En

Tried to go here but it is CLOSED. It is being re-​opened as a new restaurant that is not named En.

This is the unofficial hacker hang out I think. Wednesdays there are spiffy DJs and you have to try the cucumber martini. I know it sounds weird but it’s super tasty! Wei is super nice and awesome. It’s newly remodeled but still got the homely dive bar appeal. I always see regulars here. I hear the food is good but I’ve always gone after dinner time so haven’t sampled it for myself yet.

En is an interesting and delightful place.
Wei, the owner, is definitely (as seen in many other people’s reviews) the highlight of the establishment. I’ve spun in En a half dozen times or so on a Friday night with DJ Sloth, and I always bring friends and plan extra time to spend at the bar or eating dinner. The food is incredible — my favorite is the Beef Special (I can’t remember the dish, but if you tell Wei you want the Beef Special, I’m sure he knows what you’re referring to) which is tender strips of long-​time marinated beef (I want to think he marinates it for three days?), lightly breaded and fried. I’ve also had an absolutely perfect halibut. All dishes come with the weird macaroni salad that everyone talks about — imagine living in Japan and running out to the local Safewok to buy something to bring something to a picnic? Yeah, it’s probably this stuff. It’s surprising interesting and delicious in both texture and taste.
The Bar is also great. En has several beers on tap, but he has some signature tasty adult beverages. Seriously folks, the *best cucumber martini I’ve ever had* comes from En. I’ve had many a drunken night after spinning a set with friends downing dozens of delicious drinkable delights. It’s at a great location in Belltown too, because it’s just a short walk down to Shorty’s (my other favorite place in Belltown).
Anyway, if you’re in the area, stop in and say hello to Wei. After just a short time, you’ll feel like he’s an old friend (who likes to get you drunk).

Sometimes I wonder if there’s something I’m missing out on, when everybody else loves a place and I think it’s just meh. The other night, we were down in Belltown and I was STARVING, and just as my stomach started to digest itself, someone said, «Oh, what about that En place? It has great Japanese comfort food and it’s cheap!» Done and done.
On a Thursday night at about 9:00, we were literally the only ones in there, although a DJ was setting up to play for the empty room. The restaurant is dark, spacious, and un-​fussy — art is exhibited on the walls, which gives you something to squint at in the dusky atmosphere while you wait for your food.
I know I’m a cheapskate, but I didn’t think this place was particularly cheap — almost everything was $ 10 or up, and most were in the $ 11 – 13 range. One of my dining companions who’d been there before said that he thought the prices had gone up since he was last there. The only things under $ 10 (besides appetizers) were the yakisoba and the yakimeshi (sp?), basically yakisoba with rice, so I went with the yakisoba.
Our food came pretty quickly, and the yakisoba was interesting, different from other versions I’ve tried. The noodles had a spicy kick to them — possibly curry powder — and there was some sort of mayonnaisey element to the sauce. My friend ordered the yaki rice and reported the same thing. Another dining companion had the seven spice chicken, which apparently lived up to its name (in a good way), although it came with an odd, cold, curried macaroni salad.
We didn’t try any of the alcoholic drinks, so I can’t vouch for that part of the dining experience. Still, it felt oddly anticlimactic after what I’d been promised — cheap, delicious down-​home Japanese cookin’. Lots of people, including my fellow diners, proudly mentioned having a personal relationship with the owner, Wei, and maybe it improves the overall experience to be a «regular.» After my first visit, though, I was so underwhelmed that I can’t imagine coming back here regularly. Or at all, really.

I must say its amazing the service you can get when you’re the ONLY people in the place. Seriously, I mean I know tuesdays are slow nights, but i thought that was a bit extreme.
Anyway, that said, the food here is actually pretty tasty and while I will admit the place is a little pricier than some of my other favorites its in belltown and they take credit cards so I guess I shouldn’t complain too much. I had the tonkatsu and my friend had the miso chicken. Both dishes were very tasty. That said, I was a bit surprised by the atkins like diet where rice actually wasn’t included with the main dishes.
In any case, its definitely a place I wouldn’t mind stumbling back into especially if they pour stiff drinks.

I’ve known Wei going on a few years now and must admit, his unceasing passion for keeping EN going is impressive. Wei is the kind of guy you would be proud of calling «friend.» The food is not what you’d at all call «Haute cuisine.» Instead, it’s one of those places where you leave surprised at the simplicity, albeit truly scrumptious attributes of each dish. There must be a secret ingredient added because it’s definately worth outright praise. Drinks and food are both generous and a good value. Noted models and local young celebrities have been know to stop in on occassion to avoid getting noticed at other more mainstream places in and around Belltown. It’s nice, quiet and understated. Good place to have a small gathering with friends. DJs some nights.

Yep, Wei the owner is a nice guy. Decent drinks and some killer chicken katsu!!! I’ve spent many a night here boozin’ it up and doing sake bombs… Having friends DJ there every once in awhile is bonus too.

This place has one of the best Sake menus in town. It’s refreshing to actually eat at a Japanese restaurant that doesn’t focus on Sushi.

Holy crap, I haven’t reviewed this place? Well, I have to now, as I forced Wei to invent the «raspberry Laural.» Ask for it when you go.

Steve knows what he’s talking about.
I went to En on a lark when some coworkers and I wanted dinner. We strolled in, ordered some sake, and were entranced by Wei, the restaurant owner (who also is the full-​time bartender). Wei is friendly, has wonderful stories, and the food that he serves is excellent. I highly recommend the yakisoba and the beef tatsuda.
Every so often he’ll bring in local Seattle musicians to play. The selection typically ranges from electronic music to hip-​hop, and all is very good.
If you’re looking for dinner sans bar folk, go in the early evening (till about 7:30). Later in the night is when the club/​bar folk come in to honor the SAKE BOMB tradition. If you don’t know what this is, ask Wei. He’ll happily help you out.

one of my favorite places in seattle is still relatively unknown. the food, described ad «japanese confort» is really excellent.
but the real reason to go here is wei, the owner. never have i met a more friendly and personable restaurant owner. over the years, he’s become a good frined. not just to me, but to everyone who goes here.
sit at the bar, have a beer, and say hi for me.