After a brief hiatus, Sushi by Scratch is back in action in Seattle, reopening its intimate speakeasy-style space with a newly reimagined 17-course omakase and the launch of a late-night whisky bar program that kicks off this Friday, April 11.

The sushi counter, hidden behind an unmarked door, is known for its immersive and highly personalized experience—one we had the chance to try previously. The night began with a welcome cocktail and a couple of canapés in the whisky bar before we were ushered into the dining room. There, three chefs guided us through a meticulous lineup of nigiri, each bite served without additional soy or wasabi, in true omakase style.

This time around, guests can expect some big changes. According to Chef Kevin Cho, who recently returned from a stint training with the Austin team, about 80% of the omakase has been updated at Sushi by Scratch. New additions include wild-caught Japanese jellyfish, baby seabream, and cuttlefish dressed in a cherry blossom ponzu made with blossoms from Kyoto. Signature dishes like the roasted bone marrow nigiri and bone marrow-fat fried unagi are still on the menu, a welcome nod to longtime fans.

The team is also rolling out a new rice program, using brown rice from Toyama Prefecture that they mill in-house to retain nutrients while removing the fibrous husk. That husk doesn’t go to waste—it’s repurposed into Scratch’s housemade soy sauce and tofu, part of a sustainability-focused push that enhances flavor and reduces waste.

Whisky Bar

In addition to the refreshed omakase, Sushi by Scratch is debuting Late Night in the Whisky Bar, a new walk-in-only experience running Friday and Saturday nights from 9:30 p.m. to midnight. Expect cocktails, curated tunes, and à la carte bites like Canadian spot prawn sashimi with whipped tofu, chawanmushi with crispy wagyu, and handrolls—all served in an ultra-intimate 14-seat bar. Just ring the doorbell.

And if you’re by a TV in the coming weeks, check out Sushi by Scratch owner Chef Phillip Frankland Lee as he joins Masaharu Morimoto as a head judge on Season 2 of Sushi Masters, dropping April 25 on the Roku Channel.