Seattle’s Chinatown-International District is one of the most-visited neighborhoods in the city, and with good reason. It’s steeped in Asian American culture, as evident by the intricate architecture, historical landmarks, and authentic Asian eateries.
If you’ve never been, don’t let the name fool you. Seattle’s C-ID is one of the most culturally-diverse cities in the country. There’s a designated neighborhood not only for Chinese Americans but also for other ethnicities as well. In this post, I’m going to break down everything to do in Washington state’s largest International District, and what you need to know in order to maximize your trip!
What is Seattle’s Chinatown-International District?
Seattle’s Chinatown-International District emerged over multiple decades as Asian immigrants, particularly Chinese and Japanese Americans, settled here after being displaced.
In Seattle, Asian Americans account for roughly 17% of the population, with a majority being of Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Japanese, and Korean descent. Thanks to their influence, the C-ID is further broken down into even smaller neighborhoods, like Little Saigon and Japantown.
Where is Seattle CID located?
Seattle’s C-ID neighborhood is located about less than a mile south of downtown Seattle. Its border is considered from 4th Avenue South to Rainier Avenue going east to west, and from Yesler Way to Charles Street going north to south.
Where to eat in Seattle Chinatown-International District
There are countless restaurants in the C-ID to choose from, depending on the cuisine and vibe you’re looking for. I’ll share some of my favorites below. For more spots, check out my post on the best restaurants in Seattle International District!
Tai Tung
website | 655 S King St (get directions) | cuisine: Chinese | price: $$ | best for: chicken chow mein
Tai Tung is Seattle’s oldest Chinese restaurant, as evident by the number of trophies, news articles, and signed posters lining the walls. Bruce Lee even used to live across the street and was a frequent customer.
Aside from the history, Tai Tung makes classic Chinese American food. My favorite dish is the chicken chow mein with tender noodles in a silky, aromatic sauce. It’s no wonder they’re considered to have the best Chinese food in Seattle.
The Boat
website | 1314 S Jackson St (get directions) | cuisine: Vietnamese | price: $$ | best for: fried chicken
The Boat specializes in some of the best fried chicken in Seattle, but with a Vietnamese flair. That means it has an ultra-crispy fried skin that’s coated in a shiny, fish sauce-infused glaze. It’s served with a delicate broth for dipping, making it quite different than southern fried chicken.
The owners are the same people behind Pho Bac, one of my favorite pho restaurants, and Hello Em, a unique Vietnamese coffee shop with banh mi sandwiches and egg coffee (don’t knock it till you try it!).
Tamarind Tree
website | 1036 S Jackson St (get directions) | cuisine: Vietnamese | price: $$ | best for: tofu satay
If you’re looking for a more old-school Vietnamese dining experience, visit the Tamarind Tree. They have a lovely outdoor patio and serve elevated cocktails alongside authentic classic Vietnamese dishes.
Surprisingly, they do their vegetarian entrees just as much justice as their meat dishes, which is why I often order off the vegetarian menu. The tofu satay is flavorful and perfectly cooked, and the lychee martini is dangerously drinkable.
Saigon Deli
website | 1237 S Jackson St (get directions) | cuisine: Vietnamese | price: $ | best for: banh mi
Saigon Deli is a C-ID staple for Vietnamese food. They serve overstuffed and well-seasoned banh mi sandwiches with authentic fillings and perfectly cooked bread. I always get the ham three ways, plus BBQ ham, and I can usually get one sandwich to last the whole day!
They also have a tofu banh mi, but if you’re vegan or vegetarian, I’d suggest going to the nearby Chu Minh Tofu. They’re 100% plant-based, so you know they’re dedicating themselves to making the best vegan banh mi possible.
Joyale Seafood Restaurant
website | 900 S Jackson St (get directions) | cuisine: Chinese | price: $$ | best for: dim sum
Joyale is one of the best soup dumpling restaurants in Seattle, and they’re one of the few spots that still do dim sum carts. The menu is seafood-heavy, but honestly, the pork dumplings are one of my favorite things on the menu. They’re plump, overstuffed, and the broth is expertly seasoned. It’s so good, it even rivals Jade Garden, one of the most iconic dim sum spots in the city.
Fuji Bakery
website | 526 S King St (get directions) | cuisine: Japanese | price: $ | best for: custard filled cream puffs
Fuji Bakery is a tiny hole in the wall serving Japanese pastries. They have a variety of sweet and savory options, ranging from simple pastries like plain croissants to unique ones like warm beef curry buns. The creamy egg salad sando and curry buns are my faves!
Chengdu Memory
website | 520 S Jackson St (get directions) | cuisine: Sichuan | price: $$ | best for: tri broth hot pot
Chengdu is a buzzing hotpot restaurant known for having aloof staff and big crowds. If you can snag a seat, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best hot pot in Seattle.
I always get the tri-broth option so the table can try multiple broths. They have a killer sauce bar with assorted fresh veg and watermelon to cool off your palate. Just be warned, anything that says “spicy” is not messing around!
Phnom Penh Noodle House
website | 913 S Jackson St (get directions) | cuisine: Cambodian | price: $$ | best for: noodle soup
There’s admittedly not a ton of Cambodian restaurants in Seattle, but Phnom Penh is my favorite noodle house because they serve some of the best soup in Seattle. You get abundant portions of tender noodles in a range of broths with meats, seafood, and assorted veg.
I like the Phnom Penh Wonton soup best because it has pork, seafood, noodles, and wontons. It’s earthy and briny and perfect for people who can’t decide what to get.
Maneki
website | 304 6th Ave S (get directions) | cuisine: Japanese | price: $$$ | best for: authentic sushi
Stepping into Maneki feels like a hug from the past. It’s Seattle’s oldest sushi restaurant, and the ambiance has hardly changed since day one. They serve a range of sushi rolls, sashimi, and hot plates, all made with fuss-free ingredients. Guests can even sit at chabudai tables that are low to the ground for a more traditional Japanese eating experience. Because this is an iconic experience, Maneki is considered some of the best sushi in Seattle.
Bellwether BBQ & Grill
website | 609 S Weller St (get directions) | cuisine: Korean | price: $$$ | best for: all you can eat Korean BBQ
While the C-ID isn’t known for having an abundance of Korean food, there are a few hidden gems, like Bellwether. The vibe is a bit boisterous, making it fitting for a young crowd, especially later in the evening when the music kicks off.
Bellwether is best known for their all-you-can-eat experience. For 2 hours at $35-65 pp, you get unlimited meat and sides like chicken wings, egg rolls, tofu soup, and rice cakes. Their meat is good quality and the experience fun, making it one of the best Korean BBQ options in Seattle proper.
What to do in Seattle Chinatown-International District
There’s much more to do in the C-ID than eat amazing food. Here are some of my favorite things to do with an afternoon in Seattle’s most diverse neighborhood.
Visit the Wing Luke Museum
website | 719 S King St (get directions) | price: ~$17pp | best for: Asian American history
The Wing Luke Museum shares the art and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It was established in 1967 and remains the only pan-Asian Pacific American community-based museum in the country. There are permanent and traveling exhibits designed to educate on the struggles of early Asian American pioneers.
Take a walking tour
In addition to being a museum, the Wing Luke Museum also offers guided neighborhood tours to help you discover stories off the beaten path. They have a range of tour options, and admission to the tour is included with your ticket purchase. Or, check out this free self-guided walking tour.
Go on a food crawl
With so many options, it can be hard to know where to go for the best meal. Rather than wade through the crowds, experience the C-ID through a food tour. I’ve created a range of self-guided food tours across notorious foodie neighborhoods, and while I don’t have a C-ID tour (yet!), the Wing Luke Museum offers guided food tours of the city.
Visit the Pinball Museum
website | 508 Maynard Ave S (get directions) | price: ~$20-23pp | best for: pinball games
Visiting the Pinball Museum is one of my favorite Seattle kid’s activity. Once you pay the price of admission, you’re free to play your heart out while learning a thing or two about pinball’s history.
Check out King Street Station
website | get directions | price: free | best for: historic train station
King Street Station has been a fully functioning train station since 1906 and is one of the best places to take pictures in Seattle. Its ornate ceilings, twelve-story clocktower (inspired by the San Marco Bell Tower of Venice), and granite-clad floors make it a must-visit spot for architecture aficionados.
Shop at Uwajimaya
website | 600 5th Ave S (get directions) | price: free to enter | best for: Asian supermarket
Uwajimaya is Seattle’s largest and longest running Asian supermarket. It has multiple floors and sells everything from unique produce to Japanese capsule toys, fresh sushi, a bookstore, and niche Asian deli items. There is also an Asian food court with beloved favorites like Aloha Plates, some of the best Hawaiian food in Seattle.
People watch at Hing Hay Park
website | 423 Maynard Ave S (get directions) | price: free | best for: kid-friendly park
Hing Hay Park is a newly renovated park in the heart of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. The park is centered around red brick squares decorated with an ornate Grand Pavilion designed and constructed in Taipei. In addition to seating areas, there are ping pong tables and free fitness equipment. This makes it one of the best parks in Seattle for people watching!
Snap pics at the historic Chinatown gate
504 5th Ave S (get directions) | price: free | best for: iconic photos
The historic Chinatown gate was completed in 2008 and remains one of the iconic landmarks in the C-ID. I wouldn’t recommend starting here as free parking is virtually impossible, but you’ll likely pass it, so stop to snap a pic and appreciate the intricate artwork.
Explore the shops
One of the lesser-known perks of visiting the C-ID is the unique shops you come across. I’m a big fan of KOBO Seattle for their artwork and unique jewelry pieces. Sairen is a woman-owned storefront in the heart of Japantown that highlights local Asian American makers, while In the Comfort Of is perfect for some of the best vintage furniture in Seattle.
The edge of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District also boasts one of my favorite specialty food markets, Big John’s PFI. It offers a range of ingredients from across the Mediterranean, with a heavy emphasis on Italian items. This is where my family comes to stock up for our Italian-American Feast of the 7 Fishes feast on Christmas Eve.
Check out local events
Seattle’s Chinatown-International District is a locally driven neighborhood that frequently hosts free, all-ages events. Each summer, there’s the C-ID Food Walk, where visitors can experience local restaurants with ~$6 bites. There’s also the C-ID Night Market, an evening market with street vendors, food trucks, and cultural events.
There are multiple parades in the C-ID, but none is a bigger spectacle than the Lunar New Year Parade. Typically, in mid-February, you can expect huge crowds and a lively display honoring the Chinese New Year.
Here’s a helpful calendar for local events, including community clean-ups and volunteer opportunities.
Get late-night dim sum
One of the perks of being in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District late into the evening is the number of lively dim sum restaurants to choose from. My go-tos are Hong Kong Bistro and Purple Dot for soup dumplings, or Honey Court for honey walnut shrimp. All of the close between 12 AM and 3:30 AM!
Other alternates are Joyale, Dim Sum King, and Jade Garden. They’re primarily daytime spots for dim sum, but all except Dim Sum King are open during normal dinner hours.
Do karaoke
I never turn down an opportunity to belt out some tunes at a karaoke bar, and the C-ID makes it easy. Check out the newly renovated private rooms at Vox Karaoke and see why group singalongs are my favorite birthday activities in Seattle.
More to do near Chinatown-ID in Seattle
After you explore all the things to do in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, check out my guides to exploring the nearby neighborhoods!
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