Seattle’s oldest Japanese restaurant prepares to welcome back diners after winning makeover contest

Maneki has been in business for 116 years. Sponsored by Puget Sound Energy

SEATTLE – Maneki is one of four winners of the Small Business Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest that evening, sponsored by Puget Sound Energy.

The word “iconic” is thrown around a lot these days – but in Seattle’s Chinatown International District, iconic is exactly the word most people use to describe Maneki.

“People claim that Maneki is the oldest Japanese restaurant on the west coast. We’re not saying it because I have no written evidence. But we’re going to be 116 this year,” said owner Jean Nakayama.

Maneki has never had a year like 2020. Indoor dining stopped last March and they only rely on take away to stay afloat.

Great news came when Jean learned that Maneki had won a $ 45,000 energy saving makeover from Puget Sound Energy – and it was her clients who nominated her.

“It’s overwhelming every time I think about it. It brings tears to my eyes because they are all so supportive. “

Before work can begin, PSE’s small business energy efficiency team is looking for areas where they can help.

“Maneki offers many possibilities for energy efficiency,” says Sarah Cann from PSE. “When we’re inside, we’ll look at all of their energy consumption. Like lighting and cooling and all of their kitchen appliances. We’ll look at your heating system and your water heating system and see if you need any upgrades. “

While the indoor restaurant is closed, the restaurant is busy installing the latest energy efficient equipment and updating the overall look of Maneki.

After months of work, the job was finally done.

“Here at Maneki we have done many things to efficiently improve their energy in their restaurant. In the kitchen she has two brand new deep fryers. We also replaced the water heater with a highly efficient water heater with a heat pump, “explains Sarah. To increase the safety of the room, we have installed a MERV 13 air filter and a UVC light disinfected system. “

“There are several different rooms, all of which required different types of lighting. We made different lighting in the bar area.”

They also redesigned the lighting in Maneki’s famous tatami rooms.

“I can actually dim the light down so it would be a really big surprise,” said Jean happily.

Some of the cosmetic upgrades include a new way to display their collection of Maneki cats.

“You could put these shelves, these narrow shelves in the dining room, so we can display the cats.”

And when guests enter, they are greeted by a new wall documenting the restaurant’s rich past.

“PSE did a really good job of helping us keep all the mood or style of Maneki but now bringing us to the new generation.”

Learn more about Puget Sound Energy’s Small Business Energy Efficiency program on their website.

The Small Business Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest is sponsored by Puget Sound Energy. KING 5’s Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email.