Been here a handful of times and have not been pleased. The service is rude, the chefs are inappropriate and have a boy with a penis piss on the fire to put it out (this could and does make guests uncomfortable), the sushi is very slow to come out (when the sushi bar is even open at all), and the place is dirty. I went last night and I made a point to write a review and to never go back there again.
(1)
Lara B.
Came here on a Saturday with reservations and waited over an hour for the chef to come to our table. First they waited to fill the rest of our table, and then a chef wasn't available. The decor is outdated and the cocktail and wine menu is really limited. Basically the ambiance and service sucked, but the food was fresh and of good quality. I wouldn't recommend it unless there is literally no other hibachi option in the area.
(3)
Kaitlin D.
Amazingly delicious! Such a fun environment! Have the calamari and the chicken teriyaki!!!
(5)
Keith B.
3rd time here, the food is soooo good! Wish I could make myself save more for leftovers :/ Anyways, reservations insured a short wait, chef is intertwining as always, you could tell he sincerely enjoys his job and isn't just there for some showmanship but likes to enjoy his time with the guests. Gotta give this place 5 stars, will be back!
Good food, excellent service, ambient can do with more light but overall excellent experience
(5)
Jessica G.
Definitely not as tasty as Benihana (and other teppanyaki restaurants I've been to) but more intimate and much less expensive. Tried this place on a Tuesday night - DEAD INSIDE - and got seated with a drunk but friendly couple at a table. My friend and I went with spicy hibachi chicken ($16.95), which came with ginger miso salad, onion soup, shrimp appetizer, veggies, and fried rice. Also provided with two dipping sauces - lemon-naise and ginger. The chicken was dark meat (already a bit tougher) and was perhaps cooked a bit too long, because it was chewy. Shrimp was tasty. Veggies were good. The fried rice was okay. Definitely a good portion of food for the money, though. Benihana is at least double the price. Kinda sad environment (empty) with a lot of caked-on oil smells but decent food for the money.
(3)
Yung K.
Yeah I don't even know , I don't even want to rate this place walked in and waited 20 minutes in a dusty corner, kept sneezing cause of the dust , no one was helping , we finally see a lady that works there and she told us we gotta wait another 30 minutes , when I was WALKING towards the lady everyone was sitting down with there hands in there pockets and little kids were playing dodgeball in the corner , this place was crazy it was silent ! No chef or nothing I felt like I was selling newspaper to homeless and not getting anything back! There were no chefs! They didn't even greet us, negative 0 to these raccoons from the south end.
(1)
Paolo B.
Never been to a hibachi place until I came here. Had no idea the chefs put on a show. I enjoyed the entertainment no doubt. Food was pretty basic for what you pay for, it's still good though. For a place that didn't have that many customers try took forever to bring a chef in. Servers were nice also. Maybe I'd consider coming back.
(3)
Felix M.
Feel like eating Teppanyaki at food court, I rather spend $100 for eating some Japanese food or go somewhere for teppanyaki instead of eating terrible quality food. Anyway, is our bad experience, I will not suggest this restaurant to any of my friends due to the bad experience and way too oily food.
(1)
Adrienne H.
As others have mentioned this place hasn't been upgraded since the late 70's and smells like cooking oil but I personally think that's part of its charm. The people are nice and the food is delicious! We always order the half and half roll to start and have never been disappointed. The starter salad with ginger dressing is crave able as is their simple miso soup, and both come with every order! We've explored the menu here and have been here many times, we enjoy bringing friends for some entertainment! Don't forget to tip the chef!!!!
(4)
H K.
Four stars for the sushi bar. Some of the best in Seattle. My wife and I have been to probably over 100 in Seattle, and for reason we keep coming back here. It must be the food. Two stars for service. Sometimes it is really slow, and they can be rude. The bathrooms need a power spray and a major refresh. Spend some money already and clean the place!!! The dinner upstairs is just okay, not good and not bad. I don't recommend. Sit downstairs, enjoy the sushi bar, and avoid the bathrooms.
(4)
Brittany L.
The very first time I came to Susumu was for my 18th birthday dinner. The show was cool, but there was nothing that stood out about the dinner itself. 7 years later, I'd have to say the same. It's just like any hibachi dining experience, sitting around the cook top while the chef does the same tricks you see at any other hibachi place. If that's why you want to go, then by all means, go! In the end, the food was OK but some of my rice was a little uncooked. As much as I wanted it to, it didn't really wow me.
(3)
Jim J.
Where do I start the place is a joke came in and waited 20 mins to be seated then a lady finally came out and told us there's another waiting area and we had to wait another 30 mins there was no chefs at all everyone was sitting in the room staring at each other like somebody got killed 1 star to these toads for not having anything organized
(1)
Michelle L.
Monthly girls night out and so we decided on Susumu. the good: -food was delicious! I ordered the spicy chicken hibachi and it was perfectly flavored. The vegetables and fried rice that came with the meal were great as well -service was very friendly. Our chef made sure to check on us and was super fun with us while cooking. The bad: -the restaurant needs a little bit of upgrading...the interior just looks old and boring -ok so I know that teppanyaki restaurants are usually a little expensive...but why exactly are they? I can get a much bigger portion of the exact same food at a teriyaki restaurant for less than 10 bucks while my just ok portioned hibachi chicken here was almost 20 bucks. It does come with soup, salad, and shrimp appetizer, but does a small cup of soup and salad and 3 pieces of shrimp really make up for it?? Anyways, the food was good, but wasn't great enough to make me want to go back.
(3)
Erica Z.
I wish I could say I tried the food but we left before we were seated because: a) no one was there to seat us despite our reservation. We waited for 10 mins which lead us to the the following reasons we left.b) there was a smell of old oil and mildewed carpets. C) the paint was falling off the walls and there was black sticky stuff on EVERYTHING!! Sorry we didn't try but if their waiting area was that disgusting, what does their kitchen look like? We turned around and left. Plan b for dinner.
(1)
Jim M.
My second time there and I would absolutely consider going back , the food was great.
(4)
James A.
i have been going to this restaurant for long time,but every time i eat here i get sink, and two days a go i see rat in this restaurant, i will never go back here eat again.
(1)
Jamie N.
Went for a casual birthday dinner with grandma. Food was good, chef was funny and the kids were totally entertained. The restaurant isn't fancy but the food and fun was definitely worth 4 stars. The adults ordered the Hibachi New York steak, chicken and scallops and the kids had chicken yakisoba and steak/fried rice. Good stuff!
(4)
Kevin C.
Worst place hands down in any way! No words needed. It's a Japanese restaurant filled with Korean chief and waiters.
(1)
Evan R.
The food and presentation was good. That's where the positive experience ends. The bathroom is in gross condition, and when I informed them the soap dispensers were empty, they put a half full bottle of watered down hand soap in there. Classy. Also, incredibly drafty. If I'm going to pay $20 a plate minimum, before appetizers and tips, I deserve to feel like I'm eating somewhere nice.
(3)
Maryann P.
Customer service is amazing ! I was very impressed how friendly they all were ! I've live in the east coast -and been to a lot of tempenyaki places like this one - but this one beats them!! I am going to to definitely come back !!!
(5)
Aps S.
Unbelievably bad service. We sat down a family of four and after sitting the Chinese lady comes and tell us we have to move to corner chairs. We were already there and didn't want to change seats with two small kids. The service is Terrible and it looks like their dictators to their customers. I been there twice before and I'm never going back.
(1)
Elley N.
I love this place!!! I have only been here once for homecoming about 4 1/2 months ago and it was soooo much better than Benihana! Benihana is more upscale & has better decor - but I honestly liked the food better at Susumu's for a better price than Benihana (you also get bigger portions!) Our chef was so entertaining and genuine, and it was one of the best experiences I have had at a restaurant! We had a large group, and the whole restaurant was packed, but the wait was what was expected for how much business they had at the time! Everyone was loud, laughing, and having a good time - and given the event I was perfectly content with the volume. They also give you many sides prior to getting your entree to keep you satisfied! I have only been here once but I crave it all the time! It's pretty deceiving from what it looks like on the outside, but for the service & food I was very impressed!
(5)
Krissie O.
I planned my birthday dinner for here with 11 others. We made a reservation for 2 tables as I originally expected 15-20 to join in, and our tables were ready and waiting for us on a busy Saturday night. We ended up using only a little of the 2nd table so we let them know to go ahead and seat others at the rest of that table. I've been here once before and to other Japanese steakhouses in the past and this is one of the better ones (even moreso than Benihana!) The entertainment was nice, the food was excellent as was the service. Would definitely return.
(4)
Carlos P.
The food is very good here, however the wait time needs a bit work. We had a reservation at 7:30 and arrived about that time. The first problem is they have 2 waiting areas: one by the 2 front entrances, and a small area off of the sushi bar area where the maître'd checks you in. There is no one to greet you by the entrance and there is no place to sit and wait. Second problem is that they are or were understaffed when we went, so the maître'd had to pour water and get take out boxes for customers. Meanwhile there were only 1 or 2 waitresses taking all of the orders and getting drinks and stuff for everybody and one was definitely getting a workout.It was about 8:15 we finally got seated, and the cook started cooking close to 9. The use of oil on the grill made my coat smell like it even after we left. In the end it was a very good dinner (chicken and steak) if you can stand the wait. Of course this was on Valentine's Day and so it was extra busy. If we do decide to come back it won't be on a holiday and we will arrive earlier than the reservation time.
(3)
Aida M.
I love their food and the chefs are always amazing... That is the only reason why i always keep coming back here.. The only reason why I gave them 4 stars instead of 5 is the unfriendly customer service. They always seem moody.. If the customer service improved this place would be 100 times better.
(4)
Jes D.
The only thing I'm giving stars for is that the food was tasty. Really good. Other than that... Not super busy and we had the longest wait ever for the chef to come out. The wait staff seemed to be really off tonight too. We had to ask for refills on soda (that cost 2.50). REALLY small portions for paying 70$ for two plates. THIS will be the main reason we don't come back here. We've eaten at a lot of hibachi places across the country and this is one of the more expensive places and by far smallest portions. Hardly any rice! The chef made the rice and veggies first but by the time the meat was finished, everything else was cold. No good. Meh... This place has such potential. Really great food but damn, get the rest of if together!
(2)
Andrea K.
I have been here several times over the years and after reading some horrible reviews, I would like to set the record straight. Overall, the food is pretty good on the steakhouse side, the sushi is definitely below average. I get better sushi at sushiland. I have tried the sushi on several occasions and it has consistently sucked. Now, for the steakhouse portion... This place isn't cheap, and it's better if you go with a group. Generally, I go with just my husband and we have a great time. The chefs are always entertaining, and the service from the waitresses is acceptable. If I were at any other restaurant and I paid 100 for 2 people not including alcohol, I would be more upset about the airhead waitress, but since the focus of this place is the chefs cooking at your table, I let it go. One huge bummer about this place is that it really needs a good cleaning and the bathrooms should be gutted and redone with all the obvious mold. The building shows its age inside and out. So, if you haven't been here, go at least once. However, if you are reading this in 2013 or later, and they haven't done any work on the building, I would go somewhere else.
(3)
Lael T.
This was some really great food. As others have mentioned, the outside doesn't look like much, but the inside was clean and the service was good. The Filet Mignon, the Calamari Steak and the Shrimp were all outstanding. The chicken, fried rice and sushi were just what you'd expect. The people seated next to us had the steak tartar and they really liked it. It was crowded and a little noisy but we made reservations and were seated promptly. The Habachi chef was friendly, funny and accommodating to our special requests. Bottom line: It was not cheap to eat there but we felt that it was worth the money and we'll definitely be back.
(4)
Janice S.
Yum, this place was a surprise! I never knew this place existed and the exterior wasn't too welcoming. The interior was very nice though so for let the outside fool you. Part of this restaurant is for the teppan yaki where they cook your meal in front of you. The sushi bar area is to order sushi and other hot food. There are a few tables in the bar area to sit and also the sushi bar. The waitress was very sweet and patient with us since we were being so indecisive. She gave us a bunch of recommendations based on what we liked. We ended up ordering the Alaska roll, rainbow roll, playboy roll and tuna & salmon sashimi. The wait for the sushi in general took awhile to make, being that we were the only two there in the sushi bar. Luckily we were deep in conversation to realize the wait was long. We then realized that the sushi chef was taking his time to make the most beautifully decorated sushi boat. There was so much food, but we managed to eat everything! Everything was so good and I loved the fact that they did not drench the sushi with sauce. I can't wait to come back here for the delicious sushi!
(5)
Cristine N.
I love this place! It looks kind of sketchy from the outside. It is kind of hidden on the side of the Bank of America, but its worth it. When you go inside, it doesn't look as ritzy as the other Japanese Steakhouses you have probably been to. The food is amazing, and the chefs are entertaining. The reason I only give it 4 stars is because the service is slow and not that great. But it is cheap and good!
(4)
Molli M.
GET A COMBO! I always end up with AB. I get an "A" 6 piece California roll, 1 piece tuna, albacore, shrimp, egg, salmon (and one I can't remember)... the tuna is my favorite though. & a "B," which is typically my choice of Tempura. It comes with a dish of (ohmygoddelicioussaladdressing) salad and a small bowl of miso soup. All for about $17 if my memory serves me right. If anyone is in this area and asks for some good authentic Japanese, I send them here... or even if they just want some yakisoba... 'cause theirs is delish & full of vegetables and chicken. Yep, I'm a fan.
(4)
Kristine H.
The exterior of this restaurant doesn't indicate the level of tastiness inside. We've eaten at the sushi bar a couple of times but we come for the fun on the teppanyaki side! Our last visit was to celebrate a birthday and the place was packed. I suggest calling ahead on the weekends to ensure a table reservation. They were able to take us at the last minute. The eight year old birthday girl enjoyed the fun unfold tableside. And that's what makes this place fun - the Benihana-esque table show at the teppanyaki tables. I usually order filet mignon + scallops, the latter of which are always done to perfection. I wish I got more of them but I always wish that. The mixed vegetables and fried rice are also tasty, each meal on the grill side does. You also get a small bowl of miso and a side salad with the teppanyaki meals. The waitresses are competent without hovering and the chefs are funny and talented. Please remember to leave them a few dollars for their efforts when they are finished, eh? They provide you with dinner AND a bit of a show. Oh yeah, it's been my experience that the drinks are poured with a heavy hand here so take care when downing them. Parking is plentiful but if they have a full house, you might have to park toward the back nearer to the hotel. There are two entrances to the restaurant: one is up a short flight of stairs on the hotel side and the other one faces 196th. They used to do lunch but according to their website, they open at 5 p.m. now.
(4)
Missy U.
Wow. Waited 1.5 hours. Service was horrible. Waitress should get fired or get someone younger that is serious on serving. Ordered jasmine tea and got green tea. Then when informed her that she gave me the wrong tea, all she said was that they only have green tea. If she said that to begin with, I won't have ordered it. Now I have to pay for something I won't drink. Everyone got their salad an soup. 1.5 hours later, just the salad, no soup yet and the chef is already cooking our food. I'm looking at other tables and they have all what they need. That old waitress should get fired. Service should pick up and quit lagging.
(1)
Dave S.
I enjoyed the food, it was cooked perfectly. Scallops were excellent. Portions were big so bring your appetite. Needs a little updating ,carpet didnt smell fresh. Chef was funny and entertaining. I really enjoyed my visit
(5)
Jessikah T.
I'd give this less than a star if I could. I made reservations for valentines weekend and was not pleased at all. We arrived a little before our reserves time and sat to wait.., the wait area was filthy... Chairs with crumbs and hair on them... Food and debris all over the carpet.. And to top it off under the chairs my boyfriend pointed out dirty shot glasses from the bar. Next while we sat and waited, I saw 3-4 people walk by... Not one said "hello" or " we will be right with you"... The phone just rang and rang... After 15 min with nobody coming to us, I walked to the dining area and saw only 2 of the tables were actually being used... So they weren't THAT busy..,, we ended up leaving and eating else where... I doubt we will go back
(1)
Jim P.
I took my wife and daughter here for the first time. I thought they would enjoy the experience. There was no wait to be seated, and they sat us with 3 ladies on the other side of the grill. Later they sat a couple in between us. I guess the only draw back for me was there wasn't a whole lot of room between me and my neighbor making it a little awkward when we bumped into each other. The chef was good, with his bag of tricks and one-liners. It was fun for everyone. There was plenty of food but the drink service was slow because once the waitress sits you and brings your drinks she doesn't come around very often after that. The food was just average. My wife and daughter had the chicken yakisoba, and I had the beef and prawns. We also started with egg rolls (delicious) and the wings (for get about it, tasteless/no seasoning). I'd say the place was ok as far as the cleanliness factor but the bathrooms, doors, windows showed signs of inattentiveness and neglect. The main issue I had was the timing. The fried rice and stir fried veggies came to my plate well before my meat. I had practically ate everything all gone before I realized that I better save some for my entree. Lucky for me (being the dad) I was able to eat from the girls plate after I was done. We will probably come back to turn our friends and family onto the experience, and if you have a birthday they do a cool celebration gig. Bring lots of money, the three dinners came to 100.00 before tipping the chef and waitress.
(3)
Kyle B.
Amazing food... although little portions of the actual filet mignon or whatever u choose - just lots of filler. Chef is amazing... But the worst customer service I have ever had! She yelled at me after I hunted her down to ask for a cocktail and told me to wait til she wasnt busy - understandable.... But there was only 3 other ppl in the place! And she was taking to her friend on her cell. The young chick who finally made my drinks was awesome. Both her and the chef got great tips - the old lady got HD and bubble gum. All in all - great choice for a 1st date or special occasion or if ur girl caught u doing something u shouldn't have
(3)
Emmalee D.
Went here with 3 other friends to celebrate a joint birthday supper. If you are looking for quality attentive service, you won't find it here! I have worked in the service industry since I was 16 I get how this stuff works pretty well and I know how needy customers can be so I strive to always tip 20% and be an easy going person. This being said our server was awful! She took our drinks orders only at the beginning and didnt even offer or provide anyone a water. We placed an order a sushi boat for an appetizer at the very beginning with our 1 time only drink orderand it did not come until the very end of our dinner with no apologies or anything. I order steak medium & shrimp my steak was well but hey the chef was funny and engaging so we tipped him in his big plastic cup of money that was made so obvious, can you say tacky!?!?! Finally when our bill was brought without offering dessert or anything else to celebrate our birthdays our server was in a sweatshirt with keys in hand ready to walk out the door!? Who does this! I tried to talk with the manager about how unexceptable I felt our service was and his response was, "but was the food good?" Come on man. Then they over charged one of my friends and it took 20 minutes to rectify this issue. Never will I ever go back to such a terrible establishment.
(1)
Dennis M.
I absolutely love coming to this place. We have now eaten here several times. It makes for such a good time whether there is 2 of us or a big group. It is not very expensive. So if you are looking to impress on a 1st date this is the place. The sushi is also very good. We have enjoyed everything we have ever ordered. We usually get the hibachi beef or chicken. The deep fried soft shell crab is fantastic as well! Definitely do not underestimate the sushi here either. It is also fantastic. My only complaint is that on occasion I have not been able to get a mixed drink because the bartender went home early. 6:00 on a Wednesday and you need to have a bartender on duty.
(4)
Evan S.
Was a fan untill we found the dead RAT under our table.....if you go here check under your table.
(4)
Toni G.
The food was great! My friends and I ordered a variety of dishes from steak to sushi. Sushi was fresh and the steaks came out tender. Price was also appropriate for the dishes. The drawback is the customer service. This was our first time coming here and probably would be our last. We walked in to a completely empty restaurant. We loitered in the entrance way for about ten minutes before one of the chefs noticed us and prompted a server to seat us. Once we were seated, it took another another ten minutes for our server to take our drink order, then another fifteen for the waitress to come back and take our dinner choice. The chef did a good job with the hibachi grill. The show that came with the meal was pretty standard but he was interactive and practiced in his showmanship. The food was good but the service is definitely left wanting.
(2)
Eric P.
I love coming here, as there is usually no wait at all for a seat. Unlike many restaurants in the area, which have sometimes as much as an hour plus wait (Olive Garden and Red Lobster you know who you are), coming here is a dining pleasure. This time, I took the wife's family out, which inlcuded here two younger sisters, her sisters two young childeren, our two kids and the mother-in-law. All told nine in our group, we probably would still be waiting for the other places to open up. Not here, and in addition, with most Teppen Yaki places, the show is great for younger kids. The fire, the flying food, all makes for an interesting and great show. Not to mention, you can feed nine people with very different appetites and likes and dislikes very easily all in one place. I try to stop here every chance I get as I am a big fan of Asian cuisine in almost any form, and here you get a great meal, (healthy too as it's not all deep fried) and at a reasonable price.
(4)
Kim S.
Yummy! We really enjoy this restaurant. The service is good, food is great and the chefs are very nice and good. The ambiance could use some updating but we continue to go back for the food.
(4)
Lindsay P.
We've been to Susumu a few times now and our experience has been ok each time. Which is too bad since the food is actually really good. Our first visit here was shortly after I had turned 21, and Cam and I went for a nice dinner. This is the sort of place where they cook all the food in front of you and I happen to really enjoy a similar establishment in Everett, but this was closer. The waitress at this visit was visibly drunk and when I got my Mai Tai, it was ridiculously strong- almost undrinkable. Of course at the ripe old age of 21 I wasn't really certain how it was supposed to taste. I don't remember our food being particularly great or bad, so it must have been pretty standard. We did go back another time where we walked in and were completely ignored for over 10 minutes, so we left. This time, we still had to wait about 5 minutes before we were acknowledged, but we got our table and started looking at the menu. I ordered the hibachi beef, and Cam had the spicy chicken. The waitress this time (a different one) obviously did not want to be there, and was kind of rude. When we asked her questions, she didn't know the answers, and didn't want to bother finding out the answers. Also, if you're not particularly tolerant of other diners, this might not be the place for you. Since they cook the food in front of you, you usually have to share the table with a few other people. This time, unfortunately the people across the grill from us were incredibly annoying. However, that wasn't the restaurants fault. When the cook got down to business, he did a great job. He did the typical show-style cooking, with the whole flaming onion volcano and the clicking and clacking of his spatula and knife. The food was great. The one thing is next time I will pay extra for steak rather than just the hibachi beef because since it's lower quality, it had a lot of gristle. The cook removed the gristle from the steaks before cutting them. All in all, it's likely we'll be back here because it is far more convenient than the place we like in Everett. We just won't expect great service.
(3)
Betty V.
The teppanyaki is entertaining and tasty enough but the sushi there is pretty mediocre. We usually sit in the main dining area but last night we sat in the bar and ordered sushi. Not good... The fish was sinewy and frozen. The rice was a ball and not the right flavor. I will not be ordering sushi there again.
(3)
Keith G.
Every time I've come to Susumu I enjoy myself. The food is about average but they make it up to you with stiff but commendable cocktails. There lounging area is kind of out of sight from any employees, but taking the initiative to find service isn't difficult, so they can get your group seated faster. Each chef I've had always makes the experience even more enjoyable and their service is good. If you're in the area I recommend stopping by for a fun experience eating dinner
(3)
Safari G.
I would give negative 5 stars if that were an option. Just went here for dinner with my family who were visiting from out of town. Didn't stay long enough to eat because shortly after being seated we noticed a large dead rat lying right where our feet were under the table.
(1)
Christine V.
This is a pretty good place to go for hibachi. There are usually good crowds but no wait for a table. The soup that they serve is good - maybe some sort of onion noodle broth - though I would probably prefer miso. I have eaten the shrimp, vegetable and beef hibachi. I would not recommend the beef - it kind of had a steak umms sort of quality to it which was off-putting. (If you don't know what steak umms are it's a frozen meat product you use to make cheesesteaks in your home - good in its own right, but not for hibachi beef). I have been here several times but only tried the sushi tonight. I should have tried it before because it is was very good. The only problem is that there is so much hibachi food that it is difficult to find room for sushi (and I usually can always find room for sushi). I wouldn't give it five stars, but I definitely like this place and will continue to go.
(4)
Amanda G.
I moved here from vegas 3 years ago & this is the BEST sushi I have found since i've lived up here! The staff is very friendly & attentive. This has become our regular sushi spot!
(5)
Clark D.
Went with family over the Holidays - a perfect place to go with a group. We all ordered from the teppanyaki menu. Everyone was very happy with their food and prices were reasonable...definitely less than at Benihana. The only knock I have is their dipping sauces were too creamy, seemed bottled rather than house-made. Other than that, I thought it was very good. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Brad S.
I took my wife here for her birthday for sushi. I'm newly gluten free so we decided against doing hibachi. It's not blatantly obvious where the sushi bar is when you walk in, but just ask a waitress and they'll point you in the direction. We went at 7pm on a Thursday and the sushi bar was empty. We waited for about 10 minutes and were about to leave when the chef came in. We're glad we didn't leave. The chef was fantastic, friendly, and basically catered to us. The sushi was some of the best we've had. I only give them 4 stars because we were basically ignored for 10 mins. So they could do better on greeting guests but the sushi was great, as was the chef!
(4)
Deanna S.
We love this place! I have tried several other teppenyaki dishes and keep going back to the filet because it is so tender. I'm not sure what the salad dressing is made of, but it too is very tasty. It does look a bit sketchy from the outside but is fine inside. You may smell like sauteed butter when you leave, but what do you expect when they are cooking the meal right in front of you?! All of the chef's have been great and very entertaining. We have had some poor service from one of the waitresses who seemed like she was the daughter of the owner or something and acted like she really didn't want to be there. All in all, I would recommend Susumu!
(4)
Brianne G.
This restaurant has been fantastic on every visit! The food is great, and the staff is amazing! We drive 45 minutes each way just to eat there. We are what I like to call the "pain in the ass table" due to allergies (shellfish, onions, and tomatoes). The servers are so well trained, it doesn't even phase them when we bring up our allergies. The chefs at the hibachi table are very social and engaging, making the time fly by. The drinks (full bar?! Woo hoo!) are always delicious. The people that work here really make this place shine. The food is delicious, but I am always impressed at how well everyone works together. It's one of those restaurants that we leave with a smile on our face because everything was so pleasant, start to finish! Great job, guys!
(5)
Abby W.
I actually like this place! No frills, but the habachi grill is consistant and so is the service! My favs: - steamed white rice -Filet Mignon with scallops -Unfiltered Saki (YUM!) If you're in the mood for teppenaki, check this place out!
(4)
Rachel P.
I always thought the place looked a bit sketchy - trust me, I live in Lynnwood and always drive around the area. Though it's in the neighborhood some people might felt the same way I did, but once I got in, their teppanyaki was pretty descent! I LOVE teppanyaki and it's my all time favorite even though I smell like it for next few hours. It was probably very late weekday night and there were only 2 groups include mine. The chef's show was still awesome and food tasted great. Its atmosphere and food was even better than Benihana (lunch). I'm going to revisit them with my family soon. :]
(4)
Christine S.
Summed up in one word: meh. This place is alright, but nothing special. The service though is the reason the review is lower than a 3. The service was just not good. The waitress had us move several times because she didn't know where she wanted us to sit? I don't know it was weird. Anyways, the only reason I went here in the first place was because Kyotos wasn't an option. From now on I just won't cheat on Kyotos.
(2)
Ken S.
Don't let the location and the exterior fool you. This place has great food with a solid staff to back it up. The drink service can be a little slow, but the tableside chefs are friendly and helpful. If you like sushi you won't be disappointed either.
(4)
Chris S.
This place to me was mediocre and it seems the crummy reviews may be hurting them....we went on a weekend evening and literally there were only three other tables of people. By the time we left, we were the only customers. On a Friday night at 8?? Wow! Service was not terrible but it certainly wasn't anything great. The chef was funny. The food was ok, but nothing spectacular, especially for the price. Probably won't go out of my way to go back.
(2)
Peggy R.
We love this place! The food is amazing (LOVE the salad and soup), and the cooks are always entertaining. My mom and son had the shrimp, and I had chicken and shrimp. The shrimp was perfectly cooked (and who doesn't love the shrimp he cooks before the meal. I also absolutely adore their tempura - lite, fluffy, and never greasy. One of the good things about tepenyaki is that you don't have to wonder what goes on in the kitchen, because they cook the food right in front of you. Now, this isn't a cheap place to eat, but the food and the experience are a blast!
(5)
Michelle S.
So far.. okay. The waitress was a tad rude.. actually she was very rude to the birthday boy, but it's fine since I'm here with a good group of people. I take it that they're overwhelmed by the group of young civilians ha but the food is good, just be aware there's a $5 sharing fee! & if you get the waitress we have right now, be prepared to get presented w/ real 'tude!! I'll update this after I eat ;) UPDATE: So the food was delicious! Small portions b/c I split it w/ my boyfriend. We had the filet mignon & lobster tail. Our chef was funny & had one liners the whole night. We ended up tipping him but not the hostess/waitress lady. A must go of you don't wanna travel to Benihanas.
(4)
Andrew E.
Planning to go out on a date, or with a group of friends? ***THEN COME HERE. ITS LIKE BEING IN YOUR OWN JAPANESE TV SHOW. NONE OF IT MAKES ANY SENSE AND ITS HIGHLY ENTERTAINING*** And I dont say that because of the cook & the mini show he puts on. I say that because of the randomness that will ensue throughout your whole visit. The Japanese ladies are constantly running around singing and dancing. People from the bar are constantly singing and dancing. Musical instruments that are horribly played, are thrown into the mix. I dont know, for me, I find it hilarious (but I'm a random person myself). ***This place will SURPRISE YOU.*** The food here is EXCELLENT. The main drawing factor is the teppenyaki (cheaper than Benihanas and bigger portions as well). BUT, the sushi is a wonderful, wonderful, surprise. So much so (especially for the north-end), that several friends and I were visiting once a week over a 3 month time period just for that. Yes it looks very dingy from the outside, BUT DONT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. THIS PLACE IS AWESOME. It is a bit pricey, so depending on your wallet, this may or may not be a regular place for you. But what I can guarantee is good customer service, randomness, GREAT food, and a satisfied stomach. NOM NOM NOM.
(4)
Stephanie S.
There's a major split on my review for Susumu. I've been here several times and I will say, the food is AMAZING. HOWEVER. Every time I've been here, something has either been left off my order, food that I didn't order was brought to the table, and the attitudes from employees are not always positive. Attempted to get a table on Valentine's day, and after 45 minutes of waiting in the lobby, there was NO clear order of how people were being seated (reservation or not). They weren't taking names or creating a system of how to seat people. So gave up and went to Blue C sushi instead. The food is great, but the service is lacking.
(3)
Johnny F.
It doesn't look like much from the outside, especially since it's connected to Hotel International. The inside could use a remodel, but it's comfortable. I haven't had the hibachi in awhile because I've been addicted to the sushi! It's all because of "Randy," one of the best sushi chefs in Snohomish County! He takes his time and puts great effort into making a kick-butt sushi roll! His presentation is wonderful, and if you want to modify a any type of roll on the menu, he can make that happen...and then some. He's got some great ideas for rolls that are not on the menu. Yes, it may take some time to get your sushi order if it's busy, but it's sooooo worth it! And Randy makes sure that you know he appreciates your business by going above and beyond to make sure each customer is satisfied and left with a good impression of Susumu. If you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping by! On a side note, if Randy is not the sushi chef - don't order sushi...just saying.
(5)
Natasha S.
Have been a regular at Susumu for years now. A wee bit run down and in a shady looking area, not exactly an ideal location, but the food and service is totally worth overlooking this fact - especially when you compare the prices and service at similarly themed restaurants. I love the food here and just about always clean my plate. I have ordered Hibachi spicy chicken and shrimp many a time, SO delicious. Always fascinated by the chefs, who of course come out and make a show of cooking your food. Where do they learn how to do all that?! Was once celebrating with my family and our chef was immensely multi-talented... cooking, entertaining, AND doing stand-up. Oh man, I had tears in my eyes from laughing. Fond memories and good eating at Susumu, will continue to go there until I find out there's a brothel in the back and the place is shut down. (Because once you drive by the place, that's probably what you'll be thinking.) But like I said, bottom line: damn good food and entertainment.
(4)
Chris M.
How could anybody support this place? The worst service I could even imagine. The food was lackluster at best. And the overall atmosphere consist of dusty crocked lamps, bathrooms located down a nasty smelling hallway and just overall outdated. I would love to say something positive.. Ummm the soda tasted like soda when I was able to get 1 refill that I had to ask our 'chef' to get. 10 free meals will not get me back here.
(1)
Roxanne P.
Been here with friends for the first time! Love it! It's such a fun place to come! The food was so wonderful. I will definitely come back again!
(5)
Camille S.
This is the place my friends introduced me to sushi so it holds a special place in my heart despite the lackluster service, not counting the excellent sushi chef. Chances are if you are in the sushi bar and there are customers in the steak house, prepare to be ignored by the wait staff. It's not that they are rude, it's just that they are invisible. Don't expect drink refills, any food other than sushi to be ordered/received in a timely manner, or to get your bill paid quickly. The only thing you can count on is tasty sushi made by a very nice (and lonely) man. The Caliente roll is to die for.
(3)
A H.
May be good if you eat at the tempenyaki side but we went to the sushi bar and were totally ignored had to even get up to ask the sushi chef how to order and get drinks! We went in sat down and waited at least 10 minutes with out even being acknowledged by 4 different waitresses (we were never ackowledged even when we stood up and left) we didn't even get a" hey we'll be with you in a minute here's a menu'. Anyways we left, this is by far the worst customer service we have experienced at a restaurant and that's saying a lot if you include fast food into that, at least they acknowledge you and smile! I have no idea if the food is good or not but we didn't wait around to find out since they didn't seem to care if we were there.
(1)
Stephani B.
Used to be a great place to go. I actually would go for my birthday every year because it was fun ans the food is great. Over the past couple of years the service has become absolutely terrible. I keep going to give it another try but it seems that everytime I'm there I am treated like an inconvenience. This mostly applies to the women. I have literally has to walk back into the kitchen to get some service and I'm really not an impatient person. I've made the decision not to go there any longer and I wouldn't reccommend it to anybody anymore. They do however have wonderful food!
(2)
leslie c.
USED to be one of my favorites. Service is horrid and I will never return! If you only care about the food, this place is for you. I have found a replacement for my hibachi fix....Kyoto!
(2)
Anna S.
We come here quite a bit and every time I tell myself don't do it again. Well now, we will for sure NEVER do it again. There is a male sushi chef there who is amazing. If he was there all the time we would maybe come back. My fiance and I were there on Friday and decided we wanted some more so we came back on Saturday. After waiting at our table for 45 minutes, I walked to the sushi bar and handed in our order. We order 3 half and half rolls ( they are like california rolls with salman and tuna slices on top). The sushi chef lady left the bar for a good 25 minutes and came back to begin making our food (over an hour of being there, still no water or drinks). She brings us our food roughly 20 minutes after she began making it and says "I ran out of salmon so I put what I had in your rolls". I asked her why she didnt tell us because we would have ordered something else. She slams our food on the table and stares. The rolls were completly different then what we ordered (comes with immitation crab and avacado inside, and she put a tiny chunk of salmon). Without asking us for drinks or anything, she says anything else? I ask her for the soup and salad that comes with the meal, and she says "oh you want to order a salad and a soup". I said no, we wants the one that comes with the meal. She rolled her eyes and walked away. My fiance, his cousin and I all walked out. This was terrible. Upon walking out, there were 2 girls who were sitting next to us and they said they have beeb waiting to pay their bill for over an hour as well. THIS PLACE IS HORRIBLE! To make things worse, we saw the "bartender" taste someones drink that she made from the glass and serve it! THIS PLACE NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN FOR MORE THEN JUST HEALTH REASONS!
(1)
Tim B.
So this place is similar to the venerable Beni Hana's restaurants. This quaint restaurant is located at what appears to be hotel that has seen better days. Don't let that put you off too much however, the service and food were really quite good. The show that our chef put on was amusing, although I could have done without the strobelight which thankfully was brief. The food was cooked perfectly to our preferences, each table seats 8 guests. We had 6 in our party, and 2 strangers joined us - happily we were able to integrate them in the conversation easily- your mileage may vary of course, so if you want a more private setting, Susumu may not be the place for you. Lots of drink specials, and a healthy sushi menu round out the experience. My wife, who had previously claimed not to enjoy sushi, liked Susumu's efforts.
(4)
Ane P.
My bf and I came here on one of the snow days when we just couldn't bear to be burdened with making another dinner. Plus we wanted to test our tires out on the streets ;) Susumu had been recommended by a good friend, and to us it seemed to be located at such an odd place. Out in the middle of Lynnwood under a hotel? Oh well. We tried it and were very happy we did so. Much like the overrated Benihana, chefs will come and prepare your food tableside. However, we found that the portions were much larger and were flavored better as well. All at a fraction of the price and a more laid-back environment. We will definitely be coming here again!
(4)
Christine S.
My daugher and I love teppan yaki, so we thought we would try this place! It was okay but it wasn't memorable enough that I want to return. I think most of the people who work here are Korean. I had the scallops which were delicious and the shrimp was awesome! However, my daughter had chicken yakisoba and the chicken was not that great. The tempura ice cream for dessert was a little stale--it was definitely not fresh. The flaming volcano onion was on the short side. You get the picture...okay but not great.
(3)
Isha Z.
I had a lot of fun at this place! The outside and inside of it look both tacky and dirty unfortunately...also, the bathroom is a little on the scary side. Once you actually manage to get a seat (despite the fact that you made a reservation, the really busy lady on the phone doesn't care), it's actually not a bad experience. I thought the food was pretty good. It's not magnificent, but good. The shrimp was really hit and miss. The cook made the first batch super good and the second batch was...eh. What you are paying for here, is the show. The cook makes the food in front of you, does lots of fun tricks with fire and blacklight and craziness, and jokes with you. Even though the food didn't always match up with the cost, I felt like I was so entertained that I just didn't care. I don't suggest going here often, but if you know someone who might have fun at a place like this, I highly suggest going as a birthday or special occasion treat.
(3)
Cascade C.
Susumu was certainly a study in contrasts. On the one hand, women wearing kimonos, theatrical teppan-style presentation, and slightly higher-than-expected pricing for the dishes offered. On the other hand, faux rice-paper lantern lighting (some of it askew) and out-of-place, tacky signs for cheap American beers adorning the walls. I can easily credit the chefs with a very entertaining performance: tossing the spinning egg prior to cracking it for the fried rice was something I hadn't seen elsewhere, and of course the onion-volcano is always fun. However, the bottom line for me is that the food was very nice but not spectacular, and thus didn't warrant the dinner prices they charge, especially considering the slightly shabby ambiance. This isn't to say that I won't return. However, if I do go back, it will be explicitly for the show, and because I'd sooner give my business to a local business than a huge chain like Benihana.
(2)
Garrett H.
After getting over the trauma of leaving the city to experience the greater (not greater) Seattle area, my boyfriend took me to one of his favorite spots. The area... sketch to the max, we witnessed public fellatio in the park on the walk to the restaurant. After arriving all of the pains of being in Lynnwood were silenced by crazy fresh sushi and strong drinks. The service was wonderful, even though I had to wait a minute to get my cosmo re-filled. The rolls were on par for a dynamite fish experience, both well made and tasty. Susumu was a great place to end the day, even though walking back through the park we saw a serial killer for sure, and if I have to get more northern exposure I will dine there.
(4)
Charles D.
This is a good sushi place. I've eaten at better places - but this is pretty good. The fish is fresh and they have a good variety of sushi. In my opinion it has declined a little since Susumu (the original owner) left. It still is pretty good and modestly priced (so far as sushi places go). I liked the Tomato, Caterpiller, spicy Tuna, spider maki and Uni (sea urchin eggs). I've had the oyster shooter - which I liked but it wasn't my favorite. The restaurant is divided int a steak house and a sushi area. I've tried the steak house section and it was alot of fun - very much like Benihanas. I am updating this review. I went to Susumu's this past week (twice) and the sushi has improved. I had an Uni shooter - which was great. The spicey scallops were wonderful. Spider Maki and the stuffed Tomato (okay so it is Tomato - it's fresh tuna) were also excellent. Staff was great. Another update (3/2/10). We know the steakhouse part is great and the sushi is great. What about the sashimi ? I went for sashimi. The chef, Suki, produced another great meal. I had himachi, tuna, albacore, white tuna, scallops and a tobiko creation. It was the best sashimi I've had. Fresh and very tasty.
(5)
Kimberly H.
I've drove past this restaurant many, many times before, but never thought to try it because from the outside it looks very run down. This weekend we decided to give it a try and to my surprise, this restaurant is great! Their food was delicious and the chef was very funny and quite entertaining. I had the filet and shrimp which I thought was very delicious and my boyfriend had the scallops which he said was cooked perfect. I would definitely go back to this restaurant now that I know there is a good japanese steakhouse so close to home!
(5)
enkh b.
Whoo man!! This place got all in one place at your convenience. I ordered beer, California roll while we sat back and entertained by the Hibachi chef who was articulate on entertaining us. Overall experience was great specially with my buddies here. One of my buddy Greg had his birthday and he earned the half Japanese Happy Birthday song. Hilarious! They deserve the five star.
(5)
Tyler E.
I am a big fan of Susumu. You do need to look past the sub-par location off of 196th and next to Hotel International...I do not want to know what goes on at that place. Even though the portions seem to be getting a bit smaller over the years, it is still really good food and a fun night out especially when you compare it to other Lynnwood restaurants. I also enjoy the sushi bar. Very good sushi which we often get to go and take home. Overall it is a bit spendy, but it is a Benihana type place where all your food is made table side and the chefs and wait staff are generally very good and again, the food is very tasty. 3.5+ stars
(3)
Alice H.
If you are a fan of Japansese Staekhouse's this is amazing! It's afordable, and nothing but entertainment! It's like Lynnwood's Version of Benihana. Great Sushi, and a perfect place to take a large group to have a great night of fun!
(5)
Jacob K.
Oh my lord, this place may have the best food in the greater Seattle area. I don't get to come here often but when I do, I am happy for the next week. The food here is amazing but the best part, is they cook it right in front of you, and the cooks really put on a show. Onion volcano's, salt and pepper snowstorms (with strobe lights), Spinning the eggs and then cutting them, juggling their utensils, throwing shrimp tails into their hats, and stuff like that. You get the picture. Then after all that you get your food, which is cooked to perfection right in front of your eyes. The staff here are very nice and usually you can get a table without too much of a wait.
(5)
michael b.
so stupid restaurant. Boss woman so mad for waitress ! food is also bad!!!! never come back
(1)
Michael P.
I guess, i might have gone on a off night. We were promptly seated at a table. Drinks, salad and soup were provided. But we had to wait over 45 minutes for the service to continue. I really do not blame the chef's, but i would assume that they would have more then 2 on a regular night. the reason why i did not lower my score is that they made an effort to get the service out quickly, I was a little disgruntled and very hungry. Please note that the average teppenyaki platter is around 30 bucks per person... This place though is good for the show, but the quality of the food needs some extra spices. The steak was cooked fine, unfortunately the other items need quite a bit of seasoning. I may comeback one day. But i will wait a year before that to see other review their services over the year to come.
(3)
Mike L.
If you're a fan of Japanese steakhouses you gotta try this place. Very similar to Benihana but at a fraction of the price. The atmosphere is almost identical to what you would receive at any other restaurant of its kind. The chefs are entertaining and know how to cook. The Hibachi Beef is always a favorite. Only downside is their Sushi. Not executed well and flavors never blew me away. If a roll falls apart before even touching it, then you kind of already know what to expect haha. I would say 4.5 out of 5 stars.
(4)
mamalicous M.
I LOOOVE dinner and a show. The outside of the building looks a little run-down but the food and entertainment is wonderful. You have to disregard the decor as it could use some improvement -picture chop shop nail salons with their tacky plastic plants and cheap artwork from the Miami vice era. It is a Japanese steakhouse that serves sushi. The chefs yield their knives with ninja-like speed and precision . They work the crowd pretty good. I oohed and aaahed over the smoking volcano consisting of raw onions stacked one on top of another (yes I am a cheap date that is easily entertained, what can I say). The sushi was tasty and fresh. The prices are reasonable. I would go back again but only on dates, not with the wee ones as I would have to always be on guard since they would most likely try to saute a hand or digit.
(3)
TravelBug L.
We visited Susumu for the first time because they started participating in the restaurant.com promotion where you buy $25 certificate for $10. The sushi was good. But the disappointing part was the sushi chef, who was also our server, got very rude and gave us so much attitude when we presented the coupon. She also got our bill wrong and put an item on there that we didn't order. I would go to a different place for sushi next time without such a bad service. The promotion was the main reason i came here and I really don't want to be subjected to an attitude when i go out. If the servers can't be respectful about accepting these certificates, they shouldn't be working there as it is the restaurant's choice to participate in these promotions. We did tip 18% on the full bill.
(1)
Robert Z.
Great food. Good value. Great time and atmosphere. I would reccomend this place to any of my friends, Arnold is a great guy, showman, and chef.
(4)
Steve L.
Foods good! The Chef was entertaining. Quantity was sufficient. I think that we would go back. The restaurant is clean and the grills are very well kept up. I had a coupon for $25 which helped in the bill. We have to try the sushi bar next. Great entertainment for the buck.
(4)
Jennifer L.
I really enjoyed this experience wtih my husband. It's a little on the pricey side, but the chef was amazing and the food was outstanding. I am not really a fan of sitting with other people, so I wouldn't consider it a date night restaraunt, but it's so fun! At least the people we were sitting with were nice. :-)
(4)
k k.
i had high hopes for this place but was let down. the service was not good whatsoever...."shoo-ed" and told to just wait when we walked in (no other guests waiting, restaurant not busy), no water served until the very end of the meal after we asked, hair in the water cup when we finally got the water, no service at all when the teppanyaki chef was cooking. on the flip side, the chef was very entertaining and kept us engaged. he had good jokes and made it fun...this was the best part of the dining experience. the food was good, a little salty but good. overall, the restaurant would be better if the service was improved. working in the industry myself, ihave tolerance for various service levels but this was much below the standard expectation...almost disappointing. i'd go back if the service improved.
(2)
Megan V.
This place is dirty and needs to be renovated
(2)
sara o.
reservations do not matter on holidays. go somewhere else
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Alex S.
Been here a handful of times and have not been pleased. The service is rude, the chefs are inappropriate and have a boy with a penis piss on the fire to put it out (this could and does make guests uncomfortable), the sushi is very slow to come out (when the sushi bar is even open at all), and the place is dirty. I went last night and I made a point to write a review and to never go back there again.
(1)Lara B.
Came here on a Saturday with reservations and waited over an hour for the chef to come to our table. First they waited to fill the rest of our table, and then a chef wasn't available. The decor is outdated and the cocktail and wine menu is really limited. Basically the ambiance and service sucked, but the food was fresh and of good quality. I wouldn't recommend it unless there is literally no other hibachi option in the area.
(3)Kaitlin D.
Amazingly delicious! Such a fun environment! Have the calamari and the chicken teriyaki!!!
(5)Keith B.
3rd time here, the food is soooo good! Wish I could make myself save more for leftovers :/ Anyways, reservations insured a short wait, chef is intertwining as always, you could tell he sincerely enjoys his job and isn't just there for some showmanship but likes to enjoy his time with the guests. Gotta give this place 5 stars, will be back!
(5)Sabrina S.
With out of town family visiting, and a busy day in Seattle, we knew we wanted to eat out for dinner last Friday (July 3). My husband had never tried teppanyaki before, and knowing it's a filling and entertaining evening, we decided on coming to Susumu. There is a teppan restaurant closer to our home in Everett, but Susumu had better reviews. On the inside, Susumu looks like an outdated restaurant that could use some tending to but the tables/grills themselves were perfectly clean and maintained. Ultimately, that's more important to me than pretty décor. We called ahead to make a reservation, being that it was a Friday night and we were a group of 6. We had no problem getting a table, and when we arrived there were a few other tables already in the process of their meal. We were seated at an empty teppan table. Shortly after being seated, another table nearby had 5 diners seated. The hostess then had us move over to join their table and they squeezed in us 6. It was a little bit tight but fortunately we had 2 kids so it worked out. It was a bit awkward to be shuffled around but we know they want to cook for a full table and not two partially seated tables. Teppanyaki, in my experience, is always a bit on the pricey side and Susumu is no different. With that said, teppanyaki is as much about the food as it is the entertainment so I think that is where the higher price is partially justified. I can say without hesitation that this was by far the most entertaining teppanyaki I've ever had (and I've had quite a few teppan meals from different restaurants). Pondering the menu, it was somewhat difficult to decide on what to have but ultimately I tried a little bit of two different things - I had the chicken & shrimp combination. The meal starts off with salad and soup, and then the teppanyaki chef comes out with his cart abounding with meat, chicken, seafood and one heck of a mountain of butter. My only complaint is that these use chicken thigh meat and in all other teppan meals I've had, it has always been chicken breast. While the thigh was definitely juicy and flavorful, it's definitely a personal preference that chicken breast is used or at the very least offered. I can't remember our teppan chef's name, but he was absolutely hilarious and put on a great show. My favorite part of the teppan meal was the onion volcano - but the funniest part was him scrambling the eggs (for the fried rice) and trying to flip some scrambled eggs into the mouths of different diners at the table. The diners weren't very successful in catching it (except my dad, and at that point the table erupted in cheers). The teppan veggies (onion, cabbage, carrot) were delicious and buttery. The fried rice, though not as "fried" as traditional fried rice, was good too - flecked with veggies (frozen blend of peas, corn & carrots) and egg, seasoned with pepper and soy sauce. The rest of the meal - meat, chicken & fish - were cooked at different times, with the shrimp being done first. Two dipping sauces were available for the meat or shrimp - one, a creamy lemon sauce (amazing, especially when mixed in with the fried rice) and the other a tangy ginger dipping sauce. My favorite was the ginger dipping sauce because it was lighter, but both were great - and they were happy to refill your dips when needed. All in all, it was a really fantastic night and we will definitely be back. But, I probably won't have the chicken since I'm not into thigh meat.
(4)Friend F.
Good food, excellent service, ambient can do with more light but overall excellent experience
(5)Jessica G.
Definitely not as tasty as Benihana (and other teppanyaki restaurants I've been to) but more intimate and much less expensive. Tried this place on a Tuesday night - DEAD INSIDE - and got seated with a drunk but friendly couple at a table. My friend and I went with spicy hibachi chicken ($16.95), which came with ginger miso salad, onion soup, shrimp appetizer, veggies, and fried rice. Also provided with two dipping sauces - lemon-naise and ginger. The chicken was dark meat (already a bit tougher) and was perhaps cooked a bit too long, because it was chewy. Shrimp was tasty. Veggies were good. The fried rice was okay. Definitely a good portion of food for the money, though. Benihana is at least double the price. Kinda sad environment (empty) with a lot of caked-on oil smells but decent food for the money.
(3)Yung K.
Yeah I don't even know , I don't even want to rate this place walked in and waited 20 minutes in a dusty corner, kept sneezing cause of the dust , no one was helping , we finally see a lady that works there and she told us we gotta wait another 30 minutes , when I was WALKING towards the lady everyone was sitting down with there hands in there pockets and little kids were playing dodgeball in the corner , this place was crazy it was silent ! No chef or nothing I felt like I was selling newspaper to homeless and not getting anything back! There were no chefs! They didn't even greet us, negative 0 to these raccoons from the south end.
(1)Paolo B.
Never been to a hibachi place until I came here. Had no idea the chefs put on a show. I enjoyed the entertainment no doubt. Food was pretty basic for what you pay for, it's still good though. For a place that didn't have that many customers try took forever to bring a chef in. Servers were nice also. Maybe I'd consider coming back.
(3)Felix M.
Feel like eating Teppanyaki at food court, I rather spend $100 for eating some Japanese food or go somewhere for teppanyaki instead of eating terrible quality food. Anyway, is our bad experience, I will not suggest this restaurant to any of my friends due to the bad experience and way too oily food.
(1)Adrienne H.
As others have mentioned this place hasn't been upgraded since the late 70's and smells like cooking oil but I personally think that's part of its charm. The people are nice and the food is delicious! We always order the half and half roll to start and have never been disappointed. The starter salad with ginger dressing is crave able as is their simple miso soup, and both come with every order! We've explored the menu here and have been here many times, we enjoy bringing friends for some entertainment! Don't forget to tip the chef!!!!
(4)H K.
Four stars for the sushi bar. Some of the best in Seattle. My wife and I have been to probably over 100 in Seattle, and for reason we keep coming back here. It must be the food. Two stars for service. Sometimes it is really slow, and they can be rude. The bathrooms need a power spray and a major refresh. Spend some money already and clean the place!!! The dinner upstairs is just okay, not good and not bad. I don't recommend. Sit downstairs, enjoy the sushi bar, and avoid the bathrooms.
(4)Brittany L.
The very first time I came to Susumu was for my 18th birthday dinner. The show was cool, but there was nothing that stood out about the dinner itself. 7 years later, I'd have to say the same. It's just like any hibachi dining experience, sitting around the cook top while the chef does the same tricks you see at any other hibachi place. If that's why you want to go, then by all means, go! In the end, the food was OK but some of my rice was a little uncooked. As much as I wanted it to, it didn't really wow me.
(3)Jim J.
Where do I start the place is a joke came in and waited 20 mins to be seated then a lady finally came out and told us there's another waiting area and we had to wait another 30 mins there was no chefs at all everyone was sitting in the room staring at each other like somebody got killed 1 star to these toads for not having anything organized
(1)Michelle L.
Monthly girls night out and so we decided on Susumu. the good: -food was delicious! I ordered the spicy chicken hibachi and it was perfectly flavored. The vegetables and fried rice that came with the meal were great as well -service was very friendly. Our chef made sure to check on us and was super fun with us while cooking. The bad: -the restaurant needs a little bit of upgrading...the interior just looks old and boring -ok so I know that teppanyaki restaurants are usually a little expensive...but why exactly are they? I can get a much bigger portion of the exact same food at a teriyaki restaurant for less than 10 bucks while my just ok portioned hibachi chicken here was almost 20 bucks. It does come with soup, salad, and shrimp appetizer, but does a small cup of soup and salad and 3 pieces of shrimp really make up for it?? Anyways, the food was good, but wasn't great enough to make me want to go back.
(3)Erica Z.
I wish I could say I tried the food but we left before we were seated because: a) no one was there to seat us despite our reservation. We waited for 10 mins which lead us to the the following reasons we left.b) there was a smell of old oil and mildewed carpets. C) the paint was falling off the walls and there was black sticky stuff on EVERYTHING!! Sorry we didn't try but if their waiting area was that disgusting, what does their kitchen look like? We turned around and left. Plan b for dinner.
(1)Jim M.
My second time there and I would absolutely consider going back , the food was great.
(4)James A.
i have been going to this restaurant for long time,but every time i eat here i get sink, and two days a go i see rat in this restaurant, i will never go back here eat again.
(1)Jamie N.
Went for a casual birthday dinner with grandma. Food was good, chef was funny and the kids were totally entertained. The restaurant isn't fancy but the food and fun was definitely worth 4 stars. The adults ordered the Hibachi New York steak, chicken and scallops and the kids had chicken yakisoba and steak/fried rice. Good stuff!
(4)Kevin C.
Worst place hands down in any way! No words needed. It's a Japanese restaurant filled with Korean chief and waiters.
(1)Evan R.
The food and presentation was good. That's where the positive experience ends. The bathroom is in gross condition, and when I informed them the soap dispensers were empty, they put a half full bottle of watered down hand soap in there. Classy. Also, incredibly drafty. If I'm going to pay $20 a plate minimum, before appetizers and tips, I deserve to feel like I'm eating somewhere nice.
(3)Maryann P.
Customer service is amazing ! I was very impressed how friendly they all were ! I've live in the east coast -and been to a lot of tempenyaki places like this one - but this one beats them!! I am going to to definitely come back !!!
(5)Aps S.
Unbelievably bad service. We sat down a family of four and after sitting the Chinese lady comes and tell us we have to move to corner chairs. We were already there and didn't want to change seats with two small kids. The service is Terrible and it looks like their dictators to their customers. I been there twice before and I'm never going back.
(1)Elley N.
I love this place!!! I have only been here once for homecoming about 4 1/2 months ago and it was soooo much better than Benihana! Benihana is more upscale & has better decor - but I honestly liked the food better at Susumu's for a better price than Benihana (you also get bigger portions!) Our chef was so entertaining and genuine, and it was one of the best experiences I have had at a restaurant! We had a large group, and the whole restaurant was packed, but the wait was what was expected for how much business they had at the time! Everyone was loud, laughing, and having a good time - and given the event I was perfectly content with the volume. They also give you many sides prior to getting your entree to keep you satisfied! I have only been here once but I crave it all the time! It's pretty deceiving from what it looks like on the outside, but for the service & food I was very impressed!
(5)Krissie O.
I planned my birthday dinner for here with 11 others. We made a reservation for 2 tables as I originally expected 15-20 to join in, and our tables were ready and waiting for us on a busy Saturday night. We ended up using only a little of the 2nd table so we let them know to go ahead and seat others at the rest of that table. I've been here once before and to other Japanese steakhouses in the past and this is one of the better ones (even moreso than Benihana!) The entertainment was nice, the food was excellent as was the service. Would definitely return.
(4)Carlos P.
The food is very good here, however the wait time needs a bit work. We had a reservation at 7:30 and arrived about that time. The first problem is they have 2 waiting areas: one by the 2 front entrances, and a small area off of the sushi bar area where the maître'd checks you in. There is no one to greet you by the entrance and there is no place to sit and wait. Second problem is that they are or were understaffed when we went, so the maître'd had to pour water and get take out boxes for customers. Meanwhile there were only 1 or 2 waitresses taking all of the orders and getting drinks and stuff for everybody and one was definitely getting a workout.It was about 8:15 we finally got seated, and the cook started cooking close to 9. The use of oil on the grill made my coat smell like it even after we left. In the end it was a very good dinner (chicken and steak) if you can stand the wait. Of course this was on Valentine's Day and so it was extra busy. If we do decide to come back it won't be on a holiday and we will arrive earlier than the reservation time.
(3)Aida M.
I love their food and the chefs are always amazing... That is the only reason why i always keep coming back here.. The only reason why I gave them 4 stars instead of 5 is the unfriendly customer service. They always seem moody.. If the customer service improved this place would be 100 times better.
(4)Jes D.
The only thing I'm giving stars for is that the food was tasty. Really good. Other than that... Not super busy and we had the longest wait ever for the chef to come out. The wait staff seemed to be really off tonight too. We had to ask for refills on soda (that cost 2.50). REALLY small portions for paying 70$ for two plates. THIS will be the main reason we don't come back here. We've eaten at a lot of hibachi places across the country and this is one of the more expensive places and by far smallest portions. Hardly any rice! The chef made the rice and veggies first but by the time the meat was finished, everything else was cold. No good. Meh... This place has such potential. Really great food but damn, get the rest of if together!
(2)Andrea K.
I have been here several times over the years and after reading some horrible reviews, I would like to set the record straight. Overall, the food is pretty good on the steakhouse side, the sushi is definitely below average. I get better sushi at sushiland. I have tried the sushi on several occasions and it has consistently sucked. Now, for the steakhouse portion... This place isn't cheap, and it's better if you go with a group. Generally, I go with just my husband and we have a great time. The chefs are always entertaining, and the service from the waitresses is acceptable. If I were at any other restaurant and I paid 100 for 2 people not including alcohol, I would be more upset about the airhead waitress, but since the focus of this place is the chefs cooking at your table, I let it go. One huge bummer about this place is that it really needs a good cleaning and the bathrooms should be gutted and redone with all the obvious mold. The building shows its age inside and out. So, if you haven't been here, go at least once. However, if you are reading this in 2013 or later, and they haven't done any work on the building, I would go somewhere else.
(3)Lael T.
This was some really great food. As others have mentioned, the outside doesn't look like much, but the inside was clean and the service was good. The Filet Mignon, the Calamari Steak and the Shrimp were all outstanding. The chicken, fried rice and sushi were just what you'd expect. The people seated next to us had the steak tartar and they really liked it. It was crowded and a little noisy but we made reservations and were seated promptly. The Habachi chef was friendly, funny and accommodating to our special requests. Bottom line: It was not cheap to eat there but we felt that it was worth the money and we'll definitely be back.
(4)Janice S.
Yum, this place was a surprise! I never knew this place existed and the exterior wasn't too welcoming. The interior was very nice though so for let the outside fool you. Part of this restaurant is for the teppan yaki where they cook your meal in front of you. The sushi bar area is to order sushi and other hot food. There are a few tables in the bar area to sit and also the sushi bar. The waitress was very sweet and patient with us since we were being so indecisive. She gave us a bunch of recommendations based on what we liked. We ended up ordering the Alaska roll, rainbow roll, playboy roll and tuna & salmon sashimi. The wait for the sushi in general took awhile to make, being that we were the only two there in the sushi bar. Luckily we were deep in conversation to realize the wait was long. We then realized that the sushi chef was taking his time to make the most beautifully decorated sushi boat. There was so much food, but we managed to eat everything! Everything was so good and I loved the fact that they did not drench the sushi with sauce. I can't wait to come back here for the delicious sushi!
(5)Cristine N.
I love this place! It looks kind of sketchy from the outside. It is kind of hidden on the side of the Bank of America, but its worth it. When you go inside, it doesn't look as ritzy as the other Japanese Steakhouses you have probably been to. The food is amazing, and the chefs are entertaining. The reason I only give it 4 stars is because the service is slow and not that great. But it is cheap and good!
(4)Molli M.
GET A COMBO! I always end up with AB. I get an "A" 6 piece California roll, 1 piece tuna, albacore, shrimp, egg, salmon (and one I can't remember)... the tuna is my favorite though. & a "B," which is typically my choice of Tempura. It comes with a dish of (ohmygoddelicioussaladdressing) salad and a small bowl of miso soup. All for about $17 if my memory serves me right. If anyone is in this area and asks for some good authentic Japanese, I send them here... or even if they just want some yakisoba... 'cause theirs is delish & full of vegetables and chicken. Yep, I'm a fan.
(4)Kristine H.
The exterior of this restaurant doesn't indicate the level of tastiness inside. We've eaten at the sushi bar a couple of times but we come for the fun on the teppanyaki side! Our last visit was to celebrate a birthday and the place was packed. I suggest calling ahead on the weekends to ensure a table reservation. They were able to take us at the last minute. The eight year old birthday girl enjoyed the fun unfold tableside. And that's what makes this place fun - the Benihana-esque table show at the teppanyaki tables. I usually order filet mignon + scallops, the latter of which are always done to perfection. I wish I got more of them but I always wish that. The mixed vegetables and fried rice are also tasty, each meal on the grill side does. You also get a small bowl of miso and a side salad with the teppanyaki meals. The waitresses are competent without hovering and the chefs are funny and talented. Please remember to leave them a few dollars for their efforts when they are finished, eh? They provide you with dinner AND a bit of a show. Oh yeah, it's been my experience that the drinks are poured with a heavy hand here so take care when downing them. Parking is plentiful but if they have a full house, you might have to park toward the back nearer to the hotel. There are two entrances to the restaurant: one is up a short flight of stairs on the hotel side and the other one faces 196th. They used to do lunch but according to their website, they open at 5 p.m. now.
(4)Missy U.
Wow. Waited 1.5 hours. Service was horrible. Waitress should get fired or get someone younger that is serious on serving. Ordered jasmine tea and got green tea. Then when informed her that she gave me the wrong tea, all she said was that they only have green tea. If she said that to begin with, I won't have ordered it. Now I have to pay for something I won't drink. Everyone got their salad an soup. 1.5 hours later, just the salad, no soup yet and the chef is already cooking our food. I'm looking at other tables and they have all what they need. That old waitress should get fired. Service should pick up and quit lagging.
(1)Dave S.
I enjoyed the food, it was cooked perfectly. Scallops were excellent. Portions were big so bring your appetite. Needs a little updating ,carpet didnt smell fresh. Chef was funny and entertaining. I really enjoyed my visit
(5)Jessikah T.
I'd give this less than a star if I could. I made reservations for valentines weekend and was not pleased at all. We arrived a little before our reserves time and sat to wait.., the wait area was filthy... Chairs with crumbs and hair on them... Food and debris all over the carpet.. And to top it off under the chairs my boyfriend pointed out dirty shot glasses from the bar. Next while we sat and waited, I saw 3-4 people walk by... Not one said "hello" or " we will be right with you"... The phone just rang and rang... After 15 min with nobody coming to us, I walked to the dining area and saw only 2 of the tables were actually being used... So they weren't THAT busy..,, we ended up leaving and eating else where... I doubt we will go back
(1)Jim P.
I took my wife and daughter here for the first time. I thought they would enjoy the experience. There was no wait to be seated, and they sat us with 3 ladies on the other side of the grill. Later they sat a couple in between us. I guess the only draw back for me was there wasn't a whole lot of room between me and my neighbor making it a little awkward when we bumped into each other. The chef was good, with his bag of tricks and one-liners. It was fun for everyone. There was plenty of food but the drink service was slow because once the waitress sits you and brings your drinks she doesn't come around very often after that. The food was just average. My wife and daughter had the chicken yakisoba, and I had the beef and prawns. We also started with egg rolls (delicious) and the wings (for get about it, tasteless/no seasoning). I'd say the place was ok as far as the cleanliness factor but the bathrooms, doors, windows showed signs of inattentiveness and neglect. The main issue I had was the timing. The fried rice and stir fried veggies came to my plate well before my meat. I had practically ate everything all gone before I realized that I better save some for my entree. Lucky for me (being the dad) I was able to eat from the girls plate after I was done. We will probably come back to turn our friends and family onto the experience, and if you have a birthday they do a cool celebration gig. Bring lots of money, the three dinners came to 100.00 before tipping the chef and waitress.
(3)Kyle B.
Amazing food... although little portions of the actual filet mignon or whatever u choose - just lots of filler. Chef is amazing... But the worst customer service I have ever had! She yelled at me after I hunted her down to ask for a cocktail and told me to wait til she wasnt busy - understandable.... But there was only 3 other ppl in the place! And she was taking to her friend on her cell. The young chick who finally made my drinks was awesome. Both her and the chef got great tips - the old lady got HD and bubble gum. All in all - great choice for a 1st date or special occasion or if ur girl caught u doing something u shouldn't have
(3)Emmalee D.
Went here with 3 other friends to celebrate a joint birthday supper. If you are looking for quality attentive service, you won't find it here! I have worked in the service industry since I was 16 I get how this stuff works pretty well and I know how needy customers can be so I strive to always tip 20% and be an easy going person. This being said our server was awful! She took our drinks orders only at the beginning and didnt even offer or provide anyone a water. We placed an order a sushi boat for an appetizer at the very beginning with our 1 time only drink orderand it did not come until the very end of our dinner with no apologies or anything. I order steak medium & shrimp my steak was well but hey the chef was funny and engaging so we tipped him in his big plastic cup of money that was made so obvious, can you say tacky!?!?! Finally when our bill was brought without offering dessert or anything else to celebrate our birthdays our server was in a sweatshirt with keys in hand ready to walk out the door!? Who does this! I tried to talk with the manager about how unexceptable I felt our service was and his response was, "but was the food good?" Come on man. Then they over charged one of my friends and it took 20 minutes to rectify this issue. Never will I ever go back to such a terrible establishment.
(1)Dennis M.
I absolutely love coming to this place. We have now eaten here several times. It makes for such a good time whether there is 2 of us or a big group. It is not very expensive. So if you are looking to impress on a 1st date this is the place. The sushi is also very good. We have enjoyed everything we have ever ordered. We usually get the hibachi beef or chicken. The deep fried soft shell crab is fantastic as well! Definitely do not underestimate the sushi here either. It is also fantastic. My only complaint is that on occasion I have not been able to get a mixed drink because the bartender went home early. 6:00 on a Wednesday and you need to have a bartender on duty.
(4)Evan S.
Was a fan untill we found the dead RAT under our table.....if you go here check under your table.
(4)Toni G.
The food was great! My friends and I ordered a variety of dishes from steak to sushi. Sushi was fresh and the steaks came out tender. Price was also appropriate for the dishes. The drawback is the customer service. This was our first time coming here and probably would be our last. We walked in to a completely empty restaurant. We loitered in the entrance way for about ten minutes before one of the chefs noticed us and prompted a server to seat us. Once we were seated, it took another another ten minutes for our server to take our drink order, then another fifteen for the waitress to come back and take our dinner choice. The chef did a good job with the hibachi grill. The show that came with the meal was pretty standard but he was interactive and practiced in his showmanship. The food was good but the service is definitely left wanting.
(2)Eric P.
I love coming here, as there is usually no wait at all for a seat. Unlike many restaurants in the area, which have sometimes as much as an hour plus wait (Olive Garden and Red Lobster you know who you are), coming here is a dining pleasure. This time, I took the wife's family out, which inlcuded here two younger sisters, her sisters two young childeren, our two kids and the mother-in-law. All told nine in our group, we probably would still be waiting for the other places to open up. Not here, and in addition, with most Teppen Yaki places, the show is great for younger kids. The fire, the flying food, all makes for an interesting and great show. Not to mention, you can feed nine people with very different appetites and likes and dislikes very easily all in one place. I try to stop here every chance I get as I am a big fan of Asian cuisine in almost any form, and here you get a great meal, (healthy too as it's not all deep fried) and at a reasonable price.
(4)Kim S.
Yummy! We really enjoy this restaurant. The service is good, food is great and the chefs are very nice and good. The ambiance could use some updating but we continue to go back for the food.
(4)Lindsay P.
We've been to Susumu a few times now and our experience has been ok each time. Which is too bad since the food is actually really good. Our first visit here was shortly after I had turned 21, and Cam and I went for a nice dinner. This is the sort of place where they cook all the food in front of you and I happen to really enjoy a similar establishment in Everett, but this was closer. The waitress at this visit was visibly drunk and when I got my Mai Tai, it was ridiculously strong- almost undrinkable. Of course at the ripe old age of 21 I wasn't really certain how it was supposed to taste. I don't remember our food being particularly great or bad, so it must have been pretty standard. We did go back another time where we walked in and were completely ignored for over 10 minutes, so we left. This time, we still had to wait about 5 minutes before we were acknowledged, but we got our table and started looking at the menu. I ordered the hibachi beef, and Cam had the spicy chicken. The waitress this time (a different one) obviously did not want to be there, and was kind of rude. When we asked her questions, she didn't know the answers, and didn't want to bother finding out the answers. Also, if you're not particularly tolerant of other diners, this might not be the place for you. Since they cook the food in front of you, you usually have to share the table with a few other people. This time, unfortunately the people across the grill from us were incredibly annoying. However, that wasn't the restaurants fault. When the cook got down to business, he did a great job. He did the typical show-style cooking, with the whole flaming onion volcano and the clicking and clacking of his spatula and knife. The food was great. The one thing is next time I will pay extra for steak rather than just the hibachi beef because since it's lower quality, it had a lot of gristle. The cook removed the gristle from the steaks before cutting them. All in all, it's likely we'll be back here because it is far more convenient than the place we like in Everett. We just won't expect great service.
(3)Betty V.
The teppanyaki is entertaining and tasty enough but the sushi there is pretty mediocre. We usually sit in the main dining area but last night we sat in the bar and ordered sushi. Not good... The fish was sinewy and frozen. The rice was a ball and not the right flavor. I will not be ordering sushi there again.
(3)Keith G.
Every time I've come to Susumu I enjoy myself. The food is about average but they make it up to you with stiff but commendable cocktails. There lounging area is kind of out of sight from any employees, but taking the initiative to find service isn't difficult, so they can get your group seated faster. Each chef I've had always makes the experience even more enjoyable and their service is good. If you're in the area I recommend stopping by for a fun experience eating dinner
(3)Safari G.
I would give negative 5 stars if that were an option. Just went here for dinner with my family who were visiting from out of town. Didn't stay long enough to eat because shortly after being seated we noticed a large dead rat lying right where our feet were under the table.
(1)Christine V.
This is a pretty good place to go for hibachi. There are usually good crowds but no wait for a table. The soup that they serve is good - maybe some sort of onion noodle broth - though I would probably prefer miso. I have eaten the shrimp, vegetable and beef hibachi. I would not recommend the beef - it kind of had a steak umms sort of quality to it which was off-putting. (If you don't know what steak umms are it's a frozen meat product you use to make cheesesteaks in your home - good in its own right, but not for hibachi beef). I have been here several times but only tried the sushi tonight. I should have tried it before because it is was very good. The only problem is that there is so much hibachi food that it is difficult to find room for sushi (and I usually can always find room for sushi). I wouldn't give it five stars, but I definitely like this place and will continue to go.
(4)Amanda G.
I moved here from vegas 3 years ago & this is the BEST sushi I have found since i've lived up here! The staff is very friendly & attentive. This has become our regular sushi spot!
(5)Clark D.
Went with family over the Holidays - a perfect place to go with a group. We all ordered from the teppanyaki menu. Everyone was very happy with their food and prices were reasonable...definitely less than at Benihana. The only knock I have is their dipping sauces were too creamy, seemed bottled rather than house-made. Other than that, I thought it was very good. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Brad S.
I took my wife here for her birthday for sushi. I'm newly gluten free so we decided against doing hibachi. It's not blatantly obvious where the sushi bar is when you walk in, but just ask a waitress and they'll point you in the direction. We went at 7pm on a Thursday and the sushi bar was empty. We waited for about 10 minutes and were about to leave when the chef came in. We're glad we didn't leave. The chef was fantastic, friendly, and basically catered to us. The sushi was some of the best we've had. I only give them 4 stars because we were basically ignored for 10 mins. So they could do better on greeting guests but the sushi was great, as was the chef!
(4)Deanna S.
We love this place! I have tried several other teppenyaki dishes and keep going back to the filet because it is so tender. I'm not sure what the salad dressing is made of, but it too is very tasty. It does look a bit sketchy from the outside but is fine inside. You may smell like sauteed butter when you leave, but what do you expect when they are cooking the meal right in front of you?! All of the chef's have been great and very entertaining. We have had some poor service from one of the waitresses who seemed like she was the daughter of the owner or something and acted like she really didn't want to be there. All in all, I would recommend Susumu!
(4)Brianne G.
This restaurant has been fantastic on every visit! The food is great, and the staff is amazing! We drive 45 minutes each way just to eat there. We are what I like to call the "pain in the ass table" due to allergies (shellfish, onions, and tomatoes). The servers are so well trained, it doesn't even phase them when we bring up our allergies. The chefs at the hibachi table are very social and engaging, making the time fly by. The drinks (full bar?! Woo hoo!) are always delicious. The people that work here really make this place shine. The food is delicious, but I am always impressed at how well everyone works together. It's one of those restaurants that we leave with a smile on our face because everything was so pleasant, start to finish! Great job, guys!
(5)Abby W.
I actually like this place! No frills, but the habachi grill is consistant and so is the service! My favs: - steamed white rice -Filet Mignon with scallops -Unfiltered Saki (YUM!) If you're in the mood for teppenaki, check this place out!
(4)Rachel P.
I always thought the place looked a bit sketchy - trust me, I live in Lynnwood and always drive around the area. Though it's in the neighborhood some people might felt the same way I did, but once I got in, their teppanyaki was pretty descent! I LOVE teppanyaki and it's my all time favorite even though I smell like it for next few hours. It was probably very late weekday night and there were only 2 groups include mine. The chef's show was still awesome and food tasted great. Its atmosphere and food was even better than Benihana (lunch). I'm going to revisit them with my family soon. :]
(4)Christine S.
Summed up in one word: meh. This place is alright, but nothing special. The service though is the reason the review is lower than a 3. The service was just not good. The waitress had us move several times because she didn't know where she wanted us to sit? I don't know it was weird. Anyways, the only reason I went here in the first place was because Kyotos wasn't an option. From now on I just won't cheat on Kyotos.
(2)Ken S.
Don't let the location and the exterior fool you. This place has great food with a solid staff to back it up. The drink service can be a little slow, but the tableside chefs are friendly and helpful. If you like sushi you won't be disappointed either.
(4)Chris S.
This place to me was mediocre and it seems the crummy reviews may be hurting them....we went on a weekend evening and literally there were only three other tables of people. By the time we left, we were the only customers. On a Friday night at 8?? Wow! Service was not terrible but it certainly wasn't anything great. The chef was funny. The food was ok, but nothing spectacular, especially for the price. Probably won't go out of my way to go back.
(2)Peggy R.
We love this place! The food is amazing (LOVE the salad and soup), and the cooks are always entertaining. My mom and son had the shrimp, and I had chicken and shrimp. The shrimp was perfectly cooked (and who doesn't love the shrimp he cooks before the meal. I also absolutely adore their tempura - lite, fluffy, and never greasy. One of the good things about tepenyaki is that you don't have to wonder what goes on in the kitchen, because they cook the food right in front of you. Now, this isn't a cheap place to eat, but the food and the experience are a blast!
(5)Michelle S.
So far.. okay. The waitress was a tad rude.. actually she was very rude to the birthday boy, but it's fine since I'm here with a good group of people. I take it that they're overwhelmed by the group of young civilians ha but the food is good, just be aware there's a $5 sharing fee! & if you get the waitress we have right now, be prepared to get presented w/ real 'tude!! I'll update this after I eat ;) UPDATE: So the food was delicious! Small portions b/c I split it w/ my boyfriend. We had the filet mignon & lobster tail. Our chef was funny & had one liners the whole night. We ended up tipping him but not the hostess/waitress lady. A must go of you don't wanna travel to Benihanas.
(4)Andrew E.
Planning to go out on a date, or with a group of friends? ***THEN COME HERE. ITS LIKE BEING IN YOUR OWN JAPANESE TV SHOW. NONE OF IT MAKES ANY SENSE AND ITS HIGHLY ENTERTAINING*** And I dont say that because of the cook & the mini show he puts on. I say that because of the randomness that will ensue throughout your whole visit. The Japanese ladies are constantly running around singing and dancing. People from the bar are constantly singing and dancing. Musical instruments that are horribly played, are thrown into the mix. I dont know, for me, I find it hilarious (but I'm a random person myself). ***This place will SURPRISE YOU.*** The food here is EXCELLENT. The main drawing factor is the teppenyaki (cheaper than Benihanas and bigger portions as well). BUT, the sushi is a wonderful, wonderful, surprise. So much so (especially for the north-end), that several friends and I were visiting once a week over a 3 month time period just for that. Yes it looks very dingy from the outside, BUT DONT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. THIS PLACE IS AWESOME. It is a bit pricey, so depending on your wallet, this may or may not be a regular place for you. But what I can guarantee is good customer service, randomness, GREAT food, and a satisfied stomach. NOM NOM NOM.
(4)Stephanie S.
There's a major split on my review for Susumu. I've been here several times and I will say, the food is AMAZING. HOWEVER. Every time I've been here, something has either been left off my order, food that I didn't order was brought to the table, and the attitudes from employees are not always positive. Attempted to get a table on Valentine's day, and after 45 minutes of waiting in the lobby, there was NO clear order of how people were being seated (reservation or not). They weren't taking names or creating a system of how to seat people. So gave up and went to Blue C sushi instead. The food is great, but the service is lacking.
(3)Johnny F.
It doesn't look like much from the outside, especially since it's connected to Hotel International. The inside could use a remodel, but it's comfortable. I haven't had the hibachi in awhile because I've been addicted to the sushi! It's all because of "Randy," one of the best sushi chefs in Snohomish County! He takes his time and puts great effort into making a kick-butt sushi roll! His presentation is wonderful, and if you want to modify a any type of roll on the menu, he can make that happen...and then some. He's got some great ideas for rolls that are not on the menu. Yes, it may take some time to get your sushi order if it's busy, but it's sooooo worth it! And Randy makes sure that you know he appreciates your business by going above and beyond to make sure each customer is satisfied and left with a good impression of Susumu. If you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping by! On a side note, if Randy is not the sushi chef - don't order sushi...just saying.
(5)Natasha S.
Have been a regular at Susumu for years now. A wee bit run down and in a shady looking area, not exactly an ideal location, but the food and service is totally worth overlooking this fact - especially when you compare the prices and service at similarly themed restaurants. I love the food here and just about always clean my plate. I have ordered Hibachi spicy chicken and shrimp many a time, SO delicious. Always fascinated by the chefs, who of course come out and make a show of cooking your food. Where do they learn how to do all that?! Was once celebrating with my family and our chef was immensely multi-talented... cooking, entertaining, AND doing stand-up. Oh man, I had tears in my eyes from laughing. Fond memories and good eating at Susumu, will continue to go there until I find out there's a brothel in the back and the place is shut down. (Because once you drive by the place, that's probably what you'll be thinking.) But like I said, bottom line: damn good food and entertainment.
(4)Chris M.
How could anybody support this place? The worst service I could even imagine. The food was lackluster at best. And the overall atmosphere consist of dusty crocked lamps, bathrooms located down a nasty smelling hallway and just overall outdated. I would love to say something positive.. Ummm the soda tasted like soda when I was able to get 1 refill that I had to ask our 'chef' to get. 10 free meals will not get me back here.
(1)Roxanne P.
Been here with friends for the first time! Love it! It's such a fun place to come! The food was so wonderful. I will definitely come back again!
(5)Camille S.
This is the place my friends introduced me to sushi so it holds a special place in my heart despite the lackluster service, not counting the excellent sushi chef. Chances are if you are in the sushi bar and there are customers in the steak house, prepare to be ignored by the wait staff. It's not that they are rude, it's just that they are invisible. Don't expect drink refills, any food other than sushi to be ordered/received in a timely manner, or to get your bill paid quickly. The only thing you can count on is tasty sushi made by a very nice (and lonely) man. The Caliente roll is to die for.
(3)A H.
May be good if you eat at the tempenyaki side but we went to the sushi bar and were totally ignored had to even get up to ask the sushi chef how to order and get drinks! We went in sat down and waited at least 10 minutes with out even being acknowledged by 4 different waitresses (we were never ackowledged even when we stood up and left) we didn't even get a" hey we'll be with you in a minute here's a menu'. Anyways we left, this is by far the worst customer service we have experienced at a restaurant and that's saying a lot if you include fast food into that, at least they acknowledge you and smile! I have no idea if the food is good or not but we didn't wait around to find out since they didn't seem to care if we were there.
(1)Stephani B.
Used to be a great place to go. I actually would go for my birthday every year because it was fun ans the food is great. Over the past couple of years the service has become absolutely terrible. I keep going to give it another try but it seems that everytime I'm there I am treated like an inconvenience. This mostly applies to the women. I have literally has to walk back into the kitchen to get some service and I'm really not an impatient person. I've made the decision not to go there any longer and I wouldn't reccommend it to anybody anymore. They do however have wonderful food!
(2)leslie c.
USED to be one of my favorites. Service is horrid and I will never return! If you only care about the food, this place is for you. I have found a replacement for my hibachi fix....Kyoto!
(2)Anna S.
We come here quite a bit and every time I tell myself don't do it again. Well now, we will for sure NEVER do it again. There is a male sushi chef there who is amazing. If he was there all the time we would maybe come back. My fiance and I were there on Friday and decided we wanted some more so we came back on Saturday. After waiting at our table for 45 minutes, I walked to the sushi bar and handed in our order. We order 3 half and half rolls ( they are like california rolls with salman and tuna slices on top). The sushi chef lady left the bar for a good 25 minutes and came back to begin making our food (over an hour of being there, still no water or drinks). She brings us our food roughly 20 minutes after she began making it and says "I ran out of salmon so I put what I had in your rolls". I asked her why she didnt tell us because we would have ordered something else. She slams our food on the table and stares. The rolls were completly different then what we ordered (comes with immitation crab and avacado inside, and she put a tiny chunk of salmon). Without asking us for drinks or anything, she says anything else? I ask her for the soup and salad that comes with the meal, and she says "oh you want to order a salad and a soup". I said no, we wants the one that comes with the meal. She rolled her eyes and walked away. My fiance, his cousin and I all walked out. This was terrible. Upon walking out, there were 2 girls who were sitting next to us and they said they have beeb waiting to pay their bill for over an hour as well. THIS PLACE IS HORRIBLE! To make things worse, we saw the "bartender" taste someones drink that she made from the glass and serve it! THIS PLACE NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN FOR MORE THEN JUST HEALTH REASONS!
(1)Tim B.
So this place is similar to the venerable Beni Hana's restaurants. This quaint restaurant is located at what appears to be hotel that has seen better days. Don't let that put you off too much however, the service and food were really quite good. The show that our chef put on was amusing, although I could have done without the strobelight which thankfully was brief. The food was cooked perfectly to our preferences, each table seats 8 guests. We had 6 in our party, and 2 strangers joined us - happily we were able to integrate them in the conversation easily- your mileage may vary of course, so if you want a more private setting, Susumu may not be the place for you. Lots of drink specials, and a healthy sushi menu round out the experience. My wife, who had previously claimed not to enjoy sushi, liked Susumu's efforts.
(4)Ane P.
My bf and I came here on one of the snow days when we just couldn't bear to be burdened with making another dinner. Plus we wanted to test our tires out on the streets ;) Susumu had been recommended by a good friend, and to us it seemed to be located at such an odd place. Out in the middle of Lynnwood under a hotel? Oh well. We tried it and were very happy we did so. Much like the overrated Benihana, chefs will come and prepare your food tableside. However, we found that the portions were much larger and were flavored better as well. All at a fraction of the price and a more laid-back environment. We will definitely be coming here again!
(4)Christine S.
My daugher and I love teppan yaki, so we thought we would try this place! It was okay but it wasn't memorable enough that I want to return. I think most of the people who work here are Korean. I had the scallops which were delicious and the shrimp was awesome! However, my daughter had chicken yakisoba and the chicken was not that great. The tempura ice cream for dessert was a little stale--it was definitely not fresh. The flaming volcano onion was on the short side. You get the picture...okay but not great.
(3)Isha Z.
I had a lot of fun at this place! The outside and inside of it look both tacky and dirty unfortunately...also, the bathroom is a little on the scary side. Once you actually manage to get a seat (despite the fact that you made a reservation, the really busy lady on the phone doesn't care), it's actually not a bad experience. I thought the food was pretty good. It's not magnificent, but good. The shrimp was really hit and miss. The cook made the first batch super good and the second batch was...eh. What you are paying for here, is the show. The cook makes the food in front of you, does lots of fun tricks with fire and blacklight and craziness, and jokes with you. Even though the food didn't always match up with the cost, I felt like I was so entertained that I just didn't care. I don't suggest going here often, but if you know someone who might have fun at a place like this, I highly suggest going as a birthday or special occasion treat.
(3)Cascade C.
Susumu was certainly a study in contrasts. On the one hand, women wearing kimonos, theatrical teppan-style presentation, and slightly higher-than-expected pricing for the dishes offered. On the other hand, faux rice-paper lantern lighting (some of it askew) and out-of-place, tacky signs for cheap American beers adorning the walls. I can easily credit the chefs with a very entertaining performance: tossing the spinning egg prior to cracking it for the fried rice was something I hadn't seen elsewhere, and of course the onion-volcano is always fun. However, the bottom line for me is that the food was very nice but not spectacular, and thus didn't warrant the dinner prices they charge, especially considering the slightly shabby ambiance. This isn't to say that I won't return. However, if I do go back, it will be explicitly for the show, and because I'd sooner give my business to a local business than a huge chain like Benihana.
(2)Garrett H.
After getting over the trauma of leaving the city to experience the greater (not greater) Seattle area, my boyfriend took me to one of his favorite spots. The area... sketch to the max, we witnessed public fellatio in the park on the walk to the restaurant. After arriving all of the pains of being in Lynnwood were silenced by crazy fresh sushi and strong drinks. The service was wonderful, even though I had to wait a minute to get my cosmo re-filled. The rolls were on par for a dynamite fish experience, both well made and tasty. Susumu was a great place to end the day, even though walking back through the park we saw a serial killer for sure, and if I have to get more northern exposure I will dine there.
(4)Charles D.
This is a good sushi place. I've eaten at better places - but this is pretty good. The fish is fresh and they have a good variety of sushi. In my opinion it has declined a little since Susumu (the original owner) left. It still is pretty good and modestly priced (so far as sushi places go). I liked the Tomato, Caterpiller, spicy Tuna, spider maki and Uni (sea urchin eggs). I've had the oyster shooter - which I liked but it wasn't my favorite. The restaurant is divided int a steak house and a sushi area. I've tried the steak house section and it was alot of fun - very much like Benihanas. I am updating this review. I went to Susumu's this past week (twice) and the sushi has improved. I had an Uni shooter - which was great. The spicey scallops were wonderful. Spider Maki and the stuffed Tomato (okay so it is Tomato - it's fresh tuna) were also excellent. Staff was great. Another update (3/2/10). We know the steakhouse part is great and the sushi is great. What about the sashimi ? I went for sashimi. The chef, Suki, produced another great meal. I had himachi, tuna, albacore, white tuna, scallops and a tobiko creation. It was the best sashimi I've had. Fresh and very tasty.
(5)Kimberly H.
I've drove past this restaurant many, many times before, but never thought to try it because from the outside it looks very run down. This weekend we decided to give it a try and to my surprise, this restaurant is great! Their food was delicious and the chef was very funny and quite entertaining. I had the filet and shrimp which I thought was very delicious and my boyfriend had the scallops which he said was cooked perfect. I would definitely go back to this restaurant now that I know there is a good japanese steakhouse so close to home!
(5)enkh b.
Whoo man!! This place got all in one place at your convenience. I ordered beer, California roll while we sat back and entertained by the Hibachi chef who was articulate on entertaining us. Overall experience was great specially with my buddies here. One of my buddy Greg had his birthday and he earned the half Japanese Happy Birthday song. Hilarious! They deserve the five star.
(5)Tyler E.
I am a big fan of Susumu. You do need to look past the sub-par location off of 196th and next to Hotel International...I do not want to know what goes on at that place. Even though the portions seem to be getting a bit smaller over the years, it is still really good food and a fun night out especially when you compare it to other Lynnwood restaurants. I also enjoy the sushi bar. Very good sushi which we often get to go and take home. Overall it is a bit spendy, but it is a Benihana type place where all your food is made table side and the chefs and wait staff are generally very good and again, the food is very tasty. 3.5+ stars
(3)Alice H.
If you are a fan of Japansese Staekhouse's this is amazing! It's afordable, and nothing but entertainment! It's like Lynnwood's Version of Benihana. Great Sushi, and a perfect place to take a large group to have a great night of fun!
(5)Jacob K.
Oh my lord, this place may have the best food in the greater Seattle area. I don't get to come here often but when I do, I am happy for the next week. The food here is amazing but the best part, is they cook it right in front of you, and the cooks really put on a show. Onion volcano's, salt and pepper snowstorms (with strobe lights), Spinning the eggs and then cutting them, juggling their utensils, throwing shrimp tails into their hats, and stuff like that. You get the picture. Then after all that you get your food, which is cooked to perfection right in front of your eyes. The staff here are very nice and usually you can get a table without too much of a wait.
(5)michael b.
so stupid restaurant. Boss woman so mad for waitress ! food is also bad!!!! never come back
(1)Michael P.
I guess, i might have gone on a off night. We were promptly seated at a table. Drinks, salad and soup were provided. But we had to wait over 45 minutes for the service to continue. I really do not blame the chef's, but i would assume that they would have more then 2 on a regular night. the reason why i did not lower my score is that they made an effort to get the service out quickly, I was a little disgruntled and very hungry. Please note that the average teppenyaki platter is around 30 bucks per person... This place though is good for the show, but the quality of the food needs some extra spices. The steak was cooked fine, unfortunately the other items need quite a bit of seasoning. I may comeback one day. But i will wait a year before that to see other review their services over the year to come.
(3)Mike L.
If you're a fan of Japanese steakhouses you gotta try this place. Very similar to Benihana but at a fraction of the price. The atmosphere is almost identical to what you would receive at any other restaurant of its kind. The chefs are entertaining and know how to cook. The Hibachi Beef is always a favorite. Only downside is their Sushi. Not executed well and flavors never blew me away. If a roll falls apart before even touching it, then you kind of already know what to expect haha. I would say 4.5 out of 5 stars.
(4)mamalicous M.
I LOOOVE dinner and a show. The outside of the building looks a little run-down but the food and entertainment is wonderful. You have to disregard the decor as it could use some improvement -picture chop shop nail salons with their tacky plastic plants and cheap artwork from the Miami vice era. It is a Japanese steakhouse that serves sushi. The chefs yield their knives with ninja-like speed and precision . They work the crowd pretty good. I oohed and aaahed over the smoking volcano consisting of raw onions stacked one on top of another (yes I am a cheap date that is easily entertained, what can I say). The sushi was tasty and fresh. The prices are reasonable. I would go back again but only on dates, not with the wee ones as I would have to always be on guard since they would most likely try to saute a hand or digit.
(3)TravelBug L.
We visited Susumu for the first time because they started participating in the restaurant.com promotion where you buy $25 certificate for $10. The sushi was good. But the disappointing part was the sushi chef, who was also our server, got very rude and gave us so much attitude when we presented the coupon. She also got our bill wrong and put an item on there that we didn't order. I would go to a different place for sushi next time without such a bad service. The promotion was the main reason i came here and I really don't want to be subjected to an attitude when i go out. If the servers can't be respectful about accepting these certificates, they shouldn't be working there as it is the restaurant's choice to participate in these promotions. We did tip 18% on the full bill.
(1)Robert Z.
Great food. Good value. Great time and atmosphere. I would reccomend this place to any of my friends, Arnold is a great guy, showman, and chef.
(4)Steve L.
Foods good! The Chef was entertaining. Quantity was sufficient. I think that we would go back. The restaurant is clean and the grills are very well kept up. I had a coupon for $25 which helped in the bill. We have to try the sushi bar next. Great entertainment for the buck.
(4)Jennifer L.
I really enjoyed this experience wtih my husband. It's a little on the pricey side, but the chef was amazing and the food was outstanding. I am not really a fan of sitting with other people, so I wouldn't consider it a date night restaraunt, but it's so fun! At least the people we were sitting with were nice. :-)
(4)k k.
i had high hopes for this place but was let down. the service was not good whatsoever...."shoo-ed" and told to just wait when we walked in (no other guests waiting, restaurant not busy), no water served until the very end of the meal after we asked, hair in the water cup when we finally got the water, no service at all when the teppanyaki chef was cooking. on the flip side, the chef was very entertaining and kept us engaged. he had good jokes and made it fun...this was the best part of the dining experience. the food was good, a little salty but good. overall, the restaurant would be better if the service was improved. working in the industry myself, ihave tolerance for various service levels but this was much below the standard expectation...almost disappointing. i'd go back if the service improved.
(2)Megan V.
This place is dirty and needs to be renovated
(2)sara o.
reservations do not matter on holidays. go somewhere else
(3)