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oChef » Musashi Newsroom – Seattle
Musashi Newsroom - Seattle
Photo from Musashi Newsroom
Musashi Newsroom at a glance
Seattle Ballard
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 31 of the guests
#567 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#34 Japanese Restaurant out of 47 in Seattle
Good
7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
263
Reviews
69.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh sushi
- Fair pricing
- Cozy vibe
Frequently criticized
- Uneven service
- Slow orders
- Menu changes
The restaurant Musashi Newsroom is a Japanese restaurant nestled in Seattle’s lively Ballard neighborhood. You’ll step into a cozy and casual atmosphere, ideal for savoring healthy options or small plates.
Whether you’re seeking a quick bite for lunch or a relaxed dinner, this spot offers a welcoming environment. With convenient dine-in, takeout, and delivery services, you can easily enjoy their delicious offerings.
Plus, it’s a unique find where dogs are allowed inside, making it a truly pet-friendly destination.
Overview: Introducting Musashi Newsroom
Musashi Newsroom offers a compelling sushi experience, often praised for its fresh and flavorful offerings. Many appreciate the delicious sushi and food quality that consistently hits the mark, making it a reliable choice for those seeking good Japanese fare.
However, some visits have been marred by inconsistent service, with reports of staff being less attentive or the waiting time for orders extending. While the overall dining can be pleasant, these occasional hiccups are worth noting for potential diners.
Good
7
out of 10
263
Reviews
69.2%
Satisfaction
65
negative
16
neutral
182
positive
Musashi Newsroom generally earns a respectable 7 out of 10 for its overall performance. This score is supported by a solid Food rating (7), where many patrons highlight the quality of their sushi and rolls.
The Ambience also scores well (7.5), often described as quiet and relaxing, contributing positively to the dining experience. Despite the good overall score, customer satisfaction sits at a 69.2%, indicating a mixed reception among diners.
While Service (6.8) is generally seen as good, some experiences with staff and waiting times have been less than ideal. The Value (7.1) is also considered good, with many finding the pricing fair for the quality.
This assessment is drawn from 263 opinions, with 182 positive and 65 negative comments.
What people like
- Delicious, fresh sushi
- Good value pricing
- Relaxing atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Long waiting times
- Limited menu options
Musashi Newsroom presents itself as a solid option for sushi, particularly if you prioritize fresh flavors and a comfortable setting. While the Food and Ambience generally impress, be prepared for potential variations in Service and occasional waits, which can impact the overall experience.
With a 7.1 recommendation score, it’s worth considering for its strengths, especially if you’re in the mood for good sushi at a reasonable price. However, if consistent, swift service is your top priority, you might want to manage expectations or consider visiting during off-peak hours.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Musashi Newsroom
Food (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 85% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a 7, which is a good score! With 101 positive remarks out of 147 total, many customers rave about the delicious sushi and rolls, often highlighting the freshness, flavor, and generous portions. The drinks, like coffee and hot chocolate, also get a lot of love for being well-made.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a 68.7%, placing it in the mixed category, suggesting there's still room for improvement. Some diners have noted issues with the rice being dry or mushy, a lack of flavor in certain dishes, and a limited selection of fish. A few experiences also mentioned rolls falling apart or being too large.
Food
147
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
38
negative
8
neutral
101
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, fresh sushi
- Generous portions
- Great rolls
What people don't like
- Dry, mushy rice
- Lack of flavor
- Limited fish selection
Often praised
- sushiI cannot believe I walked past this place a few times totally unaware of what was inside. One of my clients told me about the delicious sushi and coffee spot that was next to Ballard Target. Checked out Musashi’s today and OMG!
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was overwhelmingly positive, despite a slight challenge finding the entrance. The food was absolutely delicious and clearly made with care. The gentleman working was incredibly sweet, and I appreciated his kindness even though I arrived close to closing time.
- rollsWhile I can't confirm if they are connected to Musashis, I do wish they offered chirashi bowls, as those are amazing. The rolls here are fairly large, with a good amount of rice and presented relatively well. They also have nigiri, though it's not on the main wall menu; check the smaller menus near the cash register for the most up-to-date offerings.
- sushi rollsI would recommend ordering ahead as it can take a while to prepare. In my opinion, these are the best sushi rolls you're going to get in Ballard. The only downside is the somewhat limited selection of fish, but if that's what it takes to maintain quality and price, I'm all for it.
- Musashi rollMy favorite rolls are musashi roll, perfect amount of rice, veggies, and fish.
- coffeesome of the best coffee
- delicioushow inexpensive and delicious it is
- flavorLots of flavor
- food qualityThe food quality here is always on point.
- spam musubiMy daughter enjoyed a salmon and tuna roll, my fiancé had a cucumber roll and a salmon cucumber roll, and I ordered a spicy salmon roll and a California roll. We also grabbed two spam musubi to go. I can’t even describe how incredibly fresh everything was; every bite was delicious.
Frequently criticized
- sushitried the sushi once and was also not impressed at all
- ingredientsMy experience at the restaurant was marked by sushi that was very mushy. It lacked a ton of flavor, and it felt like all the ingredients were mushed together before being put into the roll. The sushi pieces themselves were very large, making them somewhat difficult to fit into my mouth.
- riceYou can’t taste any salt or vinegar in the rice
- Tuna Met SallyTuna Met Sally, and inside out
- best rollsI am very sad that you decided to change the menu and took most of the best rolls off the menu. Specifically, the Tuna Met Sally and Inside Out rolls are no longer available.
- chicken or beef skewersNo chicken or beef skewers
- chirashi bowlswish this place offered chirashi bowls
- coffeethe coffee was so bad on my 2nd visit. Coffee tastes like water and is terrible.
- drinksomehow cannot make a good drink
- famous bowlsHowever, if you're expecting the same favorites from the Musashi's in Wallingford, it's not quite there yet. They don't offer harusame or their famous bowls, though they do have some decent other rolls that are good enough for now. Additionally, there are no chicken or beef skewers.
If youre looking for fresh, flavorful sushi with generous portions, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some experiences point to inconsistencies with rice texture or flavor, and the fish selection might be smaller than youd expect.
Service (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 75% of the guests
The service here is a bit of a mixed bag, with a 6.8 score thats just shy of good and customer satisfaction sitting at a 65.2% mixed' rating. Based on 69 opinions, many customers rave about the friendly, kind, and patient employees and staff, often describing them as professional and helpful. New ownership has also been credited with making a significant positive difference, leading to faster service and great customer interactions.
However, not all experiences are stellar, with 19 negative comments highlighting some areas for improvement. Issues like long waiting times, understaffing, and occasional unhelpful or rude staff members have been noted. Some also faced challenges with online orders and the ordering system, suggesting inconsistencies in service delivery.
Service
69
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
19
negative
5
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Fast service
- New ownership improved
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude employees
- Understaffing issues
Often praised
- staffMy experience at this restaurant has been pretty great since they've changed ownership. There is now sufficient staff, so orders don't take forever. I recommend giving them another chance if you've been before.
- serviceThe service was good
- customer serviceWhat awesome customer service!
- chefThe chef there is so sweet, makes art out of the sushi!
- FoodFood came out in like 8 mins
- VanessaVanessa there is WAY BEYOND first class
- YohanYohan gave great recommendations
- awesome serviceThe amazing roll, cut fresh off the filet, was incredible. The awesome service also made the experience really enjoyable. I'm really glad to know you're in there.
- conversationThanks for the good conversation
- customersThey know how to treat their customers
Frequently criticized
- employeeThe employee looked at me with much frustration, pointed at the far wall, and said over there in a mean tone.
- serviceservice was also terrible, the lady working didn’t even look up at me from her phone
- waiting timeMy experience at the restaurant was disappointing. The sushi was served lukewarm, and it took nearly 40 minutes in store for just two rolls. When we finally received our order, the fish and cucumber were drowned in so much lemon juice that it was the only flavor we could taste.
- Clover ordering systemforce you to use the clover ordering system. Not only is internet bad there but Clover is terrible experience
- always closedIt seems to be ALWAYS CLOSED.
- angry Korean ladyan angry Korean lady with no smile and big frown
- chefChef was to come back at 4pm
- hoursMy only complaint is the hours, closed weekends
- more helpThe sushi lunch special was good. I hope they can get more help behind the counter!
- online informationNo details on Google or online
If you catch them on a good day, especially under the new ownership, youll likely enjoy friendly and efficient service. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies like longer waits or less-than-stellar interactions, particularly during busy periods or if youre relying on online ordering.
Ambience (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
When it comes to the ambiance, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.5 and customer satisfaction at a strong 80.6%, most folks find it a good place to relax. Out of 31 total comments, 25 rave about the vibe, clean environment, cozy place, and welcoming space, often mentioning the improved interior and comfy couches.
However, there are a few minor snags. 5 comments touched on less positive aspects, including concerns about unsanitary things, tricky parking, and a confusing entrance. Some also felt the transformation from a coffee shop was a step down, but these are less frequent observations.
Ambience
31
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, welcoming vibe
- Clean and modern
- Relaxing atmosphere
What people don't like
- Parking can be tricky
- Unsanitary concerns
- Confusing entrance
Often praised
- atmosphereAlways loved the atmosphere, it’s quiet and relaxing!
- placeits always a treat to come to this place
- vibeI love their delicious sushi, which comes in generous proportions. The staff is friendly, and the location offers a great casual cafe vibe, making it perfect for sushi on-the-go. They also have great hot chocolate, and the walls are decorated with updated posters about Seattle happenings.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- ParkingParking is street parking but I’m able to find one every time I visit :)
- cleanvery clean
- cleanlinessCleanliness is the top priority of this owner!
- comfy couchesthey have comfy couches
- conceptIncredible concept
- cozy placeVery cozy place
Frequently criticized
- coffee shopThis place has unfortunately transformed from an excellent Equal Exchange coffee shop into an unrefined counter-food establishment. It takes a significant effort for me to write a negative review, especially for a small business, but I felt compelled to share my experience after my visit today.
- entrancehard to figure out how to get inside
- never any customerswhen there are never any customers.
- parkingThey offer larger portions, which is a great value, and the flavor is great as well. While they can be a little hard to find and parking is a bit of a hassle, the service is great. Each time I've visited, they've offered a bonus for any inconveniences, starting with an extra roll and then a free spam musubi.
- unsanitary thingsdo yourself a favor keep away if they do such unsanitary things
Overall, if you're looking for a generally pleasant and relaxing environment with a good vibe, this place is worth checking out. Just be prepared for potential parking challenges and perhaps a slightly confusing entrance, but the cozy atmosphere usually makes up for it.
Value (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
Youll be pleased to hear that this spot generally delivers fantastic bang for your buck! Guests consistently praise the value and inexpensive price points, with many calling it an exceptional value. With 11 positive remarks out of 16 total, its clear that the pricing resonates well, contributing to a good score of 7.1.
Despite the strong positive sentiment, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 68.8%, indicating a few minor snags. The 3 negative comments primarily revolve around transactional issues, such as the restaurant not being able to take cash or glitches with Apple Pay. Some also noted frustration with the automatic tip adjustment, suggesting small areas for improvement in the payment process.
Value
16
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
3
negative
2
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great price
- Exceptional value
- Inexpensive food
What people don't like
- No cash payment
- Apple Pay issues
- Tip adjustment
Often praised
- priceshocked at the price of these rolls!
- valueMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I found it to be a great spot with good value sushi rolls. The service was fast and the employees were super nice.
- exceptional valuethe 3-roll lunch special was exceptional value
- good pricessushi at good prices
- inexpensivehow inexpensive and delicious it is
- pricingeverything was decently priced
Frequently criticized
- Apple PayApple Pay didn’t work. Eventually, it charged me twice
- take cashthis one does NOT take cash
- tipreset the tip to the higher default although it was just a to-go order.
If you're looking for a place that offers great food without breaking the bank, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out for its excellent value. Just be prepared for potential minor payment method quirks, which are easily overlooked given the overall affordable experience.
How are the prices at Musashi Newsroom?
On average, you’ll spend around 23 per person – from 31 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners are in the $11–$20 and $21–$30 brackets. This means prices generally cluster around the mid-range, with a few guests opting for more premium items.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 31 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, for a Japanese restaurant, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance, not being overly cheap but also not breaking the bank for a nice meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Musashi Newsroom
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Good Sushi, Understaffed Counter
My experience at the restaurant was after the lunch rush, and it wasn't very crowded. I noticed there was only one person behind the counter handling everything. I really admired how hard he worked to prepare and serve customers while on his own.
The sushi lunch special was good. I hope they can get more help behind the counter!
- sushi lunch special7
- person behind the counter6
- hard he worked9
- more help3
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Service and Delicious Matcha Drink!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The owner's commitment to cleanliness is evident and truly a top priority. I had a great conversation with him about his background with sushi chefs, and it's clear he knows his stuff.
I highly recommend giving this place a try. The matcha mushroom drink (without caffeine) was absolutely delicious! I appreciated the good conversation and the welcoming space.
- cleanliness10
- owner9
- matcha mushroom drink9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
5
Empty Cafe, Slow Service
I visited this cafe on a Friday evening and was surprised to find it completely empty, with no other customers seated or in line. As the only customer, I browsed the menu for a few minutes. When I went to order at the counter, the staff politely asked if I could wait 20 minutes for them to work on another order before taking mine.
While the staff member was polite, there was no apology for the delay.
- staff5
- waiting time5
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Solo Dining
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Salmon and Musashi Roll!
I had a really rough day at work, so I came here to grab a late lunch/early dinner. The food quality here is always on point. The salmon is thick and soft; I got mine seared and it tasted wonderful.
My favorite roll is the Musashi roll, as I love the sauce combo! The food is always presented beautifully too! I've always loved the atmosphere; it’s quiet and relaxing!
Thank you for making my day better with yummy food!
- food quality9
- salmon9
- Musashi roll10
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Long Wait for Delivery Order
As a food delivery man, this was my second time here. I experienced a waiting time of 30 minutes. It's frustrating because they could have opened the door, especially since they saw I was there for an order.
- waiting time2
What Musashi Newsroom offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed inside
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Musashi Newsroom?
At Musashi Newsroom, you’ll discover a cozy and casual Japanese dining experience in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. They offer healthy options and small plates, ideal for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner. Enjoy their delicious food through convenient dine-in, takeout, or delivery services, fitting your schedule perfectly.
What convenient services and unique amenities does Musashi Newsroom provide?
Musashi Newsroom offers practical services like dine-in, takeout, and delivery. You’ll find wheelchair accessible entrance and seating, ensuring comfort for all. Uniquely, dogs are allowed inside, making it a great pet-friendly spot. They also accept reservations and offer various payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
What is the overall dining experience like at Musashi Newsroom?
Musashi Newsroom offers a generally good dining experience, reflected by an overall score of **7**. Customers often praise the **Food** (7) and **Ambience** (7.5), though **Service** (6.8) can be inconsistent, and **Value** (7.1) is considered fair.
Is Musashi Newsroom a good value for sushi?
Many customers find Musashi Newsroom to offer good value, with opinions frequently mentioning **inexpensive** and **good prices** for their sushi rolls. The **Value** topic scores a respectable 7.1, suggesting it’s a budget-friendly option.
What are some common complaints about Musashi Newsroom?
Common complaints at Musashi Newsroom include occasional issues with **service**, such as staff attentiveness or **waiting time** for orders. Some also note a limited selection of fish or changes to the menu, removing popular rolls.