Gaba Sushi (now closed)

Gaba Sushi

4507 University Way NE

Seattle, WA  98105

(206) 556-8961

 Gaba Sushi Website

I love sushi - and I'm a vegetarian.  So I am happy to say that Gaba Sushi has more than once fulfilled my need for great sushi of the non-meat, non-fish genre.  For those of you who partake of the flesh, Gaba Sushi can fulfill your desires too.  Now, one word of caution, Gaba Sushi is very fresh, very flavorful, but not perfectly traditional; they use brown sushi rice.  It holds together nicely, but it does have the nutty, chewy consistency of brown rice, which I love, so I'm good with it, in fact, I think of it as an added bonus, but you may be looking for white sushi rice.  Just saying.

The photo above is called the Fifty 50 and consists of an edamame hummus and tofu roll topped with avocado, mayo, pico, cilantro, and drizzled with mango sauce.  Be still my heart.

Here is the ever-popular salmon bowl.  I went with a group of colleagues and fully half ordered this and ate every last flake.  Beautiful and guilt free.

Pretty, no?

So give it a try.  It's on my go-to list when I need something quick and tremendously satisfying.  Oh, if you eat in the seats by the window, you'll get a discount.  Just ask.

Postscript:  Gaba Sushi on University Way is currently closed.

Ruzhen Mongolian Grill

Ruzhen Mongolian Grill

4523 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105

(206) 632-3933

Ruzhen Mongolian Grill Facebook Page

I've been to one other Mongolian grill in my entire life.  I was not really looking forward to this visit.  The exterior of this place did not lend itself to revealing what lie within.  So I enlisted a couple of my colleagues from work and ventured forth.  Ruzhen Mongolian Grill is housed in what was once a McDonald's.  The windows are dark.  From the sidewalk, it is difficult to know what you are getting yourself into.  I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised.

The first hurdle for new visitors is understanding the pricing structure.  The man at the cash register did a good job explaining that all-you-can-eat can be had for $8.95.  There is a slightly lower price for a one time weight-limited option.  Both options come with limitless rice and a variety of condiments which are not included in the weight.  Beverages are priced separately.

The second hurdle is mastering how best to organize and design your meal.  There is a large choice of ingredients available including a wide variety of vegetables, mushrooms, tofu, beans, and meat.  There are also flavored oils and other seasonings that can be added before your ingredients are cooked.

Once you have chosen all of your ingredients (if you are going for the weight-limited option, have them weighed at this point), proceed to the large grill where several competent cooks oversee the grilling of your meal, keeping each plateful separate, and making sure that certain ingredients, such as meat, are cooked thoroughly.  This is all open to view and adds a bit of entertainment to your visit.

 Once cooked,  your ingredients are returned to your plate.  You can then add a variety of sauces and condiments, all the rice you can eat, and head to your table.

I don't think that the seating has not changed much from the McDonald's days, although I am not certain of that.  The seating is ample and relaxed.  The ambient temperature was neither too hot nor too cold.  I did not visit the restroom facilities, so cannot comment on that.

Overall, the visit was much more successful than I had anticipated. I was able to enjoy a plentiful, fresh, and flavorful meal at a modest cost in a restful environment.  If you haven't tried Ruzhen Mongolian Grill, give it a try.  You too may be surprised.