Both Todai (in Redmond Town Center) and Nikko (in the Seattle Westin Hotel) are all-you-can-eat for a fixed price. The quality suffers considerably, of course.
From what it looked like to me, Todai's sushi is machine-made. They take a slab of rice and squish it in a press to create a whole bunch of nearly-identical patties. Then they drop too-large strips of fish on top. The fish might be hand-cut, but is very uniform; I think they do a whole slab at a time. No wasabi is used at all; you have to add it yourself if you want it. The result is that the sushi isn't well-balanced, and it tends to taste bland. They do have many other items available in their buffet line. Overall, it's not a terrible place, but I wouldn't recommend going unless you simply want to stuff yourself.
Nikko is slightly better for sushi. Selection is smaller, and they only have sushi, but the sushi is a little better balanced and has somewhat more flavor. Expect long waits between servings.
Nikko charges extra if you leave any rolls uneaten (I dropped one, but wasn't charged for it; they may allow one or two). I don't know what Todai's policy is.
I haven't found a sushi bar that I really like since Kampai in Bellevue closed several years ago. The Belltown ones are ok but very expensive.
Sushi-rific
in Pacific Northwest & Alaska: Dining
Posted
Both Todai (in Redmond Town Center) and Nikko (in the Seattle Westin Hotel) are all-you-can-eat for a fixed price. The quality suffers considerably, of course.
From what it looked like to me, Todai's sushi is machine-made. They take a slab of rice and squish it in a press to create a whole bunch of nearly-identical patties. Then they drop too-large strips of fish on top. The fish might be hand-cut, but is very uniform; I think they do a whole slab at a time. No wasabi is used at all; you have to add it yourself if you want it. The result is that the sushi isn't well-balanced, and it tends to taste bland. They do have many other items available in their buffet line. Overall, it's not a terrible place, but I wouldn't recommend going unless you simply want to stuff yourself.
Nikko is slightly better for sushi. Selection is smaller, and they only have sushi, but the sushi is a little better balanced and has somewhat more flavor. Expect long waits between servings.
Nikko charges extra if you leave any rolls uneaten (I dropped one, but wasn't charged for it; they may allow one or two). I don't know what Todai's policy is.
I haven't found a sushi bar that I really like since Kampai in Bellevue closed several years ago. The Belltown ones are ok but very expensive.