The Asian Verified Essentials List: Where I Eat in Seattle
My living list of go-to bites at a glance.
Hey gang. This is the long-awaited list of my favorite things to eat in Seattle and beyond.
These are not reviews, this is just a list of my favorite bites optimized for you to find interesting options in different neighborhoods at a glance. In that way, none of this is debatable—it’s just what I like 😃.
If it’s on here, I’ve eaten there multiple times. This list will change as I discover new favorites and add ones I’ve forgotten.
Hope you find it useful ✌️✅.
Seattle
CID / Pioneer Square
Kau Kau BBQ
The Hall of Famer of Seattle’s CID for Chinese BBQ, with the wisened chef to boot. I get roast pork, but red BBQ pork lovers will be happy too. This is the only place in WA I get pork fried rice, theirs is too good.
Kilig
A sister restaurant to Musang (see East Side Seattle below), specializing in a handful of perfected classics, like pancit canton, bulalo, and adobo, and new favorites like sinigang fried chicken wings.
Ocean Star
This my go-to spot for dim sum in the CID not necessarily because it’s the best (it’s pretty good), but because it has a dedicated parking lot. And the dim sum is push cart!
My non dim-sum go-to’s:
Seafood chow mein with crispy noodles (ask for a lemon wedge)
Lobster with black bean sauce (for some reason it’s cheaper at dinner?)
Hong Kong Bistro
Easy spot for Hong Kong style favorites at pretty much any waking hour of the day. but I tend to go for dim sum.
Baegopa KBBQ
I like this spot for a very specific reason: they have rice noodle paper (dduk bossam) like Southern California joints use, inspired by Vietnamese folks.
Crawfish King
One of many Viet Cajun crawfish spots in the city, but this one is my favorite My go-to’s are the coconut rice, shrimp and mussels (better value than crawfish imho), with the Big Easy sauce.
Purple Dot
A late night go-to spot for HK favorites. I tend to order beef brisket noodle soup.
Canton Noodle House
As it stands, this is my go-to spot for no frills Chinese noodle soup in the CID. It’s a family affair. I get beef brisket and sui gau noodle soup every time. With the Chinese donuts of course.
Thanh Son Tofu
My favorite spot for banh mi in the whole city. I also like to get tofu there, varieties made in house and purchased by the pound. It looks like it’s owned by Ricky Tan.
Saigon Drip
Their Banh Mi Drip is one of my favorite things to eat, period. It is more like a French dip than a banh mi (it focuses on steak, mayo, and onions) with rich pho broth instead of au jus. It’ll rock your socks, and impress whoever you take there.
Saigon Deli
Close second for my favorite banh mi in Seattle. Army of aunties working the banh mi line. And the second ever video on Asian Verified.
Pho Bac Sup Shop
Easily my favorite pho in the city.
Tai Tung
Bruce Lee’s favorite Chinese restaurant, the oldest in Seattle, and they do everything so damn well. Get whatever you like, but definitely get the beef chow fun.
Fuji Bakery
One word: Malasadas.
Hood Famous
A Filipino-owned cafe that is dripping in good taste and great vibes. Known for their cheesecakes and sweets, you’ll also love their drinks and hot foods, like arroz caldo with crispy chicken skin.
Dim Sum King
Over the counter dim sum fucking rocks, and this place does it right. Don’t sleep on the mango puddings in the fridge.
Capitol Hill
Ox Burger
Owned by one of Seattle’s GOATs in the making Khampaeng Panyathong, they were featured on the cover of the NYT Food section for their Laos Burger. Khampaeng also owns Taurus Ox and Anana’s Pizzeria, which I still need to visit!
Tamari Bar
Any Makoto-owned spot is a W, and for Seatteites this one is the one to visit. Throw a dart at the menu, but don’t skip the Legendary 206 Curry or forget to check the specials. And just up the block is their dessert bar Baiten.
Bai Tong Street Food
This location specializes in Thai street food that will remix what you know about some of your favorites like deep fried khao man gai.
Kemi Dessert Bar
This NYC fine dining / dessert chef is supersizing Seattle’s pastry pedigree with her inventive creations like mango sticky rice crispy treats.
University
Thai Tom
The goated Thai restaurant of Seattle. A tiny spot that has a limited (wooden) menu and is cash only. The action happens around the exposed kitchen right in the center of the closet sized restaurant. Get whatever you love, and note even the pad thai can be served with a scoop of rice. That’s classic Thai Tom.
Aladdin Gyro-Cery
There are two different Aladdin gyto spots on The Ave in the University District, but my favorite is Aladdin Gyro-Cery. They have Shasta Tiki Punch cans.
Boba Lust (all locations)
This is one of my favorite boba spots in Washington, and I’m happy to see them continue opening spots. They make drinks really punch. My go-to is the Chamolly, which is like a chamoy and mango slush.
Ba Bar (all locations)
I will always love how Ba Bar does their rice paper covered egg rolls, and love them the most in the combo vermicelli bowl.
West Seattle / White Center
Marination Ma Kai
One of the most amazing locations for a quick service restaurant (and bar), overlooking Elliott Bay and right next to the water taxi. Loco moco is a go-to, but dude I randomly LOVE their fish sandwich and fries. And nunya sauce. And shave ice with mochi and condensed milk.
Kizuki Ramen (all locations)
You may hate to hear this is probably my favorite ramen in Washington, and yes I’ve tried many. Their garlic tonkatsu is always a consistent favorite for me. I also love their agedashi tofu.
Patrick’s Bakery
Delicious Hawaiian bakery that also serves a decent homemade lunch type service. The haupia cinnamon roll is THAT GIRL.
Crawfish House
This is the spot that showed me Washington got skills with Viet Cajun boils. I get the house special sauce, shrimp and mussels.
Puffy Pandy
This shop will make you smile. You gotta try the white rabbit cream puffs and their macarons, plus whatever else catches your eye.
Tung Kee Mi Gia
Vietnamese and Chinese noodle dishes and soups in construction worker sized portions. They have huge aquariums that are extremely well-kept and home to rare fish, ask about them.
Banh Mi XO
One of many banh mi spots in West Seattle, let alone Seattle, but in the vicinity of White Center I think they’re definitely worth noting. Plus it’s owned by a nail salon down the road.
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Maharaja Indian Cuisine (all locations)
This is one of the few Indian restaurants that serve Lamb Rogan Josh, a dish that will become a new favorite for your family if you haven’t tried it yet. And yes their butter chicken is on-fucking-point.
Hung Long Market
A no frills Asian market that makes a questionable banh mi that I’ve grown to enjoy.
South Lake Union / Bell Town / Downtown
Hurry Curry
Easy go-to for quick pork katsu curry rice, as good as any given takeaway spot in Tokyo.
Gyo-Gyo En
Another Makoto joint I love, tiny and hidden among the Amazon jungle in SLU. My go-to’s: 206 curry rice with wagyu dan dan, wagyu mazemen, and bluefin and uni bara chirashi bowl
Japonessa
One of Seattle’s most notorious sushi restaurants right across Pike Place with a super generous happy hour, both in time and value. Menu randomly has Mexican influence. I like the tempura brie appetizer and actually prefer to get rolls here to nigiri or sashimi, although those are cool too.
Oriental Mart
A Filipino institution in Pike Place Market since Reagan. Oftentimes I stop by just for their delicious and long af lumpias to snack on while I walk around the city.
Umi Sake House
Lowkey one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in the city. Beautiful spot with a menu that is easy to navigate and always well executed. Wouldn’t say it’s super “authentic” but it’ll take care of you. Great for a date and happy hour.
East Side Seattle (Central District, Beacon Hill, Othello)
Musang
Musang is the one of the top Filipino restaurants in the nation, let alone Seattle, because they rejig your paradigm of what a Filipino meal can be while reminding you what you have loved about it all along.
CheBogz
Filipino restaurant serving generous portions of your childhood favorites, including sisig. Do not sleep on their lumpia or desserts, such as the ube tres leches and halo halo.
Delite Bakery
The go-to Filipino bakery in the Seattle-area. Please get the butter bread (ensaymada) and a maple bar.
Chu Minh Tofu
Vegan food made with love that would fool or at least impress most carnivores. Specializing in Vietnamese dishes made with tofu and seitan. Tanya, the owner, is the most wonderful lady.
Billiard Hoang
An OG Viet spot in Seattle, ask around. It’s still a pool hall, and they still serve banh mis that grandmas demand.
Fremont / Ballard / Greenwood / North Seattle
Paper Cake
I went there recently for a Wedding Cake Tasting so I got to try all their beautiful, Asian-inspired cake slices, and I gotta say a spot that serves Apple x Japanese Curry Cake is one to patronize like it’s your JOB. BTW, that cake is fucking amazing, and you should try it ASAP.
Secret Congee
Beautiful, cozy congee bowls with luxurious fixings, like lump blue crab.
Bellevue
DaeHo
Look, I’m a full convert to team galbiijim, and I’m never looking back again. I’m thankful there’s a DaeHo in Bellevue because I’m now there 1-2x a month scarfing down galbijjim in the corner. I hope to increase my visits to 2-4x a month soon.
Southcenter
Miyabi Sushi
If you’re gonna eat sushi in Tukwila, it gotta be Miyabi. High quality with pricing won’t bankrupt you. If you’re lucky, you’ll have dope chef specials like A5 wagyu nigiri with fresh uni.
Sarku Teriyaki (all locations)
I’m a bit of a fanatic for mall teriyaki. It’s my guilty pleasure. Double meat no veggies and no shame.
Palace Korean BBQ (in the mall food court)
I come here just to get banchan to keep in my fridge (such as fish cakes and potato salad and the glazed potatoes), but I also do love their rice combos. BTW, my first ever video on Asian Verified.
Grill City (inside Seafood City)
When you need your fix, they will get you right. I’m here for the grilled stuff more than the entrees, but the liempo and sabaw always come in clutch. The BBQ pork skewers are a major play alert. They also have sago gulaman.
Kent / Renton
Sushi Kaunta
This is possibly the best kept secret of Kent. Chef Sean only serves one party at a time. The spot only seats 6ish total. And you’ll have to snag a coveted reservation on his Tock when they become available. Follow his IG Story to stay plugged in.
Hue Ky Mi Gia (inside Great Wall)
My go-to for Chinese-style noodles this side of the CID. The kind of spot that has a DIY chili oil station and zero other frills. The go to is beef brisket and sui gau with thin noodles.
Green Valley
I have once said this place serves my “favorite thing to eat of all time,” and I stand by it. The house fried rice at Green Valley is the poster child in my brain for spots that can make fried rice an entree. And the most important bit is to add the hot and sour soup atop the rice like it’s sabaw. Major play alert.
DoSi KBBQ
As I’ve said before, I am a KBBQ fanatic. And to me, the best spots are not rated by vibes or meat quality—instead, it’s all about the value and the banchan. In that regard, the lunch special at DoSi in Kent is unfuckwithable. A full slate of meats you care about, plus 2 appetizers like wings or cheese corn every time you order meat, plus delicious banchans all for $27.XX.
Mega Star BBQ
The best Hong Kong BBQ this side of Kau Kau is easily Mega Star. On the weekend, they cut up their “golden pigs” which is what real roast side pork fans will want to plan for. But otherwise, their lunch specials are fantastic and hard to
Miss Boba
This place is so good it feels like a chain, but it’s not. It’s just one place that full asses everything, no powders here. The owner visits Taiwan to make sure their drinks are up to snuff, so that’s why their creme brulee’d brown sugar boba is a favorite.
Anchovies and Salt
Don’t believe the mob. Bar none, this is the most magnificent Viet restaurant in WA situated on Lake Washington. Not grand for grandeur sake, but instead an invitation to experience the best of a culture so prevalent in our nation today. Get the coconut geoduck appetizer, trust me.
Renton Bistro
This spot is super lowkey in downtown Renton, and in fact doesn’t want to be covered by influencers because the staff is maxed out already. Get the banh xeo! But also, get anything. Their eggrolls are rice paper fried.
Viet Phoody
A lowkey pho spot that has still prices from 2015. I burned the fuck out of my mouth with their stone pot, with I guess is a compliment. As I live in the area, this is my go-to. My guilty pleasure is the crab rangoon.
Auburn / Federal Way
ChoSun KBBQ
OK, lowkey I think this might be the best Korean BBQ from Tacoma to Northgate. It says a lot given that Federal Way is Little Korea of the South Sound. (I still need to spend more time in Lynnwood / Shoreline).
Their meat selection is TOP TOP notch, and to boot they also have my fave banchan selection—they even got the acorn jellies. Beyond that, similar to DoSi (Kent), they also offer a big list of appetizers with each meat order.
Yang Pyeong Seoul Restaurant
Get the Gamjaatang, it’s fit for two or one if you smoke enough weed.
More coming soon 🫶
Thank you for reading.
would be kinda sick if you made a shareable google maps 👀
Thank you! Would love your South Sound recommendations!