Five years of Ltd Edition and Chef Keiji Tsukasaki, Capitol Hill’s DJ of sushi

Chef Keiji Tsukasaki is celebrating five years at Ltd Edition, a sushi restaurant on Capitol Hill that has combined his traditional sushi training with his diverse background in nightlife and Japanese culture to earn accolades as one of the “best restaurants in America.”

Tsukasaki describes himself as both a traditional chef and a party organizer. “Especially with ownership here, I feel like a party organizer too,” he tells CHS. This blend of experiences shapes how he approaches sushi and hospitality, making Ltd Edition a unique part of Capitol Hill’s food scene.

Tsukasaki compares working a sushi bar to dropping a beat.

“It has a live feeling, similar to DJing to the audience,” Tsukasaki says. He appreciates the analog nature of sushi craftsmanship in contrast to today’s digital world. After experiencing the COVID-19 lockdown, he decided to open his own restaurant.

“Maybe this is a crazy idea, but I want to share the traditional Japanese style of sushi with a younger audience. ”

Tsukasaki was born and raised in the coastal town of Fukui, Japan, and grew up immersed in Japanese street culture, dance music, fashion, art, and food. He came to the U.S. as a DJ in the 1990s and decided to live abroad permanently after experiencing a culture shock and discovering a broader world.

Tsukasaki’s sushi training is rooted in some of Seattle’s most respected sushi bars. He began his career as an apprentice at Sushi Kappo Tamura and then trained under master sushi chef Shiro Kashiba at the renowned Sushi Kashiba. This education gave him a strong foundation in traditional sushi techniques. With Ltd Edition, Tsukasaki says he is “going back to his roots” by preparing the most authentic and highest quality Omakase menu possible, focusing on precision and respect for the ingredients.

At one point, Tsukasaki decided to leave behind his career as a DJ and party organizer. “I could not be happy with my previous job of wheeling and dealing and traveling around the world for party events,” he said. He wanted a career that was community-based and involved native Japanese traditional skills. “I realized a sushi restaurant was the perfect fit for that.” The birth of his daughter further motivated him to retrain and focus on this new path. “When I decided on this new career path, our daughter was born. That helped give me the focus to change my lifestyle and train very hard.”

Tsukasaki’s background outside typical sushi kitchens influences how he runs Ltd Edition. “I’m happy to take on things others might not,” he said. “Nightclubs taught me not to judge people and to welcome all kinds of energy.” This mindset creates a relaxed atmosphere where diners can enjoy their experience freely. “I don’t ask many things of my customers. They can enjoy their food however they want. I want the atmosphere to feel open and welcoming, like a good party.”

CHS could not have been more wrong when we first reported on Tsukasaki’s hopes for Ltd Edition as it opened into the teeth of the pandemic shutdowns in 2021. At the time, it was difficult to see project’s ambitions as it turned to premium omakase” boxes to go to survive the COVID-19 slowdown. There was also the name. We’ve probably typed it out seven different ways since the 2021 debut. You’ll still see different variations like “LTD Edition” and more.

Its location also belied those ambitions. Ltd Edition opened in a former charcuterie and cocktail bar space along Nagle Place across from Cal Anderson Park’s basketball court and skate park. Not exactly a coveted food and drink destination.

But Tsukasaki has lived in Capitol Hill for over 10 years and appreciates its edges. “This neighborhood is everything to me,” he says. He raised his children here and often took them to Cal Anderson. “Me and the park, it’s like my home. It’s part of who I am.” Tsukasaki tells CHS, calling it a “central part” of the neighborhood’s community and culture.

Tsukasaki’s connection to Capitol Hill runs deep. He has seen the neighborhood evolve and was part of its nightlife scene. “My friends held secret parties nearby,” he said. “Capitol Hill has always been a place where people come to express themselves through art, music, or food.”

That spirit is reflected in Tsukasaki’s creations and hospitality.

Despite challenges such as drug activity and disorder near the park, Tsukasaki stays involved in efforts to improve safety. He works with local police and community groups, offering practical suggestions like adjusting patrol times. “I told them maybe between three and eight in the afternoon is when things get worse. They listened and made changes,” he said. He also believes it is important to keep the park active. “This park is unique. People play football even at night. It helps keep the neighborhood alive and safer.”

Ltd, meanwhile, has grown from those pandemic stunted ambitions. By the end of 2021, Tsukasaki was adding new talent behind the Ltd bar and dove fully into its premium omakase menu, limiting business to 32 orders a day. By 2023, the New York Times included the eight-seat Ltd on its list of the best restaurants in America.

The unique rise of Ltd actually has a match in the neighborhood. In 2019, chef Hideaki Taneda opened a nine-seat sushi bar tucked into a gritty corner of Capitol Hill inside the Broadway Alley complex. Taneda, too, has risen to much acclaim.

Both Taneda and Ltd Edition are not every day experiences. Taneda’s omakase menu commands pricing around $255 a pop while you can get a spot at the bar at Ltd for $195 or a table for $145 — if you can get a reservation.

At Ltd Edition, Tsukasaki still serves about 30 guests a day, focusing on quality over quantity. “I want people to relax and have a good time,” he said. “Some say it’s too slow here, but I want the experience to feel special. It’s about creating a moment, not just a meal.”

The menu highlights local ingredients prepared in innovative ways but grounded in traditional technique. Tsukasaki works with local farmers, fishmongers, and producers to source the best products. “I want to honor the Pacific Northwest’s bounty but in ways that surprise people,” he said. “It’s not just about the ingredients themselves, but how you combine them and the experience you create.” Diners can expect unexpected flavors and presentations that challenge typical sushi expectations.

Tsukasaki sees Capitol Hill as a neighborhood that welcomes creativity and self-expression. “You see it everywhere, in the art, the food, the culture,” he said. “People come here with unique style and a sense of freedom.” He thinks it’s important to keep this spirit alive as the neighborhood grows and changes. “Capitol Hill should stay a place for food, drink, culture, and expression,” he said.

For Tsukasaki, Ltd Edition is more than a business. “This neighborhood is my home,” he said. “This restaurant is part of that.” He hopes his restaurant helps keep Capitol Hill’s unique character while offering a dining experience that is both innovative and respectful of tradition.

In a city with many restaurants, Ltd Edition stands out as a place where tradition, innovation, and community connection come together. “Every moment here holds a bit of surprise,” Tsukasaki said. “Every dish tells a story.” That story is closely tied to Capitol Hill, a neighborhood that continues to inspire Tsukasaki and his work.

Ltd Edition Sushi is located at 1641 Nagle Place. Learn more at ltdeditionsushi.com.

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