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...
Feb 19, 2026•13 min
From hot pot to dim sum to made-to-order crepes, T&T Supermarket is a treasure trove of delicious food. Seattle Times food writer, Tan Vinh, tried 300 items and shares his favorites with KUOW producer Brandi Fullwood. Read more about T&T Supermarket in The Seattle Times: T&T Supermarket: 12 best things to eat from the Asian grocery chain How T&T’s Bellevue food court became our writer’s office for a year More stories about T&T Supermarket Recommendations in this episode: Mang...
Feb 12, 2026•23 min
Seattle is a big coffee town. It's also known for its literary scene. So it's only natural that reading and coffee go hand-in-hand. Seattle Times arts and economy reporter Margo Vansynghel joins Tan to share her favorite cozy coffee shops to grab a warm beverage and read a good book. Read more about cozy coffee shops in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/6-cozy-seattle-coffeeshops-that-are-great-for-reading/ Recommendations in this episode: Open Form Espresso Viv...
Feb 05, 2026•19 min
When it comes to writing about Tacoma’s bar scene, Seattle Times food and drink writer, Tan Vinh almost ran out of ink. From kitschy tiki bars to serious cocktails, there is plenty to drink and even better food to wash it all down with. Kristine Sherred, a food reporter at The Tacoma News Tribune, joins Tan for a bar hopping chat about her neck of the woods. Read all ten of Tan’s picks and more on the Tacoma food scene at The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/10-great-t...
Jan 29, 2026•24 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. Tan and KUOW 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 S...
Jan 23, 2026•14 min
Seattle Times food writers discuss a hot food neighborhood in South Seattle. From a very hyped pizza to neighborhood staple ban xeo you’ll learn how to order like a local …and a very meticulous food writer. Read more about the Othello neighborhood eats in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/is-seattles-hottest-ak-pizza-worth-the-hype-and-more-good-food-in-othello/ Recommendations in this episode: A.K. Pizza Nissi Banh Sma5h Seattle Eats is a production of The Seattle ...
Jan 22, 2026•20 min
From fancy street food to, yes, even more pizza – Seattle Times food critic Tan Vinh highlights the most anticipated restaurants of 2026 with two-time Emmy-winning journalist, filmmaker Thanh Tân. Plus, he gives tips on how to navigate the never-ending list of new restaurants from the best ones. Read more about the top picks so far for 2026 in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/20-seattle-area-restaurants-and-bars-were-most-excited-about-in-2026/ Check out Second Wav...
Jan 15, 2026•21 min
Pizza, bagels, best date night spots and the unwritten rules of hot pot etiquette. Culinary luminaries J Kenji López-Alt and Rachel Belle covered a wide range of topics with Tan at Seattle Eats live event at Town Hall Seattle on November 10, 2025. Recommendations in this episode: Favorite bagel spot Hey Bagel - University Village Backyard bagel - Fremont Mt. Bagel - Madison Valley Favorite sandwich Post Alley Pizza - Pike Place Market - try the hoagie with side of hoagie jazz Fortuna - Greenwood...
Jan 08, 2026•53 min
Our town was made for soup. The sooty dusks of December. The dampness of March. We dive into caldrons of smoking pho and ramen. So, why not udon? On today’s episode, Tan ventures out to find some of the best udon in Seattle. He visits Azuki in Madison Valley to learn about how Chef Ryuji Miyata makes his noodles by hand. Later, Tan recommends some more casual and budget-friendly udon places. Read more about Tan’s udon picks . Seattle Eats is a production of The Seattle Times and KUOW . You can s...
Dec 31, 2025•19 min
It’s that time of year! Seattle Times food critic Tan Vinh is back with the best Costco wines you will want to buy for holiday dinner parties… or last minute gifts. Plus, Tan has pairings to go with the top three wines! Seattle Times politics reporter (and former French sous chef) David Gutman, joins Tan for an early morning wine tasting and review. Read more about the top rated Costco wines of 2025 in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/costco-wine-best-cheapest-bott...
Dec 18, 2025•22 min
Another round of closures hits the Seattle food scene. But when one door closes, the employees buy it to save it?? Seattle Times restaurant critic Tan Vinh shares his latest closing and three new spots that have the restaurant industry buzzing. Read more about the latest restaurant openings and closings in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/22-new-seattle-restaurant-openings-for-november-2025/ https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/22-recent-seattle-restaurant-...
Dec 11, 2025•22 min
For decades Seattle fine dining has been synonymous with Canlis. But things have changed since 1950 when Canlis first hit the scene creating dishes that highlighted Pacific Northwest cuisine. Seattle Times food critics weigh in on their controversial review of a beloved special occasion spot as Canlis rings in its 75th anniversary on December 11th this year. Plus, they tell you where they’re seeing Seattle better celebrated on the plate. Read the Canlis review in The Seattle Times: https://www.s...
Dec 04, 2025•20 min
The holiday season is a great time to hit happy hour with co-workers, friends or out-of-town visitors. But where should you go? Tan and friends of Seattle Eats share their favorite happy hour spots. Happy Hour recommendations: Lupe Situ Tacos (Ballard, all day Mondays) – Bethany Jean Clement Vindictive Wings (Belltown, 99c Wing Wednesdays) — Jackie Varriano Rumba (Capitol Hill) – Adam Weintraub Oyster Happy Hour at The Garrison (Ballard) Half Shell (Pike Place) Taylor’s Shellfish and Kokkaku (Wa...
Nov 27, 2025•7 min
This is an excerpt from Tan’s conversation with J Kenji Lopez-Alt and Rachel Belle about their Thanksgiving meal preparation tips. But mostly it’s about green bean casserole.This was recorded at a Seattle Eats live event at Town Hall Seattle on Nov 10, 2025. References from this episode: The recipe for Tan’s favorite Thanksgiving side dish, green bean casserole . In Memory of Dorkus Reilly inventor of the green bean casserole Seattle Eats is a production of The Seattle Times and KUOW, part of th...
Nov 21, 2025•20 min
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
