Maneki

Last updated
Maneki
Seattle - NP Hotel - Maneki 02.jpg
Maneki
Restaurant information
Established1904
Owner(s)Jean Nakayama, InterIm CDA
Previous owner(s)
  • Tokuji Sato
  • "Shi-chan" Virginia Ichikawa
  • Joe Ichikawa
  • Kozo Nakayama
Food type Japanese
Street address304 6th Ave S
City Seattle
County King County
State Washington State
Postal/ZIP Code98104
CountryUnited States
Coordinates 47°35′59.2″N122°19′34.4″W / 47.599778°N 122.326222°W / 47.599778; -122.326222
Website manekiseattle.com

Maneki is a Japanese restaurant in the Japantown area of the International District in Seattle, Washington that opened in 1904 as the first sushi bar in the city. [1] [2] Some claim it is the oldest Asian restaurant on the West Coast of the United States, and it is recognized as one of the oldest sushi restaurants in the United States. [3] [4]

Contents

History

The restaurant is named after the Maneki-neko. [5] When the restaurant first opened in 1904, it was shaped like a Japanese castle and employees wore kimono. [6] [5] The space could seat up to five hundred customers. [5] Tokuji Sato purchased the restaurant in 1923. [5] Among its early employees, future Japanese prime minister Takeo Miki worked there while supporting himself as a student. [7]

After the Attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which resulted in the internment of Japanese Americans. [5] Since each family was only allowed to take one suitcase of belongings, much of the restaurant was moved to storage during this time. [5] [6] [8] The original, castle-like building was looted and vandalized during the war. [5] After returning from the internment camps, the Sato family reopened the restaurant in its current location, which was the storage unit for the original restaurant during the war. [6] [5]

In the early 1960s, Sato handed ownership over to his daughter, "Shi-chan" Virginia Ichikawa, and her husband Joe. [5] In 1960, Fusae Yokohama began working at the restaurant as a bartender. Over the years, Yokohama became known as "Mom" by employees and regular customers. [5] In 1978, the Nakayama family purchased the restaurant. [9] In 1998, owner Kozo Nakayama died and left the restaurant to his wife, Jean Nakayama. [6] Jean Nakayama began eating at the restaurant with her family when she was eight years old. [6] Officially, the restaurant is now owned by InterIm CDA, an organization dedicated to the preservation of Seattle's International District. [5]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Maneki saw a 70 to 80 percent reduction in business and stopped serving raw fish. [10] [2] The restaurant relied primarily on takeout and started its first website. [3] [11] When the restaurant was struggling to stay open, patrons donated funds through a GoFundMe page to keep the restaurant open. [11] In 2021, the restaurant was chosen to receive a $45,000 make-over from Puget Sound Energy to improve the restaurant's energy efficiency. [3] [11] The restaurant also received a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. [6] [12]

Reception

Maneki was included in The Infatuation 's 2025 list of the 25 best restaurants in the Chinatown–International District. [13]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Tomky, Naomi (April 20, 2021). "These Century-Old Businesses Define Seattle's Japantown". Conde Nast Traveler. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Milne, Stefan (June 4, 2021). "Jean Nakayama Rolls with the Punches at Maneki". Seattle Met. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 Riddle, Eric (June 24, 2021). "Seattle's oldest Japanese restaurant prepares to welcome back diners after winning makeover contest". King 5. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  4. 1 2 Bleiberg, Larry (August 3, 2021). "These small historic restaurants serve the classics – and their communities". USA Today. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Imperial, Aileen (May 18, 2017). "The history and people behind Seattle's oldest sushi restaurant". Crosscut. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lee, Jennifer (May 25, 2021). "117-year-old restaurant Maneki serving Japanese comfort food through wars, economic crises and now COVID-19". Fox13. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  7. ↑ Paynter, Susan (September 28, 2004), "Even after 100 years, Maneki restaurant still feels like home", Seattle Post-Intelligencer
  8. ↑ Ho Chang, Sharon (August 19, 2021). "'HAI! JAPANTOWN 2021': HONORING THE PAST AND REVIVING THE PRESENT". South Seattle Emerald . Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  9. ↑ Anderson, Brett (October 13, 2020). "The News Cycle Is Crushing Seattle's Vibrant Restaurant Scene". New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  10. ↑ Guarente, Gabe (July 31, 2020). "Seattle's Oldest Sushi Restaurant Launches GoFundMe Campaign to Stay Afloat". Eater. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 Nesamani, Janice (July 1, 2021). "Resilient Seattle restaurants ready to serve again". Northwest Asian Weekly. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  12. ↑ Guarente, Gabe (May 20, 2021). "Legendary Japantown Restaurant Maneki Receives $40,000 Grant". Eater. Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  13. ↑ "The 25 Best Restaurants In Seattle's Chinatown-International District - Seattle". The Infatuation . 2022-01-21. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
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