Seattle Restaurant Week Review | Ishioni Yakiniku – Is It Worth It?

Tried the highly-raved Ishioni Yakiniku during Seattle Restaurant Week! 📅 Event ran from Oct 26 – Nov 8, with two set menu options: $35 Classic Set and $65 Australian Wagyu Set. Here’s the real deal: 🥩 Australian Wagyu Set – $65 Verdict: Hard pass ❌ Includes: Wagyu short rib, cubes, skirt, and fillet. Looked gorgeous, but once grilled… overpowering beefy odor 😣 Beautiful marbling, but zero aroma – a real letdown. Marinade was heavy and overly sweet. The dipping sauces? Even sweeter 🍯… Portions were super thin and tiny – not worth the price, especially for Restaurant Week. 💔 Total disappointment in value and flavor. 🥓 Classic Set – $35 Verdict: Okay, but… ✅ Includes: Beef tongue, short rib, pork belly, squid. Beef tongue was the star – tender, crisp-edged, perfectly grilled ✨ But again… portions were so small – even a light eater would leave only 1/3 full 🐦 Most meats are pre-marinated and taste quite sweet – gets cloying after a while. Dipping sauces were just… meh. 👨‍🍳 Service & Vibe Staff weren’t particularly warm or engaged 😅 No grilling guidance or heat control tips – you’re on your own! 💖 The REAL Winner: Thick-Cut Beef Tongue – $26 Only two palm-sized pieces, but packed with flavor and volume – honestly worth more than all the set meat combined! Grilled to perfection: slightly charred outside, pink and juicy inside 🎯 Melt-in-your-mouth, bursting with savory juices – absolutely divine 💥 💡 Final Tip If you still want to try Ishioni: Go for the Classic Set + Thick-Cut Beef Tongue – a smarter, tastier combo! But if you're seeking a true high-end yakiniku experience? Maybe look elsewhere 🏃‍♀️💨 📍Ishioni Yakiniku 611 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102 #SeattleEats #SeattleRestaurantWeek #IshioniYakiniku #JapaneseBBQ #Wagyu #FoodReview #SeattleFoodie #Yakiniku #NotWorthIt #ChineseFriendlyEats