Ma kai in Hawaiian means “along, near, or beside the sea,” which makes it the perfect moniker for the latest addition to the Marination family, located on the West Seattle Water Taxi dock on Alki. The eatery’s ample outdoor patio and large windows mean that almost every seat in the house overlooks Elliott Bay. The shiny Seattle skyline dominates, but views stretch over Puget Sound toward Bainbridge Island and the Olympics. But good luck getting a seat on sunny days—the line has stretched out the door all summer. If you’re lucky enough to nab one, you’ll dine on Marination staples like Spam sliders, kimchi fried rice, and sexy tofu tacos with Marination’s pickled jalapenos, a mound of slaw, and drizzles of nunya sauce—in addition to a slew of Ma Kai originals: Hawaiian-style shave ice and panko-crusted, beer-battered fish ’n’ chips with your choice of miso or kimchi tartar. The restaurant also serves breakfast starting at 9 a.m., perfect for watching the early ferries glide to and fro and the morning’s bike commuters head toward the bridge while munching on a breakfast slider: housemade Portuguese sausage and eggs between sweet Hawaiian buns.
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