Hit or Misso? Is Hummingbird Seattle’s Best-Kept Sushi Secret?
- Kellia
- Aug 12
- 4 min read
This week marks Hummingbird Sushi’s two-year anniversary. I’d heard of the spot before, but nowhere near as much as Seattle staples like Shiro’s Sushi or Sushi Kashiba. Tucked along W Mercer Street in Queen Anne, Hummingbird may not exactly qualify as a “hidden gem,” but after visiting, I couldn’t help but wonder why it doesn’t get more recognition. Maybe the locals are just keeping this one to themselves.
The atmosphere was rustic and elevated, yet homey (sort of cabin-like). It was cozy and beautiful, but not intimidating, much like the chefs: professional and skilled, yet genuine and charismatic.
I came for happy hour omakase at 5PM (trying to hit all the omakases in Seattle and New York gets... expensive), which was 3 courses and 12 nigiri courses for only $85, an incredible value for Seattle.
To make the experience even more memorable, the chef recognized me from Sugo Hand Roll Bar and, despite how busy they were, generously provided me with three additional courses. It showed me how Hummingbird doesn’t sacrifice quality for price, or hospitality for convenience.
Courses:
The three courses began with miso soup, followed by an oyster and tempura. The oyster was easily my favorite of the three. Baked with mayo, mustard, and cheese, the oyster itself was slightly more oceanic than I typically prefer, but the sauce more than made up for it. Paired with the subtle sweetness of the bread, its crisp texture, and the creamy, savory sauce, the whole course was rich, indulgent, and seriously addictive.
The tempura, on the other hand, was alright. Some pieces had that light, crispy texture I look for in good tempura, while others were a bit softer and heavier. The shrimp itself also tasted slightly overcooked. But I came here for the sushi, not the tempura, so I didn’t mind too much. It was a minor weak point in an otherwise enjoyable meal.
Sushi Course:
The sushi courses felt a bit more modern than most of the omakases I’ve had around Seattle, which tend to lean heavily into traditional, minimalist Edomae sushi. Hummingbird, by comparison, takes a slightly more contemporary approach, incorporating more creative touches without straying too far from tradition. It’s not quite as experimental as Sushi by Scratch, though—in comparison, Hummingbird still leans more traditional, striking a nice middle ground between classic Edomae and modern omakase.
My first two pieces of nigiri were both salmon, which initially left me a little disappointed—I was hoping for more variety. But the second piece was lightly torched, completely changing its texture and flavor and making the two pieces feel surprisingly distinct. Both were very delicious, high-quality salmon.
Chef Ji also leans a little heavier on the rice, but I didn’t mind at all. The rice was excellent, seasoned with red vinegar that gave it a slightly deeper, more distinctive flavor. It had a great balance of acidity and sweetness.
The fish quality was excellent. I was surprised to get such amazing quality for this price point. My favorite was the crimson sea bream. I've never had this fish before - and it was wonderful. It had a slight chew that reminded me of hirame, but also the soft, delicate texture of typical sea bream.
The tuna nigiri were equally impressive. The chutoro and otoro were incredibly soft, practically melting in my mouth, while the akami was leaner but still had a wonderfully tender texture. For $85, the quality across the board was honestly hard to beat.
Chef Ji isn’t afraid to play with bold flavors, incorporating ingredients like jalapeño, vinaigrettes, and garlic into his nigiri. At times, I found the garlic garnishes a little too overpowering—they could be quite intense and almost spicy. But I really enjoyed what he did with the soy vinaigrettes. They added a unique savory-sweet element to the fish that made each piece feel a bit more distinctive.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, Hummingbird Sushi is an incredible value for the price. The menu feels unique enough to stand out, but it never strays too far from the foundations of traditional omakase. I especially loved Chef Ji’s use of bold flavors, which complemented the high-quality fish and excellent sushi rice.
Additionally, while I do enjoy the storytelling and presentation that can come with an omakase experience, I appreciated how the chefs at Hummingbird didn’t feel the need to talk up the courses. There was no elaborate sales pitch or lengthy explanation— they simply let the food speak for itself.
After trying it, I really do think Hummingbird deserves more hype. It certainly feels like a "hidden, not-so-hidden gem" — and one I’d happily recommend to anyone looking for a high-quality omakase in Seattle without the usual price tag.
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Food: 9/10 - Incredible value for your money!
Atmosphere: 8.5/10 - Unique, cozy
Service: 9/10 - I save my 10s for a place like Eleven Madison
As always, these are simply my personal opinions, shared with the hope of offering constructive feedback. Every dining experience is unique.
What do you think—do you agree with my thoughts on Hummingbird Sushi? And more importantly, where should I review next? Drop your favorite omakase or sushi spot below!
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