From time to time on Born Again Bird Watcher, I will be sharing some of my enthusiasms and discoveries pertaining to one of my other great interests in life – Japanese food and culture. These will be identified as part of an ongoing series entitled “Turning Japanese.”

With its cosmopolitan environment, Seattle is quite likely the most culturally diverse of all the west coast U.S. cities. It’s location on the Pacific Rim gives it’s already multi-faceted cultural mix an especially strong Asian flavor. I use the word “flavor” intentionally here as one of the most notable reflections of the city’s international atmosphere is the availability of so many wonderful Asian cuisines.

Regular readers no doubt already know of my predilection for Japanese food; most especially sushi. Thus it was with great delight that I discovered during a recent trip to the city that there were three Japanese restaurants within two blocks of my hotel. Now, it is to be admitted that Japanese food, especially in a prosperous metropolis such as Seattle, particularly the area of Bellevue in which I found myself, can be a bit pricey. In fact, two of the three Japanese restaurants to which I just alluded were indeed well above my monetary limits for such indulgences. Fortunately the third, Blue C Sushi, while a tad higher in price that I am accustomed to at home in Oregon, was still within my means. Indeed, I am very glad it was so.

Thanks to its wide selection, good quality, and friendly staff, Blue C Sushi, a kaiten sushi establishment, quickly found a place in my heart. For those not familiar with kaiten sushi, it is a less formal sushi experience originally invented in Japan and now quickly gaining in popularity here in the United States. The orders of sushi are prepared in advance of the customers ordering them, set on plates color coded according to their respective prices, then placed on a conveyor belt that winds its way through the restaurant’s seating areas (in Blue C’s design, this includes both booths and counter areas). Customers simply pick what they like as it transits their area and stack the plates for the servers to tally when the bill for the meal is requested.

Although I tend to favor the more traditional types of nigiri sushi myself, Blue C offers something for everyone – from my own favorties such as saba nigiri and the conservative-as-it-gets tekka maki, to more modern creations like the red dragon roll and caterpillar roll. All are prepared very skillfully using only the best ingredients. As the true quality of any sushi restaurant is to be determined not only by the fish it serves but by the flavor and texture of the rice upon which it serves that fish, I can honestly attest that the rice at Blue C  is quite good, having been properly prepared and seasoned with just the right amount of sushi “dressing.”

The atmosphere at Blue C is fun and lively with Japanese pop music playing and two large cos-play doll murals brightening the walls above the dining area. The staff is very helpful, making sure that first time visitors understand how easy it is to dine at a kaiten sushi bar. As items not found on the sushi track, as well as some cooked and dessert orders (including one of my favorite Japanese desserts – mocha ice cream balls in such traditional flavors as green tea, sweet red bean, and strawberry), can be ordered, the servers are there to assist in ordering and receiving these items as well.

During my brief stay in Seattle (Bellevue) I dined repeatedly at Blue C and very much enjoyed every single visit. (More adventurous types than I might also appreciate Blue C’s upstairs bar with it’s generous happy hour specials and lively atmosphere.) For those wishing to discover more about Blue C Sushi, visit their website, their blog, or follow them on Twitter.

Blue C Sushi
503 Bellevue Square
Bellevue, WA 98004

Phone: (425) 454-8288
Fax: (425) 454-8388