by Amanda Knox

I did not expect to fall in love with Tori Sake & Grill, but here we are. Nestled into an unassuming strip mall in Burien, this cozy and humble Japanese restaurant not only delivers exquisite sushi, udon, and other Japanese fare, but does so at a reasonable price and the host makes you feel like family.

While my toddler goes for the yakisoba, my husband and I get the omakase (chef’s choice sushi) every time. The sashimi is tender, mouth-watering, and gave me more than a few umami-inspired shudders. It’s also presented elegantly on cold ceramic stones. The hostess offered us some excellent sake pairings, and some novel Japanese beers, including a matcha IPA.

Tori Sake & Grill has now become our go-to restaurant in Burien for both a casual bite and a fancy night out. We’ve brought family and friends there. We’ve eaten them out of uni and tuna-belly. We’ve sampled the chicken karaage and specialty rolls. And each time, we remain warmed by the service, sated by the food, and surprised at how affordable it all is.
Tori Sake Grill is managed by Sujin. The staff includes Diego, Roger and Sujin (pictured) as well as David, Mariana, Berenice, Esteffani and Ivan.

TORI Sake & Grill is located at 202 SW 153rd in Burien. (206) 248-1383. They are online instagram @torisakeandgrill
Hours of operation are 11:30 a.m.- 9 p.m Monday thru Saturday and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays.