10 Washington Teriyaki Joints Where A Heaping Plate Still Costs Less Than $12
One teriyaki counter on this list has its own drive-through window, which feels like a delightfully dangerous idea. Another tosses in free miso or egg drop soup with lunch.
A third serves teriyaki and brisket pho under the same roof.
I love that Washington still has places like these. Teriyaki is practically our unofficial comfort food.
The best plates come with a mountain of rice and zero fuss.
What grabbed me most was the math. These kitchens are known for portions that crowd the edge of the plate, yet a lunch special can still land under twelve bucks.
In a year when a deli sandwich can cost more, that feels almost rebellious.
So I went looking in college towns, river cities, and busy suburbs along I-5. Which one of these is closest to your next lunch break?
1. Teriyaki Spice
Spokane takes its teriyaki seriously, and this downtown-adjacent spot on West 2nd Avenue makes a strong case for the crown. The chicken teriyaki lunch special pairs a main with a drink and still stays under the twelve-dollar line.
That deal alone earns it the top slot here. The portions are known for being large, so a lunch stop can easily cover dinner too.
Want something fancier without leaving the teriyaki lane? The Ribeye and Chicken Teriyaki combo puts steak and chicken side by side on one plate.
Save a little room for the flan, a sweet, creamy finish that you don’t always see at teriyaki counters. It’s a small touch that makes this place feel a bit different from the pack.
The hours are friendly to early birds and late eaters alike. Doors open at 10 AM daily, and the kitchen runs until 10 PM Monday through Saturday, closing earlier on Sundays.
Families will find high chairs and a changing table, which helps when little ones tag along. The room leans casual and quiet, a nice break from busy downtown streets.
Timing tip for your Washington lunch run: mornings tend to be calmer, while weeknight evenings pick up. Free parking, both in a lot and on the street, takes one more worry off your plate.
Address: 1412 W 2nd Ave, Spokane, WA 99201
2. Ginza Teriyaki
Two meats, one plate, and a price tag that still lets you breathe. Over in University Place, this family-owned kitchen offers a pork and chicken teriyaki combination at dinner that slips comfortably under twelve dollars.
Lunch is even kinder to your wallet. The lunch specials are among the most budget-friendly on this whole list, and the portions are known for being huge.
Teriyaki chicken is the obvious starting point, but the short ribs deserve a look too. There’s also fried rice, chicken tempura, and a tempura combo if you like a little crunch.
The menu wanders beyond teriyaki in fun directions. You’ll spot General Tso’s chicken, sweet and sour chicken, and egg flower soup alongside the grill favorites.
Vegetarians aren’t stuck with a side salad here. A full vegetarian menu includes vegetable yakisoba, which makes group orders a lot easier.
The place draws college students and families, and it’s easy to see why. There’s a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a casual, quiet dining room with table service.
Plan around the calendar, since the kitchen closes on Sundays. Monday through Saturday, doors open at 11 AM and stay open until 9 PM, with plenty of free parking nearby.
Address: 6828 19th St W, University Place, WA 98466
3. One Bowl
College towns know a thing or two about stretching a dollar. Pullman’s answer is a fast, family-owned Asian fusion spot where most meals land under ten bucks.
The menu pulls from Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai kitchens. Rice bowls anchor the lineup, with stir fry noodles, sushi, and ramen filling out the rest.
For this list, though, the chicken teriyaki is the main event. Pair it with a California roll and you’ve built a tidy little feast without much fuss.
Portions here are generous, which feels almost unfair given the prices. Orders tend to come out quickly too, a big plus between classes or errands.
Its price bracket is the lowest of the ten stops in this article. If you’re feeding a hungry teenager, that detail alone might win the argument.
Hours are wonderfully consistent, running 11 AM to 9 PM seven days a week. You can dine in, grab takeout, or have it delivered when Palouse weather keeps you indoors.
The setting is simple and casual, built around easy, satisfying bowls rather than fancy plating. Free parking in a lot and on the street keeps a quick bite actually quick.
Address: 1140 N Grand Ave, Pullman, WA 99163
4. Yukio – Teriyaki & Vietnamese Cuisine
Can’t decide between teriyaki and pho? Olympia has a spot that refuses to make you choose.
The kitchen serves Japanese-inspired teriyaki next to Vietnamese staples like brisket pho and rice bowls. It’s a pairing that makes perfect sense once you see the menu.
The lunch deal to know is the PNW Teriyaki, which comes in at a seriously low price. Portions are known for being abundant, so value is the whole story here.
Tofu teriyaki has earned real attention, which is great news for plant-based eaters. A full vegetarian menu means nobody at the table gets left out.
Feeling adventurous? Try the grilled lemongrass chicken, the beef stew called bo kho, or crab cream cheese wontons.
Shrimp fried rice and chicken wings round things out for bigger appetites. There’s even a kids’ menu and high chairs, so family lunches stay simple.
Service is quick, and the room stays casual and quiet. That combo makes it handy for state workers grabbing lunch near the capital.
Keep the schedule in mind before you drive over. It’s open 11 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays.
Address: 3530 Pacific Ave SE #F3, Olympia, WA 98501
5. Youskyme Teriyaki
Leaving hungry is basically not an option at this Vancouver quick-serve shop. Teriyaki is the specialty, and the plates are built to fill you up.
Two price points make it a smart stop. The lunch special stays well under budget, and the teriyaki combo still squeaks in below twelve dollars.
Lunch plates feature teriyaki chicken and beef with rice and veggies. The chicken is known for being juicy and tender, and the vegetables come out nicely cooked.
Beef fans should zero in on the Teriyaki Beef Bowl. Chicken katsu is another highlight if you want a crispy, golden option instead.
The range of dishes is wider than you might expect for a low-key spot. Small plates and healthier picks share space with classic comfort food.
Service moves fast, and the staff are known for being friendly. You can sit down with table service or grab takeout on the way home.
Weekday hours start at 10:30 AM, handy for an early lunch in east Vancouver. Saturdays open at 11 AM, and Sundays are closed.
A kids’ menu and high chairs make it easy for families. Free parking and a casual, quiet room seal the deal for a relaxed weeknight dinner.
Address: 221 NE 104th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98664
6. Jessie’s Sushi & Teriyaki
Sushi and teriyaki on the same menu is a Yakima crowd-pleaser for good reason. Here, the chicken teriyaki special costs about ten bucks and arrives as a lot of food.
Grilled meats get glazed with a flavorful teriyaki sauce, and portions run generous. Chicken leads the way, though beef teriyaki and yakisoba also show up.
Then there’s the sushi side of the house. The seared salmon roll is a standout, and spicy tuna gets plenty of love too.
Vegetarians can try the Mexican Roll, a fun twist that fits the Central Washington location nicely. It’s the kind of menu where everyone at the table finds something.
Little extras set this spot apart. A notable tea selection, free Wi-Fi, and occasional live music give it more personality than a typical counter joint.
Unlike most places on this list, it accepts reservations. That’s a nice perk for weekend dinners, when Saturday and Sunday afternoons into evenings get busiest.
Mornings are the quiet stretch, with doors opening at 11 AM every day. The kitchen runs until 9 PM, and there’s a kids’ menu plus free parking.
Address: 2304 S 1st St suit A, Yakima, WA 98903
7. Teriyaki Grill
Homemade sauce is the quiet flex at this Kennewick counter. The chicken teriyaki gets its glaze from a recipe made in-house, not poured from a jug.
Lunch is where the value really shines. The lunch portion is priced remarkably low, and portions overall are known for being huge.
Picky about dark meat? You can ask for all white meat on the chicken teriyaki, a simple option that plenty of places skip.
The menu goes well past chicken, too. Look for glazed shrimp teriyaki, fresh grilled salmon teriyaki, prawn tempura, and chicken katsu.
Chicken yakisoba and chicken fried rice cover the noodle and rice crowd. There’s even a chicken and eggroll combo for anyone who wants a little crunch on the side.
Vegetarians get a full menu, with steamed vegetables among the options. Catering is available as well, handy for Tri-Cities office lunches and team events.
Ordering happens at the counter, with seating for dining in. Dogs are welcome outside, a rare perk if you’re out with your four-legged buddy.
Friday afternoons into evenings draw the biggest crowds. Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sundays closed.
Address: 7600 W Clearwater Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336
8. Tokyo Teriyaki
Charred edges, sticky rice, and gyoza on the side make a convincing lunch argument. That’s the lineup at this casual spot on Colby Avenue in Everett.
The lunch special lands under ten dollars, leaving room in the budget for a drink. Chicken teriyaki portions are big, and the char on the meat is a highlight.
A fresh salad rounds out the special, so you get a little crunch with your comfort food. It’s a balanced plate that doesn’t skimp.
Craving something sweeter? The spicy chicken with pineapple brings heat and tang in one bite.
Chicken katsu and chicken stir fry are also popular picks. Pan-Asian favorites fill out the rest of the menu for anyone who wants to branch out.
Here’s a surprise for plant-based diners: the restaurant offers both full vegan and full vegetarian menus. That’s a rare combo for a classic teriyaki joint.
Weekday hours start at 10:30 AM, so downtown workers can beat the noon rush. Monday mornings and afternoons are the busiest stretch, while Saturday mornings stay quiet.
Saturdays close early at 7 PM, and Sundays are closed entirely. Dine-in seating and free parking make it an easy midday stop.
Address: 2804 Colby Ave, Everett, WA 98201
9. Miyako’s Teriyaki & Wok
Free soup with lunch might be the most charming perk on this list. South Everett diners get miso or egg drop soup alongside the teriyaki and gyoza lunch special.
That special stays under ten dollars, and the plain teriyaki chicken lunch special still lands under twelve. Portions are generous, so the soup is pure bonus.
Chicken breast teriyaki gets plenty of praise for anyone who prefers lighter meat. Spicy chicken teriyaki brings more kick if your taste buds want adventure.
The wok side of the name isn’t just decoration. Mongolian beef, orange chicken, and house fried rice share the menu with yakisoba.
Rib bento is worth a look for a heartier meal. Tofu teriyaki and tofu yakisoba keep things friendly for plant-based eaters.
The staff are known for friendly service, and the dining room stays casual and quiet. Unlike many counter-service spots, it accepts reservations.
Evenings from Monday through Thursday tend to pick up. Mornings are calm, with doors opening at 11 AM Monday through Saturday.
The kitchen closes at 8:30 PM and takes Sundays off. Delivery and takeout are available when you’d rather eat at home in front of a good movie.
Address: 13112 39th Ave SE D, Everett, WA 98208
10. Teriyaki Wok
Teriyaki through a drive-through window is the kind of idea that makes road trips better. Ellensburg’s no-frills spot on South Canyon Road offers exactly that.
Plates arrive heaping, with tender teriyaki chicken and two generous scoops of sticky rice. Huge portions can still come in around nine dollars, which feels like a small miracle.
The spicy chicken teriyaki is known for having just the right amount of heat. White meat chicken teriyaki is there too, for anyone who prefers it.
Chicken and katsu teams up on one plate for the indecisive crowd. Orange chicken and chicken fried rice show off the menu’s Japanese, Chinese, and Korean mix.
Don’t skip the wonton soup, a menu favorite that pairs nicely with a chilly Kittitas Valley afternoon. It’s simple comfort in a bowl.
The setting is simple, which keeps the focus on the food. College students, families, and travelers passing through all find their way here.
Hours are steady, running 11 AM to 9 PM seven days a week. Delivery isn’t offered, so plan on dining in, grabbing takeout, or rolling through the drive-through.
For a final stop on a Washington teriyaki tour, it’s hard to beat. Free parking and quick counter service make it an easy break on an I-90 drive.
Address: 1210 S Canyon Rd, Ellensburg, WA 98926