Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Sunny Teriyaki – Seattle
Sunny Teriyaki - Seattle
Photo from Sunny Teriyaki
Sunny Teriyaki at a glance
Seattle Ballard
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 42 of the guests
#170 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#4 Japanese Restaurant out of 47 in Seattle
Excellent
8.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
254
Reviews
84.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Fast service
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Service issues
- Dish disappointments
- Small seating
The restaurant Sunny Teriyaki in Seattle’s vibrant Ballard neighborhood is a Japanese restaurant that promises a delightful and casual dining experience. Whether you’re craving a quick bite or a relaxed meal, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere here.
They cater to diverse dietary needs, offering excellent vegan and vegetarian options, making it a versatile choice for everyone. You can enjoy their delicious food for lunch or dinner, with convenient seating available.
Overview: Introducting Sunny Teriyaki
Sunny Teriyaki often delivers a pleasant dining experience, with many guests praising the delicious food and the notably swift service. You’ll find a focus on quality ingredients and quick preparation, making it a dependable spot for a casual meal.
The staff’s friendly approach frequently stands out. While the value for money is a common positive, some patrons have noted concerns about certain prices or the use of single-use plastic.
The atmosphere is generally considered casual and clean, though a few observations mention a small dining area.
Excellent
8.2
out of 10
254
Reviews
84.6%
Satisfaction
26
negative
13
neutral
215
positive
Sunny Teriyaki earns a solid overall score of 8.2, reflecting a generally positive experience. Customer satisfaction also stands strong at 84.6%, indicating that most visitors leave content.
These figures are drawn from 254 customer remarks, with 215 positive and 26 negative observations. Digging deeper, the Service shines with an impressive (8.6), closely followed by the quality of the Food (8.2), which is clearly a highlight.
The Ambience (7.6) also contributes positively, offering a comfortable setting. Even Value (7.2) holds its own, suggesting a fair trade-off for the experience.
What people like
- Delicious, quality food
- Friendly, fast service
- Good value, large portions
What people don't like
- Service communication issues
- Specific dish disappointments
- Small seating area
With a strong recommendation score of 8.4, Sunny Teriyaki is certainly worth considering. It consistently delivers on its promise of tasty food and efficient service, making it a reliable choice for a quick and satisfying meal.
If you’re seeking a casual spot with good portions and generally fair pricing, you’ll likely find it a solid option. Just be mindful of specific dish choices and be prepared for a straightforward, no-frills experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Sunny Teriyaki
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
Alright, lets dive into the food! The culinary experience here is generally a big hit, boasting a good score of 8.2 and a fantastic 85.9% customer satisfaction. Out of 163 comments, a whopping 140 rave about the delicious and tasty options, frequently highlighting the generous portion sizes and the ever-popular spicy chicken.
However, not every bite is perfect. A smaller number of 16 comments did point out some concerns, such as inconsistent food quality, dishes being too salty, or sauce thats overly sweet. Some also found the tofu disappointing, suggesting there's a little room for improvement in those areas.
Food
163
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
16
negative
7
neutral
140
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Delicious teriyaki
- Spicy chicken
What people don't like
- Salty/sweet sauce
- Poor tofu quality
- Bones in salmon
Often praised
- foodThe staff were thoughtful and fast, contributing to a great overall experience. The food was absolutely delicious. It's definitely one of our favorites!
- teriyakiMy experience at this restaurant was great! I enjoyed quick, delicious teriyaki served by good people. It truly felt like a friendly neighborhood teriyaki joint.
- portionsit usually ends up being two portions for me
- chicken teriyakibest teriyaki I've had! The flavor reminded me of my childhood. I got the chicken teriyaki
- chickenThe chicken was fresh and grilled to order
- qualityyou can tell its quality
- spicy chickenThe spicy chicken great.
- FoodFood:4
- flavorthe flavor to be so amazing
- gyozagyoza is nummy
Frequently criticized
- tofuI do wish the tofu was crispier
- Katsu sauceexcept the Katsu sauce, it was like they mixed ketchup with a bit of soy sauce
- Mongolian onionsMongolian onions with the occasional piece of beef
- broccoli stir fryreceived a bowl with nothing but mid tier broccoli
- food presentationfood was more appealing visually
- food qualitythe food quality not good
- food safety riskThis presents a food safety risk where one can choke
- less sauceask for less sauce as it’s pretty sweet
- ramenramen oddly spicy like the cheap stuff
- salmon teriyakiThe salmon teriyaki is full of bones
If youre craving satisfying, generously portioned teriyaki, especially the spicy chicken, youll likely leave happy. Just be mindful that some dishes might lean a bit sweet or salty, and the tofu might not be for everyone.
Service (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot shines with a good score of 8.6 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 90.7%. Out of 54 comments, a whopping 49 rave about the experience, highlighting the fast and quick service delivered by friendly and helpful staff who consistently offer a positive experience with a kind manner. However, it's not entirely without its bumps.
A small handful of 4 comments raised concerns, mentioning communication issues, a lack of respect, and even serious accusations of racist behavior from the owner. While these are few, they point to areas where improvement could be made.
Service
54
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
49
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, kind staff
- Fast, quick service
- Positive experiences
What people don't like
- Poor communication
- Lack of respect
- Racist behavior
Often praised
- serviceI've found it to be the best teriyaki in the city. The service is not only quick and professional but also SO friendly, making it my go-to spot.
- staffThe food tasted amazing, and the Spicy Chicken Teriyaki was the best I've had in a very long time. The staff added a sweet touch by wiping the container of the sauce to ensure there wasn’t a mess, which was a thoughtful detail. Overall, a great dining experience.
- ServiceService:5
- customer servicecustomer service as consistently as here!
- fast servicefast service and kind people
- 10 minutesfood was brought out in only 10 minutes
- COVID precautionsthey are extremely careful about COVID which I really appreciated.
- businessThe guys are always very attentive and kind. God bless this business a lot, as well as others! 👏🤝👍😋
- cashierThe cashier always welcomes me with a smile.
- cashier / waiter / attendantThe cashier / waiter / attendant is probably psychic.✨️👍✨️
Frequently criticized
- communicationKind of hard to communicate though.
- ownerthe oner knocked me 3 times
- racistThey are racist
- respecthe didn’t show me respect
If youre looking for a place with generally quick and friendly service, youll likely be very happy here. However, be aware that a few serious concerns about communication and respect, including accusations of racist behavior, have been raised. It's mostly a positive experience, but those rare negative instances are significant.
Ambience (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.6 and customer satisfaction at 72.2%, its clear most folks enjoy the atmosphere. Many appreciate the "home feeling" and describe it as a "family-run place" with a "welcoming exterior" and a "clean dining area.
" Based on 13 positive remarks out of 18 total comments, guests often find it a casual and pleasant experience. However, its not entirely perfect. A couple of comments (2 out of 18) point out a very small sitting area that isnt being fully utilized.
While most praise the cleanliness, one opinion did mention "They are not clean, " which is something to keep in mind if youre particular about dining space.
Ambience
18
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
2
negative
3
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Homey, family feel
- Clean dining area
- Welcoming exterior
What people don't like
- Small sitting area
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- placeit's the best place to stop!
- casual placeA casual place
- clean dining areaclean dining area ☑️
- cleanlinessstill friendly and clean.
- dine inyou can dine in
- experiencethe experience I had in 1997. It was great.
- family-run placeI love that they offer free soup and tea while you wait. It's a nice family-run place. I especially love their spicy chicken.
- home feelingI also noted that the salad dressing has peanut sauce in it. The staff were friendly, and the place had a home feeling.
- locationThis particular sunny location never disappoints
Frequently criticized
- cleanThey are not clean
- sitting areavery small sitting area that is not being used
If youre looking for a cozy, clean, and casual spot with a homey feel, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that the seating area might be a bit snug, especially if youre planning to dine in during peak hours.
Value (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
When it comes to value, diners generally feel theyre getting a good deal, reflected in a solid score of 7.2. Many praise the generous "portion size" and "affordable" "price, " often highlighting the excellent "value for money. " With 13 positive remarks out of 19 total, its clear most customers are happy with what they pay.
However, customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 68.4%, indicating some room for improvement. A few voices, 4 out of 19, mention the price can feel high for certain items, and concerns about single-use plastic also arise. It seems while many find it affordable, a segment feels there's room for better value.
Value
19
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Affordable prices
- Great value
What people don't like
- High prices
- Single-use plastic
Often praised
- priceMy 8-year-old found the gyoza to be "nummy. " We also enjoyed the teriyaki, which was of solid quality and offered at a reasonable price.
- affordablevery affordable
- costlarge portions for the cost
- portion sizeportion size to price ☑️
- pricesGreat prices
- pricinggood pricing (for Ballard)
- value for moneygreat value for money
Frequently criticized
- Teriyaki for two plus a $5 tipTeriyaki for two plus a $5 tip seems expensive at $50
- pricethe price is relatively high
- pricesthis restaurant prices so high
- single-use plasticinclude a lot of single use plastic
If youre looking for good portions at a reasonable cost, this place is generally a solid bet. While most find the value great, be aware that a few items might feel a bit pricey, and there are some environmental concerns. Overall, its worth checking out if budget-friendly meals are a priority.
How are the prices at Sunny Teriyaki?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 42 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most guests (35 out of 42!) are happily dining within that $11–$20 sweet spot, showing prices are pretty consistent and not all over the map.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 42 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
For a Japanese restaurant in Seattle, we think this pricing feels pretty fair. It hits that sweet spot for a casual, enjoyable meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Sunny Teriyaki
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Absolutely Love This Place!
I've been here so many times, I've lost count! I've tried several dishes, including the chicken teriyaki, shrimp yakisoba, and beef short rib. My absolute favorite, though, is the chicken katsu – I've had it over 10 times because it's sooo GOOD!
The service is consistently great, with staff who are super nice and friendly. I definitely recommend this place for its great prices and big portions!
- chicken teriyaki7
- shrimp yakisoba7
- beef short rib7
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Bomb Fried Rice and Spicy Teriyaki!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I ordered the spicy teriyaki chicken, which came with a side of fried rice and noodles. The fried rice was absolutely bomb, and the spicy teriyaki was equally delicious.
I definitely recommend trying these dishes. Their noodles were also fire! Overall, a great meal.
- spicy teriyaki chicken9
- fried rice10
- noodles9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Huge Servings, Sweet Sauce, Worth It When Starving
My experience at this restaurant was characterized by huge servings and classic teriyaki flavors with decent quality. The employees were pleasant. I recommend this place if you’re starving.
I ordered the Spicy Chicken with Vegetables, and while the portion was generous, I'd ask for less sauce next time as it was pretty sweet and almost soup-like in volume. They also offer Chinese American classics like Sweet and Sour Chicken, which I'll likely try on a future visit, along with the Katsu.
- huge servings9
- classic teriyaki flavors8
- decent quality7
- less sauce4
- sweet sauce4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Amazing Food, Solid Value!
My experience at this restaurant was extremely good! We ordered the tofu teriyaki and the katsu/chicken teriyaki combo. Both dishes were amazing.
I did wish the tofu was crispier, but overall, the food quality was excellent. The price is very solid for the amount of food served, offering great value. We will definitely be back again!
- tofu teriyaki8
- katsu/chicken teriyaki combo9
- price9
- tofu4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Spicy Teriyaki is a Must-Try!
My experience at the restaurant was great! I tried the chicken teriyaki, ordering half mild and half spicy, even though it's not on the menu. Both were really good, but the spicy one was better, so I'd recommend that if you only want to try one.
There's teriyaki sauce at each table if you want more, which I did for the mild teriyaki.
- chicken teriyaki8
- spicy one9
- teriyaki sauce7
What Sunny Teriyaki offers
Crowd
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Does Sunny Teriyaki Ballard offer options for specific dietary needs?
Yes, Sunny Teriyaki Ballard is committed to catering to various preferences. You’ll find a range of delicious vegan options and vegetarian options on their menu, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy during your visit.
What are the parking and service options available at Sunny Teriyaki Ballard?
At Sunny Teriyaki Ballard, you’ll find convenient free street parking and a free parking lot, with usually plenty of parking. For service, you can choose from no-contact delivery, takeout, delivery, or dine-in, offering flexibility for your meal.
What is the overall rating for Sunny Teriyaki?
Sunny Teriyaki holds a strong overall score of 8.2. Its Service (8.6) and Food (8.2) are particularly well-regarded, with Ambience (7.6) and Value (7.2) also contributing positively to the experience.
Is the food at Sunny Teriyaki generally good?
You can generally expect delicious and quality teriyaki, with many praising the fresh chicken and flavorful dishes. However, some specific items like the Katsu sauce or salmon teriyaki have received mixed feedback.
How is the service and value at Sunny Teriyaki?
The service is frequently described as friendly, fast, and attentive. While many find the portions generous and the value good, a few customers have noted concerns about higher prices for certain orders or communication issues.