We tried this restaurant in late June and are just now getting around to writing a review. Some family friends catered food from here for a small wedding reception, which gave us the chance to try their food--and we loved it! That experience convinced us to come in and try more dishes. The server was really nice and friendly, and we enjoyed dining in. We ordered the karaage chicken, supreme fried rice, and spicy stir-fry katsu chicken--all were amazing. The karaage chicken was our favorite; it was juicy and perfectly seasoned. The fried rice and katsu chicken were slightly saltier than our preference, but still very tasty. Portions are generous, and while we were there, we noticed many customers ordering karaage chicken to go. If you're a fan of karaage, this place is a must-try. The space is large and well-suited for families and gatherings. We'll definitely be back for sure. read more

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Food is always so good. Very consistent. Been coming here since the early 80's. Great service!

My favorite is the fried rice and Tom Yum! We've lived in Kent for over 20 years and Saya is always delicious

I was craving Thai food lunch and stopped in. I ordered 2 star Chicken Pad Thai to go. The food had great flavor with the perfect amount of heat. The portion size was good and had chunks of chicken. I will definitely come back to try other items. read more

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Our favorite and we live 3 hours away. Use to go there for lunch but I have since retired but when we're over in the area we love to go. The owners are great!! Good food and great memories having work lunches there often. read more

Great food. We can never pass up an order of their karrage chicken and fried rice. Have always been an easy choice for last minute take out eats. read more

Love Saya. Staff is always friendly and their food is always an amazing. Just wish they would be open later

Everything is always fresh hot and on point and OMG this is the best chili oil I've had!!! Pairs perfectly with the CRUNCHY chicken!! My go to spot for a few years now read more

Saya Restaurant - Chicken Karage and 2 Thai teas - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

First time here. We tried the Katsu chicken which was really delicious and the quantity was large! Big chicken pieces, super delicious. The box I got was really good too. It included chicken Katsu, grilled chicken gaiyang, and really good pad Thai. Inside the ambient was very cozy. Service was great. Really nice staff. Will be back. Really good prices for big portions and really good food. read more

Saya Restaurant - Saya special- chicken Katsu and gaiyang - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

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The people there is great, food is great. The owner been there for Past 20+ years. Always a smile and great food. read more

The chicken karaage was huge with big pieces. I am used to chicken karaage being popcorn size at other locations. It came out very fast and hot. read more

My favorite thing to get here is their chicken karage. You cannot beat it. The waiter Andrew was always checking on us and was so nice. The atmosphere is nice and homey. I also had their seafood pho and it was good as well. It tasted a bit fishy but it was not that overpowering. read more

Saya Restaurant - Seafood pho - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

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A friend and I went to Saya in Kent on a recommendation. It's located in a strip mall. We both ordered the karaage chicken. It came with a green salad, rice and a soy based dipping sauce. The portions were huge. We could have shared a plate of karaage chicken between us. The chicken and dipping sauce were very good. I could have done without the iceberg lettuce salad though. Service was good. There was ample parking. read more

I have eaten here for the last 5 years, they are great people, great food. Anytime I'm in the area, this is were I'm having lunch!

This has been my go to Chicken Karaage spot for years and it's always worth the drive. The workers are very kind and every now and then, you'll run into the owner who is very welcoming and friendly. They make sure to check up on you every now and then to make sure everything is okay and if you need anything else. There's always plenty of seating with tables and booths. They can accommodate larger groups which is nice and with that comes their huge parking lot that they share with other businesses but is never really full. The Chicken Karaage has a ridiculously crispy exterior and once you get past that, it's juicy tender chicken. The dish always comes with rice and salad and you can opt to pay extra for more chicken. I definitely recommend dining in for your first time before bringing it to go or home to get the full experience. You won't be disappointed making your way to this family owned spot! read more

Saya Restaurant - Chicken Karaage - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

Really great food! I've had their takeout, but haven't dined in yet. They do have a dining space which is nice. The food is overall delicious, full of flavor, and they have good portions. The chicken karaage which is such a meaty and tasty chicken. It's heavy and very filling! I also had the Thai massaman curry which was absolutely delicious. I'll be back here, this place is a keeper and a must visit! read more

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Its been since 2021 when I last reviewed them so I thought I should give an update! They changed the taste of their pad thai for the better honestly! They use real chicken and I say that because its so thick and tender. Before, not gonna lie it was so flimsy and that hard to chew type of chicken. Overall, will continue to visit. Their pad see ew still tastes phenomenal and their chicken karaage remains to be huge, have a crispy outer layer, and soft/tender inside. Great food as always! read more

Best chicken karage. Always try to go when I get a chance. All the food are also good.

I was influenced. I watched a video on social media and they sold me when they said the karaage was some of the best they had in the area. So I just had to go see for myself. Upon arrival, the place was bigger than I anticipated. But you can tell it's pretty steady with the local community and seems to have a pretty good influx of regulars. I was seated pretty quickly and was surprised that they let me have a booth to myself considering it was lunch rush and they were decently busy. I obviously went the karaage and also ordered basil fried rice. When she asked what spicy level from 1- 4, I told her 4. And when she started to walked away, I stopped her and told her Thai Spicy. I want it Thai Spicy Level 4. The Karaage came out first. It was literally piping hot and steaming. It was so hot and fresh out the fryer, I couldn't even eat it. Luckily, they brought out the basil fried rice soon after. The rice had a nice basil flavor but was a little on the soft side for fried rice. It wasn't Thai spicy level 4 either but I'd give a level 2. The rice overall was a solid 3/5. It had great flavor but the texture just didn't do it for me. When the karaage cooled off enough for me eat, it was Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Seasoned very well. The dipping sauce, perfectly balanced as well. The karaage was good. Definitely a great value for the price and serving. 3.75/5 It was a lot of food so I packed my food to go and my only complaint is that when I left the restaurant and went back to work, I smelled like the grease the karaage was cooked in. It was really unpleasant to have to sit like the rest of the work day. read more

Saya Restaurant - Karaage - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

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It's like a hidden gem cause I've never been here crowded. There doesn't ever seem to be a lot of people here. Prices are affordable and food proportion is generous. There are lots of tables and it's spacious; there is a parking lot so you don't have to worry about parking. Cashier/ servers are really kind. Although I order the pad se ew with no veggies and it still came with veggies. I m sure if I asked they would have switched it for me cause they were super nice but I didn't want to trouble them. Food doesn't take long to come but it's all pipping hot. My favorite dishes here are the karaage and the gaiyang read more

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The owners are awesome and the place is cozy. I honestly only come here for the karaage chicken. I'm not kidding when I say it's the best karaage chicken you are going to find in most of the state. I do love their gyoza, potstickers and sesame balls, My husband is the only person that can rival Saya's karaage...and sometimes he just doesn't feel like frying up all of those chicken pieces at home! We are so grateful to have Saya within a somewhat reasonable driving distance and we hope they stick around for a long long time! We love you guys! read more

Such a great little spot! Great food, kind workers, decent prices! One plate can feed 2, or 1 very hungry person! Chicken is crispy and flavorful and such a good deal! Always come here when I need a quick chicken karaage fix! read more

Saya Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

Great family owned business. BEST KARAGE CHICKEN! Great price for portions you get. Love Saya restaurant read more

Saya Restaurant - BEST KARAGE CHICKEN. always order Xtra chicken. Family owned, very kind and great service and great food for the price. - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

Love the chicken! So yummy. Big portions. You can pay a little extra for extra meat you can feed 5 people. The tempura veggies, love the variety of vegetables. Staff is super nice read more

Best Karaage ever! We order this at least once a month for work get togethers!! Love this place read more

Took my grandson here...he said not only was it delicious!!!! ....but by far the best Thai he has ever had! In his exact wording "Where has this place been all my life?! It's like a bit of heaven on earth." Highly recommend to anyone wanting to walk out with a smile. read more

Finished my 4th visit & consistently high quality food! This time I had both karaage and 4* spicy karaage, which was similar to a spicy General Tso chicken. The owner, Denise, shared the story behind the restaurant name. The head chef (her husband) formerly worked a popular Seattle Japanese restaurant and dreamed of starting his own. When opening their business, they had to consider the number of letters in a restaurant name; each letter meant a more expensive sign. So with the name of the chef's father, "Sayavong", they took the first four letters and today we have 'Saya'. Very moving backstory to a name that pays tribute to family & American dream! read more

Saya Restaurant - Karaage - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

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Was looking for filling restaurants on the day back from ski trips in the south, and Saya Restaurant was recommended as a location that serves generous portions of delicious food, so we decided to swing by around 8pm on a Saturday and were promptly seated. We didn't have any trouble finding parking, as there are plenty of parking spots at the front of the restaurant. The ambience of the restaurant is casual and has a homely family run vibe. The restaurant wasn't too busy the time we visited, and service was fast - we received our food about 10 minutes after we ordered. We got a variety of options, which I'll review down below: Chicken Karaage ($9.10 - large is $18): Chicken Karaage seems like the thing you must order here if you decide to visit Saya Restaurant, and I'm glad I did. You get a generous portion of chicken, and the chicken itself has nice marinade flavor, is juicy, and has a nice crispy exterior. I think next time, I will ask if they serve some dipping sauces, as I think that would take this chicken to another level. Saya Thai Delight ($14): If you are looking for something very filling, I would definitely recommend the Saya Delight - Look at how much food you get for just $14! I would say that my favorite idea on this combo was the Gai Yang Thai chicken. The chicken has a nice smokey flavor with a subtle sweetness from the coconut milk. The Moo Yang BBQ pork was tender and had a decent amount of Thai seasoning flavor. Despite the great value, the pad thai was unfortunately not very flavorful - there wasn't any spice or saltiness, the overall flavor of the noodles were dull. I guess it serves as a palate cleanser, but it was a bit disappointing. In the end, we spent about $80 for everything you see here plus some additional orders of chicken karaage to go. I would say if you are in the Kent area, Saya Restaurant is a solid option to try if you are looking for a filling and delicious meal. I would definitely like to revisit sometime and try the other options that this restaurant has to offer! read more

Saya Restaurant - Chicken Karaage (large) - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

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I've been coming to this location for 20+ years. One of the owners Cindy remembers my name all these years later along with my family that has came in over that period of time always asks how they are doing. The food is beyond fabulous and delicious cooked to order. If you want the egg rolls you need to get there early or they will be out and you will be disappointed. read more

Came by here by chance and whim and was not disappointed. I ordered the Saya Delight and the portions and taste were great! I especially enjoyed the variety that the bento box had. As for the service, the employees were very friendly and attentive! As for the interior, it definitely gave off old school diner vibes but I definitely enjoyed the nostalgia. Would heavily recommend anyone in the area to check them out! I just regret not taking a picture before I ate all my food! read more

This place is real deal. The menu is smaller, but the food is absolutely great. Pad Thai Thai iced tea is 100% on point!

Amazing food and exceptional staff--they truly make you feel at home. The chicken karaage is top-tier, crispy on the outside and tender inside, easily one of the best I've had. While I've seen some complaints, I think people should focus less on being amateur food critics and more on enjoying a great meal. The pad see ew is also fantastic, with perfectly balanced flavors and just the right texture. There's so much more to explore on the menu, so I highly recommend going with a group and ordering at least five dishes to fully experience everything this place has to offer. read more

Saya Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

*MUST TRY!* This hands down is the best place to eat boneless fried chicken (Karaage)and boneless curry chicken (Gaiyang). You will not be disappointed with this place as their chicken servings are what you pay for and the quality of chicken and flavors will have you going back as a regular (which is ME). That's a promise. I have recommended this place to family, friends and work and they have all given it top reviews. If you're in the Kent industrial area by 212th, stop by and try Saya. If you want fried chicken with savory sauce and veggies with some spice, try the Spicy Karaage stir fry. Try it out for yourself. read more

Saya Restaurant - Karaage and Spicy Karaage. - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

Had a craving for chicken karaage so made a quick run to Saya in Kent. Ordered chicken and yakisoba and was told 20 minutes, and 10 minutes later I was on my way home, terrific service. The portions are huge, the prices are reasonable, and everything was spectacular. I will be back for more. read more

I called in and got my order in fast. Parking in the front is good 10 minutes food pick up. Nice family style restaurant its one of my favorite. Fried chicken is top of the line, quality, fresh crispy and so good. Thanks fam. I share with the family birthday party, they loved it also. read more

Saya Restaurant - Thanks saya restaurant this pad thai so good - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

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The server was very nice, the music was enjoyable and atmosphere was relaxing. I ordered the yellow curry and a micro soup. Not sure what that guy talking trash about the miso is on about, this miso seemed pretty normal to me. I asked to remove potato and add broccoli and bell peppers instead and it tasted great. I always love yellow curry but I feel like it never has enough veggies, no matter where I order it. The rice was a bit mushier than I prefer, but otherwise I would come back. I wanna try the fried rice here. read more

Saya Restaurant - Yellow curry, no potato, added broccoli and bell peppers - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

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I sampled a few bites of my family's chicken karaage, and I instantly regretted not ordering my own. It was that good. So, I placed a pickup order and headed over, and I'm so glad I did. The moment I walked in, I felt this really warm, lively vibe. The owners, a super friendly couple, were having this hilarious, playful debate, and they even asked my opinion! It was so much fun and made me feel right at home. You can tell they really care about their customers. The restaurant has a lot of character, and while maybe it could use a little freshening up, the food totally steals the show. I ordered my chicken karaage 'extra crispy,' and they nailed it. Each piece was perfectly golden and crunchy on the outside, and incredibly tender and juicy inside. The dipping sauce was the perfect complement, adding just the right kick. And let me tell you, the portion was huge! My plate was overflowing, which I definitely appreciated. Honestly, this place is a hidden gem. The food is delicious, the owners are amazing, and you get a ton of food for your money. It's the kind of place where you can tell they put their heart into what they do. read more

Tried this place years ago recommended by a braddah that has been going there for over 20 years. The curry is worth getting drunk on. Pad Thai is very flavorful and best eaten hot. Service was very friendly and attentive. The ambiance was of a mom and pop establishment where you knew there was love in recipe and dish that came out of that kitchen. read more

Saya Restaurant - Green curry tofu, Karage chicken and shrimp fried rice and couple Sapporo beers to wash it down. - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

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I used to get pad Thai here all the time when I lived in Kent. I was in the area and stopped by to get chicken pad Thai. It was so incredibly delicious, just as I remembered it. I don't know if I've had better pad Thai anywhere else. Highly recommend! read more

Saya Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

First time coming here and the first thing I noticed pulling into the parking lot is that there are plenty of parking spots available since it's a destination location. The restaurant is clean and well-kept. Spring rolls were fresh and good. The pad Thai is very different. I would say it's good but not amazing while everything else was amazing. The chicken karage and all the other meats were cooked perfectly and worked well with the sauces provided! read more

Saya Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Kent, Washington

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