Paul Kim, owner and head chef of Sakana Sushi and Kitchen

You can get sushi in almost every neighborhood in Seattle. While some bars stand out for their adherence to traditional technique, others stand out by shaking things up a bit. Now open at 15th and Madison, Sakana Sushi and Kitchen chefs are more than just skilled at traditional sushi dishes like nigiri, rolls, and sashimi, but their uniqueness comes from dishes created by owner and head chef Paul Kim.

Combining traditional Japanese sushi with innovative fusion flavors, Kim creates new dishes with flavors that fit together. With over 20 years of experience, his beginnings as a dishwasher in his uncle’s restaurant keep him grounded. Kim found passion, motivation, and a creative outlet by creating dishes that feed his community as he has stepped up from chef to owner.

Before that, he also stepped away from a path that took him out of the kitchens he grew up in with a possible future as an architect.

“What I liked was people, hospitality, and making food,” Kim said.

Tuna Tataki

hamachi carpaccio

Creamy Mushroom Mentaiko Udon

Fried Oysters

After acquiring experience at his uncle’s restaurant, the chef honed his skills in Tacoma before moving to Seattle where he eventually became head chef in someone else’s kitchen.

Fueled by a lifelong dream of owning his own restaurant, the chef took advantage of the challenging times presented by the COVID-19 pandemic to reassess his path. Finding the opening of a restaurant to be challenging, Kim worked hard to make his dream a reality. “You have to build step by step. I didn’t give up. I focused myself and made it happen.”

The search for the ideal space led the chef and his team to a former coffee and chocolate shop on the corner of Madison and 15th. Enthralled by its large windows and prime position, they signed a lease. The build-out process took seven months, involving the removal of old furnishings and an updated modern aesthetic. Neon signs, sleek black walls and white tile, and decor elements create an inviting atmosphere.

Sakana now shares a block with Sichuan-focused Plenty of Clouds and Parma-styled Bar Cotto. Pioneer Square-born Intrigue Chocolate closed its cafe there during the pandemic challenges and it was previously the home of health cafe Healeo.

While the block represents a solid start for a food and drink neighborhood, the corner of 15th and Madison presents some challenges with multi-year construction of the Madison Bus Rapid Transit route underway.

Sakana Sushi and Kitchen also offers a selection of beers and sakes as well as a collection of wines. The chef has plans to expand their sake offerings and add cocktails to elevate the overall dining experience.

Sakana pushes the boundaries of sushi by infusing diverse cultural flavors into the creations like the hamachi carpaccio with lemon zest, ponzu, and chimichurri sauce, expertly melds the delicate flavors of Japanese sushi with the vibrant South American notes of this popular flavor. The Tuna Tataki combines the flavors of lightly seared tuna with the buttery sweetness of avocado.

The response from the neighborhood has been positive. Crowd favorites include the Asian-inspired tuna tataki and the hamachi carpaccio with ginger miso sauce. Paul Kim’s vision and dedication to refining their offerings ensures that customers can consistently expect new dishes.

Sakana Sushi is located at 1520 15th Ave. Learn more @sakana_seattle.

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