Seattle Eats

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Revisiting Seattle's udon scene Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

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 support Seattle Eats by investing in the local newsrooms and the specialized beats that make this sort of storytelling possible:

Become a member today at kuow.org/donate/seattleeatsnotes
Subscribe today at seattletimes.com

Recommendations in this episode:

Azuki, Madison Valley
Marugame Udon, Tukwila
U:Don, University District and Capitol Hill
Onibaba, Chinatown International District

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best Costco wines of 2025 Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

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-bottles-rated-by-our-holiday-sommeliers/

Recommendations in this episode:

NV Prosecco Rosé + Roy Thai, Phinney Ridge
2023 Gigondas + Meat Moot (take out!), SLU
2020 Brunello Di Montalcino + Stevie’s Famous Pizza

Seattle Eats is a production of The Seattle Times and KUOW, part of the NPR Network. You can support Seattle Eats by investing in the local newsrooms and the specialized beats that make this sort of storytelling possible. Support the show at kuow.org/eats and seattletimes.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Goodbye bacon jam, hello Meat Moot Mondays! Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

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:

Recommendations in this episode:

Carmine’s on Fifth, Downtown
Meat Moot, South Lake Union
Kingfisher, Bainbridge Island

Seattle Eats is a production of The Seattle Times and KUOW, part of the NPR Network. You can support Seattle Eats by investing in the local newsrooms and the specialized beats that make this sort of storytelling possible. Please consider joining and subscribing at kuow.org/eats and seattletimes.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What the heck is happening at Canlis? Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

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.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/review-why-our-critic-no-longer-recommends-seattles-famous-canlis/

Recommendations in this episode:

Tomo, White Center
Houlme, Orcas Island
La Marea, Ballard
Ramie, Capitol Hill

Seattle Eats is a production of The Seattle Times and KUOW, part of the NPR Network. You can support Seattle Eats by investing in the local newsrooms and the specialized beats that make this sort of storytelling possible. Please consider joining and subscribing at kuow.org/eats and seattletimes.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our favorite happy hours have $10 pasta, 99¢ wings, and tons of oysters! Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

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 (Wallingford) –Rachel Belle
Tamari Bar – (Capitol Hill) Trevor Lenzmeier
Donna’s (Capitol Hill, every day from 4-6PM and 10PM-12am) –Brandi Fullwood
Rockcreek (Fremont and Kirkland) –Tan Vinh

Seattle Eats is a production of The Seattle Times and KUOW, part of the NPR Network. You can support Seattle Eats by investing in the local newsrooms and the specialized beats that make this sort of storytelling possible. Please consider joining and subscribing at kuow.org/eats and seattletimes.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Nothing says Thanksgiving like ham, lamb and more sides Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

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 the NPR Network. You can support Seattle Eats by investing in the local newsrooms and the specialized beats that make this sort of storytelling possible. Please consider joining and subscribing at kuow.org/eats and seattletimes.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle's Thanksgiving Teriyaki Turkey Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

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, hot rice
Kenji Lopez-Alt’s roasted potatoes
Green bean salad with sesame
Peach cobbler

Seattle Eats is a production of The Seattle Times and KUOW, part of the NPR Network. You can support Seattle Eats by investing in the local newsrooms and the specialized beats that make this sort of storytelling possible. Please consider joining and subscribing at kuow.org/eats and seattletimes.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle’s hottest food neighborhood has everything (except parking) Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

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 Party
Fortuna
Roy Thai
Sweet Bakery

BONUS! Steve's Famous Pizza is coming to Phinney Ridge: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/stevies-famous-will-open-third-pizzeria-in-this-seattle-neighborhood/

Seattle Eats is a production of The Seattle Times and KUOW, part of the NPR Network. You can support Seattle Eats by investing in the local newsrooms and the specialized beats that make this sort of storytelling possible. Please consider joining and subscribing at kuow.org/eats and seattletimes.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RIP Tasting Menus. Long Live Fancy Burgers! Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

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:

Bateau, Capital Hill
Tomo, White Center
Off Alley, Columbia City

Seattle Eats is a production of The Seattle Times and KUOW, part of the NPR Network. You can support Seattle Eats by investing in the local newsrooms and the specialized beats that make this sort of storytelling possible. Please consider joining and subscribing at kuow.org/eats and seattletimes.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wake up and smell the $12 coffee Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

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-haven-is-watching-java-prices-spike-why/

Recommendations in this episode:

The Seattle Grind, Seattle Center
Herkimer Coffee, Capitol Hill, SLU, and U-District
Espresso Vivace, Capitol Hill
Push/Pull, Central District
Stella Deli and Market, Lower Queen Anne

Seattle Eats is a production of The Seattle Times and KUOW, part of the NPR Network. You can support Seattle Eats by investing in the local newsrooms and the specialized beats that make this sort of storytelling possible. Please consider joining and subscribing at kuow.org/eats and seattletimes.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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