But well worth it, my ass was silent enjoying every dam bite. Def worth the trip down. Bulk approved!

Absolutely loved Sushi Kaunta. By far the best sushi I've had in Seattle area. It's very intimate, there were only 5 people in the restaurant the day we went, and there was only 1 person working. Reservations are done through Tock, and you have to preorder your items. The premium kaisen don was definitely a favorite! The fish was slightly sweet, and each piece melted in our mouths!

We had heard of Sushi Kaunta from our good friends and immediately reached out about a month prior to when we were hoping to dine in (via instagram). We ending up making a reservation and having to reschedule a couple times but the owner is super accommodating. It's requested that you place your order in advance so we picked out items to have in-restaurant and some to go for some family members. I'm pretty sure you can change your order when you arrive as the owner confirms your order prior to preparation. We found parking right across the street. Reservations ensure that you have the dining experience to yourself. There were a couple walk ins who were turned away while we were dining (by either asking if they could come back at a later time or make a reservation prior). The restaurant itself is small and you have the option to sit at a round table or at the sushi bar. There is music playing in the background and the overall ambiance is quite nice and relaxed. We ordered crudo, moriawase, half of the premium kaisen don, the mangoster, baby lobster roll, and tuna roll. Everything tasted so fresh and was prepared with beautiful presentation - even the takeout (not pictured). Took us back to Japan! I thought we ordered a good amount but I also know I could have eaten much more. For such high quality food, the prices are very reasonable. My favorites were the premium kaisen don and mangoster (SO refreshing). Nothing tasted too "fishy". The wasabi was the creamiest and freshest I've ever had before and I don't typically like wasabi. Highly recommend and can't wait to go back!

Now THIS is what you call a hidden gem. Tucked away in Kent, this is the easily best quality sushi I have ever had. Each piece was wildly fresh and seasoned to perfection. It's a one man show so make sure to book ahead of time. I've had my fair share of expensive, "high quality" fish, but this puts all of those to shame. Not only was the price extremely reasonable but the quality was like nothing I've ever had. From the salmon to the uni, every single bite was mind blowing. Feel free to pick your own nigiris or choose his Chefs Choice set, you can't go wrong. He seasons his own soy sauce and provides tea as well. No complaints here and I'm already planning my next trip there.

I've been here 4-5 times (so far anyway) and this restaurant NEVER disappoints! Everything is extremely fresh and delicious. I have no idea how chef Sean consistently serves such quality food. I've had the premium kaisen don, the chef's choice nigiri, the crudo, the rolls, etc. and not one item has been less than amazing. Even the miso soup is on point. Portions are really great as well! The ambiance is lovely too but to be honest with food like this I would keep returning regardless. The food here stands toe to toe with Sushi Kashiba!

This is a one man show operation where the chef is also the waiter, dish washer, and cook. So do be considerate when it comes to this personal experience. This is mainly the reason why reservations are needed since the chef can only attend one group of customers at a time and why orders are planned ahead of time as well. So make sure you order your fill and be prepared to eat that amount. Because it's a one man operation, the restaurant is fairly small, but that won't matter because you'll most likely have the place to yourself. The chef was quite friendly and definitely is quite busy doing everything. The sushi was of great quality. Felt on par with the quality of other well known sushi restaurants in Seattle which is saying a lot. Honestly hope that this place grows to function like a normal restaurant with a full staff and regular hours. Having to reserve and order weeks ahead does not seem convenient for us customers.

Amazing! This place is tucked away in Kent but absolutely worth the drive from Seattle. The place is very small so reservations are crucial, but since it's so small the service is exceptional and he is very attentive. The food itself is incredible and at the same level as top tier sushi I've had in Seattle and New York where the prices are 3x more expensive. The quality is exceptional and there was such a large variety of different items that were unique and interesting. I would definitely come back!

Hole in the wall gem in Kent. Intimate small group setting. Had a group of 5 around the bar. Enjoyed the chef's choice and added a few more items from the menu to try (and be considered full). Decently price for the quality

This place is worth driving to in peak traffic hours from Seattle. Great value for delicious and fresh fish in an intimate setting. We ordered a 12 piece chefs choice nigiri which is basically omakase all served at once for only $45! Fish served from all over the world (Greece, Canada, Mexico, Alaska, to name a few). Chef Shawn was also very accommodating of my party that had a shellfish allergy. We were able to mod some rolls to satisfy our sushi cravings. Highly recommend shooting chef Shawn a DM on their Instagram for a reservation. You're able to check out the menu and order what you want before hand. We saw a couple people being turned away without a res so def get ahead by doing so.

Such a lovely little spot with high quality, reasonably-priced sushi! I'm so glad we got to try this place right before it got featured in the Seattle Times. I made reservations over Instagram DM and was able to try the Chef's Choice Nigiri at the sushi bar. It looks like usually you get it all together on a plate but since we were at the bar, we were served each piece one by one. All the fish were fresh and delicious! We were given soy sauce and wasabi but each piece was already well-seasoned so I didn't end up using it. We got a total of 14 pieces plus a bonus 15th piece for only $48. Definitely the most affordable omakase-style sushi in the Seattle area.

Did a walk in for lunch. The restaurant was amazingly adorable and, small but intimate. The chef does it all. He takes the order, makes your food and buses tables. I highly suggest getting a reservation. The portion of my chef special sashi was quiet small. Get the Unagi Don if you love Eel. They give you a lot!

I haven't had good sushi in a while and driving all the way to Seattle is not always ideal for people who live closer to the south end. But this is truly a hidden gem in Kent. This is a really tiny sushi spot that is inside a tiny plaza, it's really tucked away in also a sketch part of Kent. But definitely worth the risk haha. There was literally only 6 bar stools at the bar seating area and I think 2 small tables behind me, so you must make reservations!! There is only 1 person working and doing everything which makes sense why reservations and pre-ordering ahead of time is required. But that does not limit you to ordering more if you desire when you get there. And let me tell you, the sushi chef knows his stuff because he was explaining each of the fish, where it came from and the preparation of it. That is top notch service. All the fish by the way was so fresh, like it was still swimming in my mouth fresh. The uni was my favorite! It was so good that I needed to order another round of it. The uni he had that day were so sweet and buttery, if I had a bottomless pit stomach, I think I would just keep ordering that.

Nestled in a somewhat sketchy neighborhood, Sushi Kaunta is hidden gem in Kent. The unassuming 12 seat place is cozy with thoughtful design. Chef is a one man show and does it all by himself fantastically. Althought the fish wasn't exactly local, some of the fish was from Greece! It was delicious and so fresh. I had the chefs choice nigiri and the lobster bake roll. I would probably skip the lobster bake roll next time as the lobster was overcooked and chewy. Overall great spot and will be back if I can snag a reservation.

Worth it. This is a gem of a restaurant with a chef who takes great care in his craft. The food is truly premium, fresh, and dangerously delicious. The service is also attentive and warm. It's a small, cozy spot that reminds me of the small sushi bars in Japan. I will definitely come back and encourage you to give this place a try!

This very small restaurant is a treasure. We've been to Sushi Kaunta twice. The food on our second visit was just as amazing as the first! We ordered the Chef's Choice Nigiri, Kanpachi Crudo and a San Diego roll. The Kanpachi is a somewhat firm fish which we really enjoyed. The Crudo was delicious (my wife drank the remaining vinegary sauce), but the fish at Sushi Kaunta is so incredibly fresh and delicious that no sauce is needed. The Nigiri is simply the best we have had. We already booked again for next month and are looking forward to a simple order of two Chef's Choice Nigiri. : ). You can reserve a spot via Instagram - and you best make a reservation as it is booked for weeks at a time, and the small size makes walking in unlikely.

Food is excellent. I highly recommend the Omakase - Chef's Choice Nigiri. My Husband & I always orders uni. The wasabi that comes with the food is the best wasabi I've had. My Husband is half Japanese and even he agrees. Service - It's only Sean providing both, as your server & your Chef. If you're patient, the food is worth the wait. He's so nice! So don't be rude just because you're impatient. Ambiance isn't fancy but it is cozy & the food is great.

Sushi Kaunta is a hidden gem of a spot that serves some of the best Japanese sushi in Washington. Chef Sean serves super high quality fish and the quality-to-price ratio is amazing! Our favorites were the half premium kaisen don, kurodai and uni nigiri, and saba gari maki roll. Their uni was soooo creamy and fresh. The service is great and the ambience is nice! This restaurant reminds me of Japan!

This is a one man show. And he is very efficient and I give him a lot of credit for how he runs his little restaurant. He takes reservations, is the sushi chef and your server as well. He is friendly and very professional. This little restaurant is small and cozy. Very intimate. It seats 12 people at most but no walk ins allowed. A reservation must be made through his instagram account. And he also takes your order as well. I am assuming just to make sure he has what is needed and is well prepared. It also cuts the time of ordering. He only caters to one party at a time, we had the restaurant to ourselves. Once he finished making our food, the next reservation came in while we finished up. He timed it perfectly. As for the food. The fish is so fresh and delicious. The nigiri, each peice is sauced and garnished the way he wants you to eat. No need for soy sauce or wasabi unless you like more of it or spicy. This is the true Japanese way. You can tell he keeps the integrity for a true sushi lover. For the rolls they were a good size but I prefer my toro roll smaller. He doesn't have fresh wasabi but he does have grated wasabi which I love, the regular wasabi I am not a fan of for my sushi in general. And for the price of everything, it was cheaper than any sushi place I have been to. The 12 piecies of nigir was 50$. This blew my mind for how good the quality of the fish was. Definitely would recommend this place!

So I've been wanting to try Sushi Kaunta for a long time. I'm really happy I was able to finally make it happen. This is a one man establishment, so a level of patience is definitely required. If you're in a rush or expect fast service, this is not the place for you. The chef works hard to serve and prepare your meal from start to finish. This is in addition to phone calls and takeout orders that he also handles. The ambiance is very cozy and it feels like the chef/owner customizes each individual experience. The counter, aka "Kaunta" seats 5, and two small tables that seat 2-3 people. Reservations are definitely recommend as the chef/owner seems to really value the overall experience with quality over quantity. Several walk-ins were told that the wait would be 1.5-2hrs. Onto the food and quality of the sushi. We ordered a couple variations of the Sashimi Donburi (chirashi) along with the Chef's choice (Omakasa) Nigiri. Fish quality deserves high marks. You can tell the attention to detail of fish that is sourced from all across the world (Japan, Greece, Mexico, Baja CA, Hawaii, etc.) - really premium quality! There were so many favorites otoro, chutoro, and Columbia River trout were standouts. All of the Nigiri selections were amazing. Will definitely be back to continue exploring the different options and variety of high quality sashimi.

Stumbled upon this restaurant when I was looking for lunch last week. I saw that you should make reservations so I was super hesitant to try walking in but I did it anyway. The restaurant is small and intimate. There's like two or three tables and the bar area so it makes sense that reservations are mostly required. The sushi chef was able to seat me if I waited like 20 minutes for him to prepare the table that was present. So I waited. And it was worth it. The food was so delicious! I ordered the sake and an unagi don. So delicious, though if you don't like wasabi I would mention it since there's some wasabi on the sake. If you follow on IG, you can make reservations by sending him a DM. I did ask if I'd be able to bring a stroller in and he said yes depending on how many other people are in the restaurant but he did say there would be more seating options if we had the car seat. So I'll be back, but I'll bring my plus ones so they can see how tasty it is.

Absolutely amazing omakase experience. The 12-piece chef's choice was incredible, not to mention you watch and interact with the chef the entire time. A small, humble location, Sushi Kaunta is a fabulous hidden gem in the city. If you love uni, get yourself a serving from the Hokkaido option.

The rice from the nigiri needs improvement but the selection of sashimi on top was good. I overheard a guess saying the uni was delicious. So I ordered it and imo it was over seasoned and might not be as fresh as I'm use to. The service was good for a one man show. Very attentive. The dining room has the vibe of an old school sushi shop. The presentation of food is beautiful.

I think I've been back for Sean's sushi almost a dozen times since last summer and EVERY SINGLE TIME he has not disappointed. How is the sushi this consistent? I'm amazed! My downfall is I have a hard time deviating from the chefs choice nigiri, but someday hope to explore more of the menu. Here are finally some photos of his amazing sushi!

On a whim earlier this year, my husband and I walked in and we were able to sit at the counter. I was not expecting such fresh fish and perfectly seasoned rice. It was an amazing experience speaking with the owner who runs this tiny joint. This place has blown up on social media and they deserve all the love they're getting! Can't wait to go back.

Read up the reviews and made a reservation as recommended at 12:30pm Friday for lunch. We arrived on time for a party of just 2 but the restaurant has another 4 persons already halfway through their meals. Disappointing enough, didn't get served until 1:15pm. I understand a restaurant can't seat us right on the dot but 45minutes of waiting with a reservation is unacceptable. Food-wise, it's good but definitely felt rushed by the chef. There's no one else in the restaurant other than my party of two. I pick up a sushi, haven't put in my mouth and the chef is already serving the next piece. All in all, my whole lunch took only 15minutes from being served the first piece to finishing the last piece. I understand it's a one man show, but I'm sorry, 45mins of wait for lunch on a weekday with a reservation on hand is too much. We were not given any freebies for the loooong wait, not even a cup of free tea that might set the restaurant back by $0.10 as an apology... Quality of food is important to have returning customers, but the service is equally important too.

This sushi place belongs comfortably in my top 3 favorite sushi places of all time! Thanks to my friend who introduced me to this sushi spot, we now have once a month visits to Sushi Kaunta! We would totally go more often but we live up north so each time we go makes it that much more enjoyable. Reservations are not required but much recommended, we usually text the chef on Instagram but I'm sure you can call too! Reservations are recommended because it's just the chef! No host, server, or even a kitchen chef. Just the one sushi chef running the full service from the moment you sit down to when you pay your bill! Unlike most restaurants where you might see an empty table, the chef will kindly let you know that there will be a wait time if there's already people dining at the time which I super appreciate the amount of service and full attention we get from the experience in itself. The very first time, we were a group of 4, we sat at the sushi bar and all ordered the "Chef's Choice Nigiri". For the price you pay, oh my goodness! Totally worth it! Unfortunately for me, which is a plus for those who have a bigger appetite, it was too much for me to eat in one sitting! I know right? Crazy. The second time, I got the Sake Hotate Don! I thought I could handle the full size but the chef recommended getting the half and thank goodness I did because that was already putting me over the top (I also snagged a couple nigiri pieces a la carte because I loved some of them from the omakase we had last time). The third time, my friend recommended we get the "Nigiri Moriawase" which I forgot to mention (I normally never order omakase or chef's choice anywhere I go because I'm so picky about certain fish...) but you'd be amazed to hear I ate some nigiri pieces that I've avoided with all my might for over a decade! I enjoyed every meal we've had so far and can't wait to go again next month for my other friend's birthday! Thank you chef for the amazing sushi, the best experience, and service! See you next month! P.S. I still don't do uni but my friend absolutely loves the uni here so if you're a huge uni lover- don't forget to order some!

Fresh fish!!! So goood. Unpictured: uni 10/10. Make res, tiny restaurant, one chef. Scallop roll was bomb too