Great Places for Asian Food in SLU

Photo Credits: @chanseattle and @katieveganthai

CHINESE

Noodle/Bar

Noodle/Bar offers Sichuan-inspired Chinese cuisine, featuring housemade noodles crafted from Washington-grown wheat. Founded by Chef Travis Post and Lisa Zak, also known for Plenty of Clouds, the restaurant showcases a variety of noodle dishes, including spicy wanza mian and cold buckwheat noodles with chili-soy chicken, as well as standout pork dumplings in tangy hot and sour broth. A unique aspect is its use of a ramen laminating machine to produce springy alkaline noodles, blending traditional techniques with local ingredients.

Visit at: 422 Yale Ave N Suite A, Seattle, WA 98109

INDIAN

Lassi & Spice SLU

Lassi & Spice SLU is a vegetarian Indian café that blends traditional Indian flavors with Pacific Northwest influences. Founded by Susanna Dhamdhere as a tribute to her mother-in-law's Maharashtrian cooking, the café offers a casual, modern setting to explore regional Indian dishes. Popular menu items include Vada Pav Sliders—spiced potato patties on soft rolls with chutneys—Poha, Pav Bhaji, and Masala Chai.

Visit at: 423 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

The Roll Pod Food Truck

The Roll Pod is an acclaimed food truck that serves up fresh, flavorul, easy-to-eat Indian street food with a modern twist, focusing on kathi rolls and rice bowls. Popular menu items include the Chicken Masala Roll, Paneer Masala Bowl, and Mango Lassi. Vegan and gluten-free options available.

Visit at: 500 Boren Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

JAPANESE

Sushi Katsu-ya

Sushi Katsu-ya offers a refined take on Japanese cuisine, led by renowned chef Katsuya Uechi, known for his innovative approach to traditional dishes. Signature items include the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, and Miso-Marinated Black Cod. Stylish ambiance and attentive service make this spot at a standout choice for sushi enthusiasts.

Visit at: 122 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

I Love Sushi on Lake Union

A long-standing Japanese restaurant in SLU, I Love Sushi on Lake Union offers a diverse menu of fresh sushi and sashimi, bento, nigiri, and other Japanese dishes, as well as party platters and omakase options. Established in 1992, it's the second branch of the I Love Sushi brand, following the original Bellevue location founded in 1986. A lakeside patio provides diners with scenic views of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline. The restaurant also offers catering services, including on-site sushi chefs for private events.

Visit at: 1001 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Momiji South Lake Union

Established in 2021 as an extension of the original Capitol Hill location, Momiji SLU offers innovative and refined kaiseki-style dishes and sushi that dazzles the senses, from the "Hotter Than Hell" roll (known for its spicy kick) to the "SLU Roll" (seared salmon and sweet aioli). Chic interiors combine modern design with traditional Japanese elements.

Visit at: 731 Bell St, Seattle, WA 98121

Hurry Curry of Tokyo - Seattle

Hurry Curry of Tokyo - Seattle offers an authentic Japanese curry and yoshoku-style comfort food. featuring a signature curry base developed in Japan and shipped directly to Seattle. Popular dishes include Chicken Katsu Curry, Tonkatsu (pork) Curry, Karaage Curry, and Spaghetti Naporitan. Vegan and vegetarian options available. They also offer a selection of Japanese draft beers, sake, and "saketini" cocktails, plus outdoor seating and dog-friendly policies.

Visit at: 825 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109

Mikan Bento

Located within Fairview Market Hall, Mikan Bento offers a nice array of convenient, customizable poke bowls, bento boxes, and made-to-order sushi rolls. Founded by the creator of Bleuwiches, Mikan emphasizes fresh ingredients and personalized service.

Visit at: 400 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Mochinut - Seattle

A popular local chain that's been expanding since its founding in 2020, Mochinut offers a fusion of Japanese mochi and American doughnuts, resulting in chewy, ring-shaped treats made from rice flour. A rotating selection of flavors includes ube, churro, matcha, and strawberry, alongside Korean-style rice flour hot dogs with toppings like potato, ramen, spicy Cheetos, and more.

Visit at: 400 Fairview Ave N #110, Seattle, WA 98109

BB’s Teriyaki Grill

Emphasizing fresh, high-quality ingredients without antibiotics, GMOs, or additives, BB’s Teriyaki allows diners to build their own teriyaki boxes, choosing from proteins like spicy chicken, beef brisket, tofu, or pork, paired with sides such as white or brown rice, yakisoba, cabbage salad, or broccoli.

Visit at: 210 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

KOREAN

Chan Seattle

Chan Seattle is a stylish Korean gastropub inside the Paramount Hotel, where Chef Heong Soon Park reimagines Korean comfort food with bold, unexpected twists. Since opening in 2012, Chan has stood out for dishes like juicy bulgogi beef sliders with cucumber kimchi, roasted Wagyu bone marrow slicked with chili oil, and fire-charred cauliflower lifted by yuzu aioli. Chef Park draws from both his Korean roots and global influences to craft plates that are playful yet deeply rooted in tradition. It’s an intimate space where the food feels familiar—but always with a surprise.

Visit at: 724 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101

PAJU

PAJU brings a bold, boundary-pushing take on Korean cuisine to South Lake Union, where chef Bill Jeong redefines tradition with inventive flair. Since opening in 2019 and expanding in 2024, the restaurant has become known for standout dishes like squid ink kimchi fried rice crowned with a smoked quail egg, delicate yellowtail crudo with lemon verbena, and rich truffle bulgogi. A wood-fired grill adds depth to the menu, while the cocktail bar keeps pace with drinks like the savory-smooth sesame martini.

Visit at: 513 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Stone Korean Restaurant

Stone Korean delivers comforting, homestyle Korean fare with a focus on bold flavors and sizzling presentations. Known for its bubbling soft tofu soups, crispy kimchi pancakes, and hearty BBQ combos like kalbi short ribs and spicy pork, Stone pairs tradition with a modern, approachable vibe. Founded by Diana and Kang Choi, the restaurant emphasizes generous portions, unlimited banchan (Korean side dishes), and fast, friendly service. A cozy, satisfying taste of classic Korean cooking.

Visit at: 900 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

NEPALESE

Kathmandu Momocha

Kathmandu Momocha serves up Nepalese street food with a focus on handmade Himalayan dumplings (momos) wrapped in naturally tinted dough. After moving from Kathmandu, wners Suroj and Mandy first began selling at farmers markets and pop-up kitchens before creating a food truck and SLU restaurant. Fan-favorite momos—like spicy beef with pepper jack or vegan spinach-paneer—come with your choice of sesame-tomato, chili-garlic, or fiery cilantro-serrano sauces.

Visit at: 520 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

TAIWANESE

Yumbit Food Truck

Seattle’s first Taiwanese bento food truck, Yumbit serves up homestyle comfort with a street-food edge. Known for its crispy 5-spice fried chicken tossed with fried basil, melt-in-your-mouth Dongpo pork belly, and savory minced pork over jasmine rice, each bento box comes with garlic broccoli, pickled veggies, and a tea-braised egg for a well-rounded meal. Bold, nostalgic flavors resonate with both Taiwanese food lovers and newcomers.

Visit at: 333 Boren Ave N, Seattle, WA 98121

THAI

Kaosamai Thai Food Truck

Founded in 2004 by Doug Somerville—who converted a bread truck into one of the city’s first non-taco food trucks—Kaosamai Thai Food Truck helped pioneer Seattle’s mobile dining scene. The menu delivers Thai classics like Phad Thai, spicy Phad Kee Mao (drunken noodles), garlic pepper chicken, and rich red or Panang curries. Combo plates pair mains with rice, spring rolls, and tofu Phad Thai for a hearty, fast lunch. Still family-run, Kaosamai has expanded to multiple trucks and a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Fremont, but the SLU food truck remains a staple for Thai comfort food on the go.

Visit at: 551 Boren Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Kati Vegan Thai

Kati Vegan Thai brings vibrant, plant-based Thai cuisine to the heart of the city’s tech hub. Founded in 2017 by Fon Spaulding, who learned to cook from her mother in Bang Phra, Thailand, the restaurant reflects her commitment to fresh, flavorful, and healthful dishes. Signature offerings include the Old-Style Pad Thai, Khao Soi with fried tofu, and Devil Wings—crispy oyster mushrooms dusted with house-made “Devil Dust.” Housed inside a thoughtfully designed, stylish space transformed from a former pub.

Visit at: 1190 Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98109

Thai Thani Kitchen

Thai Thani Kitchen
brings the heat and heart of home-style Thai cooking to life—literally—with its open exhibition kitchen where dishes sizzle to order. Run by a local family, the spot serves up bold, satisfying staples like wok-charred Pad See Ew, crispy garlic chicken, and rich Panang curry. Generous portions and spice levels that range from mild to fire-breathing make it a favorite for regulars craving comfort with a kick.

Visit at: 201 Boren Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

VIETNAMESE

Ba Bar South Lake Union

The casual sibling to Seattle’s Monsoon, Ba Bar South Lake Union brings Vietnamese street food to life with a modern twist. Founded in 2011 by siblings Eric and Sophie Banh, Ba Bar's menu is inspired by their Saigon upbringing, featuring dishes like phở made with grass-fed beef, rotisserie meats, and French-inspired pastries. The restaurant's name, meaning "father" in Vietnamese, honors their dad's influence on their culinary journey. Ba Bar also has locations in Capitol Hill and University Village.

Visit at: 500 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Ba Bar Green

Ba Bar's plant-based offshot,, Ba Bar Green offers a a vibrant, vegan take on Southeast Asian street food from a walk-up window, with takeout and dog-friendly patio seating. Inventive, meat-free creations appeal to both vegans and flexitarians alike. Standout items include the braised tofu bánh mì, Dan Dan noodles with Beyond Meat and Szechuan chili oil, and a rich sweet potato laksa in coconut curry broth. Other favorites include lemongrass tofu Singapore noodles, Lao crispy rice & quinoa salad, and miso-glazed eggplant rice bowls.

Visit at: 500 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109