Charles Koh
Chances are, you’ve walked by the red sign with the Japanese chef’s knife (prior Boom Noodle) without noticing it was there, but have you dined there? If your answer is no, you better put it on the top of your list! Where else can you get perfectly fried chicken and a smoked brisket okonomiyaki style hash in one sitting.
Under the culinary direction of Jeffrey Lunak, protégé of “Iron Chef” Morimoto, and Kalen Schramke, Chef de Cuisine. Kaisho pushes the limit when it comes to culinary experiments and combining global styles with local ingredients. What makes Kaisho one of our top picks of the month is the amount of detail that goes into each dish. From the ingredients, all the way to the presentation. Kaisho’s interior space is designed efficiently to accommodate solo eaters, group of friends, and as a family. Plus, we’re a huge fan of the colorful lights.
TRIVIA: Kaisho means, “meeting or gathering place.” It’s where Japanese tradition and technique intersect with American originality and hospitality. Highlighting influences from all over the world, Kaisho reinvents modern dining through this combination of global influences, Asian flare and local ingredients. Partnering with farmers, fishermen and local artists, Kaisho highlights the seasonal bounty of the Pacific Northwest while celebrating artistic collaboration and human connection.
Walk in and be greeted by the wild candle dragon.
Colorful lights fill the air and add a sparkle to your table.
Plenty of seating for groups to get together for bites and drinks.
Fresh brewed hot tea.
Bloody Mary with bacon.
Smoked Brisket and Kimchee Gyoza Style Dumplings with spicy dragon sauce. These aren’t your typical dumplings, these are gigantic and an appetizer that’s worth sharing. The combination of the smoked brisket pairs nicely with the spice of the kimchee.
Smoked Salmon Okonomiyaki Style Hash with baby greens, toban jan goat cheese, pickled onions, fried egg. This is what we call an “umami bomb!”
Bao Benedict house smoked pork, poached egg, dragon sauce, mizuna, and hollandaise. The combination of the salty smoked pork goes perfectly with the oozing egg yolk and hollandaise sauce. What makes this benedict different? Well, that right there is a hum bao bun.
Getting hungry yet? Here’s the Smoked Brisket Rice Bowl, sunny side egg, kimchee, cucumber, shishito peppers, seasonal greens, citrus fennel. This is Kaisho’s take on the classic Korean bibimbap dish and we loved it! The smoked brisket will make you Ooo and AHHH.
All the dishes we tried were stars, but the crown goes to the Thai Fried Chicken and Kimchee Waffles, free range chicken, kimchee infused waffles, coconut butter. This is seriously the best fried chicken on the Eastside… and may rub shoulders with the top spots in Seattle. But you be the judge and tell us.
Kaisho is located at 504 Bellevue Square in Bellevue, WA 98004. Brunch will be served Saturdays & Sundays from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. For reservations, call (425) 453-6094.
For more information on Kaisho, visit www.kaishorestaurant.com. You can also like them on Facebook at and follow them on Twitter at @KaishoIzakaya.
