Trust the Chef. Taste the Sea.
A ten-seat counter where fish flown in that morning is hand-pressed to order and served one quiet course at a time. No menu, no rush — just the day's best, in the order it's meant to be eaten.
Dinner as a Quiet Ritual
Omakase means "I'll leave it to you" — and that trust is the whole experience. You take a seat at our ten-place counter, the chef greets you, and the meal unfolds entirely in their hands: course after course of the day's finest fish, each piece composed, seasoned, and set before you at the precise moment it's ready.
There's no menu to study and no decisions to make. Just slow down, watch the knife work an arm's length away, and let the evening reveal itself. It's intimate, unhurried, and a little bit theatrical — the way sushi was always meant to be.
- ✓A ten-seat counter, chef an arm's length away
- ✓No menu — the chef leads the meal
- ✓Each course served at its exact moment
- ✓Roughly two unhurried hours
Choose How You Dine
Every experience is built on the same daily catch and the same care. Pick the depth that suits the evening — the chef takes it from there.
Why the Detail Matters
Great sushi is the sum of a hundred small disciplines. These are the ones we refuse to compromise.
Fish Flown in Daily
We source from Toyosu and trusted Pacific Northwest fishermen, with deliveries arriving the same day they're served. Never frozen for convenience.
Hand-Pressed to Order
Every piece of nigiri is shaped the moment before it reaches you — rice at body temperature, fish at its peak, never sitting under glass.
Rice, Exactly Right
Our shari is seasoned with aged red vinegar and held at the precise warmth that makes the fish sing. It's the quiet half of every bite.
Seasonal & Sustainable
We serve what the season offers and source responsibly, which is why the lineup changes nightly and never feels tired.
A Master at the Counter
Our itamae trained for over a decade before earning the counter. You taste those years in the cleanliness of every cut.
A Quiet, Considered Room
Low light, soft sound, and an unhurried pace. We keep the space calm so the food, and the company, take center stage.
A Few Moments From the Meal
A glimpse of what arrives, one piece at a time.
A Lifetime in Every Cut
Behind the counter stands chef Kenji Aoki, who spent more than a decade in the sushi houses of Tokyo and San Francisco before opening Aonami. He still wakes before dawn to inspect each delivery himself, turning away anything that doesn't meet his standard.
Watch him work and you'll see why omakase is worth seeking out: the economy of motion, the way a single slice and press transforms raw fish into something complete. He'll guide your evening, answer your questions, and read your pace — quietly making sure the best piece of your night is always the next one.
- ✓Over a decade training in Tokyo & San Francisco
- ✓Inspects every delivery personally
- ✓Guides each guest through the meal
- ✓Knife work refined over twenty years
Your Evening, Course by Course
If it's your first time, here's all you need to know. The rest is simply to relax and enjoy.
Reserve Your Seat
Counter seats are limited and released by reservation only. Book your seating — 5:30 or 8:00 — and let us know of any allergies in advance.
Take Your Place
Arrive a few minutes early, settle in at the counter with a cup of tea, and meet the chef who'll be guiding your meal tonight.
Leave It to the Chef
No ordering, no choosing. Each course arrives in its intended order — just eat each piece as it's set down, ideally in one bite.
Savor the Journey
Let the meal build from delicate to rich over about two hours. Ask questions, sip your pairing, and enjoy sushi at its absolute best.
What Guests Remember
My first true omakase, and I understand the fuss now. Each piece arrived at its exact moment — a brush of soy already on it, a whisper of wasabi, the rice still warm. The chef reads the room without a word. Two hours that felt like ten minutes. Already booked again.
I've eaten sushi all over the world and Aonami sits comfortably among the best. The sourcing is serious, the knife work is flawless, and there's a restraint here that the great ones have — nothing showy, everything intentional. This is the real thing in Seattle.
Brought my wife for our anniversary and it was perfect from the first cup of tea. Sitting at the counter, watching each piece come together, talking with the chef about the day's catch — it's dinner as theater, but quiet and warm. An evening we won't forget.
Reserve Your Place at the Counter
With only ten seats and two seatings a night, our counter fills quickly. Book ahead to secure your evening — we can't wait to cook for you.
Good to Know
What exactly is omakase?
Omakase means "I'll leave it to you." Instead of ordering, you trust the chef to serve a sequence of the day's finest fish, course by course, in the order designed to show each at its best. There's no menu — just sit back and let the meal unfold. It's the purest way to experience sushi.
How long does the meal take?
Plan for roughly two hours. Omakase is meant to be unhurried — each piece is made and served individually, the meal builds from delicate to rich, and there's a natural rhythm to it. We recommend keeping the evening open so you can fully relax into the experience rather than watching the clock.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes — our ten counter seats are released by reservation only, with two seatings nightly at 5:30 and 8:00, Tuesday through Saturday. Walk-ins can't be accommodated. Book through the site or give us a call, and reserve ahead for weekends and special occasions, which fill fastest.
Can you accommodate allergies or dietary needs?
Often, yes, with advance notice. Because the menu is set by the day's catch, we ask that you tell us about any allergies or restrictions when you book so the chef can plan around them. Strict vegetarian or vegan diets are difficult to do justice at a sushi counter — please reach out and we'll be honest about what we can offer.
What should I wear, and is it good for a special occasion?
There's no formal dress code — smart casual is perfect. The counter is intimate, calm, and a little theatrical, which makes it wonderful for anniversaries, birthdays, or simply a memorable night out. Let us know if you're celebrating and we'll help make the evening feel special.
Is the sake pairing worth it?
We think so. The optional pairing matches each stage of the meal with a sake or tea chosen to complement it — a crisp junmai with lighter fish, something richer as the courses deepen. It's thoughtfully done and genuinely elevates the experience. Of course, you're welcome to order à la carte from our list instead.
Reserve Your Seat
Tell us your preferred date, seating, and party size, and we'll confirm by email. For same-day availability or larger parties, please call us directly.