Hai opened Baegopa as Seattle's Chinatown-International District's first and only Korean Barbeque spot. Baegopa translates to "I'm Hungry" in Korean, so be sure to bring your appetite, as you get a choice of a la carte, all you can eat, and combo options. Popular dishes include their soft tofu soup, marinated boneless short ribs, and bento boxes.
At Tanya Nguyen’s vegan Vietnamese restaurant, Chu Minh Tofu, diners are treated to a meal as if they were in her grandmother’s kitchen. Originally from Vietnam, chef Tanya was inspired to open her restaurant to share her passion for animal welfare.
E-Jae Pak Mor is a Seattle-based restaurant located in the International District/Chinatown that specializes in serving authentic Thai street foods. The name "E-Jae Pak Mor" was inspired by the owner, Pum Yamamoto's, love for the steamed rice flour dumpling, which is known as "Kao Kreab Pak Mor" in Thai. E-Jae is a Chinese-Thai word that means older sister, while Pak Mor refers to the steamed rice flour dumpling that is popular street food in Thailand.
Pum learned how to make Pak Mor from her friend's grandmother, who is a great chef. She was inspired to start her own business after realizing how hard it is to find someone who can make Pak Mor or sell it in the United States.
E-Jae Pak Mor started selling Pak Mor online in April 2021 and received great support from customers, who helped Pum improve the dish with their comments and feedback. After a year of selling online, Pum found the perfect restaurant to fulfill her dream of making Pak Mor for everyone to enjoy. At the restaurant, customers can indulge in other popular Thai street foods, such as Tom Yum Noodles and Kao Mun Gai, all made with high-quality ingredients and skillful cooking.
At Gan Bei, owner Yen Ma serves Chinese comfort food in a comfortable and casual neighborhood bar. Gan Bei has the trifecta of great food, great drinks, and great service. Yen and each member of her staff are kind, welcoming, and sure to greet you with a smile. The bar is the perfect place to stop by and relax after a stressful day at work or to meet up with friends on the weekend.
Pro-tip: Be sure to try their eel and rice clay pot.
Look at any local specialty market's dessert section and you'll likely find a shockingly purple ube cheesecake, the trademark of Chera Amlag's and Geo Quibuyen's Hood Famous Bakery.
If you want to sip a coffee and nibble a slice of your own, swing by their Chinatown-International District café and bar, which opened in 2019. Feeling something lighter? The café serves up a bevy of delicious savory and sweet Filipinx-inspired bites.
In The Comfort Of was founded in 2019 by Alana Tang. Alana is dedicated to helping customers curate impeccable designs for their homes while encouraging sustainable shopping practices. Her store features a unique collection of hand selected primarily midcentury and post-modern vintage pieces. In The Comfort Of has an every-changing collection of home goods highlighting different contemporary artists, so be sure to stop in often for your favorite new treasures for your space.
Hyan Ho opened International Lobster Rolls in 2025 to share globally-inspired, fresh lobster rolls with Seattle’s seafood lovers. From the Maine-style classic to inventive twists, each roll is crafted with care and bold flavors that make every bite unforgettable.
The Le Family opened Jollidaze Cafe in 2023 to share the warmth and joy of their childhood memories with the community. Inspired by their parents’ journey as Vietnamese refugees and family traditions, Jollidaze brings people together with festive decorations, gingerbread baking, classic movies, and comforting food, creating a nostalgic, welcoming experience for all ages.
In the Fall of 1995, after moving back to Seattle from Tokyo, Binko and John Bisbee opened up a gallery and shop called KOBO in the historic Loveless Building, on Capitol Hill in Seattle. In 2004, Binko and John realized their dream of opening a second location of their artisan gallery in the historic Higo Variety Store. Both shops feature art, fine crafts, and design from Japan and the Northwest. Items are thoughtfully curated and include a variety of items from local artists and makers.
From 1987 to 2018, Phnom Penh Noodle House gathered a robust following around its flavorful Cambodian food and "Phnom(enal)" service. The restaurant was originally opened by Sam Ung, a beloved community member and Cambodian refugee. He passed the restaurant to his daughters, and they continued its legacy. In 2018, sisters Dawn Ung, Diane Le, and Darlene Ung experienced a family tragedy and were forced to close the business. However, the Seattle community has rallied around the Ung family, and with their re-opening in 2020, Phnom Penh Noodle House proves the enormous power of community (and Cambodian noodles).
Sorrakai Benjamongkolchai opened Ringo Curry in 2024 to bring his well-researched version of the perfect homemade Japanese curry house to Seattle. Sorrakai has loved cooking and curry since childhood, and shares his love of curry with his family. He tried many curry restaurants while traveling in Japan, Asia, Europe, and America, and perfected his curry recipe along the way.
Longtime friends Kaitlin Uemura and Kaitlin Madriaga decided to open Sairen in 2020, three years after launching their Morning Siren clothing line. Located in Seattle's International District, the aim of Kaitlin and Kaitlin's brick-and-mortar shop is to serve people looking to take their style to the next level with handmade, design-driven products. In addition to offering carefully-curated, one-of-a-kind clothing items and accessories, Sairen boasts an eclectic mix of goods made in Japanese, Hawaii, and locally in Seattle. The Kaitlins also take pride in showcasing works by local artists on the shop's walls, as well as sharing knowledge about the city's Nihonmachi community.
Charles and Cindy Martin opened the Seattle Pinball Museum in 2010 to bring their heartfelt aspiration to share the joy of gaming with fellow enthusiasts and collectors within the Seattle community. The museum has grown its collection to showcase games from 1961 to today, featuring iconic manufacturers like Stern, Williams, Bally, and Jersey Jack. The museum offers a hands-on, immersive experience for pinball enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.
Brian Myers and his family opened Tabletop Village in 2020 to build community, specifically around Pokémon. Tabletop Village is a Pokémon training gym, and welcomes all members of their community and all Pokémon trainers big and small, no matter their experience levels.
The Wing Luke Museum is an art and history museum in Seattle focusing on the culture, art, and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Wing Luke was stablished in 1967 and a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and the only pan-Asian Pacific American community-based museum in the United States. The museum store offers hundreds of books and gifts from over 100 small businesses.
World Pizza is an all vegetarian pizza shop specializing in slices and whole pies seven days a week. Owners, and wife and husband team, Wren and Aaron Crosleycone serve thin crust vegetarian and vegan pizza. The atmosphere at World Pizza is just as good as the food, Wren, Aaron, and their staff are friendly and will go above and beyond to make you feel welcome.
Bonus: World Pizza was first opened in the 1990's in the Belltown neighborhood by Aaron and his brother Adam. Ask Wren and Aaron about the journey World Pizza has been through to be what it is today.
