WEST SEATTLE RESTAURANTS: Yummy Teriyaki closing in The Junction

Thanks to Anne for the tip via that photo: Yummy Teriyaki in The Junction (4746 California SW) is closing at month’s end. She sent us a photo of the notes on its door, including a longer one that says in part, “After operating our small business for more than a decade, we have decided to pursue a different business path” and says they’re “grateful” to have been part of the West Seattle community “and are blessed to have been serving many local customers throughout the years … Thank you for your support and consideration! And we will miss you.”

We went over to verify and clarify. Though their signage says March 1st, that’s the first day of their closure – February 28th is the final day of their operations (next Tuesday), they told us. And while another restaurant is reported to be moving in – they say they’ve heard “Mediterranean/Greek” – it’s different ownership/management. Caveat, we haven’t been able to verify that yet – no permits or license applications online, but we’re continuing to research. And in case you’re wondering, the building with Yummy Teriyaki, Q Cleaners, and West Seattle Smoke (county assessor’s photo above) has different ownership from the buildings to its north and south.

29 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE RESTAURANTS: Yummy Teriyaki closing in The Junction"

  • squareeyes February 24, 2017 (4:06 pm)

    I’m bummed.  Any other good teriyaki places nearby?  This is the only one I’ve ever gone to in WS.  Loved their spicy chicken and gyoza.  And I really loved the salad dressing.

    • Alki Resident February 24, 2017 (4:48 pm)

      Yes, Nikkos  is behind it in Jefferson Square. We won’t go anywhere else. 

    • Maria February 25, 2017 (9:20 am)

      We found New Teriyaki & Wok south of the Fauntleroy Junction Thriftway when the kids had soccer/baseball games at Lincoln Park.  It has a parking lot, so you can easily pick orders up to take home after a game, or you can watch ESPN or ROOTS on their big screen and eat in their spacious dining area. The young lady who staffs the front (owner?) is always smiling and automatically switched the TV to a Mariners game when the kids came in after a Little League game.  In other words, thumbs up for friendly service  which I sometimes find scarce at these rushed take-out places!  Also as the name suggests, they do a variety of Asian dishes so you can have a fusion meal and share.  (And as others mention below, Nikko is also good, but only has five small tables so it always feels more like a take-out joint.)

  • HelperMonkey February 24, 2017 (4:07 pm)

    NOOOOOOOO! I love this place. Sorry to hear they’re closing. 

  • Lesley February 24, 2017 (4:27 pm)

    I have loved this place for 25 years. I am very sad. It is by far the very best teriyaki around. I will miss it, a lot. Wishing you all well Yummy family.

  • Craig February 24, 2017 (4:36 pm)

    Build condos/apartments.  Not enough as is…let’s pack em in boys! 

    • WSB February 24, 2017 (4:43 pm)

      There are no development proposals for this parcel; I’ve already checked.

  • DB February 24, 2017 (4:44 pm)

    Yummy was a favorite on the list some years back – awesome owners- but high school kids LOVE Nikkos so my kids made the switch and we haven’t been back in a few years. 

    Nikkos is next to La Vida in the Jefferson Square complex – pretty great, actually!! 

  • Mark Schletty February 24, 2017 (5:58 pm)

    I have no info on this, but i do wonder if it is another small business being forced out by higher rent due to increasing property taxes. They don’t seem to be retiring. Even if this isn’t the case i think we will be seeing a lot of it to come with the HALA  upzoning. Small businesses out, seniors out, lower middle class residents out, families with children out.

    • vincent February 24, 2017 (6:27 pm)

      nice FUD. That lot was zoned for density despite what comes from HALA upzones. If anything HALA opening up more lots for development would make this lot less attractive.

      • uncle loco February 24, 2017 (7:38 pm)

        Do you always shout people down every time a restaurant closes? 

  • ANW February 24, 2017 (7:08 pm)

    Thank you for your years of service, Yummy!  You have been my teenage daughter’s number one pick for years, including for birthday meals.  She will miss your bento!  

  • Ellen February 24, 2017 (7:18 pm)

    Thank you Yummy for all the good meals!

  • Trickycoolj February 24, 2017 (8:08 pm)

    Wanna Charbroiled Teriyaki in Highland Park is superb for anyone looking for a replacement! Best I’ve had since living in the U-District in the early 2000s. 

  • Colleen February 24, 2017 (8:30 pm)

    Thanks for all the good meals!  Our favorite place.  Will miss your restaurant.

  • forgotmyname February 25, 2017 (12:32 am)

    The new joint going in is the falafel salaam folks who have a truck at the farmers market.  So quit the wah wah development nonsense.

    • Cashmere February 25, 2017 (11:44 am)

      Please say that is true. I love that truck

  • Jackie Helm February 25, 2017 (3:49 am)

    This is a sad day for our family. We eat here once a week and just love everyone who works there. Good luck on your new endeavors! 

  • SeaVieu February 25, 2017 (10:08 am)

    If that’s true about Falafel Salaam I will be SO happy. They are the absolute best!

    • Cashmere February 25, 2017 (11:45 am)

      Agreed x100!!!

  • Chris February 25, 2017 (11:17 am)

    The staff/owners have been so nice to us over the years.   Always the best food and such nice people.   You will be missed.   Thank you for all the wonderful top notch service and food.  Feel like coming in to fill our freezer!!   Smile.

    As to others, Nikkos on street side of Jefferson Square was our second choice and the one immediately south of Thriftway our next choice.   They are both good and nice people.   Usually quite busy too.   Thriftway also has a good chinese style deli inside…..hot food.   We like the mushroom chicken or the veggies with tofu or without.  

    We wish you all the best in your new venture(s).

  • East Coast Cynic February 25, 2017 (12:16 pm)

    I enjoyed Yummy Teriyaki immensely up until about 10 months ago:  The large tasty chicken portions of the chicken teriyaki that they normally served in the past became small portions, for the same or increased amount of money.  Stopped going at that point.  I Luv Teriyaki in Georgetown was a good substitute—tasty large portions.   I will look into the other locations commenters have mentioned.  I wish we were getting an all in Chinese Restaurant at that location unlike the New Luck where it is a bar that does Chinese as a side function that you can’t take out.

    • WSB February 25, 2017 (1:05 pm)

      Thanks. Just to save the click, that story from July said they were trying to find a bricks-and-mortar expansion but hadn’t as of that writing (they weren’t even saying what neighborhood). I do have an inquiry out with them to see if this is indeed going to be them.

  • Fauntle Roy February 25, 2017 (2:01 pm)

    Wanna Teriyaki & Burger on Holden and 16th is the best teriyaki spot I’ve found in West Seattle.  Tasty food with nice portions (also a lunch teriyaki special with smaller portions for a cheaper price).

  • Ken February 25, 2017 (8:34 pm)

    A bit far from West Seattle, but Buxx Teriyaki (in that small commercial development in the Highline area just east of 509) is quite good.  Also, a thumbs up to Mikou Teriyaki @ 4th Ave S & S Michigan. 

  • Rachel February 26, 2017 (12:00 am)

    This place was my favorite, the owners are just the sweetest people and I’ve been coming here for years. Quality food and wonderful service and many, many memories for me there with friends and family. I’m pretty much devastated :(((

  • PhillTheFalafasaurus February 26, 2017 (8:48 am)

    Thank you Yummy Teriyaki for the great food over the years!

    Haha, love our large village called W.S!!!
    Couldn’t even keep a secret for 2 weeks!!!

    As a long time Falafel Salam fan, I can confirm that they are opening a shop in that space.
    In addition to the amazing pita sandwiches there is talk about them adding Shakshuka and Lamb Poutine to a new weekend brunch menu…

    All their current salads, pickles and hummus will be available for grab-n-go as well as smokey babaG, creamy feta spreads and many new pickled veggies.

    • WSB February 26, 2017 (10:01 am)

      And we have received a reply this morning to our e-mail inquiry, saying the same thing. So we’ll publish a followup today.

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