Every year it seems like there’s a new way to make the dry, beige Thanksgiving turkey taste…better. Deep fried, spatchcocking, herb butters. But what about a Seattle way? Seattle Times food writer, Tan Vinh, sits down with Taichi Kitamura, chef and co-owner of Sushi Kappo Tamura to talk about his teriyaki turkey twist. Plus, this recipe revolutionary comes with sides! Read more about teriyaki turkey (and grab a special bonus recipe) in The Seattle Times here . Recommendations for sides: Steamy, ...
Nov 20, 2025•20 min
The food scene in Phinney Ridge is popping off. There are long lines for pizza, shrimp sandwiches and Italian delis. The biggest challenge is finding a place to park. Seattle Times food writers, Tan Vinh and Jackie Varriano, highlight the neighborhood spots so good you won’t even care about driving around the block five times to find parking. Read more about this hot food neighborhoods in The Seattle Times. Recommendations in this episode: Ben’s Bread (particularly pizza night) Grillbird/Salad P...
Nov 13, 2025•23 min
The fine dining spots are nixing their prix fixe menus in favor of a more casual model. Seattle Times food writer, Tan Vinh, talks with producer Brandi Fullwood about why these changes are helping keep doors open. Plus, Tan shares why change is good for customer’s wallets and appetites. Read more about changes in high end dining in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/in-seattle-prix-fixe-menus-are-out-lower-price-points-are-en-vogue/ Recommendations in this episode: B...
Nov 06, 2025•18 min
Seattle is a haven for coffee fans. And the price of that fandom just got a whole lot more expensive. Seattle Times food critic Tan Vinh speaks with Seattle Times Business reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton to find out why jitter juice prices are skyrocketing. But don’t fret, they also share some good-cheap coffee spots and tips for navigating the high priced bean juice landscape. Read more about rising coffee prices in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/business/seattle-a-coffee-have...
Oct 30, 2025•17 min
If it seems like the best bites around town are gourmet twists on fast food classics, well, you’re onto something. Seattle Times writers Tan Vinh and David Gutman share their latest food finds from around Seattle– including what Gutman calls the best cheap breakfast sandwich in the city. Tan shares his pick for the best nachos in the entire Pacific Northwest. Recommendations in this episode: Ken’s Market, Greenwood for $3.99 breakfast sandwich Grillbird, Phinney Ridge for a shrimp forward fast f...
Oct 23, 2025•19 min
Tan Vinh has been a food journalist and restaurant critic for 12 years. Some parts of the job are glamorous (Eating for work! Meals on the company card!) But...there are loads of ups and downs that don’t make it onto the front page. Today, Tan answers questions from listeners about being a food critic — from how he picks restaurants to review, to dealing with heartburn on the job. Plus, he shares tips on how to see Seattle’s restaurant scene through the eyes of a critic. Read more about being a ...
Oct 16, 2025•22 min
Two big-name Washington breweries have expanded with new locations in Seattle, complete with food offerings from local chefs. Seattle Times food critic Tan Vinh explains how the news points to two trends shaping the city’s brewery scene. He's joined by Seattle Times editor Trevor Lenzmeier! Plus, a listener tells us about his favorite family friendly (and dog friendly) spots to check out. Tell us about your favorite neighborhood hang out! Email us at SeattleEats@kuow.org Read Tan’s coverage of b...
Oct 02, 2025•11 min
Seattle’s restaurant scene is playing chess, not checkers. And the latest moves reveal what is actually thriving in this economy. Seattle Times food critic Tan Vinh and editor Trevor Lenzmeier break down the openings focused on sandwiches and fast-casual small plates, while large format restaurants and fine dining spots are closing or pivoting. Read more about openings, closures, and pivots in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/why-5-seattle-area-restaurants-are-pivo...
Sep 25, 2025•17 min
Stadium food can be a letdown. Many sports games and concerts are accompanied by soggy chicken fingers or cold burgers — at a premium price, of course. But the Seattle Seahawks and Lumen Field are making a big play for dining. They want 12s to see the stadium as a destination for dinner as well as a show. Today, Tan and producer Brandi Fullwood sample new menu items on offer during the Hawks season and pick the three best items to eat at a game. Read more of Tan’s takes about stadium food in The...
Sep 18, 2025•14 min
Portland based ice cream Salt & Straw is betting big on Seattle with four new locations, but expansion doesn’t mean playing it safe (or going vanilla). In this episode, Seattle Times food writer Tan Vinh tastes and guesses some seasonal and secret scoops with Salt & Straw’s head ice cream maker Tyler Malek. We find out why doubling down on unique flavors is good for business. Read more of The Seattle Times' reporting on Salt & Straw's expansion: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food...
Sep 11, 2025•18 min
The classic mortadella sandwich is a simple affair: High quality focaccia, thinly sliced mortadella (a deli meat hailing from Bologna, Italy), and maybe one or two toppings. This formula is taking off in Seattle, leading Tan to dub mortadella “the sandwich of the summer.” He breaks down three standout sandwiches with mortadella enthusiast and food tour producer Adam Weintraub. Read more about Seattle’s Hot Mortadella Summer: Mortadella is the sandwich of the summer in Seattle | The Seattle Times...
Sep 04, 2025•20 min
There’s something about eating a Seattle dog with a beer in August at the baseball game that just can’t be replicated in February. In this episode, Tan Vinh and Rachel Belle talk about the bites that hooked them this summer and which quintessential bites you should try ASAP. Read more of Tan’s reporting on what to try before summer ends: new Seattle restaurants to try before summer ends And find everything Rachel Belle is cookin’ up and talking about here: https://www.hellorachelbelle.com/ Recom...
Aug 28, 2025•20 min
Capitol Hill diners were surprised when Vietnamese restaurant Stateside and its sister bar, Foreign National, closed suddenly this month. Both businesses left a distinct mark on Seattle’s restaurant scene. But as per usual, August also brought its fair share of new restaurant openings, including a rare spot focused just on British food. Did someone say ‘sausage roll’?? Tan breaks down the ins and outs of August restaurant news with Seattle Eats producer Clare McGrane. Do you have a question for ...
Aug 21, 2025•21 min
Summer fruit season is in full swing, but many Washington farmers are preparing fruit for weeks or months down the line. Farms in Lynden, Washington, produce 90% of the country’s frozen raspberries. The berries make their way into baked goods, jams and freezer aisles all over the country. And while frozen food gets a bad rap, farmers in Lynden say these finicky berries are just as good frozen as they are fresh. Seattle Times journalist Jackie Varriano visited a farm in Lynden to see the process ...
Aug 14, 2025•15 min
To many people, instant ramen is a simple (and cheap) snack. But to chef Josh Ratza, it’s an opportunity for delight. Josh is the owner and chef at Setsunai Noodle Bar on Lopez Island and the self-published author of Elevated Instant Ramen. The book is a guide to leveling-up any instant ramen, without breaking the bank. In this episode, Tan and Josh shop for ramen at Uwajimaya in Seattle’s Chinatown International District. Josh points out his favorites and shows Tan how to ‘hack’ a ramen packet ...
Aug 07, 2025•19 min
While Seattle food lovers flock to Richmond, BC, Bellevue is steadily becoming home to some of the Pacific Northwest’s most diverse and authentic Chinese food. The dishes you’ll find there tell the story of a community cooking for itself, not just the tourists. From braised goose to smoked tea duck, Tan highlights the regional specialties worth crossing the 520 bridge for. Read more of Tan’s reporting on the Bellevue food scene here: How Bellevue became an international hub for Chinese food | Th...
Jul 31, 2025•13 min
Seattle spent a whopping $800 million dollars on the new waterfront to create a vibrant public space. But is it just a tourist trap with expensive food? Seattle Times writers chat about the history of the waterfront and the food spots worth braving the crowds to check out on Seattle's new "front porch." Read more of Tan's reporting on the Waterfront food scene here. Check out David’s essay on the Seattle’s “front porch” here . Recommendations in this episode: Mee Sum Pastry Lowell’s Jack’s Fish ...
Jul 24, 2025•16 min
It’s restaurant season in Seattle! Dozens of new spots are opening in hopes of riding a summer wave of tourists and sunshine. In this episode, Tan highlights three restaurants the industry is watching and reviews the menus at each. Read more of Tan’s reporting on new restaurants in The Seattle Times . Recommendations in this episode: The Wayland Mill, Wallingford Mr. Fish, Downtown La Loba, South Lake Union Seattle Eats is a production of The Seattle Times and KUOW, part of the NPR Network. You ...
Jul 17, 2025•18 min
Seattle Times food critics Tan Vinh and Jackie Varriano eat hundreds of meals each month: At new restaurants, old-school dive bars, tiny pop-ups and national chains. In this episode, Tan and Jackie highlight five of the best dishes they’ve tasted recently, from high-concept Vietnamese fusion to an Italian cookie pop-up. Read more about Tan and Jackie’s picks in The Seattle Times, linked below. Recommendations in this episode: Ramie , Capitol Hill – Hột Vịt Lộn (duck) custard Nue, Capitol Hill – ...
Jul 10, 2025•18 min
Who makes the best slice of pizza in Seattle? Last summer, the Seattle Times food team went in search of an answer to that question. They polled Seattle diners and narrowed 32 pizzerias down to 4 finalists and 1 winner. Today, we’re re-sharing our episode breaking down the results, so you can enjoy a pristine slice this holiday weekend. Read more about the results of The Seattle Times Pizza Smackdown . Recommendations in this episode: Bar del Corso , Beacon Hill Delancey , Ballard The Independen...
Jul 03, 2025•19 min
June brought a slate of closed restaurants in Seattle, from a half-century-old dive bar to some of the city’s most high-end dining. But it was also a good month for new spots, with two popular rooftop bars debuting in Central Seattle just as the weather heats up. Tan breaks down all the trends in openings and closings this month with Seattle Eats producer Clare McGrane. Read more about The College Inn Pub ’s closure, Sea Creatures Restaurants’ pivot and this summer’s new openings in The Seattle ...
Jun 26, 2025•22 min
This week, 25 restaurants and chefs were crowned with James Beard Awards – the Oscars of the food world. And for the fifth year in a row, Washington state came away with zero wins. Tan breaks down the three Seattle-area finalists with Seattle Times food writer Jackie Varriano, and asks: What are we doing wrong? Read more about this year’s local James Beard Award finalists, including seven-time finalist Jay Blackington , in The Seattle Times . Recommendations in this episode: Atoma, Wallingford –...
Jun 19, 2025•12 min
Dinner parties are a staple in many cultures, but in Georgia – in the Caucus mountains of Eastern Europe — dinner parties are another deal all together. Almost any occasion in Georgia calls for a Supra, a feasting tradition that goes far beyond the food on the table and the wine in the glasses. It’s about connecting with the other people around the table, sometimes getting extremely vulnerable. The Supra Dinner Society wants to make this Georgian tradition a feature in Seattle. In this episode, ...
Jun 12, 2025•15 min
Ever stopped by a Seattle bar or casual food spot and noticed a pinball machine or two? The region is a center for pinball enthusiasts, in part thanks to its culture of barcades and general geekiness. Today, we’re sharing a glimpse into Seattle’s pinball haunts from Meet Me Here, a new podcast from KUOW. Find more episodes of Meet Me Here in the KUOW app or your favorite podcast app. Recommendations in this episode: 8-bit, Renton ADD-A-Ball, Fremont Ice Box, Ballard (all ages) Jupiter, Belltown ...
Jun 05, 2025•17 min
Memorial Day is behind us, meaning summer has officially started. The Seattle Eats team is taking a short summer break to cook up new shows. To get the vacation vibes going, we asked friends of the show to send us their favorite patio to enjoy the summer weather. Seattle Eats will be back with regular episodes June 12. Patio recommendations: Marination Ma Kai – West Seattle (Rachel Belle) Little Water Cantina – Eastlake (Trevor Lenzmeier) Bar Harbor – South Lake Union (Bethany Jean Clement) Hook...
May 29, 2025•6 min
The Pacific Northwest is a great place to hunt for clams of all types: Razor, manilla, butter, and even the elusive geoduck. But one bivalve flies under the radar: horse clams. Horse clams are the little cousin of the geoduck and share many of the qualities that make geoduck a delicacy. But while geoduck costs upwards of $40 a pound, horse clams aren’t available in stores. The only way to eat them is to get a $15 license, find a beach at low tide and start digging. In this episode, Tan takes a h...
May 22, 2025•19 min
Roy Choi is best known as the father of the Korean fusion taco. His food truck Kogi went viral in 2008, making him one of the first food influencers on social media. But in his new book The Choi of Cooking, Roy offers a look into a different part of his life: His journey to eat healthier while still having the comfort foods he loves. Tan interviewed Roy in front of a sold-out audience at Freemont Abbey in Seattle during his book tour. Special thanks to Book Larder for organizing the event. More ...
May 15, 2025•15 min
Mexican Seoul is making waves among Seattle foodies. But instead of traditional carne asada or cheesy quesadillas, the food truck in Roosevelt is serving up a meld of Korean and Mexican flavors. Their menu features bulgogi-style pork cooked al pastor, kimchi pico de gallo and steak marinated in spices from Korean kalbi. Tan tastes two of Mexican Seoul’s most popular tacos with local Korean food aficionados Ellen Acuario and Jane Park, co-hosts of the podcast Reply Yeochin. Plus, the trio debates...
May 08, 2025•26 min
Seattle has some truly stellar food that draws on cultures from around the world, but not all cuisines get equal time in the limelight. At a recent live event at Town Hall Seattle for the Splendid Table podcast, Tan and Seattle chef Melissa Miranda joined Splendid Table host Francis Lam to put a spotlight on fine dining in Vietnamese and Filipino cuisines. Recommendations in this episode: Musang, Beacon Hill (Filipino) Ramie, Capitol Hill Pho Hein Trang, Renton Café La Vie, Tacoma Ba Bar, variou...
May 01, 2025•21 min
Two big-name Washington breweries are expanding with new locations in Seattle, complete with food offerings from local chefs. Tan explains how the news points to two trends shaping the city’s brewery scene. Plus, Seattle Times editor Trevor Lenzmeier tells the story of an acclaimed sushi restaurant that shut down this month, and not for reasons you would expect. Tell us about your favorite neighborhood hang out spot! Email us at SeattleEats@kuow.org Read Tan’s coverage of brewery expansions and ...
Apr 24, 2025•20 min
