Seattle Dining | Kokkaku on Wallingford 45th Street

It’s been more than half a year since I’ve eaten in a restaurant, and my first time back felt so exciting I could cry. 😂 Kokkaku has been on my list for a long time, since maybe around the time I first moved here; there are just too many places to eat and not enough time… This time, a reservation was needed due to the special circumstances. You have to sign in and wear a mask upon entering. There are two servers, both wearing masks, gloves, and maintaining social distance, and a Japanese chef. The tables are spaced apart, and it seems like there are only about four or five tables of guests in the whole restaurant. 🥩 We ordered their A5 Wagyu beef: It’s very fatty and tender, cooked to perfection, basically melts in the mouth. The dipping sauce is also quite tasty, with a ginger miso fruit flavor, but I didn’t use much of it because I think the beef is very fresh on its own. 🍽 The daily special menu lamb rack: This was actually a mix-up by the new server; we had ordered tonkatsu, but they were super nice and offered to make it again. However, seeing the chef’s hard work, we didn’t want it to go to waste, and we also love lamb. Turns out, this misunderstanding was beautifully delicious! The lamb rack was so tender with not a hint of gaminess, very satisfying! 🍣 The appetizers were 3 items from the happy hour menu: Wagyu sushi: Highly recommended! A thin slice of beef on a small ball of rice, they will torch it for you for a few seconds. Salmon tartare: Fresh dill and scallion slices as garnish, the salmon and pineapple chunks are marinated, a sweet combination with a crispy cracker. Love it! Salmon carpaccio: Arugula, micro green salad with sashimi, dressed with olive oil, very light and refreshing. Dessert Salt sweet vanilla pudding 🍮: The pudding is smooth and tender, the sauce on top is similar to the teriyaki on Japanese dango. 🍧 Black sesame ice cream: The black sesame isn’t overpowering, the ice cream is creamy, and the portion is huge. 😂 The prices are on the higher end of medium, and if you don’t order the special Wagyu, the per person cost is only around forty to fifty. The price of the Wagyu is reasonable considering its flavor. I’ll definitely go back when I’m in the mood for steak next time. #DeliciousSteak #RestaurantRecommendations #Seattle