The 10 best things I’ve eaten in Seattle
Anime ramen, a stunning birthday cake, and pho that cures depression
Hi! Buckle up my newsletter friends, because this is a long one. I’m going to rave about the best things I’ve eaten in Seattle, in no particular order, from over five years of living here. I love to eat and I have a deep-seated sweet tooth – almost half this list is dessert foods – so I hope you feel the same way! And if you’re a local, please leave a comment to let me know what I’m missing out on, so I can remedy the situation ASAP.
I feel like it’s kinda hard to find exceptional food in Seattle? The city is full of great food, of course, after you dig through about a hundred short-lived fast-casuals, boba shops, and overpriced techie restaurants to find it. These are the foods I keep revisiting, both physically and mentally (through daydreaming). I’m not an expert on anything in the culinary realm, I just like to try new things and experience delight, so don’t expect hard-hitting food criticism here.
Let’s eat!
1. Miso Ramen at Ramen Danbo (Capitol Hill)
This place has a lot of hype, and there’s always a thick crowd of tech transplants outside, waiting to get in. It’s a small restaurant, they don’t take reservations, and there is a long waitlist every single day. Except!! Except for one magical Sunday, when my boyfriend and I were walking by at around 11:15am, and everyone in Seattle was at some sporting event (please don’t ask me which one). And there was NO LINE AT RAMEN DANBO.
There was no other choice; we simply had to take the opportunity. We walked straight in, were seated right away, and shortly began eating the best ramen either one of us has ever had. This is not hyperbole. This ramen is as close to Studio Ghibli ramen as I am probably ever going to get in the United States. There are also multiple locations of Ramen Danbo in British Columbia, and two in New York! I hope with all my heart that you can get as lucky as we did, because this place is worth the buzz and the wait.
Btw, it’s normal ramen prices! Not at all overpriced. And once you’ve finished your noodles, make sure to ask for an extra half-portion of noodles, which is only $1. And that’s not a typo.
2. Ube Cheesecake at Hood Famous Bakeshop (International District)
As beautiful as it is delicious. This is the dish that introduced me to ube, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. This cheesecake is stocked at Uwajimaya but it sells out fast, and the Ballard location of Hood Famous is no longer open to the public, so there is just the standalone International District location. I need to make a trip there soon, because it’s been too long since I’ve eaten this cheesecake.
3. Pastries at Temple Pastries (Central District)
Another very popular spot, and deserving of its popularity. I didn’t really hit it off with their savory stuff, but the pastries are incredible. You can’t make a bad choice at the pastry case. Awesome textures and inspired ingredient combinations are a calling card here. The line is long but moves quickly, so don’t get scared off! You should grab coffee and a treat, and head upstairs for quieter, cozier vibes.
Sidenote: their merch designs are very cute. We bought one of their branded mugs and love it.
4. Seared Scallops at Umi Sake House (Belltown)
Umi is a go-to “special occasion” spot for us and the prices are upscale but absolutely worth it. Everything on the menu is fantastic, and you can also ask them to craft a custom sushi roll for you if you have certain ingredients in mind.
Make sure to get a sake flight, and make sure to get the seared scallops appetizer! These are like no other scallops I’ve had. The tenderness of the shellfish is contrasted with a thick layer of char on top, making them addictively chewy. Their only flaw as an appetizer is the potential to outshine your main dish :)
5. Veggie Pho at Pho Viet Anh (Belltown)
I’m biased in favor of this one because my friend Cathy’s family owns this restaurant, but their pho is honestly excellent. I crave pho in all weather and any mood, but it hits extra hard when things are on the gloomier side. Pho has been my constant comfort through heartbreaks and illnesses since my college years, because it truly always makes me feel better.
Pho Viet Anh’s version of the dish has a mild sweetness in the broth, which infuses the noodles and leads me to eat until I’m bursting every time. I swap out the regular tofu for soft tofu, and sometimes I get extra noodles. If you’ve been looking for a pho spot in Seattle to become a regular at, this is a great contender.
6. Chocolate chunk cookie at Shikorina Pastries (Central District)
For 10 months, I lived within walking distance to both Shikorina and Central Cinema, and it was the best 10 months of my life. Shikorina is cutest spot with a lavender-toned sitting area inside, where you can sip your drink of choice and enjoy one of the best homemade cookies you’ll ever have.
My boyfriend and I are very dedicated to the cookies here, but I also love their cake jars, and all the drink offerings are great. You can order custom cakes, and there is a sliding scale for anyone who needs it. This is a thriving new business owned and operated by the super sweet Hana Yohannes, and her work deserves your support.
7. Custom birthday cake from Kristi Yamamoto (Capitol Hill)
Kristi’s creations are absolutely unreal. She does custom cake commissions on a limited basis, and occasionally does pop-ups around Seattle. Follow her Instagram (@yamcake4u) to see when she opens her books, and make sure to move fast when she does! Her creative and show-stopping work is worth the wait.
I ordered my birthday cake from Kristi this year, and when I opened the box, I was completely speechless for a few seconds. She took my preferences/suggestions and turned them into strawberry-and-chocolate, buttercream-frosted magic. It was both stunningly beautiful and unbelievably delicious, and I miss her (my cake) every day. Any special occasion or treating-yourself day would benefit from Kristi’s edible art.
8. Brownie à la mode at Communion (Central District)
Communion is another very popular Seattle restaurant, for good reason, so make sure to get a reservation. Everything on the menu is great, the atmosphere is super lively, and the service is fun and friendly. I can’t wait to go back!
I’ve been trying to describe what this brownie tastes like without swearing, but I can’t. It is so fucking good. Warm, chewy, indulgent. The ice cream was a strong supporting player and paired perfectly. Share this with a loved one and try not to lick the plate afterwards.
9. Salmon sandwich at Local Tide (Fremont)
Considering our geographic location, you’d think Seattle would have more fast-casual seafood spots with stellar reputations. I guess there is Ivar’s, which does hit the spot sometimes, but that’s more like fast food. Local Tide is something new, and I hope it’s a herald of better times to come: times where high-quality seafood can be acquired without dressing up or paying loads.
The small menu is full of heavy-hitters, and my favorite is the salmon sandwich. It’s the perfect size, the fixings aren’t overwhelming, and the salmon is extremely fresh. The sandwich is improved by the fish being a little colder than the rest of the ingredients, which could be off-putting, but in this case the temperature difference makes the salmon feel fresher and more enjoyable to eat.
Local Tide is another very busy spot, so bring your patience and your dedication to good seafood.
10. Belgian Waffle with fresh fruit from Glo’s Diner (Capitol Hill)
Glo’s is a lovely spot for a classic diner experience, with friendly staff and excellent, well-priced food. Their menu is curated, their new space is beautiful and full of light, and their portion sizes are perfect. We really enjoy eating here! The line to get inside can reach spectacular lengths on the weekend, so plan your visit accordingly.
Thanks for reading about one of my favorite topics! I’m always looking for restaurant recs (I’m pescatarian btw), so please drop into the comment section or respond to this email <3